This week was my last week in Costa Rica. The week was very on schedule, up until Thursday. Since the swine flu was all over the news and the world, a couple of us were very concerned with our situation in Nicoya. There were so many different stories going around the city, like there were two cases in the hospital already, and another person said that it was one person. None of us knew what to believe and what really was going on.
Thursday was a hectic day and a very thoughtful one. I had to determine whether to go home on Friday, or wait until that next Wednesday when we were originally scheduled to return. I was back and forth on the phone with my parents, and with all of the other girls. Ultimately, my decision was made after talking to Megan's mom, who made really good points about coming home. She shared her thoughts about getting stuck here and planes not being able to come back into the US, as well as if it became a high risk area I would not be able to be on campus for 7 days. If I had to stay away from campus for 7 days, that meant that I would not be able to come to my graduation, which I did not want to happen. All in all it was my personal decision, and I really think that I made the right one for the situation that I was in.
After making the decision, we went back to the school to say our goodbyes to the teachers, as well as the students. Everyone was very supportive with our decision to go back to the states, and very sad at the same time. I was really glad that I was able to get so many pictures with my students, as well as the English teachers and Principal.
After school, I went home to pack and hang out with my family. I made them a cake and sat around and talked to them. I think not being able to see them will be the hardest thing because I have become so comfortable with them and I really feel like I was a part of their family. They gave me a gift, which was two Costa Rica t-shirts and an engraved pen and pencil. I was very grateful, and the tears were free flowing by this point!
The next morning we had our road trip to the airport, which the entire family tagged along for! It was a little weird to be driving to the airport because it seemed as if I had just made the drive to Nicoya on our first day in Costa Rica. I said my goodbyes at the airport before boarding the plane with Megan and Sarah. It was a very good trip back, and I would not have traded my experience for the world!
GOODBYE COSTA RICA! PURA VIDA!