Homeward Trekking

And here we are on our final day, within a long stone's throw of the ocean. Today was quiet and uneventful, the hottest and brightest of the trip. Most students traveled to one of the three nearby beaches, where they finally reached the Pacific. The beach itself was less attractive than the beachside pool associated with the hotel - this is where most of the students ended up before returning to the buses. A handful remained at the Nacascol Resort building up strength for the long journey home - and getting over a few viruses. A second excursion with just a few students returned to the beach after lunch. By this time, many students were pining for home, planning purchases at the Houston Airport that were not available here in Costa Rica.

Our last collective meeting was tonight after dinner. Our large group was gathered to review the plans for tomorrow's departure. The group that flew from Dulles on Saturday has a 3:30 am departure from the hotel. Yes, that is right. Up at 3:00 and out the door. for a 6:00 am flight They have a long layover in Houston and then they arrive at Dulles in the evening. Those of us who traveled through Chicago on the way here have a more reasonable trip this time - at the airport by 9:30 am, a short layover in Houston, and then home to National by 11:00 (delays willing).

Our Costa Rican farewell was a wistful affair.  Students made a birthday cake for Nick's birthday and serenaded him with a hearty song. A salsa band at the restaurant also found themselves face-to-face with our 63 students. After a brief try with Eric Clapton and the Beegees, they gave up and gave in to their roots. For all their coaxing, no locals found the dance floor, but at times some of our Viking girls danced to music that will not be played at the 8th grade dance in June (but should!). We released the students to an early curfew. A few last minute crises around towels (how can someone end up with 6 blue towels when they started with just one?) and scorpions (I successfully removed one from a bed only to have it go missing somewhere else in the student's room - we evacuated!) didn't slow sleeptime too much.

The next time we will report will be, well, never! With a continuation of the general good luck we have had on this trip so far, we will all be home tomorrow. No doubt that we have had fun, learned a bit, and saw a lot that Costa Rica has to offer - now we can appreciate home even more. Thanks to all our families for supporting student experiences like this world language trip - it was a powerful opportunity and your children took advantage of it.

Pura Vida!