A Stroll Across a Bridge

Day 10- August 16, 2015

A morning rainstorm and physical exhaustion from crossing the country on public transport kept us sleeping until 10am. We finally got up and started figuring out the details of the border crossing. Ben planned the first few days of the trip while I made oat pancakes and eggs. We received news from our travel buddy Seneca that he had been offered a job with the EPA! We were excited for his opportunity, but disappointed as it meant he wouldn’t be joining us as the third musketeer.

Leaving Changuinola at 12, we arrived at the border by 1. Whilst getting the stamps and tax paid was not intuitive nor straightforward, crossing into Costa Rica was as simple as strolling across the bridge. The moment seemed so anti-climactic. I stopped halfway across the bridge and looked around. This was it, after living in Panama for 3.5 years, I was leaving, and all I had to do was walk across a pedestrian bridge. There wasn't even any mud to contend with, border police to argue with, and the sun wasn't even broiling my insides yet. 

 A two-hour bus ride brought us to Hone Creek, home to a Costa Rica PCV who let us use her house, even though she wasn't there. We dropped our bags then went to the grocery store- our first test in managing the local currency, colones. With some confusion we acquired some food. “1,000 colones is 2.2 dollars…so this peanut butter is really cheap! It’s only 3,000 colones!”  “Amber, that’s almost 7 dollars.” “Oh, right. Never mind.”

Back at "home" we made stir-fry for dinner and went to sleep early. Costa Rica felt exhilaratingly different, but comfortingly familiar.

Today I am grateful for all of my memories of Panama...

...and for the adventures that await in Costa Rice and beyond!

Also, Costa Rican currency is a work of art!


Distance Traveled Today: 58.3 km
Total Distance Traveled: 945.3 km

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