End of Costa Rica

Well here I am at the end of my Costa Rican adventure. I have been trying to find the words to describe my experience and all I can come up are quotes that I found to be fitting and describe my experience through this journey.

What is Travel?

"Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." -- Miriam Beard

Funny Traveler’s Quotes

"A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it." -- John Steinbeck

"If you look like your passport photo, you're too ill to travel." -- Will Kommen

"Long voyages, great lies." - Italian proverb

Travel Tips

"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money." -- Susan Heller

"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home." -- James Michener

"Two of the greatest gifts we can give our children are roots and wings." -- Hodding Carter

"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey." -- Fitzhugh Mullan

Truisms

"Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter." -- Izaak Walton

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will lead you there." – unknown

The Effects of Travel

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." -- Jawaharal Nehru

Spring Break

Well it has been nice to take a break from work and visit family and friends. I am enjoying the cold weather, but looking forward to some sol as well. I think this time has been good for me to charge back up my battery for going back with a new attitude and a bag of tricks up my sleeve for teaching English to 3-4 year olds. Its a lot of work, but I think in the end its worth it, if they are having fun while learning. I will miss you all and thank you for all your support. Muchisimas gracias y hast luego. :)

Tortuguero

Well after I a lot of thinking and going back and forth, I decided to stay here and not fly back to Texas. The ticket was $1400 and I would have missed my classes. And if you only have a four week course, the last thing you want to do is get behind. So instead of staying by myself in Cedros, I decided to go on a tour with my amiga Rachel and her host mom Carolina. It was so cool o Que Chiva! We saw all kinds of plants and animals and went out dancing with the local Ticos. It was an awsome trip. I know that Granny would have wanted me to be here and have the experience that I have been working for. There is a motto here and it is called "Pura Vida," which means "Pure Life." Costa Ricans use the phrase to express a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, resilience in overcoming difficulties with good spirits, enjoying life slowly, and celebrating good fortune of magnitudes small and large alike. And thinking more about it I see my Grandma as living a full and happy life and with people she loved. So if I use the phrase a lot it is because I am thinking of her. "Pura Vida Mi Abuela!"

Sad Day

I wanted to posts this so you know what is going on and why I am not available.I am not really sure what to say, but things at home are falling apart. My grandma died sometime between last night and this morning. My plans are put on hold at the moment and I am not really sure what is going on. I know that she passed in peace and I am glad I got to see her in good health before I left for Costa Rica. She was and will always spread her love and patience in our hearts.

“You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived.You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back,or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.Your heart can be empty because you can't see her,or you can be full of the love you shared.You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.You can remember her only that she is gone,or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back.Or you can do what she'd want:smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”-David Harkins

Week two

Yesterday I was feeling really down, because my roommates are friends and then their sister is here too. And I have no one. And I feel like the fourth wheel when I am with them, so bascially I have been doing things by myself. Then after a long phone call with my mom and Alex, I came back in for the patio outside and started talking to the girl from my orienation. We talked for two hours about our life stories and why we are here. And she has a contact here that she used to work with and the states and they live in Grecia. Which is an hour away from here so we are going go there sometime and visit. It is weird how things work out sometimes.

Villa Colon

On Friday we went to the Jazz Cafe to see this girl that sings like Alicia Keys and she was really good. Then I had to taxi and I didn't want to go by myself especially since I didn't know where it was and my spanish is poco. So I had to let the sister of my roommate take over and again I felt like a stupid gringa. Then the next day I met up with my dad's friend that lives in Costa Rica and we went to Villa Colon. His friends had a beautiful house and a very nice outdoor bar haven. I met Vivan and we talked about how I wanted to see the volcanoes here and she said to give her a call and she would take me around. So am glad that I met someone my age that is a local here. Other than that I have been trying to venture on my own because my roommates are always out doing their own stuff. So Pura Vida!

Jazz tonight and tour tomorrow

Tonight I am going with my roommates to a jazz club and tomorrow I am getting a tour of San Jose. And earlier I was playing Futbol with Carlos and Vicky, this is the true way to experience the culture of this country :)