Written by Central America Student, Sophie N.
This was our last full week as a group, we spent it in Drake Bay mostly scuba diving. We met great directors that guided us along the way and met our needs while diving. On Thursday, since we wouldn’t be spending Thanksgiving with our families, we decided to plan a Friendsgiving in which everyone was split into pairs and asked to make a dish, whether it was an appetizer, main plate, or dessert. Everything was so delicious and we all agreed it was one of our most memorable Thanksgivings we’ve had. After a week of scuba diving we spent a day at Corcovado National Park seeing toucans, monkeys, sloths, and many more cool animals.
Our Top 3 Highlights of the Week:
🤿 Scuba Diving – Being able to explore the tropical ocean floor without having to come up for breathe was incredible. We saw a plethora of animals and many types of coral. Although obtaining our certification required focus and diligence, it felt like one of the most fun activities we’ve done yet!
🦃 Friendsgiving – This was a good time to be able to spend good quality time with our group. Sharing the hostel kitchen to all cook different dishes together, all eating together having nice conversations, and then all cleaning up together. Thanksgiving with our second family!
🌳 Corcovado National Park – Although we had to wake up early in the morning, it was cool to see different animals that we wouldn’t see at home. Our guide’s special connection with the environment was shown when we made monkey noises and then a troop of 30-40 howler monkeys would appear out of the blue.
What were our challenges this week?
Stepping out of our comfort zones was definitely one of the most common themes of the week, as scuba diving brings a lot of rational fear and anxiety to all, even those who feel extremely comfortable in the water. Fortunately, everyone passed their exams and our group came out not only more confident in open water, but overall intense situations where you may have to rely on instincts and focus.
What we’re grateful for this week:
Given it being the last week, we were very grateful for peoples enthusiasm for our activities as it would be easy to dwell on the end of such a grand adventure. Our group also took advantage of the free time after diving, which gave us an opportunity to cherish our last moments together.
One last thing ..
These were some of the most impactful and joyful weeks of our lives, and we’re immensely grateful for being able to participate on this trip. Can’t wait to see you guys at home! ❤️
