Farewell

So I guess my time here in Costa Rica has come to an end. So sad. A week ago I would have been glad to leave, but it's funny how much can change in a week. I've always loved the country and my host family, but the people you're with really can affect how you feel about something. I spent a lot more time with the new kids this past week and I'm really glad because it made my last week really memorable.

Wednesday night was burrito night at my friend Mike's house. Molly and I were going to go out dancing afterward but no one else wanted to come because they had to study for their final. Lame. There's a slight possibility that Carlos will take us out to go dancing tonight, but I think everyone is going to want to go to the bar instead.

Yesterday Carlitos and I went for a walk through San Rafael which is basically the next suburb over, if you can call them suburbs in Costa Rica, to get bread. (I mean how sweet is that, we went on a walk to buy bread for his family and some of the neighbors!) It was so pretty and just really tranquilo as they would say here. It was a good hour walk and we got to talk about a lot. He was telling me about his family and when his parents got divorced 8 years ago and how it was a pretty ugly divorce. They're on speaking terms now, but he said it was really hard. And he was telling me how 3 of the siblings have little family interest even though one of those 3 lives with the dad. Him and Monica are really close with the family though, and Monica is the other sister who lives with and takes care of the dad. His dad developed Esclerosis (which translates to sclerosis, but I don't know what kind) 3 years ago and he said it's been really hard to watch him detoriorate so fast. His mental capacity is all there, but he can't talk and he can't move that well. He's really really sweet though. I've spent some time over at his house with the fam and he's still really funny. Chicho is 32 and I asked him if he ever wanted to settle down and date or have a family. He said, "Yea, of course, I just don't have time now." He works three jobs and loves them all. It was such a good walk.

The fam took me out for a farewell dinner last night since we're having the group farewell dinner tonight. When the food came, Carlos gave me a really sweet farewell toast saying that they've really enjoyed having me here and he's loved helping me practice Spanish. He wished me luck in the future and said I'll be really successful with whatever I do, and that I'm always welcome in their house and he's expecting me to visit in the future. More than once.

I have no idea how I kept it together because all afternoon while I was packing I was about to cry and that was just like icing on the cake. But I held it together and cried myself to sleep instead :) I mean, I watched the Family Stone with my host mom before we went to bed and let me tell you, that movie isn't exactly one to lift a person's mood.

I had my last day of class today. Also sad. Except my teacher promised me that whenever I come back, she's going to take me to this really sweet group home close to Heredia called Roble Alto so I could tour it. The organization just sounded really awesome and I was really intrigued by the work they do and how they operate and stuff. My professor, Eugenia, was so great. By far my best Spanish classes in college.

I just got back from another walk with Carlos to go get some more vegetable for the shishkabobs we're making for the farewell dinner tonight...which is pretty soon.

Yall I'm gonna miss it so much here. I definitely would love to live here at some point. The only two things I like more about the states are that 1) You guys are there and 2) It's much safer in Kirkwood and Columbia to walk around and do things alone as a female, or even as a group of females.

Wellll I walk up tomorrow morning at 3:30 so I can catch my flight. It's been such a great learning experience here. I'd definitely like more of those :) Looks like I'll just have to come back!

And PS Sus, heck yes I will make you some food. I plan on making Costa Rican food more than once next week. I'll share :) Aaaand no way Jose. I'm still an awful dancer, but that doesn't matter as much when the guys lead so well here. I'm going to miss that.
And Aunt Linda, surprisingly no, there's not too much of a problem with obesity here. I mean it still exists, but I think because of the abundance of really cheap fresh fruit and vegetables helps keep people healthy. While some of the foods they make are ridiculously high in fat or sodium I think with all the other good stuff they eat it balances out. It still surprises me when everyone talks about how healthy the food is because I've seen how my host mom cooks certain dishes.