El Fin

Friday was the kids' last day of school before their summer vacation and also my last day with them. Before our van even stopped outside the school, the kids were running from their classroom to meet us. They had each made thank you cards for us, but they don't know how to spell yet, so every card was basically a drawing of houses and flowers. I really wanted to cry because it was just the sweetest thing. And I kinda felt like I hadn't done a lot to make a difference with them, but it just shows that every little thing you do matters. One of the moms also made us bags to take back home with us. I wish I could capture my feelings that day with them because I remember thinking, This is love. Everything in this room is love.

 Maria Jose with the bag I received.

My favorite boy, Danielito. 

Angelica (another volunteer) and I with the whole class and their teacher.

Also on Friday, I went to a chocolate plantation that was in another rainforest. Once you've seen one rainforest, they're really all the same, it gets exhausting!! :) But they showed us how they make chocolate, which is not at all what you would think. The cacao bean is inside this fruit-like thing, and the bean is actually really squishy. Then we walked through the rainforest on a suspension bridge that went over a river. It was only scary when you looked down and realized that there was nothing between you and falling into the river but a piece of metal (and I guess some suspension ropes). I don't know when I became so adventurous, but I'm having a lot of fun.

Friday was also my last day in Costa Rica. I had such a fabulous time - meeting new friends, seeing all these amazing things, teaching the kids, speaking Spanish. I needed this trip at this exact time. I'm usually all peace, love & happiness, but I had become a little cynical over the past few months and needed to break that cycle. I don't advocate running from problems, but sometimes you just need to be out of your regular routine to gain perspective on life. I definitely accomplished that here. And all my injuries are pretty much healed, so let's call that a success.

Flying home last night, I watched at least 20 fireworks shows from the sky. It's good to be back home.