I dont know. It's weird. What do you say to somebody your likely never going to see again? I mean, there are the people behind you in line at the grocery store that you might have a good short conversation with and you feel the need to say something when you leave. I might say, "well see ya around hopefully" or "enjoy those hot pockets." The traveling community is open for conversation or a meal together or coffee. It's not like at home where everybody has their agenda and don't really want anybody disrupting that. People want to meet other people when you're traveling. In Cuita last weekend I woke up and got dressed like normal and then headed out for coffee. I was walking down the dirt road to get some coffee and maybe breakfast. I saw a couple of girls I had talked to briefly at the point having coffee, but they looked like they were coupled up with some guys so I kept walking. I passed another couple a few steps later. I hadn't seen them yet, but they sure were full of smiles. I smiled back as we passed each other. I like friendly people. Anyways, I rounded the corner and picked a coffee shop with a table outside and ordered a cafe negra. The smiling couple walked in a few minutes later. They started to sit at the table next to me, but then after a few kind words and more smiles they ended up joining me at my table. I was glad. I didn't really want to have coffee alone. They were ordering breakfast so i went ahead and ordered some pinto con huevos. Its my favorite dish here. Its bean and rice cooked together with eggs on the side and usually a piece of toast and plantanos. Plantanos are these banana things that they cook. They're really good. I even tried making them myself once. Anyways, we had some good conversation. They had traveled all over the world. They even met traveling. She was a yoga instructor and he was a minor. They asked where I was from and I said California. You always get a certain look from people when you tell them you are from California. Everybody else says what country they're from, but Californians say they're from California. Usually right after i tell them where i'm from i try to redirect the focus back to them or onto Costa Rica or work or something. Anything but California or the states. I always get embarrassed because the travelers know more about my state and country than I do. Of course, this couple had lived in San Francisco for 6 months at some point in their lives. I thought I was caught for sure. I let them do the talking and then asked them about the heavy rain that I had heard others talk about in Cuita. They told me how crazy it was. I was in the clear now. I dont think they figured out how much I dont know about my own state and country. Anyways, it was a good conversation, but not good enough to exchange emails or anything. We both knew that our relationship would only last as long as the meal. But we still had to say something to seperate now from later. I think we just said "it was nice meeting you, have a nice rest of your trip." There was nothing too personal, but i'm still glad i got have breakfast with them.
My host family was another tough goodbye. I lived with them for 3 or 4 weeks. We ate together, watched tv together, laughed together, i even went to their nephews first communion with them. It was a long drive. It was a long day. I was supposed to go to the beach that weekend, but i figured, how do i pass up an invitation like this. I was honored they invited me so i went with them and glad i did. I got to ride in the car with them over 5 hours each way. We stopped for breakfast at this place on the way right next to a huge river headed for the ocean. Hugo, the father and grandfather of the house was excited to show me something while we waited for our food. Hugo didn't speak much. I think mostly because he didn't know a lick of english and my spanish is awful. He got my attention anyways and we started walking down the highway across the river. I was excited to see what he had in store for me. I like those little things in life when you're being led somewhere and you know its going to be something cool and new, but you don't know what it is yet. It reminds me of that feeling i used to get as a child on Christmas when i was getting ready to open a gift. I don't get that feeling on Christmas anymore, but I still get it. Just not on Christmas. I imagine i might on Christmas if i ever have kids. I think i see that feeling in my brother and sisters when they watch their kids open gifts. Hugo led me to the other side of the river, still on the highway with cars screaming by. He pointed and I didn't see it at first. Then it became very clear I was looking at several alligators or crocodiles spread out on the edge of the water and mud. Holding onto my glasses with one hand so they wouldn't fall into the river, i leaned way over the rail to get the best look possible. I saw one crocodile swim slowly and disappear under the water. I could still see the current from him swimming just below the surface. It was kind of eerie. I imagined swimming unknowingly with that guy coming towards me under the water. I wouldn't even see or hear him coming. That freaks me out because I could see myself going for a swim in a river without checking for crocodiles first. Anyways, I took a bunch of pictures with my phone and then headed back to the restaurant. I was glad Hugo thought to show me the crocodiles. We drove forever after breakfast. We went along the pacific coast highway headed south. We passed the turnoff for Jaco. That was the beach I was supposed to visit that weekend. I could see the water from the car. We arrived at the church 3 or 4 hours later. It was a small catholic church. Some of the men in my family didn't go in. Ramon was my closest friend. He spoke english pretty good. He stayed outside so I did too. We sat outside and talked for about two hours while they were doing their thing in the church. It was some good conversation. We talked about our cars and how much they cost or houses in california verses houses in costa rica. We talked about how the Americans are building these giant houses along the coast in costa rica. He didn't seem excited about that. He told me how it would be nice to have nice things like that. I asked him if he'd ever come back to the states again. He lived in Boston I guess for about 4 years. He said he'd like to someday. Its different for costa ricans to come to the states than it is for Americans to go to Costa Rica. They cant just get a passport and head over. I guess its a process, an expensive process. Politics set aside, it doesn't seem too fair. I'm glad i'm not a politician. I can believe what I want and not really have to do anything about it. I guess I agree that there ought to be some regulation on international traffic. I'm just glad I don't have to make the rule that tells my Costa Rican friends they cant come visit. Ramon is a good guy. The whole family are good people. I told them several times that if they ever come to California they'd have a place to stay. I hope they do some day. When it came time for me to move out, they didn't want me to go. They told me i was their favorite person to have stayed in their home. I guess they have a lot of students staying there from the language school. That made me feel pretty good. How do you say goodbye to them. Maybe I'll see them again, but likely not.
I guess its not the goodbye that matters. Its not about how to extend your current experience. Its about enjoying the people in your life for that time. For that moment. Whether it be breakfast or a good friend, enjoy whoever is available I guess. I visited Ramon last week and he told me not to forget them. "I wont" I said. I hope I don't.
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