A Reflection of 7 days of Bliss--(Written by Jamie Hansen)

I’ve never been so jealous towards a person or a place as I have been this week. There’s so much to appreciate about Costa Rica. There’s the people, their culture, the scenery, the activities, and the food. 

I appreciate the people being patient, kind, and welcoming. Starting with our tour guide, Chito, and the bus driver, Olman. They were so nice and welcoming letting us know everything that we would be doing and needed to know to start out with. Then there was the  rafting guide who was so informative about the culture and how schooling worked while in Costa Rica. We were also welcomed by the chocolate tour guide who shared the history of how chocolate and coffee came to be. Our crocodile guide wasn’t very talkative but you could tell that he enjoyed what he did for work and even told us what birds we were seeing in the pamphlet.  Later on, we met the farm guide who let us try various things that they grow and he even told us about the history of sugar cane, tortillas, the alcohol they made from the sugar cane, and the history of how if your tortilla was perfectly circular, you were ready to marry. At the same location, we met two beautiful dancers that showed us the different dances and the history about them. During zip lining we had multiple tour guides, including Hellen and Yostin who ensured that we were safe while zip lining above the canopy and also having fun along the way. And the last two people we met were two resort workers that played volleyball with us that brought more fun and competition to the game (because the winners got to chose the losers karaoke song later that night). 

Then was the amazing culture that we got to experience first hand. We experienced the peace and tranquility that every Costa Rican seemed to have. No one was ever rushing or being rude to another. They enjoyed every second that they had and made sure to be kind along the way. We also learned about various jobs that even the kids had to do. We learned about the dances, the schooling, and the agriculture that made Costa Rica what it is today.

 

Every site that we got to experience was breathtaking. It was so amazing we all wanted to stay, as long as our loved ones came to visit. I want to go back and have so many people in my life experience the scenery as I did. It’s such a beautiful place that so many would enjoy. 

As far as the activities go, they are nothing short of amazing. From the beautiful beaches, that had the most gorgeous sunsets, to the dense and biodiverse forest, that has some of the most beautiful but deadly snakes. Everything was such an eye opening and adventurous time. We all had our favorite activities such as Martina, Hannah and I’s being zip lining, Cailin’s being at the beach, specifically at sunset, and Mia’s being whitewater rafting and volleyball. 

And now for the hardest part to describe, the food. It was all so delicious that you wanted more but you were so full you couldn’t eat more. I always anticipated what the next meal would consist of and I was never disappointed. We all tried new things, Troy trying beef tongue, many trying the various plantains, desserts, and different drinks offered. 

Finally, I loved how everyone came in with fears of different activities and I got to witness them conquer them, even if it was just for one time. Bonnie during zip lining never told anyone until we were three lines in that she was scarred of heights but she made it through every line, even went one entire line upside down, and even had fun while doing it. Mia, also scared of heights conquered her fear during the hanging bridges, even owning the last bridge that we walked on. 

I love everything about Costa Rica. I want to go back and never return. Everything is so peaceful and new that I enjoyed every second of. There was never a low that made me want to leave. Every night Bryan asked us what our highs and lows were, both were hard to answer because how could you just pick one thing that was a high? And how could you complain about anything that happened along the way? Needless to say no one’s lows were significant issues that made any of us want to leave. I can confidently say, one day I will go back (even if I’m forced to sing Piano Man again) but it’s hard to say if I’d return to the States.