I just completed my 5th week here working in Costa Rica. It has been a long journey but I am now starting my last and final week here before leaving back home to Florida.

This week I am getting more and more tasks and projects to work on at work and I am feeling more comfortable and confident with what I am doing. I really enjoy working as a business analyst because I have always enjoyed working with numbers and I feel like the work I am doing is making a difference in the company. This has been an overall great experience and I could not have asked for a better opportunity shortly after graduating.

Over the weekend I went to the beach with my co worker and his family and it was a great time. This weekend was the biggest reminder of home, being at the beach. The only difference was being able to see the mountains which was an amazing view.

We made a short stop at Puntarenas, Costa Rica to do some shopping for souvenirs and also stopped for lunch. We stopped at a small kiosk along the beach where we had vigarones. Vigarones is fresh cabbage topped with yuca, chicharrones, and fresh salsa. They also had homemade chili sauce to put on top. It was so fresh and flavorful. It was amazing!!

After that we started to head towards Jaco Beach which was where we were staying for the night. On the way there we stopped at a bridge where you could so a bunch of crocodiles. We counted more than 30 in total and some of them were absolutely HUGE! It was definitely an experience.

Once we were finished there we made it to our final destination of the beach. It was very similar to the beaches at home but the sand was a little darker than ours and we were surrounded by mountains. We relaxed on the beach, watched the sunset, once it was dark we made a fire, and then ended the night at our condo with sushi and jenga.

On Sunday we went to a different beach and relaxed for a little while. Once we were finished there we stopped in town to do a little more shopping so I could buy some stuff for my family and friends. While we were there we got fresh coconut water and it was extremely fresh and delicious.

We then returned to the condo to get cleaned up and leave back to San Jose. It was definitely a nice way to end my trip and spend my last weekend in Costa Rica. I am now starting my last week here and will be leaving back home this Saturday which I am very excited about. I have had a great time here but I am ready to get home to see and spend time with the ones I love. The next time you hear from me I will be back home in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Until then…..