Today was our first day at the rural clinic in Cariari! I was definitely expecting a lot worse with the poverty, but it's good to know that the poverty in Costa Rica isn't too bad. I also found out that out of all the Latin American countries, Costa Rica is one of the nicest. Today and tomorrow's clinic is all about the stories for me. I want to leave this trip with some great stories about the people we're hanging out with and the people we meet in the clinics. Some of the greatest stories come from the amazing people we have met on this trip including Santi, Julio, Alejandra, Mateo (matt), Caesar, and Stephan. These people have been so humble and really have taken the time to get to know us. Santi was one of the nicest, sweetest trip coordinators I have ever met. He really gets along well with us college students and knows how to keep us happy. Julio is one amazing bus driver! I really love his quiet personality, but he also is very relaxed and knows how to have a good time. Seeing his face every morning always keeps a smile on my face. Alejandra y Stephan were great doctors who really took the time to teach us in the clinics. I really learned a lot from them and they also took the time to hang out with us after clinics at the bars and clubs to really get to know us. Mateo is definitely an interesting guy! I loved his passion for Costa Rica, even though he is native to California, and I really admire his respect and love for this country. And Caesar was one interesting guy. As we laughed and talked at night, one of the girls looked over at something weird that Caesar was doing and just admired how great and unique each person on this trip was. Caesar is definitely a unique guy with a lot to say. He has a love for other cultures as well and really is a worldly person as he speaks Portuguese, knows a lot about Bollywood, and listens to Arabic music. I'm really going to miss all of these wonderful people on this trip and although I can't wait to do laundry and sleep without the fear of bugs, I really am going to miss Costa Rica and the amazing things that I've gotten to do. Tomorrow is the last clinic and I'm really hoping to cherish each moment. Today I shared the stories of the main people I met in Costa Rica, but for my last Costa Rica trip post (which will be either tomorrow or the day after because I want to enjoy the last few days without a computer) I will talk about the stories of the clinics in Cariari and a reflection of the trip overall. Until then I'm going to enjoy the last days abroad and soak in the clinic, the food, the people, the parties, the language, and la pura vida!
Quote of the day: “To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to
experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position
in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson
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