I didn’t grow up a traveller. I lived in a small community outside a city, with a tight-knit family and a close group of friends. When the pandemic hit in 2020, my view of the world around me got even smaller. Out of that challenging time, however, came opportunity, as my school had announced that an upcoming EF tour in Costa Rica was open for registration.
Travelling had always been a goal of mine, but I still found myself hesitant—after all, anything that lies outside your usual routine is bound to be a bit intimidating. Ultimately though, my decision to go was rooted in the simple realization that I had nothing to lose by taking that first step. Looking back, I’ll never forget the thrill of arriving in a new place—that unique rush of emotions that meant I’d gotten over my hesitation, and was ready to explore.
One of the most memorable days on our tour was one dedicated to hiking, kayaking, swimming, and a visit to the hot springs in Arenal. The morning started off with heavy clouds on the horizon, but hanging back at our hotel was not an option—we powered through the rain and did it all anyway.
By midday, our clothes clung to our bodies. Soaked to the bone, we visited a farm-to-table restaurant for lunch, where the cooks kindly dried off our clothes using their oven. One of them accidentally burned a hole in my sweater, and she felt so bad that she gave me a set of kitchen scrubs to wear, then mixed me a Costa Rican drink called agua dulce. Made from a simple combination of hot water and Costa Rican brown sugar, it was warm, comforting and sweet—I had never had anything like it. Wearing nice, clean, dry clothes while sipping on a hot local drink was the best feeling I had all trip long.
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