Last Post from Central America
Wow. Even that title is really weird to write.
All the same, it’s true. Tomorrow morning I leave for 8 days in Panama. I’ll be back in San Jose for an afternoon and night, and then on the 14th we fly out for Miami. Gosh the time has flown.
I had a wonderful three weeks in San Cristóbal. So wonderful that I actually didn’t want to come back to San José. I really loved it out there, and it continued to be awesome having a brother close to my age. Luis, if you happen to see this, thanks for being awesome- you really meant a lot to me, and I know that you’re gonna accomplish your dreams. The kids in my school were SO great, and the more that I got to know them, the harder it became to leave them.
So now I sit here, taking in these last few moments of silence while my family is out at a church gathering. We’ve done a lot of Christmas decorating since I’ve been back, which is weird since it’s still 70 degrees out every day. It’s especially awesome hearing Christmas songs like “White Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland” and “Let it Snow”. Almost done packing my suitcases- I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’m paying an overweight charge on one of them. Oh well. Having a few conversations with friends with whom I won’t get to talk most likely until I’m back in the states on the 14th. The states. Wow.
I’m interested to see what life will be like once I get back. I’ve had a pretty drastically life altering experience. Don’t get me wrong- I’m not SUPER different. But my thoughts about a lot of things have changed a lot. I’m still fighting with a ton of thoughts in my mind, and I know that I will be for months to come. It could lead to idealogical conflicts with some friends; it could lead to a deeper understanding of others. It definitely will be different.
That said, I’m excited. I’m excited to return to my country with just a little more understanding of life outside the borders of the USA. To know what other people think of us and of life. To not be so sheltered. To have knowledge which is capable of instigating change.
I now have three more families and a TON of friends in a pair of new countries. That’s pretty stinkin’ awesome. I’m gonna try my best to keep up with them. It’s not gonna be easy, but it’ll be worth it.
8 days in Panama. The US in 1o. Home in 12.
