Costa Rica
Wedensday 08/25
Monteverde
This afternoon, we do the Skytrek. It is the high point of the entire trip!!! So exciting, I'm sure my words can't do it justice!
In the Santa Elena Cloud Forest, we get geared up in harnesses, hard hats and gloves. For two and a half hours, we trek up steep mountain slopes, across terrifying suspension bridges, and soar with cables and pulleys through the top of the canopy - it's exhilarating! The cables are up to 180' above the ground, and stretch through or above hundreds of feet of lush green canopy. Thunder rolls in the distance. Monkeys swing through the trees around us.
Approaching the first cable, my heart is racing, and I'm so terrified that I think I will have to turn back. But as soon as I'm soaring across the sky, my fear leaves me, and I am awed by the panoramic view, as the branches and vines whiz past me. I am so emboldened that I even climb all the way to the top of a huge lookout tower on one of the peaks.
By the end of the afternoon, I am on an amazing endorphin rush.
Kelly gears up.
Horseback riding in the cloud forest.
Steve, Emma Marie
Cynthia and Amy at the orchid gardens
Friday 08/27
San Jose
We head out to a bar, trying to psyche ourselves up for one last big blast, but everyone is feeling low-key. It feels like the trip is already over, and everyone is thinking about their long journey home in the morning (except Steve, who has more adventures to come). We have one more round of beer, but when the bartender puts on The Best of Bob Marley for the millionth time on our trip, we all admit defeat and go back to the hotel.
We sit in the lounge for a couple of hours, exchanging addresses and reminiscing - best/worst/funniest/scareist memories of the trip, etc. Kelly picks up a battered guitar (which she can't play) and starts making up songs about the trip. Several times, someone says, "Well, I guess I'm going to bed" but nobody wants to be the first to say goodbye. Finally, we all hug and wish each other a safe journey home, and a happy future. Some I know I'll never hear from again; others, I know I'll make the effort to keep in touch with.
It's been a tremendous experience, exceeding all my expectations, and I'm sad it's over. But I'm also very weary, and looking forward to Mom and Dad's hugs, which I know will be waiting for me at the airport.
Emma, Pam, Steve, Irene, Chris,Ray
Cynthia, Kelly, Marie, John, Heather
(Missing: Andrea, Amy)