My Journey to Costa Rica: Last Day at Buen Samaritano

Today was my last day at the soup kitchen that I've been working at. It's not my last week in Costa Rica, but I wanted to check out the other projects my last week and also travel (as if I haven't been doing that already). It was really sad saying goodbye to all the kids I've grown to love over the past 5 weeks - especially my daughters. They were all pretty sad it was my last day as well, which made me feel good.

me with a bunch of the kids

I was lucky that a lot of the kids decided to stay after lunch today, especially since yesterday we only had about 5. There were a few regulars who didn't come today and I'm sad that I wasn't able to say bye to them. But I can only do so much ya know?

there was a big game of tug and war going on

working hard

they LOVE bunny ears

As an extra little treat, the kids took us down to where they live, again (they took us there last week as well). I'm not sure I've explained where the kids live or what the conditions are like. Let me do that now. The soup kitchen is located on a dirt road and is surrounded by houses. I thought these living conditions were pretty rough until I saw where the majority of the kids lived. At both ends of the dirt road, there is a little path that leads behind the soup kitchen and to all the kids' houses. I didn't really take pictures while we were down there (1) because I didn't think whipping out a camera in that area was very smart, and (2) I didn't want them to feel like they were zoo animals I came to take pictures of. So I appologize for not being able to show you what life is like for the kids.

view of their houses from the dirt road
(this is where they had a fire last week)

The kids took us into their homes today and had us meet their moms. Their houses consist of one large room with a couch, tv, and stereo; a kitchen & bathroom; and then one or two bedrooms. I was glad to see inside their homes since I had wondered what they were like, but I felt a little awkward walking in on their moms cleaning, cooking, or sleeping. But the kids were very excited to introduce us. On the street were A LOT of dogs (including some really tiny puppies - see picture below), a duck tied to a rock with a rope, rooters, and chickens. The kids also took us off the main walk-way to show us a couple of their houses, and I was very glad that we were with the kids and that they were holding our hands calling us "profe" the whole time. If not...I would have been kind of frightened. It´s definitely not the area a well to do white girl from America should be alone.

Johanna and her perrito (her house in the background)

While we were down there, music was coming from one of the houses. I started dancing (because that's just what I do) and that turned into a dance competition between me, Adam and Daniel (we had 2 other volunteers with us just for the day). I of course won the competition :). And it was very entertaining watching the boys compete for the number 2 spot (see the video below). The kids LOVED it! Then we just had a big dance party for a while before heading back up to the soup kitchen to color.

our view on our walk back to the soup kitchen
(¡aye que lindo!)

coloring (¡quiero pintar!)

It really was such a great way to end an amazing 5 weeks at Buen Samaritano. I truly love those little kids and I'm going to miss them so much! Sadly this is just the first of many goodbyes that I'll have in the next week. Es muy muy triste :'(.