Pura Vida

This was the experience of a life time. I was in San Cristobal Norte and constructed a road. I learned to speak Spanish I did not know any when I got there. This program gave me a new look on life and the world. I learned to live without technology without the internet I for the first time really saw the world. And it was beautiful now I try a little time everyday just viewing the world around me and enjoying life, Pura Vida pure life a Costa Rican saying that means many things but mostly in Costa Rica the most important thing is family and spending time with them. This is something I will never forget. Even though the work was hard and exhausting and HOT it was also enjoyable the look on the town folks when the road was finished. But after the work was done we got some time for fun. I zip lined down a volcano. Rafted on a river for 2 days baths in natural hot springs and swam in the ocean for the first time. I did things that I never dreamt of doing. I faced my fears knowing that it was completely safe and even conquered some of them like my fear of heights. The friends I made the people I met I will never forget. I still keep in touch with my host families there. They mean so much to me I lived with them for over 3 weeks and I lived as they do ate local foods some was good some not so much, though I never got use to how much they ate after my first meal I was not worried about being hungry. In addition I did the extra excursion to Peru. It was a 4 day hike to Machu Pichu camping under the stars climbing a mountain standing a glacier. But nothing beats the sight of the ruins there what a manifest city. This was an experience that if I ever had the chance I would do it again and recommend anyone to do it as well and for what you pay to be part of this program is so much less than what you get out of it. I can say that I miss everything and everyone in Costa Rica and I made a promise to my host families that one day I will return a promise I intend to keep because of my experiences in this program I plan to continue volunteering in my local town and perhaps around the world as well. I guess the only thing I can say to wrap this up is PURA VIDA!!