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Costa Rica: Part II

Costa Rica: Part II

This post is preceded by Costa Rica: Part I, so catch up there if needed. Picking up where I left off.... ALSO, I've made a pretty sweet video of my trip, which can be viewed here.

When the Argentine BBQ was ready, we headed to lunch in the dining room rather than in our cabin. This was nice, and conversation at lunch was enjoyable. The table was full by the time dessert was brought out, a delicious slice of chocolate cake. I ate my cake, then picked around the apples to finish off my potato salad. We wrapped up what was left on our plates and took it back to the room for later, because sometimes dinner was a little too light for our appetites. The rest of the evening the room smelled of BBQ.

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After lunch, the rain came down furiously. Savannah and mom were able to sleep, but I stayed up attempting to work on the blog, a video from my England trip, and some schoolwork. This would have worked out, so long as the Wifi would have worked. But alas, it cut out completely for at least three hours when everyone was crashed out and the rain was too serious to go for a walk. Finally, my incessant snacking and subsequent rustling of chip bags woke everyone up, so they laughed at my cabin fever. I was pacing back and forth around the one-room cabin, jostling my phone about in hopes of hitting service or Wifi.

Finally the rain stopped. The rain seems to be a daily thing. It is typically sunny until sometime after noon. In the afternoon hours, it began by the overtaking of dark clouds. The temperature would drop noticeably, then the rain would start—first as a mist, then as a thunderous downpour. It would have been perfect napping weather, if I hadn’t been getting 12 hours of sleep every night here and I actually needed such.

Being cooped up in such close quarters, the three of us began to drive each other nuts. Patience ran thin, and one blowout later we were over it. We opted to watch a movie, and of the three I selected, Role Models won. Dinner was brought in during the movie, which was a delightful veggie soup with potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and some other veggie I’ve yet to identify. Rice was served on the side, and I mixed mine together to give the soup more substance. It was so good I ate half of my sister’s that she didn’t want. During the movie, everyone ended up dozing off and that was the end of Sunday.

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Monday morning we had to be at the hospital for another hyperbaric chamber at 8:45. When mom got dropped off, Savannah and I got dropped off at Lincoln Plaza, a large mall nearby. We sat in Starbucks for over an hour waiting for the mall to open, and then checked out a few shops. Eduardo and mom were there to pick us up around 11, and we headed back to the ranch. We did manage a quick stop on the way home to get some avocados, suggested by Maggie, who we were sharing the cab with. The second we got home I hacked open an avocado with a butter knife and ate the whole thing with a fork, the only other utensil we had on hand.

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When I finished the avocado, lunch was being brought in. A pan-fried filet of fish with pesto on top, some steamed veggies, and mashed potatoes were on the menu. It was absolutely perfect. After eating, mom and Savannah napped again as it rained. With better Wifi reception, I was able to get some schoolwork done and get my schedule straight for my return home. I quickly realized I had quite a few things due the day after my return, so I lined up everything I needed for such.

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After mom and Savannah woke up, Savannah and I (more Savannah than I) decided it would be a novel idea to go play in the rain. It was chilly, but liberating. We went back to the room to await dinner, which was the most impressive yet. Ana called them chalupas, but to me anything served on a tortilla is a taco. It was amazing. Black bean puree spread first, then ground meat, followed by lettuce, tomato, and sour cream. I could’ve eaten this for every meal if I was allowed. After dinner, we watched Open Season and I drifted off before the movie was even over.

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I woke up this morning, the morning of my return, bright and early. I didn’t want to miss any of my last few hours there. I made mom some tea, then me some coffee. Breakfast arrived, a fried egg with a side of beans and rice. Again, I ate mine and then some. After, mom and I went on a long walk. It was a nice farewell to the ranch. The mountains seemed clearer than ever. The air seemed crisper than ever. I even got to see the sheep for the first time up close!

I’ll never forget my first taste of Costa Rica and Chetica Ranch. It was a wonderful escape from the chaos of my crazy schedule, and I enjoyed being able to help mom recover. The time spent with my sister and mom was beyond enjoyable, as it had been a while since we’d traveled together. I highly recommend the place for anyone having a procedure done in the area. The staff is beyond helpful and kind, as were the individuals we met while there.

The ride to the airport with Eduardo was a long one because it was lunch time. I got to see some cool stuff on the way that I hadn't seen yet. We also talked about schools, social programs, and buildings we saw along the way. There was a good bit of street art, and most of the schools had cool pieces on their walls. We passed by a building that looked like a castle, which used to be a prison but is now a children's museum. There were interesting churches, and of course the mountains looking majestic as ever, as though they were telling me goodbye.

With any luck, I’ll be able to return in January with school. I’m looking quite forward to another dance in the rain and glimpse of the mountains.

Until next time.

 

 

Costa Rica: Part I

Costa Rica: Part I