Walking upwind

  

  I got off the bus today carrying my Kelty backpacking pack and a 7.5 lb package from home (thanks mom). From where the bus lets us off each morning its an uphill hike that takes 10-15 minutes. I enjoy this time as it gets my heart pumping and my body warmed up to do some learning. Today the wind up at Monte de la Cruz is especially strong, and as I walked up the hill it blew back against me with a force that nearly held me stagnant at times. As I was stuck in this limbo of moving, but not going anywhere I suddenly made a parallel between that moment and my time here over the past two weeks.

   Last week our group travelled to Nicaragua (that's the country NORTH of Costa Rica). The trip was predominantly educational, but for me it has proved to be highly formational as well. I saw, listened to, tasted, smelled, and felt so much while I was there. It was a force of life I had never seen face to face before, both literally and metaphorically; pushing against me, challenging my way of living and thinking that ever since returning I have been stuck between wanting to write it all down and express myself, but not wanting to confront/feeling overwhelmed by the amount of things both wonderful and devastating I experienced.

   One thing I can tell you though, for the first time since being here I am realizing that I am changing. Perhaps its changes only I will be aware of, but there is no way I can go back to the U.S. as the same person I left it. I think this is a good thing, because as far as I can psychoanalyze the changes are positive ones. Maybe you can help me figure out this change thing when I return.

   Well, the wind hasn't died down quite yet. This weekend I leave for a four day trip to Playa Buena Vista where I will be working with a playa conservation and marine turtle protection and preservation service team. Hence, the Kelty pack. School is not just that much more demanding down here. I am going through the organization I am doing my internship with (ASVO - you should become their friend on Facebook). I can't wait to get my hands dirty and learn another side of what it means to live in Costa Rica. Mostly though at this point I am excited to be working on my feet all day. We do a lot of sitting between bus rides, meals, and classes. My tracero needs some action.

Okay ya'll, peace and blessing for now. I'll fill you in on Nicaragua and Playa Buena Vista upon my return. The good thing about walking up wind, is you can't stay stagnant forever. You either become stronger than the wind, or let it carry you away. Thanks for tuning in.

Ciao