(Post #47) A Costa Rican Curveball

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Following a snug seven-hour layover in Toronto (where the lounge staff likely began to think I had taken up residence), I boarded my flight to Costa Rica, eager for sunshine, excitement, and an endless supply of pineapples and bananas. Settling into my aisle seat, I prepared myself for the classic airplane gamble: Would the seat beside me remain delightfully vacant? For a brief moment, it appeared the travel deities were favouring me. But, unfortunately, they had other intentions. Just prior to takeoff, my new seatmate appeared—a delightful gentleman who had just arrived from a flight in Dubai. He possessed a charming personality and an equally pronounced cough that he generously distributed into our shared airspace. 

Fast-forward two days into my stay in Costa Rica, and there I found myself: feverish, coughing up what felt like a significant portion of a lung, and questioning why I hadn’t packed a hazmat suit in my carry-on. Welcome to Costa Rica, for sure. Fortunately, my daughter and I have perfected the skill of taking turns being Florence Nightingale. After nursing me back to a semblance of health (or at least to “semi-functional”), she caught her own variant of the illness. What can I say? Sharing is caring, particularly when it comes to germs. 

Despite the rocky beginning, the Costa Rican jungle is as enchanting as you would expect. My daughter’s rental is nestled amid lush foliage, with orange and banana trees just outside the door. Mornings here are filled with a chorus of exotic birds, and the air is so pure it could be mistaken for a luxury spa treatment. Even the rain feels like a part of some grand tropical blessing. 

It turns out that paradise can’t always protect you from life’s unexpected challenges. My daughter came to Costa Rica with dreams of establishing a homestead, but she is now confronting a very different reality due to tough personal circumstances. Observing her navigate this turning point has been both heartbreaking and uplifting. While this isn’t the journey she imagined, I believe it’s guiding her towards something stronger, brighter, and wholly her own. 

As for me, being here to support her was both timely and unforeseen, and I can only do what I can as she faces this obstacle. Saying farewell to her will be difficult. Leaving her here, even for a short time, is tough, but I have faith in her strength and determination to reshape her life back in Canada. 

My forthcoming plans for Malaysia—a long-anticipated "grown-up" vacation—remain on schedule, though they now carry a different significance. While I’ll be setting off on a new adventure with Graeme, I’ll also bare the knowledge that my daughter is beginning her own; one that promises resilience, growth, and a new start for her and her little one. 

Life doesn’t always unfold as intended, but sometimes the detours lead us precisely where we are meant to be. As I wrap up my time in Costa Rica, I’m reminded that the best journeys are the ones that help us—and those we love—find our way forward.

Daily views from my bedroom


Next: (Post #48 ) Costa Rica Chronicles: Motherhood, Mayhem and a Grand Goodbye


Location: Costa Rica

Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2025 at 6:49 PM

    Hi Teresa! Quite a robust account of your journey thus far. Glad you both recovered from the bug and my heart goes out to your girl. She has strong genes. Hugs!!! Rosanne

    ReplyDelete

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