There was also a big festival in Cerro Plano, starting over the weekend but went through the following weekend. Bull riding, ranchero tricks, dancing, carnival games, churros, and little tiendas. So between the BBQs and the festivals, I'd say it was a great time to take in the final pieces of Monteverde life.
On Sunday there was another big BBQ up by Bromelia's at this guy Dario's house. The weather was perfect, the feelings were perfect, and I know that it was the best feeling I could have, at least the one to leave on. Things were sweet, I want to go back. I got out of my shell. I made a lot of really great friends, residents, in the Monteverde community, and I'm really going to miss them a lot. Quite a few of them I really didn't start hanging out with or getting to know until my final couple of weeks. But one of the good things about technology is that it keeps these networks open, so I don't lose this friendships completely.
On Saturday we had our Film Fest at La Feria of our documentaries on local farmers, as well as one about traffic in Monteverde (in the vein of Koyaanisquatsi). It was a big day for La Feria; it was its anniversary! The normal hustle and bustle was still there, but it was great to see so many people to join us in our corner for the film festival, or even just stop by and applaud. A few of the farmers we worked with have stands every week, so I think it was really nice to hear them talk and feel good about their work. I felt good watching it all, at least. Along with these presentations, on Monday and Tuesday we had our community symposiums at the Institute. These were the big ones we worked up to the entire semester, it was scary and surreal to think they were actually there (and that as soon as they ended we'd be gone). The turnout was pretty good, but I know the Institute wants to see more community involvement, and struggles with it. But these symposiums were better than the last, so it takes one step at a time. I may have a job working with this after I graduate. Who knows?
After the symposium on Tuesday we went to Anibal's for our last bonfire. Periodically throughout the semester Anibal, our course coordinator, would have get togethers on his family farm. Sometimes to work on his house (which he was building at the same time as being our coordinator AND being in school in San Jose), other times just to play. So this was it. Hot dogs and marshmallows, beers, climbing around a half built houses and being silly. Almost the entire gorup was there, along with a few of our professors, and I really, really couldn't have had a better group of people to have this experience with. Matt mentioned this in his blog, but the group dynamic of a pilot program requires something unique from each person, and our group had something really special. Our relationships with our professors, as well, were way above the call of duty for them, and I appreciate all of it. I'll really miss this.
In case you don't believe how beaten we were from the work, this is Matt, pitifully exhausted, but still trying to have a good time.
We were all pretty ridiculous at the end. Quinn being ridiculous:
But at the end of the day, well, it's all love.
With all the work finally over, Wednesday was our one day to run errands and pack. It wasn't actually a free day, because we had to be at the Institute by 3 to do evaluations and have some final wrap-ups. I spent the morning with Emma roaming around Santa Elena buying last minute things and eating Tres Leches cake by the old bank. The weather was turning, it was cold and damp, like when we first got there. After finishing up things at the Institute, we had our Family Good-bye banquet at the Friends School. All the families were there and it made us remember how much of the community we impact. Monteverde is so diverse in it's community make-up, but everyone here, tonight, was who kept us grounded in our time. Who we came home to every night, who made us dinner, taught us Spanish, made a home for us. Ariel started night classes that night so he couldn't be there, but Mari was there. Everything was beautiful. They had two piñatas, one for the little kids and one for us. I could stop laughing. It was so cute.
Thursday morning no longer was a far off pinpoint on an itinerary, it was here. There isn't much to say about it. Maribel made me a big plate of plaintains with natilla and pineapple. She gave me my favorite mug (she had two of them), so whenever I drink coffee I can think of Monteverde. Ariel was a jokester as usual, and while we all had our qualms and issues, I really did become a part of this family. I saw how each one of us grew. After Evelyn picked up my bags I walked down to the high school where we were meeting the bus. Maribel walked with me, since her work is on the way. She cried the entire way.
What is there to really say about San Jose? We ended where we began. We went out for a nice dinner, puttered around the hotel, had our last gallo pinto breakfast (which was nowhere as good as our families' gallo pinto, for sure), packed, and flew away. We were torn from the roots without any decompression, but we all ended well. So I don't know what's in store for us.
So I woke up in my own bed Saturday morning with a feeling of lightness. I'm taking it slow and steady, but that didn't stop me from getting sick. It's been nice, though, the return so far. There's a shift in weight. It's all familiar and easy, but I feel a foreignness. Resistance and acceptance are balanced. My heart will tell me what's right.
Get lunch with me and I'll tell you everything.
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