In March of 2024, I did something totally new. I got the opportunity to go on an experiential learning trip to Costa Rica with nine other people and I did it! It was the most fun I had in a long while and was the break I sorely needed from the second semester of my third year of university. I connected with some new people, left North America for the FIRST time, and learned all about a new culture. I still can’t believe it’s over.
I think this trip was important for me because I stepped out of my comfort zone in many ways, but I also learned to see the positive in what I have at home. Even though I longed all winter to see places like this and live under the sun, near the end of the week (although I was having a lot of fun), I kept thinking about my kitties and my family and my little room and snow-covered backyard. For a while after I arrived, I was also a little weirded out that this was not all a dream. I came back during the spank middle of the second semester so my schedule was overflowing, but I kept on thinking of how chill and happy I was in Costa Rica that it seems insane for such a swift shift to have happened. It’s also crazy for me to believe that this place continues to exist while I am not there. It’s not like a movie that you play and escape reality for two hours until it’s over. This place is some people’s everyday lives. So wild.
Flight from Toronto – San JoseUniversity of Costa Rica CampusPark in San JoseStreets of San JoseFarm in La Fortunatreasure hunt teamPicture of a PictureSafari Time!Oliviane on safariLa FortunaManuel Antonio National Park BeachArriving at the beachLunch spot in Manuel AntonioFamily-style pictures at lunch spot in San JoseThe hotel in Manuel Antonio was covered in lizards!messed up the camera here view from my bed, San JoseManuel Antonio National ParkManuel Antonio National Park Safari botanics in La FortunaSunflower wall at University of Costa RicaMonsteras on campus!Manuel Antonio National ParkThe Itinerary – loosely followedMore safari floraWalking to the bookstore with Clara, San JoseArriving at the beachStreet vendors I saw while eating lunch on a patioLast walk about at Hotel Aeropuerto in San Jose“This is how you spell your name, right?”Streets of Manuel AntonioManuel Antoniothe BeachSan RamònEscuela in San Jose. Kids pointed and said “The Americans!”The gang on safari in Manuel Antonio National ParkGators or crocs?I wore a frog shirt and saw a frog in my frog shirtManuel Antonio in the eveningOh, to be this cow in La FortunaBumpy rideA picture taken while driving in the streets of San JoseThought this was cute, San JoseMe holding some “chocolate” I made on a farm in La Fortuna… it tasted… interestingManuel AntonioManuel AntonioThe absolute trek to the hotel in Manuel AntonioVolcano in La FortunaBro, how is this a campus?Manuel AntonioHotel AeropuertoManuel AntonioDude wanted a pictureLunch on Campus. Juice was SO good. Campus mapGoing thru immigration Wonder where they are going?The scalding hot walk out of Manuel Antonio National ParkCampus PlantsThe MarketFlower Stand, San JoseEl GatoYum organic meal farm to table in La Fortuna. What are they putting in these juices?!Tired Sloth, La FortunaMonstera GInnyFarmland in La FortunaZZZthis guyCrazy plant???!The window in San JoseSan Jose house backyardManuel Antonio hotelFlowers on the hill up to Manuel Antonio hotelview from our hotel room in Manuel AntonioLittle dude at the beach threw some fruit in my backpackVendors on the way to the parkManuel AntonioHotel Aeropuerto DinnerGoing home. I miss the cats!Tried and failed to get a picture of city lights in TorontoBailey and I getting dinner at the Arenal springsHotel in La FortunaManuel AntonioManuel Antoniolas chicas!Manuel AntonioManuel AntonioSurfs Up?Our WhipThe beach, againSecond safari of the weekSan RamònNational ParkManuel Antonio National ParkDried herbs at the market in San JoseSan Ramòn Jazmyne and our guide FelenaA stop on the way back from Manuel Antoniothere’s the bus! Looking for some gators (or crocs? I don’t know which ones are where)the busdream cribPlants in San JoseMessed this one up Urban JungleGoing to the hospital!!!Manuel AntonioManuel AntonioSafari in La FortunaManuel AntonioNearly died, Manuel Antonio Hotel Aeropuerto“Chocolate” makingMonster MonsteraImagine this is your walk to class. wild. Cork Tree!Air plants growing on trees 🙂More Monster MonsterasLa Fortuna FarmFrom the “taqueria” down the street from our house in San JosePlants at the market in San JoseMarket in San JoseChepe se Baña, San JoseLittle bathroom, La FortunaBirdyThis foliage dawg?!Chocolate-making stationSafari paths in La FortunaCacao flowerDog walker in San JoseManuel AntonioView from outside the women’s hospitalBeware!I would not swim hereBomb eats in La FortunaClimbersCorals!Shampoo plantView from my room in San JoseSalad for lunch in San JoseI loved this place in San Ramòn!Love to see itManuel Antonio meal. This made me sick somehow?Manuel AntonioOnce again, Manuel AntonioPearson doesn’t F around with their bathroom hooks.Vanilla Plants in San Ramòn
