Countdown

I can't believe that I leave on Monday!  The fact that I am actually about to go Costa Rica is finally becoming very, very real.  I've been thinking about doing the Tropical Biology program through the Organization for Tropical Studies for quite some time and spent most of last semester applying and sorting out paperwork through both Georgetown and Duke.  Nonetheless, the program was entirely an abstract idea to me throughout the whole process.  I now suddenly find myself with a suitcase packed and a quickly dwindling countdown to my departure.  It's really scary and really exciting at the same time.  I don't know how to describe it.

I find that my biggest problem whenever I travel is overpacking.  Obviously it would be bad to not have something I need, but I'm anxious that I am bringing a bunch of unnecessary stuff that I need to haul into the rain forest.  Over the past month my parents have helped me acquire the truly random hodgepodge of items that I'm bringing.  Among the highlights: headlamp, mosquito netting, "jungle" hat, snake boots (see previous post), and enough sunscreen and anti-itch cream to bathe in for the next three months.  I'm hoping that everything comes in handy (although I would really prefer not to have any snakes try to bite my feet!).

When I arrive, I'll spend a day in San Jose, the capital city, before heading to Las Cruces Biological Station, located in the south of the country near Panama.

Costa Rica, here I come!