I always said I would come home...

I arrived at around 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday the 21st of January. It was incredibly difficult to leave everyone again. While having dinner at Chili's in NC with friends after watching a movie I became unbarebly sad for what I was leaving behind: my friends, my family, my life. Sitting in the airport in Houston, not being able to get ahold of Mom one last time to say goodbye brought me to tears and I wondered if I was really doing the right thing; why after I had built my new life in California, would I want to leave it again? I knew though, that if I decided not to do this, that if I just decided to stay I would always wonder what could have been, and how much this experience would have changed me. I might be having second thoughts but I know myself well enough to know that if I do not get this out of my system I would never be happy with the life I would build for myself in the future, wherever that may be.

In Costa Rica, after leaving North Carolina's icy, low 20s degree weather, the warm muggyness of summer in the tropics was definitely welcoming. My host mother, Nela, my younger host brother Jaime, and Sylvia who helps Nela around the house met me at the airport. It was just as if I'd never left. After leaving the airport we went to Danilo, my older brother's, office so he could say hi. He pretty much tackled me almost to the ground (it would have been if the car wasn't in the way) in his attempt to say hello. It was nice though, to know I was missed. After that we went to my host father, Alberto's office to see him. Since I've been back he has been so caring, asking if I need anything everytime he sees me, making sure I'm happy.

Eventually I made it back to the house where I met Astrid, a Swedish student staying with us for a few months while she goes to the University as well. We have spent time getting to know each other and she seems nice enough, but apparently there was an issue with her and Jaime so she doesn't really hang out with the same crowd anymore, and I was advised not to invite her when we all go out since its awkward, and none of the guys like what she did to Jaime. There is also a girl from France staying with here for about another week while she is on vacation.

Since I've been here I've just been catching up with people I haven't seen in a year. The night I arrived Andrey, a friend of Danilo's, came to visit me. We were pretty good friends when I was here last so it was nice to see him again. On Thursday I just hung out at the house unpacking and making my room more homey, watched Grey's and then went out to Heredia to meet up with Antonio. Although we didnt' see much of each other when I was here last we became better friends by talking online when I was in the US. Friday was Nacho's birthday, a good friend of Jaime's, so we all went out to La Rumba, a dance club not too far away. I had only been 1 time before but the place was exactly as I remembered it. We danced Salsa and Merengue for hours!

One thing I have noticed this time that I wasn't so tuned into last time is the amount of gringos or Americans that are here. Last night there must have been 40 in La Rumba and I've seen at least 3 others around Barva, the small town that I live in. They all hang out together and speak English and drink beer, ignoring everyone around them. I sat there wondering if I was like that last time I was here. In the beginning I would only go out with my exchange group, until I realized I was not learning any Spanish by only speaking English, and so I began to go out only with Jaime and his friends. I wonder if any of them will have the same realization I had and make friends with the natives instead.

Costa Rica hasn't changed though because of the trade agreement with the United States and for that I am thankful. Although there might be a few more foreign banks and large grocery stores, the country is as it was before, warm, sunny, and green, and fortunately without rain this time of year! The view of the sunset from my balcony still takes my breadth away. The food still consists of the staple rice and beans with beef or chicken and every meal is accompanied by freshly made juice: pineapple, mango, papaya, you name it. The people are as friendly and helpful as ever. Being here again makes me realize just how much I have missed not only the slow pace of life that is definitely lacking in Southern California but also the incredibly generous latino culture that makes being back in Costa Rica more like returning to the place I was always meant to be, it's just like I have finally come home.