Pre-Travel Jitters

I’ve spent the last 2 days preparing to leave from good-byes to packing; some things are a little harder than others.  I am taking a heart full of wonderful memories from an inspiring three years at Mars Hill me.  Despite my worry and my fears that I would not make it this far, I am delighted and excited to find myself on the verge of an incredible new adventure.

Over the past 24 hours I’ve found myself asking, how does one truly prepare oneself for the experience of a lifetime?  I have traveled as far as India and nothing could have prepared me for the intense and awe-inspiring experience which awaited me.  This entire year has been spent working and prepping myself for the coming year, however, I know none my “preparations” will truly ready me for this new chapter in my life.

Although, I have had a preview of this chapter; I visited Costa Rica three years ago my freshman year in college during an alternative spring break trip.  Our group stayed a week in Puriscal, a small town in the mountains outside San José renovating a cemetery and painting benches in a park. 

This was my second visit to Central America and I fell even more in love with the culture, the landscape, and the people.  Something about Central America feels like home to me, maybe because my first trip abroad was to Guatemala or just because the people are so genuinely hospitable.  Whatever the reason, I can’t wait to get back.

Despite all this, I have come to the conclusion:  you can’t prepare yourself and if you have the appropriate attitude- you don’t need to be completely prepared.  The best advice I have ever been given about traveling: “Be open. No matter where you go, there you are. Make the most of it and don’t pass up a single opportunity because you never know what’s around the corner.” 

Thanks, dad. I will do my best.

Currently, I am sitting in the Ft. Lauderdale airport nervously awaiting my flight to San José.  I meet my new roommate and fellow Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, Maggie, in just a few minutes to catch the same connecting flight.

I am anxious and tremendously excited about the road that lies ahead.  The many interesting people I will meet from across the globe at UPEACE and the beautiful country of Costa Rica. I am ready for pura vida, one week certainly was not enough, but I think one year? Yeah, I can do that.

Costa Rica, está prepara?