One
of the main justifications for this trip and its timing was that I may never
have the chance to do something like this again (though meeting tons of
travelers along the way – I’m not sure I believe that anymore). Either way, I
feel that this is likely my last trip to Costa Rica. Why?! Did I not enjoy my
time here? Actually, my last three months have been incredible, matching or
surpassing my previous two life-changing experiences here. But that’s just it. It’s
tired. This is my third trip to the rich coast and I feel that if I am going to
travel again it’s going to be another country so I can broaden my cultural
horizons. That said, there was something I had to do before I made my way back
to the states this time. I wanted to complete the circle and visit the place it
all started back in 2002.
When
I was an undergraduate student at Muhlenberg College, I took a 19 day trip to
Costa Rica with Professors Richard Niesenbaum and Tammy Lewis. Although the end
of our trip brought us to tourist attractions like the Arenal Volcano and
Monteverde, we spent most of our time in the town of Las Juntas de Abangares. If
you didn’t know, that was the trip that helped to shape the next eight years of
my life. Before our departure for the states, Dr. Niesenbaum asked if I would
be interested in working in his laboratory group back at Muhlenberg. Before I
knew it I was conducting research for the first time, and intended to undertake
my own project for a senior thesis. On to graduate school to learn more about
plant-insect interactions,… Master of Science…, Doctor of Philosophy… and here
I am!
So, after packing up from Montezuma and saying
goodbye to my friends Katrina and Dalton, I headed back across the Nicoya
peninsula via bus, across the Nicoya bay via ferry, and headed northwest to
Abangares. I asked the driver to tell me when we arrived in Las Juntas
(remember the Mastatal trip?), but I didn’t even need him to tell me. As we
pulled in I recognized the town square, Los Mangos restaurant and the church. What
a comforting and exciting feeling to know I’ve been here before. After finding
a place to stay and taking a much needed shower, I made my way into town. I
couldn’t believe how much I remembered! I knew exactly where I was from the
moment I saw the Miner’s monument. I found the Chinese restaurant that made for
a memorable night, the soccer field and the bridge across the river, and of
course Los Mangos. Truth is, I was meant to be here this day. In the town
square was some kind of festival, which featured a guy singing cover songs of
merengue, cumbia and romantica, with two backup girl dancers. Children were
running around, dancing and having a great time – and parents were doing the
same (except the running around part). Without a doubt I was the only gringo in
the whole crowd (likely the whole town), but no one seemed to care beyond the
double glance to make sure they saw what they thought. Tomorrow I have big
plans to walk around all day, trying to find where we stayed all those years
ago and to take new pictures of old memories. In the afternoon I will visit
with Carlos and Elliette, the couple that run Mina Tours and organize trips for
Muhlenberg College. But for now, looking at my travel alarm clock that I bought
for my first trip to Costa Rica and is here in Las Juntas again, I realize that
it is time for me to rest comfortably under this rotating fan and catch some
shuteye.
