Costa Rica was awesome! Time went be really fast. Here is a brief description without much reflection…

The first day Kristen and I, along with 144 other SASers went on a Canopy Adventure where we ziplinned over a giant valley, in the canopy, atop the canopy and even took a gondola back up to the top. The longest zip line was over ½ mile long! It was an awesome experience. The rest of the day we walked along the water’s edge and toured the local market that had everything from postcards to jewelry. Afterwards we found an internet café that was only $2USD for one hour. It was great! I was able to catch up on emails and even use skype. Kristin and I had a delicious dinner across the street from the beach complete with homemade tortillas.

Our last day in Costa Rica was hot! The walk down the dock to reach the actual city of Puntarenas was about ¾ mile in the SUN! Kristin and I ventured out early to get more postcards. I actually bought a hammock and hope it will fit into my suitcase. In the afternoon, I was hoping to get on one of the SAS sponsored horseback riding tours but unfortunately could not, so I ended up catching up on my journal and relaxing on the empty air conditioned ship. It was nice.

The past two days have been surreal. I’m slowly realizing that I’ll be sleeping in my own bed in 4 nights!! Lauren packed up her entire side of the cabin yesterday! I’m procrastinating packing until tomorrow when we’re not going through the Panama Canal.

(Story mostly for family…)This morning I woke up and looked in the mirror and saw that my right was really swollen. It had been sore yesterday, but nothing compared to today. I visited the clinic and the doctor said that my tear duct is infected and that he didn’t see a sti. I have eye antibiotics that I use four times a day. Hopefully it will feel better tomorrow and I’ll be able to wear contacts.

This morning everyone woke up early to watch the ship go through the Panama Canal. I guess I was naive in thinking that the canal would maybe be a mile long…wrong. It has been an all day process. Right now we’re entering our last set of locks (the Gatun Locks), after cruising through the largest man made lake in the world- Lake Gatun. There is a website where you can watch the ship go through the canal. I’ve heard that the site keeps still-photos uploaded even after we’ve pasted through, but I’m not sure since I don’t have access to the site.

http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html

Lunch today was a BBQ out on the pool deck. I’m slowly packing and hoping both bags will be under 50 lbs. One of Lauren’s bags I could fit in and I swear weighs more than me. Tonight is the “No Talent Show” and tomorrow the real fun begins- packing and logistical meetings.

This will be my last blog until I’m home. I do not have anymore internet minutes. I can’t WAIT to be home and hug my family.

P.S. Thank you for the letters in Costa Rica!!