Juniata Men's Soccer in Costa Rica Day 9 and Trip Recap

If I were to tell you everything that happened on this trip, it might seem like I'm talking about months. Yet it only took place over nine days and went by even faster. From an intense beach workout at 7:00 a.m. to ping pong games and pool volleyball, to nights out in Tamarindo going into tomorrows, we've gelled together so much as a group in Costa Rica. The team is closer than it has ever been, and we're holding such a high morale heading into the season. 

 

Yesterday we were traveling from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 a.m. the next morning across two bus rides, two flights and everything in-between.

 

It was these times which I will remember the most from this trip. 

 

As fantastic and unique as the Costa Rican culture is, and as awesome the experiences were at the hot springs, whitewater rafting, in the rainforest, downtown and at the beach, the fact that we were all there doing it together was what made it special. Throughout the trip I thought to myself, how different would the trip be if I was on my own? The truth is the experience wouldn't have scratched the surface of the time we spent together. When we want to build team chemistry, there is something so key about the little moments in larger spectacles. Going abroad to Costa Rica as a team was something none of us had probably imagined would be a part of our college experience when we committed here. We were able to bank nine days' worth of all the little moments in our memories, except these will be remembered on a different scale because of where, when and how they all occurred. Many of these memories occurred in and around our hotel rooms, on bus rides, at team meals, on travel days and of course in the team group chat. 

 

Two of my personal favorites were when everyone showed off their own moves at the private Zumba dancing lessons and when we all watched everyone come out of the bottom of the waterslide at the volcanic hot springs. Each time someone came out, one person was added to the crowd and it gradually increased the excitement of our reactions. It was perfect to have Coach Grady and Gonzo as the last two to come out of the slide.

 

I guess the lesson here is that no matter where you travel to, the people you travel with are what make the experience most memorable; and if you're not sure who to travel with and you've got a team of bought-in soccer players as your closest friends, it seems you have an easy decision to make.

 

 

¡Pura Vida!