I am So Incredibly Lucky
Since writing that last post of all the things I'm going to miss, I thought of the first full day here, during orientation. Our director was ensuring that we knew that it was normal to feel homesick, and that it happens to everyone at different times and in different strengths. It made me realize then how lucky we are to have something at home to miss. Thinking about that today made me realize that unless something was actually special, there's nothing to miss about it.
Looking at the list that I wrote yesterday (and there are more things, I just didn't want to make it too lengthy) and realizing how special this trip is made something else become apparent to me. Most of the things that I miss are things from home. Now that I have things from here that I'm going to miss, I realized that over the past 3 months, this place has become home as well. I had never been outside of the US before traveling here, and honestly hadn't been very far from home without family with me.
Sure, I'd gone to college, but Winona is only 30 minutes from home, and it took two and a half years for it to feel like I had a home there. I've been here for 15 weeks. Weeks that have flown by in a way that I hadn't ever thought possible. In those rapid blinking moments, somehow this place has become a home. I am so lucky that I have had something that has helped me grow not only in my Spanish skills, but also as a friend, person, and SOLmate. I am so lucky that I have something that I want to come back to.
Costa Rica, I can't thank you enough. Until we meet again, pura vida.