There’s a curiously powerful lure that surrounds Costa Rica. There’s its natural environment—forests and beaches that unfurl in rugged and untamable tendrils under your feet as you walk along them; there’s the lifestyle—the sacred, unbreakable code of an easygoing, relaxed, yet full and exciting life. And then there’s the combined urge to let yourself be consumed by the pura vida and disappear into the mountains, adopting a life of surfing, gardening, and simply soaking in life. From the anecdotes and stories I’ve heard from those who have visited Costa Rica, it seems unbelievable that such a small country could have such a profound impact on so many lives. As I pack my bug spray, sunscreen, and sunglasses into my rucksack, I feel a surge of anticipation welling up inside me, both in eagerness to finally experience Costa Rica and with a strange foreknowledge that I’ll be extremely reluctant to leave it.
Two days until Costa Rica!
After buying all my sunscreen and printing out my insurance card, it has finally hit me that we leave for Costa Rica in two days! I have never been to somewhere so different from where I live, and have very little idea of what we will actually be doing on the farm, but I strangely am not nervous at all. It’s reassuring to know that we have team members who have experience in the field of sustainability, have been to Costa Rica before, and know Spanish, yet also comforting knowing there are other members like me who are jumping in blind. I can’t wait to leave the cold behind and get to work!
ASB Honduras 2013
I am so excited to be embarking on my third trip with Central American Relief Efforts (CARE) to Honduras! This time will be very different, just by the simple fact that this is an ASB trip, which creates an atmosphere all its own. Besides the amazing work our team is about to do in Honduras, I am really looking forward to the relationships my teammates are about to build with one another and watching the special bonds form from this once in a lifetime circumstance that only an ASB experience can foster.I am thrilled to see how this group of people can open my eyes to new things that I have not yet uncovered during my past trips to Honduras and help educate me to new levels. I am also hopeful that they will find the same beauty I have found.
I am so eager to see the difference we can make during our time in Honduras and what impact we can make upon our return.
SO SOON
When I was offered an ASB team leader position for this trip back in the Spring of 2012, I realized right away that it was an incredible opportunity. When they told me that it was to Costa Rica to focus on sustainable agriculture, I was ecstatic. It seemed so far away then, and it’s so hard to believe that now in less than a week my team and I will be spending our first few hours at La Gran Vista. The process of getting the details of the trip together has been very different than I was expecting, but I am fortunate in that I have a great team and learning partners to work with. I am excited to spend time with everyone in a different context than meetings at school.
I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I’m a bit nervous for the trip. With any experience like this there are so many unknowns, ranging from what to pack to issues with traveling to the still unknown details of our direct service while we’re at the farm. As the trip gets closer, excitement is overtaking nerves a little more every day.
Can’t wait to see what “pure vida” is all about!
Best, Lara
TEXAS!
I’m so ridiculously excited to go to San Juan with my team! Only a week and a handful of days to go. After going to Philly for the Midnight Run with some of my teammates, I can definitely tell that I’m going to enjoy my experience with my peers. I can’t wait to learn about immigration rights and meet with the locals!