Embarking on this odyssey, day 5 has been an unexpected turn of events, each with advantages and drawbacks. I woke up for the day, excited for kayaking, my main reason why I was so excited for this trip. Taking a 45-minute ride, I got the chance to admire the beautiful greenery of Costa Rica. With green foliage looming over me, I felt like I was watching Avatar, but in real life! Arriving at the kayaking station, I was the proud partner of Alice. Heading onto the water, I was bursting with excitement. The actual experience was even better; the rain was relaxing, and I could see so many trees and big islands. The pouring rain drenched me from head to toe, but I long realized there was no escape from getting wet.
Steering back towards land, we were already heading for lunch at our next stop: a primary school where the group would also be watching a cultural performance being put on by the kids. Lunch was simple: beans, chicken, and chips with rice. After eating, I was led over to a stage where the kids lined up wearing their cultural clothing. Seeing the performance made me realize how proud these kids were to express their culture and school, which was independently run. They had big smiles on their face while they danced and jumped; I felt so amazed. Withdrawing for the day, I have learned lots from just observing the little things in the experience today. An experience doesn’t need to be expensive; being in the moment is just the first step you need to grow.
