The End of Another Chapter

It's a weird feeling when you walk through the door of what was once your home for the past four months of your life. When I would go on little weekend trips, I started wishing I was in "my bed", in which this bed still was small and contained random creatures that lurked through the darkness of night. Apartment 3A on the campus of CDSG, next door to the most amazing neighbors ever was "home". I just feel empty and torn. I am so excited to go back to "normal life" and people that love me, but then again I've made great relationships here in Costs Rica, and I've done so many great things. It's a weird feeling to have a temporary family. You all know from the beginning that it is temporary, yet you still find a way to bond immensely.
So tonight I lay here, one last time in my bed, next to an empty bed that once belonged to Ashley, in an apartment that once was filled with our stuff, now packed up neatly in 2 suitcases. I shed a few tears saying final goodbyes and recalling wonderful memories. Then a red ant on steroids crawls across my headboard and I am brought back to wishing for a bug-free bed! I'm so sick of being bit while I try to sleep!
In a few hours I head back to normal life w/out a security guard singing outside my windows, speaking to me in rapid Spanish. I go back to a loving fiance that I'm excited to marry. I go back to a soft BIG bed that is not sticky and damp. My scarred legs can heal and my tan will fade. The memories may fade, but will never be forgotten. Thank you everyone in Costa Rica that touched my life!

xoxo
Jill

Arenal

This past weekend we visited Arenal. Arenal is an active "safe" volcano that erupts almost daily. It spits out rocks and gases all the time. Around the volcano is a beautiful man-made lake. It is higher in altitude so the weather was chilly. Ashley and I went zip lining through the rain forest canopy. I was extremely scared to go on the first high line, but it ended up being an amazing experience! We hiked up as close as we could to the base of the volcano, collecting a few volcanic rocks to take home. After our canopy tour, and walking along the hanging bridges, we had an amazing dinner and went to sit in the hot springs. It was so romantic. Sunday when we went home we stopped at Cafe Magnolia, and it was the best meal I have had in Costa Rica!

We are not taking anything for granted anymore. Only 2 more weeks left in this beautiful country. Then it is back home to the hustle and bustle of the United States. I don't think we realized how stressful it is going to be flying home on the busiest travel day in the US. It is going to be so weird to be back in the States.