Back to 'Merica

Tomorrow marks exactly three months since I came to Costa Rica. I have officially been here 90 days and only have 9 left before I head back to the U.S. This place has become a home away from home for me and it is so bittersweet to think of all of the memories and people I am leaving behind. However, I cannot help but look forward to all of the amazing people and things I have to look forward to back in Minnesota and Iowa. I've been a little (or terribly) bad at posting blogs about the rest of my time here but I found it difficult to turn away from the minimal amount of time I had left with the people who became like family to me; who, unfortunately, are already back in the states spread all over the country. I am so lucky and so fortunate to have met such amazing people that have affected my life in such positive ways and helped me gain a new perspective on what it truly means to live out "pura vida".

In the past few weeks I've spent not blogging I have been able to try some really cool things:

• SURFING - Yes, I did actually stand up, and even though my arms were dead the next day it was so so so worth it. It almost makes me want to move to California and "shred the gnar" for the rest of my life, or nah.
• Swimming in a waterfall - we hiked, or climbed over 1,000s of boulders, to get to Catarata Uvita

    

•  Paintball - my brother would be so proud. I even received battle wounds to prove it. 
• Experienced St. Patrick's Day - An Irish holiday in a Hispanic country, it was great.
• Hiked a volcano to its crater- Volcán Poas

• Attended a Costa Rica vs. Paraguay national fútbol (soccer) game - we tied 0-0 so it was super exciting
• Finished my study abroad program! Finals are done and now its just traveling around CR

Now that my San José program is done, I am spending the last two weeks in Costa Rica traveling around with my mom and her friend, Kelli. We are currently in Guanacaste and spending the next few days at a hotel that is quite a drastic difference from the small hostels I am used to. The reverse culture shock is already starting to set in as I am not able to speak Spanish constantly, my friends are gone, and I am being pushed back into the American way of life. It will definitely be an adjustment heading home to the crazy U.S. instead of remaining in the laid back Latin American culture, but I cannot wait. I am so thankful for this study abroad experience and although it will be hard saying goodbye to the life that I have known for the last three months, I could not be more excited to say hello to the future ahead of me.

The best abroad friends I could've asked for + Sierra

Pura Vida,
Serena
 

Panama and Friends

This week (written March 9th) marks only three weeks left in my program. I am officially done taking Spanish classes and therefore only have two classes for the rest of the trimester and more free time than I ever could have asked for. What is school again? I now spend most of my week days visiting cool cafes, discovering new areas of the city and spending time with my friends. We only have 19 days left in our program and it has all of a sudden hit us how quickly this time is going to run out.

DysFUNctional friends

This past weekend a large group of us visited Bocas del Toro, Panama (a Pinterest destination) and were lucky enough to swim next to a real live jelly fish, snorkel over a coral reef and visit a beach covered in starfish, Playa de las Estrellas (beach of the stars). I have never seen something so gorgeous in my entire life. It was one of those moments that made me realize that I am actually in a foreign country, on a casual weekend trip to renew my Costa Rican visa, and on a vacation that people dream (or pin) about visiting. Now after seeing all of this I want to visit pretty much every country in the world to see what the whole world has to offer. Now accepting applications for a travel buddy!

On Saturday we visited Red Frog Beach on another island off of Bocas. Here we saw the biggest waves and the strongest currents I've ever experienced. The water was perfect bath water temperature and life could not have been greater. For lunch however, we ordered pescado con papas (fish and chips) where I was met by an entire fish. It literally had the head, eyes and tail still attached. After covering and wrapping the face in a napkin, we somehow managed to enjoy the fish even though I am forever scarred. When abroad try new things I guess, right?

Delicious, am I right...?

Find Kappa sisters abroad? Check!

This next weekend we are visiting Uvita which is on the coast of Costa Rica where I am going to learn how to surf! I am beyond excited and can't wait to head back to the states as a pro surfer, or at least a girl can dream. With the clock counting down on our time here, I am trying to try everything I can and learn as much about this culture as possible. Here's to the next few weeks!

Pura Vida,
Serena