Thankful

So as our time in Costa Rica draws to a close, I would like to thank everyone who made this trip possible. I am so grateful for the experiences that I have been for fortunate enough to be a part of, in just a short six weeks. Costa Rica has given me a new perspective on life, taught me to speak Spanish, use engineering skills in situations I wouldn’t have initially found applicable, but most importantly it has provided me friends for life.

Thank you to Professor Malkin for directing such an incredible program, that I am so thankful to be a part of. I am already excited for next year’s students to experience what we have. Thank you to Libby for reciprocating my sarcasm on a daily basis, and for being such an incredible professor and person, you honestly made this class so fun (I didn’t know this was possible for engineering)!! Thank you to my Spanish class (Eugenio’s Dream Team) for making me laugh harder than I knew was possible, and for making everyone else envious that they weren’t a part of our class. Thank you to my fellow BME’s for dealing with my competitiveness during class games, as well as making engineering actually enjoyable. Finally, a massive thank you to every single person on this trip for the memories we have made that will last a life time. I look forward to continuing this ‘Pura Vida’ family back at Duke.

Until then, let’s hope finals aren’t as bad as we are all expecting!

Nuestro último fin de semana

Our time at Costa Rica has flown by, and sadly we just experienced our last weekend here. We have all experienced so much since arriving here, from visiting costal areas on both the Pacific and Caribbean side of the country, to trekking through a National Park in the biggest downpour of rain I have ever experienced.  My time here has been incredible, and the only thing I would change is the duration of time we get to stay here, I wish it was longer.

Despite being upset that our time is coming to an end, we made sure our last weekend here is one to remember. On Friday, Era and I decided to visit La Paz Jardín de las Cataratas. It required a very early morning, Ubering to the bus station at 5am, and catching our bus by 6am. Upon our arrival at La Paz, we were a little taken aback at how expensive the park cost for non-nationals, however once we left, we never questioned it again.

For those that know me, you are more than aware of how much I despise snakes. HOWEVER, the guide at the park was very insistent that he would get out a boa constrictor and that we would hold it. I must say it took a lot of persuasion, but eventually we did, and I still can’t believe it happened.

 Yes we were as terrified as we look.

After our crazy experience, we visited some little, old, Costa Rican house which gave us some traditional sugar cane tea, and sweet corn bread, as we sat in front of the fire on old rocking chairs. Finally, after a big hike down to the river, (with a few additional stops at the frog, monkey and jungle cat sanctuaries) we made it to the river with all the beautiful waterfalls. They were breathtaking, and very beautiful.

We topped of the day with some incredible costa rican food, the best casado dish I have ever tasted, in a restaurant looking over the mountains and waterfalls. Pura vida!

 

Please don’t make me go back to Duke next week!