FELIZ NAVIDAD!

Well, I hope this final (for now) blog finds you all in the Christmas spirit. I am not there yet, the fact that it will be Christmas (?!?!) when I return is just not registering. Nonetheless, I spent this past long weekend with the roommates in Manuel Antonio, celebrating the holidays because Kate is unable to fly home to Australia for Christmas. We spent our days on the beach in Santa hats, discussing how it does not feel like Christmas at all.

I returned from Panama last Friday, and went directly on to Manuel Antonio. My time in Panama was phenomenal and I am really looking forward to returning, especially because I now have such big plans! It was a little rainy while I was there, but otherwise beautiful. We returned to Wizard Beach more than once (the jungle mud trek beach), only the last two times we chose to be dropped off at the beach by boat. The first time was rather eventful as the boat almost capsized....there was a storm brewing and by the time we got near the beach, the swells were so big our little boat couldn't really handle them, next thing you know there is a WALL of water like I have never SEEN coming towards us. We all (including our terrified captain) thought we were going over, it was rather terrifying. Just another Central American near-death experience to add to the list I suppose! The second time was uneventful, except for the fact that we were left on the island. There is nothing like thinking you might really be a castaway to make you realize how hungry you are. Luckily our little boat guy just "forgot" about us and turned up an hour or two later. Lovely.

I do believe I have made two new best friends after my time in Bocas, Laura (the owner of Hospedaje Heike), Kat, and I really hit it off. So..now it looks like we are all going into business together! Laura is from Houston and Kat is from Canada, they are great to hang out with and we are all sort of on the same page regarding travel/living abroad/life goals/favorite breakfast foods/etc. Hopefully all of you will eventually get to meet them!!

I am flying home tomorrow and I am more than a little anxious and slightly nervous. I have a feeling there will be some significant culture shock and be forewarned that due to the change in my method of transportation, there is a good chance I will arrive for things either terribly early (because here I give myself an hour or more to get ANYWHERE), or terribly late (because Tico Time has set in..which means give me an extra 20 to 40 minutes to arrive). I am looking forward to seeing everyone, so I expect all of you to set aside at least a few minutes to catch up..I have a million stories and experiences to share with all of you when I return to the states, hopefully they will all translate and inspire y'all to come visit me in Panama when I have moved back down there!

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