Exactly one year ago, on 15 March 2015, I hopped on a plane to the other side of the Atlantic, full of expectations but without any knowledge of what was awaiting me. Today, one year later, I can genuinely say that travelling to Costa Rica all by myself, has been the greatest adventure I've ever experienced so far. And by so far, I mean that there are many more to come! So after 366 days of being back in my home country and doing what an ordinary 19-year-old would do, I am 'objectively' looking back to the most wonderful time of my life.
 |
| Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve (scientific station). my sweaty, red face is the result of a hell of a climb |
Much alike one year ago, I lay awake last night. Not because I was all excited and scared about leaving everything and everyone behind for a few months, but mostly because I'm having a terrible flu at the moment. But since I could not sleep anyway, I started reminiscing about what I already consider "those good old days" when I went to Costa Rica.
In my thoughts, I went back to the passport check at the Brussels aeroport, where I waved goodbye my mother, my stepfather, my best friend and my boyfriend. I went back to the city of San José, where I spent a whole month learning some basic Spanish. I went back to the Costa Rican Language Academy, to the desk where the lovely Cindy would sit and help me out with my upcoming weekend trip, after I had got me a fresh iced-tea in a nice big yellow cup that I picked up next to the water dispenser.
I'd sit down on the patio and look over the small but exotic school garden. It was like a small oasis in a big polluted city and it instantly reminded me of what the country looked like outside the capital: a green land of hidden springs, waterfalls and endless rain forests that stretch out just onto the white, sandy beaches that made you feel like you were the only person in the world. As the bell rang, I would fill up my empty cup and cheerfully enter Rodolfo's tiny classroom, where Margarita would already be preparing her notes for the upcoming lesson and be chatting with Rodolfo. And all those memories, even one year later, are still so freshly present in my mind.
The numerous weekends that all the students got together and randomly picked a destination to travel to at the weekend. The people you'd meet there, excitedly talking about their homeland and their life. The stories you'd share and the many similarities you'd come across when talking to someone who -at first sight- seems totally different than you are. It was all so wonderful!
But the greatest thing I look back to are the many friends that I made! For some people, I will have been a mere shadow crossing their paths and they will have already forgotten my name. But for me, things were different: when you're all by yourself, you can either lock yourself away and wait until someone comes your way, or, you can walk into the crowd and randomly tap someone's shoulder and say "Hi". And you've no idea where this "Hi" may lead to. But that's what makes it all so exciting.
And although I may have only spent a few hours to a few days with some people, they became actual friends. They cared about me and I about them. And of course we're not in touch every day, but we know where to find each other and sincerely hope to see each other again one day.
Silvia (my host mother) and her family, will always have a special place in my heart. They treated me like one of them and helped me get through the tough parts. Then there's Carlos, who's been like a big brother to me and who gave me some life advice that I should never forget about. And then there's Margarita who is just a loving lady who fights for the rights of the outcasts along with the intelligent, talented Rodolfo, as well as my Swiss and French friends with whom I had such wonderful times. My Vermont friends, including the one that made sure I survived my journey, as well as the warmhearted, lovely Egan family I've met. And there are so many others that make my list, but they would make this blog extremely long. The point is: I am so grateful for all these encounters, for they have made me who I am today and I carry them all in my heart.
I could go on about this for hours. But I don't want you to waste this sunny afternoon reading a teenage girl's blog. (although I am told that I'm a great writer ;) ). So I'd like to finish off with what this whole 'mission' has actually taught me, looking back at it today. Is it all cakes and ales?
I'd sit down on the patio and look over the small but exotic school garden. It was like a small oasis in a big polluted city and it instantly reminded me of what the country looked like outside the capital: a green land of hidden springs, waterfalls and endless rain forests that stretch out just onto the white, sandy beaches that made you feel like you were the only person in the world. As the bell rang, I would fill up my empty cup and cheerfully enter Rodolfo's tiny classroom, where Margarita would already be preparing her notes for the upcoming lesson and be chatting with Rodolfo. And all those memories, even one year later, are still so freshly present in my mind.
The numerous weekends that all the students got together and randomly picked a destination to travel to at the weekend. The people you'd meet there, excitedly talking about their homeland and their life. The stories you'd share and the many similarities you'd come across when talking to someone who -at first sight- seems totally different than you are. It was all so wonderful!
But the greatest thing I look back to are the many friends that I made! For some people, I will have been a mere shadow crossing their paths and they will have already forgotten my name. But for me, things were different: when you're all by yourself, you can either lock yourself away and wait until someone comes your way, or, you can walk into the crowd and randomly tap someone's shoulder and say "Hi". And you've no idea where this "Hi" may lead to. But that's what makes it all so exciting.
And although I may have only spent a few hours to a few days with some people, they became actual friends. They cared about me and I about them. And of course we're not in touch every day, but we know where to find each other and sincerely hope to see each other again one day.
Silvia (my host mother) and her family, will always have a special place in my heart. They treated me like one of them and helped me get through the tough parts. Then there's Carlos, who's been like a big brother to me and who gave me some life advice that I should never forget about. And then there's Margarita who is just a loving lady who fights for the rights of the outcasts along with the intelligent, talented Rodolfo, as well as my Swiss and French friends with whom I had such wonderful times. My Vermont friends, including the one that made sure I survived my journey, as well as the warmhearted, lovely Egan family I've met. And there are so many others that make my list, but they would make this blog extremely long. The point is: I am so grateful for all these encounters, for they have made me who I am today and I carry them all in my heart.
I could go on about this for hours. But I don't want you to waste this sunny afternoon reading a teenage girl's blog. (although I am told that I'm a great writer ;) ). So I'd like to finish off with what this whole 'mission' has actually taught me, looking back at it today. Is it all cakes and ales?
I'll tell you that it isn't. After my return, it did not take long before I sobered up from this great time. Although I had learned so many things that I swore I was going to apply to my life in Belgium, I quickly fell back into old habits.
The romantic idealist in me swiftly went back to sleep and it is only now that I realise that I should have been a little stronger. Because the irony is that the reason for me leaving to Costa Rica, was that I felt unhappy with what I was doing in life. So I quit my studies and left, only to find myself in the exact same position today.
During my stay in Costa Rica, I did not really find out what I wanted to do in life, so when September came, I asked myself the same difficult question - again: what should I study? And since I had no idea, I became a teacher - again. And as much as I have the best marks in class, I don't really see myself doing this- again.
But here's the change: I did not quit and I do not intend to. If Costa Rica's taught me one thing, it is to never give up. Get a concussion and feel horribly awful? Do not give up. Jump into a river and nearly drown? Fight back! Miss your friends and family and be tempted to take the first plane back? Don't you dare! For after all, you'll get through it, and afterwards you'll be so happy that you've done it. And that's what I told myself every day while I was in Costa Rica, so why shouldn't I tell this myself today?
You got through it ALL by yourself in a foreign country, so why wouldn't you get through it this time, surrounded by the ones you love? And whatever comes next, you'll face it, you'll fight it and you'll overcome it. And when you feel bad, reread this blog, talk to the friends you made and above all: love! Life's too short for resentment and bitterness!
The romantic idealist in me swiftly went back to sleep and it is only now that I realise that I should have been a little stronger. Because the irony is that the reason for me leaving to Costa Rica, was that I felt unhappy with what I was doing in life. So I quit my studies and left, only to find myself in the exact same position today.
During my stay in Costa Rica, I did not really find out what I wanted to do in life, so when September came, I asked myself the same difficult question - again: what should I study? And since I had no idea, I became a teacher - again. And as much as I have the best marks in class, I don't really see myself doing this- again.
But here's the change: I did not quit and I do not intend to. If Costa Rica's taught me one thing, it is to never give up. Get a concussion and feel horribly awful? Do not give up. Jump into a river and nearly drown? Fight back! Miss your friends and family and be tempted to take the first plane back? Don't you dare! For after all, you'll get through it, and afterwards you'll be so happy that you've done it. And that's what I told myself every day while I was in Costa Rica, so why shouldn't I tell this myself today?
You got through it ALL by yourself in a foreign country, so why wouldn't you get through it this time, surrounded by the ones you love? And whatever comes next, you'll face it, you'll fight it and you'll overcome it. And when you feel bad, reread this blog, talk to the friends you made and above all: love! Life's too short for resentment and bitterness!
Now this is what Costa Rica has taught me! And to all those who played a part in it, thank you!
Now I'm up for a next big adventure!!
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten