Day 12- Goodbyes & Volcanoes

Hello everyone, Lara here! Our day started bright and early at 4am, rushing to eat breakfast, and last minute hugs and goodbyes to the host families. My heart was heavy, Gianna and I both grew so fond of our host family, and they of us. We had a long heart to heart with them the night before which included a lot of sobbing. My heart also mourned leaving Providencia, a place I grew to feel at home in, with its wonderful community and people, and its tranquil scenery. I was thinking of my experience during the drive out of Providencia, and reflecting on our time there and what we learned, and what I would like to take with me to and change about my life back home.

As we neared our destination, Volcano Irazu, the highest volcano in Costa Rica, standing at 3,432 meters tall. We were incredibly fortunate to have a nearly clear day, and could see all the way to the Caribbean from where we stood atop the volcano. The volcano itself was beautiful, all the different rock formations and colors that could be seen in its crater were mesmerizing. We had a lot of fun taking pictures together and joking around.

After the Volcano, we drove down to Cartago, the old state capital, to look at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels. Built in 1639, it was partially destroyed by an earthquake but has since been rebuilt, and combines a blend of colonial architecture and 19th century Byzantine style. The interior was stunning, and left us in awe. There was so much detail everywhere; the ceiling was a beautiful wooden coffer ceiling, with painted and gold details everywhere. Believers come from all over Costa Rica to visit the Basilica, and leave behind a trinket of good luck and fortune.

We then had a delicious lunch and the drive around and out of Cartago was nice as we made our way to the hotel we stayed at in San Jose. It was interesting to see the city layout, and how different, but also similar, things were there to back home. Upon arrival at the hotel, we all went to our rooms, and most of us immediately went to the hot tub by the pool. We spend some fun hours there together before dinner.

David led our second to last discussion after dinner. We discussed our experience and what we got from it, about what we learned about ourselves and the world. Afterwards, we got together and played card games together.