While the boss is away, we are finally being exposed to some
real Costa Rican cuisine prepared by Marcos’ wife Xenia. When we arrived
tonight we were told we had to first meet up with some friends. We were
definitely on Tico time upon arrival in a neighboring town. While we were
waiting, Wayner gave us a tour of the surrounding area, which included the
biggest, most successful farm in this part of Costa Rica and a Ceibo tree that is
over 130 feet tall. “Town” in this case was fewer than 10 houses in a row, everyone
on their front steps with doors and windows open and music coming from inside. Compared
to Esperanza (13 houses), this place kicked butt considering somewhere near the
center was a “soda” where you could buy snacks, food, and some drinks.
Eventually, once everyone was present and ready we headed to someone’s house
with three women in the front and six men in the back of someone’s pickup truck
- driving over bumpy roads as the twilight slipped into darkness. The moon
shining brightly above illuminated fields of sugar cane on either side of the
road and a cool breeze carried the sweet smell of wood stoves preparing food in
rural Costa Rica. Our time with Marcos and his family has incredible and
unforgettable.
But
like some many other good things in life, this too will come to an end when
Alan and I leave Finca Quijote. While friends sang karaoke and shots of cacique
were poured and chased with handpicked lemons, we told Marcos and Xenia about
our upcoming departure at the beginning of October. Genuine sadness filled
their eyes, because the time we’ve shared has not only been fun and refreshing
for us, but for them as well. All of us travelers have wanted so badly to make
meaningful connections, and we couldn’t have asked for a better family with
whom to share our time. It seems, however, that the happiness found in crossing
of paths and lives during this journey in Costa Rica is met with an equally
strong sadness in knowing that one day soon I will leave and may never see these
great people again. I never can say goodbye.
