Several people have told me that the course I am about to start tomorrow involves A LOT of work. So I decided to take a few days before the first day of class to travel a bit on my own. I had the chance to visit the gorgeous Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs on Friday and La Paz waterfalls and wildlife sanctuary on Saturday. The beautiful sights, delicious food, and lovely people all made for a great couple of days. However, every time I embark on a new adventure, I always get a little nervous about traveling alone. I am a fairly confident person, but traveling in a new country when you aren't that great at speaking the language can be a bit intimidating.
But I shouldn't have worried. I have met so many friendly people. My host family has done everything they can to make me feel comfortable, including walking me to the school and showing me around the neighbourhood. All the girls who live with me have been great, giving me helpful tips about the program and traveling in Costa Rica - all without making me feel dumb. Plus, every person I have taken tours with have been so nice. We went from strangers to friends in no time at all. In only two days, I have met travelers from Mexico, Canada, the U.S., England, Germany, and El Salvador. Each person had fascinating stories to tell and we explored new places in Costa Rica together, making great memories.
One of the highlights of my travels so far was meeting an incredibly inspiring woman. She is 69-years-old and has traveled to close to 25 countries on her own (she wasn't sure of the exact number; every time she thought she had it figured out, she kept remembering another country she had visited). This woman walked with a cane to help her with her balance, but she kept up with everyone else. Plus, she had a smile on her face the whole time. All I could think was, "I really hope I am that awesome when I am her age." Fingers crossed. Oh, and she mentioned that she would be zip-lining and white water rafting over the next few days. When I heard that, I knew if I felt afraid to try something new, I would think of her and toss my excuses out the window. And that is one of the best parts about traveling - you meet people who inspire you in so many different ways, and encourage you to try new things.
But I shouldn't have worried. I have met so many friendly people. My host family has done everything they can to make me feel comfortable, including walking me to the school and showing me around the neighbourhood. All the girls who live with me have been great, giving me helpful tips about the program and traveling in Costa Rica - all without making me feel dumb. Plus, every person I have taken tours with have been so nice. We went from strangers to friends in no time at all. In only two days, I have met travelers from Mexico, Canada, the U.S., England, Germany, and El Salvador. Each person had fascinating stories to tell and we explored new places in Costa Rica together, making great memories.
One of the highlights of my travels so far was meeting an incredibly inspiring woman. She is 69-years-old and has traveled to close to 25 countries on her own (she wasn't sure of the exact number; every time she thought she had it figured out, she kept remembering another country she had visited). This woman walked with a cane to help her with her balance, but she kept up with everyone else. Plus, she had a smile on her face the whole time. All I could think was, "I really hope I am that awesome when I am her age." Fingers crossed. Oh, and she mentioned that she would be zip-lining and white water rafting over the next few days. When I heard that, I knew if I felt afraid to try something new, I would think of her and toss my excuses out the window. And that is one of the best parts about traveling - you meet people who inspire you in so many different ways, and encourage you to try new things.