Welcome to Flight UA1772 to Houston, TX

As I sit at the departure gate, waiting for my flight to Edinburgh, I wonder what the significance of this flight is for each passenger. Perhaps someone is flying to start a new job in Edinburgh, perhaps they are returning from an awesome inter-railing trip or perhaps they are going to join a loved one. For some, this could be a life changing flight, for others it’s a mundane procedure. For me, I am excited to be boarding this plane. This marks the end of a long journey, one which has taught me a lot, challenged me and shown me some beautiful aspects of the world. I am ready to go home and glad (if rather relieved) that I have made it!

It feels like a long time ago since I hopped on the bus from Quebradas. As I suspected, Monteverde, the rainforest capital of Costa Rica, was quite different to the small village that I left. Illuminated by hostel signs, the cloud drops in the air were refreshing after a painstakingly slow journey.

We passed an enjoyable day up in the clouds of the Santa Elena reserve. The trees were dripping with both vegetation and precipitation as we meandered through the roots of the forest. Some beautiful viewing platforms allowed us to appreciate the different levels of rainforest as well as panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains and plains below. The sun was shining, the birds were tweeting and spirits were high.

You could tell by the number of rules plastered to the back of the bathroom door that guests were an inconvenience at our first hostel. With minimal space and a stingy breakfast, we promptly relocated before setting out for a gorgeous viewpoint walk. I appreciate we were in the cloud forest and I think we would win points for effort but from the first few steps, the rain was ominously heavy. We ascended a precariously steep slope but the drops kept coming and showed no inclination of lessening. We were two thirds of the way up, already soaked to the skin, sliding the wrong way down the hill, our shoes caked in mud. I just wanted to jump catch the next flight home.

There is a silver lining to every cloud so in the end, my shoes got a much needed rinse and that afternoon we bought our bus tickets to the Caribbean.

Another twelve-hour marathon was in order to travel all of 300kms to the other side of the country but when we arrived the mood elated. Overwhelming heat met us as we stepped off the bus but as the sun set over the calm ocean, the little village of Cahuita was serene. A number of sunburnt travellers lounged in beachside hammocks with the odd few dogs wandering the streets. There was little else to the village but our hostel with a row of hammocks, alfresco kitchen and private bathroom(!!) suited us well for our days at the beach.

Swimming in the Caribbean Sea was as I imagine when I am struggling to sleep. Floating in the sun with beautiful clear water beneath me. The sound of the waves breaking on the white sand was muffled with dense palm trees lining the coast and coconuts sprinkling the ground. For those moments I had no worries or stresses in the world. No one really had any idea where I was and there was nothing to disturb me as I let my thoughts drift away. I was weightless in the water.

You can’t fail but notice the motorbikes in Costa Rica. You can tell a lot about a person from the motorbike that they ride/ what they have on the bike. From old men chugging uphill with their weekly shop dangling off the side bars to arrogant teenagers attempting to impress by how loudly they could rev the engines, the motorbike is used by all. I therefore think it says rather a lot about Cahuita that one morning I passed a man in flip flops and shorts, cruising along the gravel track with none other than his basset hound in prime position at the front. As I passed he smiles and comments “morning commute eh, tough life”.

Despite having nothing to show for the last few days in Costa Rica, they were definitely a highlight of the trip. Howler monkeys provided dinnertime music, the sun evened out some questionable tan lines and we finally glimpsed the butterfly of Costa Rica; enormous azure blue wings fleeting through the leaves. Cahuita is an absolute gem of a place but I won’t recommend it too widely as the biggest tragedy that could occur would be for too many tourists to pollute its Caribbean charm.

Five and a half weeks has passed since I touched down in San Jose. If I am honest, it was with a sense of great relief that I checked-in for my flight home. I have had enough and it is time to go. I leave behind the land of the Samsung and What’s app monopoly, Imperial beers and where you put toilet roll in the bin. With me, I take my box gift, a sew on flag and a wealth of new stories and memories. It has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I have been pushed and at times have felt rather battered and beaten but I am incredibly lucky to have had this opportunity. No it wasn’t fun all the time but upon reflection, it will definitely be a highlight of 2016.

Thankfully the 42-hour journey home is over but I am yet to have a good night of sleep! I know it won’t be long before I get itchy feet though. I’m back, glad to be back but my hunger to explore what this world has to offer is far from satiated and I’m excited to start planning what comes next!