One month ago today I was digging trenches, playing soccer, and eating ice cream out of a mushroom hut in Biolley, Costa Rica. It is hard to believe that it was so long ago already, while I still feel that a little bit of me is there :) It has been a really interesting, and sometimes difficult, transition back to what we'll call 'real life'.
To say that the experience changed me to the core would be a gross understatement. The trip ignited a flame in my spirit which will continue fueling my my pursuit of future travel and exploration, it provided me with more smiles and laughter than I can ever remember, a continued and deep appreciation of Habitat for Humanity, a new home away from home in Costa Rica, and new friends who I will never forget.
I have finally (almost) wrapped up going through pictures and updating family and friends on my adventure. As we didn't have internet access for most of the trip (and I was too busy soaking in every delectable moment) I didn't stick with my original plan of daily blogging (whoops!)
We were tasked with creating a team blog (which was an even more beautiful idea) and I did share posts from all of my teammates (you can read them in my last few blog entries)... and by teammates of course I mean family! What I've included below are little snippets about what our daily life was like (from my point of view) and a photo or two (or more, haha) from each day. I've also included a link to the corresponding Facebook photo album, as there are about 3,000 too many pictures to try to post here :)
I will end this tale with these words:
"I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world."
-Mary Anne Radmacher
I'm already busy planning my next adventure.... stay tuned!!!
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My Costa Rican Adventure....
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Days 1 and 2
Traveling to Biolley
February 22-23, 2014 - Costa Rica
Our first two days were a blur of travel, hugs, laughter, introductions, and overwhelming happiness and excitement. Orientation with Hábitat para la Humanidad Costa Rica and giant margaritas were a perfect first night in San Jose, followed by our beautiful (looooong) bus ride down the Pacific Coast to our build site in Biolley on Sunday morning!
Photo Album
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Day 3
Habitat Build Site and Piedra Rock
February 24, 2014 - Altamira de Biolley de Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Our first day on site with Hábitat para la Humanidad Costa Rica :) The beginning of the most incredible two weeks of my life, with new friends who feel more like family now. Day one consisted of a lot of digging and rock hauling, and then of course, meeting Piedra Rock!!!
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Day 4
A 'Hole' New Day
February 25, 2014 - Altamira de Biolley de Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
How many people can you fit in a tight space with shovels, buckets and picks? Obviously at least 3! :) We hadn't had quite enough of the digging yet... so Rebecca, Robyn, and I spent the morning digging out a drain that had been filled in during excavation. You know you really enjoy people when you can have fun in the sweltering heat, covered in dirt :-D Of course, as per usual.... Juan supervised and took pictures :-p
Photo Album
Pancho's Workshop/Sunset/Bonfire
February 25, 2014 - Altamira de Biolley de Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
After finishing up our workday, our fearless guides led us up to the workshop of an incredible and fascinating artist named Pancho. He is responsible for creating many of the gorgeous structures around the community.... including parts of Asoprola, the mushroom ice cream shop (pictures to come), and various other places. After getting a tour, we were able to sit and look out over the spectacular vista behind his studio and watch the sunset. Of course no trip to Pancho's would be complete without a bonfire and marshmallows :-D
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Day 5
The Trench Gang
February 26, 2014 - Altamira de Biolley de Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Day 5 began bright and early (and VERY hot and sunny) with the group breaking up into teams to dig trenches to connect the septic to the bathroom in each house. My team of Kathy, Michael, and Jim was obviously the best ;)
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Waterfall and Coffee Tour
February 26, 2014 - Altamira de Biolley de Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
After a hard day of working, we got treated to an incredibly gorgeous waterfall swim! The best part - we were the only people there :) The worst part - Rebecca losing her glasses to compound the trauma of her morning pick axe accident :-o Luckily, the healing waters of our secret waterfall and the tour/coffee tasting at Posada Cerro Biolley, seemed to help! So much beauty is difficult to try to capture in photographs!
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Day 6
Ice Cream Mushroom, Fútbol, and Digging
February 27, 2014 - Altamira de Biolley de Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Back in the trenches again! After finishing up our septic connection, it was on to the next pick axe task - grading the yard. It may not sound incredibly difficult, but creating a gently sloping 45° out of rock, rock, more rock, and then eventually dense clay, is no easy task! After work we headed to the coolest ice cream shop I've ever seen - inside a Pancho-designed mushroom house! After getting our amazing ice cream, we all huddled under the mushroom cap for a quick 20 minute downpour of rain. Then naturally, since we were already dirty, wet, and sloshing through mud - we decided to play soccer :-p I think everyone can agree that I should pretty much give up my current career and go pro ;) Pro-falling-on-my-face-in-the-mud, that is.
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Day 7
Last Day on Site and Root Wrestling
February 28, 2014 - Altamira de Biolley de Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
I think the title pretty much says it all! The day started with a game of balloon toss and a toucan sighting :) Followed by more digging, frosting the walls with mortar, Rebecca wrestling with a tree root, a heartwarming blessing for the new homes, a farewell to our construction foremen, and a lovely send off for Piedra Rock. All in all, a truly incredible week on site with all of our new friends. Albeit frustrating at times and awfully hot and dirty.... we still got a ton of work accomplished in 5 short days!
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Dancing, More Fútbol, and Balloon Bus
February 28, 2014 - Altamira de Biolley de Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
After our last day on site with Hábitat para la Humanidad Costa Rica, we visited the local school to see them perform a beautiful dance, bust open a piñata, and share some yummy food. We also played a rousing game of Pato, Pato, Ganso (Duck, Duck, Goose) and soccer with the kids. It made everyone feel like a child themselves again, and it definitely showed when we played balloon bus volleyball and rocked out the entire way home :)
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Day 8
Manuel Antonio National Park and San Jose
March 1, 2014 - Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
After a long night for some of us (and by that I mean no night at all :-p) we were off bright and early to start our 9 hour trek back to San Jose. After two flat tires (and a forgotten bag, heh) we made it to our mid-point destination, Manuel Antonio National Park. It isn't an exaggeration to say that this was by far one of the most beautifully scenic places I've ever been. A few hours of floating in the warm Pacific and watching the monkeys and sloths- were the perfect close to a week with our Habitat family. Once we were back in San Jose, we had a last delicious meal with Hábitat para la Humanidad Costa Rica, and one last HUGE group hug ♥ The night wouldn't have been complete though without ending where we began, with giant margaritas and lots of love and laughter :-D
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Days 9 and 10
Playa Dominical
March 2-3, 2014 - Taken at Playa Dominical
Week 2 of my Costa Rican adventure kicked off with a beautiful trip down to Playa Dominical. It was so wonderful to get to spend some time with Sarene and Manuel :-D We just about had the beach to ourselves the entire day, which may explain why we napped and got sunburn :-p One of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen wrapped up an incredibly relaxing day!
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Day 11
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
March 4, 2014 - Taken at Peace Lodge, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Costa Rica
After our beautiful, relaxing time at the beach, we headed back northward and spent an incredible afternoon at La Paz Waterfall Gardens (http://www.waterfallgardens.com/). It seemed like every day spent in Costa Rica somehow was more beautiful than the previous. On the way to the waterfall you pass through an amazing wildlife refuge with birds, butterflies, monkeys, jungle cats... and might even get lucky enough to hold a toucan ;) Of course the three-part waterfall was absolutely spectacular and indescribable!!! :-D
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Day 12
Poás Volcano, Costa Rica vs. Paraguay Fútbol
March 5, 2014 - Volcán Poás
Since I decided that I just couldn't leave Costa Rica yet, we had a bunch of extra days to see even more amazing things!!! We headed out in the morning to attempt to see the Poás Volcano crater.... unfortunately it was cloudy (really, really cloudy) the whole time. It was still beautiful though in a mystical way, plus I guess that just means I HAVE to go back to see it next time :) We were also pleasantly entertained by our squirrel friend while waiting to see if the fog would lift. In the evening I was so lucky to be able to meet up with Rebecca and Robyn, and their new friends Beth and Andrew, to attend an exciting Costa Rica vs. Paraguay fútbol match (Costa Rica won 2-1)! :-D A fantastic and unexpected reunion which was rounded off when we got to see Juan after the game, and share some more laughter together ♥
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Day 13
Costa Rican Bar Crawl
March 6, 2014 - Paraíso, Cartago, Costa Rica
Even though we stayed out much later than we planned, got lost, and the car almost fell apart - I still had a great evening hanging out with my favorite Tico! Juan took me to a few of his favorite places, and I got to share a glass (or 3) of whiskey with his father... too funny!! Gorgeous views, good drinks, warm people, live music, and a new wonderful friend made this evening pretty unforgettable! Thanks again :-D
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Days 14-16
Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs
March 7-9, 2014 - Volcan Arenal, Fortuna
My last few days in Costa Rica truly felt surreal. Sarene, Manuel and I headed north to La Fortuna to visit Arenal Volcano. We stayed at a gorgeous hotel with hot springs and a spectacular view of Arenal. We were incredibly fortunate that the day we arrived held crystal clear skies and a perfect view of the entire cone (not very common) :) Relaxing by the pool and hot springs with an incredible backdrop was the perfect end to a life changing trip. I’m so grateful to my sister and brother in law for all of their kindness and generosity (thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!) What an experience :)
My last night in Costa Rica wrapped up with a last drink (for now) with Juan at a great little restaurant in Belén! I couldn’t have asked for a better 2 weeks, truly. Upon finally leaving on Sunday (yes 5 days later than I planned, haha) I realized how comfortable and happy I had been, perhaps happier than I could ever remember. There is no doubt that I’ll return, and soon, as a piece of my heart will always remain. Pura Vida <3
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