The Cereza (Cherry) On Top

I just came off some of my most favorite days in Costa Rica this summer. I spent 3 days with the guys from Georgia Southern, laughing at their antics and trying my best to fit in. I really don’t mind being just one of the guys sometimes…

We stayed in two different hostels and although I know it’s not for everybody, I woke up smiling the very first morning after staying the first hostel. Why? Because it was exactly how I would imagine my Costa Rica experience to be if I weren’t working all summer. The plan was not to have a plan the whole three days and just go with whatever came our way. I am surely considered odd for getting excited about hostel living, but I like the culture, the day to day living, the simplicity, and the fun that comes with it. So they may not be the cleanest places to stay, but it’s never really bothered me.

Anyway, we did some exploring at the nearby beaches; we drank Coco Frios in the morning, and had a local hangout at night where we could relax. Thankfully, I’m not too burnt from it all.

On Thursday, we switched up hostels and headed to La Oveja Negra and moved into a shared room with just the four of us. I’ll be lucky if all of my stuff made it home because it took roughly 7 minutes for the guys’ backpacks to explode around the room. Even though I kept my stuff neatly together, I still have a feeling something got lost in their disastre. Truthfully though, they make awesome roommates.

This morning, I hopped on Interbus and made my way back to the Central Valley before meeting up with my good friend Kelli Finch in Heredia. Kelli and I went to college together, lived in Spain together and survived “The Iz” together. I love seeing her when I’m down here. We decided to grab some food at a street fair that I noticed on my bus ride into town. The food was incredible. I had a tamale for dinner and churros for dessert. I couldn’t imagine a better way to cap off my already amazing summer.

All right, I’m chillin’ at the Holiday Inn right now, and contemplating getting some sleep before rolling out at 4:00 a.m. to catch my flight.

Still struggling with the concept that my summer is ending down here…

Love you all,
Jessica Lynn

Beach Bummin' 101

Waiting for the bus to Tamarindo....

From Wednesday July 27

Heading to Tamarindo for a few days to be a bum and accomplish my goal of becoming a bronzed beauty by the end of the week. I’d settle for just the bronzed part.

After work the guys from Georgia Southern are traveling with me from Flamingo to Tamarindo via bus público. They came to CPI Flamingo for the day to check it out and have decided to hang around until I get off work. They were also nice enough to reserve a bunk for me at the same hostel where they are staying. They are a good group of men.

Oddly enough, I am really looking forward to staying in a hostel again. The last time I stayed in one was in Spain during weekend trips out from Segovia. It was a fun experience just backpacking out for the weekends, and because I am a much more experienced traveler these days, I have a feeling I’ll be more adept to the hostel experience. Hostel stays have a feeling of adventure and companionship that isn’t found in regular hotels. There is a simplistic feel that suits the beach and Costa Rica.

The guys I’m traveling with also have the same mentality so it will make for a comfortable and relaxing few days.


I’ll be back in the Central Valley before my flight leaves on Sunday, but until then… Que Dios le cuide y que le vaya bien : )

Knee deep in the water some where
Got the blue sky breeze blowing wind through my hair
Only worry in the world
Is the tide gonna reach my chair?

My own kind of paradise,
Jessica Lynn

Well, That Was Awkward

No one informed my host family that I was leaving today.

So when I walked out to breakfast at 6:45 a.m. with luggage in hand, it made for a rather uncomfortable moment. My mama tica looked at me in horror when I casually said, “Pues, me voy orita, ¡gracias por todo!” Well, I’m off soon, thanks for everything! She frantically started asking, “What’s wrong? What happened? Why are you leaving? Did we do something?”

I was just as confused as she was. CPI and I apparently didn’t mention that I wasn’t going to be here for the full week. Oops. Luckily, I still got breakfast and a goodbye hug out of it all.

Más incómodo que sacarle un cólico a un gato. More awkward than trying to squeeze a fart from a cat…

Jessica Lynn

Feels Like I'm Born Again

I sat and watched the sunset on the beach last night, solita. It was breath taking. I am always astounded at God’s beauty and how he chooses to reveal it to us. Whether it’s through human interaction in La Carpio or a quiet seat on the beach watching the sun dip down into the ocean—it’s there and it’s real.

As I sat there watching the puesta del sol, I was listening to a Third Day song called Born Again. Below are a few of the lyrics:

It feels like I’m born again,
It feels like I’m living,
For the very first time

For the very first time in my life…

From last year to this year, I have had a rediscovery of self and self worth. I endured an experience here last year that forever altered my view of the world and of the kind of humans that walk it. I am resilient and optimistic and know that not everyone is alike, but it was a difficult summer and past year. I had so many reservations about coming back to work this summer. The pura vida that once drew me in suddenly had betrayed me.

This summer has been beyond wonderful and has restored a lot of my faith and genuine hope for mankind. I have encountered so many beautiful people this summer and I adore them. I have been recharged and renewed in spirit and self this summer. I have broken ties that once held me back and used everything in my will to pave a new path.

Sitting on the beach I realized for probably the one hundredth time this summer how blessed I am to have this opportunity and to be here and feel like I do. The past will forever be with me, but I can move forward now. I do not pretend to no longer be affected by last year, but I do know that I was brought back here for the sole purpose of healing and growth this summer.

I have arrived.

Con mucho amor,
Jessica Lynn

A Great Day

From July 25th

Well, today was great. I woke up at 5:30 a.m., went on a 10 mile run, came back, had some breakfast, and headed to the beach. I spent the next three hours nearly all alone on the beach with my iPod and book. The sun was shining, the water was cool and the morning was all mine.

I did see some small manta rays in the water, so I didn’t venture too far in to the surf—just enough to get the piggies wet and cool off. Some of you may not know this, but I’m not the biggest fan of the ocean to begin with, so seeing any sort of creature (minus fish) in the water is enough to keep me out. I am a lake girl through and through.

It should be noted that when I returned later to my home stay a man had his foot in a bucket of water, grimacing in pain. He had begun stung by a manta ray. Point proven.

Anyway, I was on the beach until about 11:30 when I had to return and get ready to meet my group for their volunteer work in a nearby town. This is a very hands-off, independent group, so I don’t have to do too much with them. It will make an easy next few days. : )

After working at the volunteer site for a few hours, I returned to a wonderfully cold shower (I’m being serious) and went for an ice cream run. Family traditions will always stick with me. (The ice cream run, not the shower). By the way, I have never taken a warm shower on the coast when living with a host family--it’s much too hot for anything but a cold shower. Even then, I still begin sweating immediately after stepping out of the shower.

Time for some food and sleep...

Beach bummin',
Jessica Lynn

Happy 30th Anniversary Mom and Dad!

From Monday, July 25

A true testament to love, my parents are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary today. Congratulations Mom and Dad! Thank you for being a wonderful example of a loving, committed covenant between two incredible people.

I have had the privilege of being part of their life for 24 years now, and it’s only been in the last 4-5 years that I have taken note of what love truly is in their marriage. Of course it’s all of the “I love you’s,” and hugs and kisses and opening doors and being asked to dance; but it’s also being comfortable with one another, understanding, giving, taking, and remembering that the other person is always on your side no matter what. I think I have especially taken note that now that their kids are all grown and raised, they still enjoy one another’s company—maybe even more so now than when they first met.

I have heard of couple’s losing sight of their relationship because they were busy raising the kids, and then when the kids left, they found nothing in common. I don’t see that with my mom and dad. They laugh together, they go out together, and they are learning about wine together—they understand each other. It’s really a pretty amazing thing to watch and to one day strive for. Again, thank you. I love both of you dearly.

Todo mi amor,
Jessica Lynn

Holy Heat and Humidity.

Saying goodbye to my all-time favorite group: Georgia Southern.

From July 24

Forgive the mental image: I’m sleeping desnuda tonight. Holy humidity, it’s hot here on the coast.

I’m lying on my bed in my current homestay with a fan pointed directly on me, and I’m still sweating. Apparently since the big inundación last week, it hasn’t rained here since. I never thought I’d ask this, but where has all of the rain gone, and why?

I arrived in Flamingo this evening and received my final group of the summer. I can’t believe I’m wrapping things up this week. I will actually only be with them until Wednesday because that is my last day working for CPI for the summer. I asked to have a few days off before going home. Wednesday evening or Thursday morning I am headed to Tamarindo to be a beach bum for a few days with a few friends that I made from the Georgia Southern group. Then, it’s back to the Central Valley for my return flight. Would anyone notice if I just ‘missed’ that flight? Probably. Nuts.

Tomorrow morning (Monday), I have a free morning because the school is closed to celebrate the Annexation of Guanacaste from Nicaragua. It’s a huge deal around here, so I’m taking full advantage of it by going to the beach all morning. In the afternoon, I have a volunteer project with my group. All in all, not a bad day.

Time to get some much needed sleep so I can get up tomorrow and get my running regime back on schedule. In an effort to hang out with my GSU group this last week, I totaled about 12 hours of sleep in 4 days. Love them…not loving this after effect of not sleeping. I’m pooped.

Dulces sueños,

Jessica Lynn