Livin jungle style

Hey y'all,
I can't believe it's already November! Time is flying by like you wouldn't believe. Looking back, I'm amazed at all I've learned, and looking ahead reminds there is still so much to be experienced.

Last weekend, our fall break, was one of the most ridiculously fun weekends I've ever had. Myself and 10 other friends decided to take a trip to Manuel Antonio near Quepos, Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio is a beach town/national park on the Pacific Coast. Two of the people in the group did all the planning, which I was fine with. They told me how much it would cost, and that we'd be staying in some kind of villa. In my mind I was still thinking "hotel" kind of business, which instead turned out to be our own private mansion for 5 days.

I'm not sure I've ever stayed, or even been in the presence of such a place. At first, I was sure it was a mistake, we were being ripped off, or that the 11 of us were sharing the Villa with another family of 20, but no. Just us, on fall break, in the middle of the rainforest, overlooking the beach, from our villa. WOW!

Since the peeps that own it aren't "hurting" financially in the midst of this not so great economy, and because it's the rainy season, they offered us a good deal. Either way we were speechless until the last day, and soaked in every second. It was pure laughter for 5 days straight, and an incredible feeling to be done with classes and do nothing but relax. On the 5th day, none of us wanted to leave. But, of course we did, which is always interesting going from the coast to the city, where things are busier and more crowded. In this case we went from Jungle Villa to concrete jungle, ha. But if anything, fall break was energizing and rejuvenating.

I had a few classes this last week, in preparation for our internships, AND my momma came to visit!!!! I'm sure most of you already know, but for those of you that didn't, she's here RIGHT NOW. To be honest, she really couldn't have come at a better time, between fall break, and before I leave to live with the Bribri. Although we've spent all our time in the city, it's been a blast. We've been embracing our tourist selves and showing Costa Rica a good time.

I leave on Monday, around 6 am, for Puerto Viejo, Limon. Getting nervous for the unexpected, and can't decide if 3 weeks is really long or just kinda long. Guess I'll find out. All in all, I hope this internship shows me a whole new side of Costa Rican life, and that I find myself experiencing and putting into practice new ways of thinking.

Can't wait to see you all in a month or two!!! Enjoy your Nov and I'll return on Nov 25th from Limon with lots of stories. Love you all :)