I was just printing off all my blog entries to keep hard copies with my personal history and journals I've kept over the years. I realize I never wrote of my last hours in Costa Rica.
On Saturday morning, August 18th, Kesa and I packed early and were ready for our 8:30 pick up...and waited and waited. Finally, Mayra called the school and we found out we were to be picked up at 9:30. We visited with the family and took some last minute photos.
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| LtoR: Miguel Queseda, me, Mayra Portilla and Kesa Ford. |
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| Kesa Ford, Marcia, me and Jennifer |
El indio Leonel, our driver, was just as warm and friendly as the day he picked me up at the airport 4 weeks earlier. He eased me into Costa Rica with a warm welcome and sent me on my way with final good memories of the very hospitable people of Costa Rica.
At the airport, Kesa and I quickly separated as we were flying on different airlines.
I waited in a huge long line and fought with my way-over-packed suitcases. One was so stuffed full, it kept tipping over!
I stopped to buy a snack before going through security and accidently left my book (El amor in los tiempos de colera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez) and my flight information on the counter after paying for the snack. I went through security and stopped at the Brit Store to buy some chocolates for Mom and Shirley. Then I went to my gate and got comfy for the 2 hour wait. Wait! Where's my book and flight info?
PANIC! I retraced my steps and eventually a nice young lady at the Brit store called security and the snack shop and found my book. She went through security and brought it to me.
I had to pay a lot of money--$80 I think--for my overweight bags. Spirit Airlines makes up for their cheap flights by nickeling and diming a person on everything they can. There was a final check of my carry-on bags. Oops my prescription of Metrocream didn't have a written prescription with it. The nice young security card smiled at my explanation and slipped it back in my bag with a wink. And then we were off, heading to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Here it is almost 3 months after my return to Seattle and I remember with fondness my great adventure to Costa Rica. From time to time, I tell my students things I learned and experiences I had. I feel more comfortable speaking Spanish and my ability to understand spoken Spanish is much better. (I am enjoying my evening Mexican telenovela more than ever now that I get most of what is said!)
I have to say my trip to Costa Rica was one of the most exciting and interesting things I've done in my life. I still think of the Quesada-Portilla family with fondness and wonder if I will ever see them again. It all seems like such a wonderful dream that I was actually there in Costa Rica. And I would go back in a heartbeat if the opportunity ever arises.
