For our last weekend, we went on a “surprise” trip to this beach on the Osa Peninsula. At least I think that’s where it is – part of the trip being a surprise is that they didn’t even tell us how long the bus ride really was.
The beach, Playa Tortuga, is so beautiful here that I finally realize why all of the Ticos said that Jaco was such an “ugly” beach. Having caves to run into, crashing waves, and a secluded shore right by some majestic mountains makes palm trees in front of buildings pale in comparison.
The beach was wonderful, and if it weren’t for the scorching tropical sun we could probably have stayed in the waves all day. Although afer sitting around at this resort all day, I was getting a little stir-crazy. To ease my restlessness, and to keep the Spanish muscles working, I now possess a copy of the fourth Harry Potter book, Harry Potter y el Cรกliz del Fuego.
Our last night was a great note to end on. We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant, Antojitos. It was Costa Rican Mexican food though, so of course it wasn’t spicy. There WAS guacamole, however, as well as some veggie kebabs, tortillas, beans, salsa, and potatoes. We went around and everyone said their favorite moment of the trip, or anything that stood out in their mind, and the nostalgia set in.
I chose this program because I wanted something that was completely different from a typical university experience, but I didn’t expect that it was my interactions with the other students that would also be so different from a typical university experience. But after only knowing each other for three and a half months, its amazing how much we know about each other. Its a friendship that’s definitely reminiscent of my wilderness orientation trip. Although about twenty times as long as the wilderness trip, this program also lets you see former strangers in any situation, not just dressed up to go out on Friday night: we've been sweating and hiking up a steep, muddy mountain all day; debating each other during our journal club talks; running around in caves on the beach; painting masks; interviewing indigenous people about their healthcare; dancing in a gringo circle while all the Ticos stare at us; and just kicking it during our long bus rides. I’ve definitely learned a lot more about these people a lot quicker than I would have otherwise, and I’m so glad that I was able to form very close friendships with people I may never have though.
