Juramentación... It´s Official!

I am officially a volunteer! Friday marked our graduation and swear-in to the two year service. Our program directors shared some heartfelt stories about the group and some compelling words of inspiration. Then the US Ambassador to Costa Rica distributed our certificates and finalized our training. He joined us for some group photos after the ceremony (by some I mean the paparazzi of pictures that followed the event!) Our host families were present to share the special day and it was a chance to further extend our thanks to them for all the support they have provided. (The good and the bad: I learned yesterday that two pairs of pants, my favorite skirt, and most comfy shirt - a sizeable part of my wardrobe! - were destroyed in the wash due to a bleach incident!) It´s a bittersweet goodbye. I am sorry to leave my training family, but am ready to embark on my mission and adventure in Guanacaste. I know that I always have a home in Bustamante and should I need suppport, I can find it there. Pictured: me with my host sister Andrea and host mother Dilsia.

Today I travel to Jabillo to stay. It will be so different from having to come into San José every few days for training. I mean, once we´re out there, that´s it. No more gringos, no more English, no more modern-world luxuries. Not that we've had such luxuries for the last 3 months. But now the real fun begins. I´m looking forward to it, though I know life will be quite slow. One great advantage about my site: when I feel like I need a break, the beach is within biking distance. Major stress relief. So if nothing else - if I can´t get anything going, I don´t know how to start, I can´t do anything sustainable, I don't have enough community support, etc. - I can take a break and sit in the sun and the surf. I can´t complain! I mean, I will have a toilet in my house, a shower and a telephone. Not to mention a TV and most exciting, a actual mattress! (Most mattresses here are these foam pads, but in my house in Jabillo, I will have an real one!) Everything is tranquilo out there and the people demonstrate the typical generous Tico hospitality. Cafecíto galore!
AghhHHH! Ready or not, Jabillo, here I come! Keep in touch, send fun trinkets, visit! Pura vida...