The vacation of all vacations.

I am burnt. Again. It pretty much is the story of my life...but it is the result of a fun couple of days. Yesterday and today we had our staff vacation, out at Playa Tambor, at Hotel Barcelo. It was another all-inclusive resort...and the best end to the craziest summer.

So here's the photos to tell the story.

We left yesterday morning, bright and early (or dark, and early) at 4:30am...

By 6am, we had a flat tire...

But we were soon back on the road and headed out about three hours away, to take a ferry ride (which reminded me SO much of BC Ferries that I was looking for the "Queen of Coquitlam" signs...). Here's the dock where we came into on the other side. Definitely doesn't resemble BC ferry terminals...
We got to the resort at about 9:30...and so they let us in early. Knowing that we only had about 24 hours, we made the most of it. Some took dance lessons...

There was boogie boarding...

The boys...well, they were boys...

And the girls...well, they were girls...

Again, girls...

And then late at night we discovered that the resort had a bit of an infestion of raccoons. They came right up to us, completely unafraid of people...and we discussed the many ways we could dispose of them.

This vacation was bittersweet. We had a blast together (there's many activities and fun moments that I don't have captured through photos...), but it also signalled the end of our summer, and the many good-byes to friends that some of us didn't even know 5 weeks ago, but now know more than maybe we even wish to. Living together does that. Stressful circumstances do that. Serving God together does that. It's been a blast. I've been especially blessed to have been able to work with three friends this year that were on staff last year as well. The first is Julia, my girl...
And Chad, my very reliable, dependable friend...
And Nate, whom I appreciate for his humour and his age...and his willingness to do anything.
And here is my other favourite. Carmelinda amazes me always, and I'm excited to return next summer and see what she is like at "almost 8".
It is hard to believe that my time here is coming to an end. I will be flying back to Seattle on Thursday, staying with family for the night and then back to Abbotsford by Friday night. I want to say thanks to all who have been faithful in checking this thing, and who have offered up prayers and written encouragement to me. I appreciate you all very much.

I leave you for now with the randomness that is Costa Rica. Here's what we encountered in Heredia's Central Park on Sunday....storm troopers...
Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Darth...um...whatever his name is. (I'm obviously not the biggest Star Wars fan)... I have no idea what was going on. But Darth Vader came in later and made a grand entrance. I can't promise such randomness when I return home...but I'll try my best to keep you all updated.
Blessings..

Pura Vida Summer Staff 2007