London Prep: Book Two

by Dodd, Jillian

  The boy whispers to me, “I can’t wait to go hike the volcano. We might even get to see lava shoot out everywhere!”

  His grandpa turns around to hush him, but I notice he’s quietly chuckling to himself.

  I take a moment to glance out the window. The sun has just set, but there is enough light to make out a gorgeous countryside rife with tropical plants and rolling hills covered in fog. As we travel further away from the city, I can’t help but think about the contrast between the rickety little fiesta bus and the pristine looking landscape.

  I’m pulled out of my thoughts by Diego’s voice. “Costa Rica is home to over five percent of the world’s biodiversity, and a quarter of our land is protected as wildlife refuges, parks, and reserves.” I jot those stats in my notebook, thinking ahead to the article I will write. I picture seeing my name on the byline. It’s like a dream come true.

  “Monkeys are the most common mammal in Costa Rica and the four most common species are howler, spider, squirrel, and white-faced. The second most common mammal is the bat. Rice and beans are staples in our diet.”

  Jimmy’s grandpa whispers back to us, “All this talk of food is making me hungry. We might have to get ourselves a snack once we get to the lodge.” The little boy agrees. Their connection is clear, and it warms my heart. The little boy leaves me to sit on his grandpa’s lap.

  “Females are called Ticas and males Ticos. Oh, and one final thing before we get to the lodge,” Diego says as a wood-framed building comes into view. “We have a saying here in Costa Rica. It’s Pura Vida. Simply translated, it means pure life, but it is so much more profound than that. It’s a philosophy that encourages one to appreciate life’s simple treasures and live life to the fullest.”

  We slow to a stop and everyone starts to stand up. I get introduced to Jimmy’s mother, Vivianne, his aunt Nancy, and his father, Floyd.

  I take in the view as I hop off the bus. If this lodge in any indication, Costa Rica must be quite beautiful.

  Adam

  I’m floating alone in the pool when I see dust clouds rise from below, where the bend in the road is, shortly followed by Diego’s rickety little bus barreling to a stop in front of the lodge. A family exits and then she walks out. It’s easy to spot Camille, because she’s wearing a big floppy hat and sky-high wedges. I wonder if she knows how ridiculous she looks.

  Apparently, she doesn’t, because she looks very happy as she laughs at something the small boy standing next to her said. His face is glowing with a wide smile, and even though he appears to only be about nine, he obviously has a crush on her.

  It’s not like me to dislike someone based on the way they dress, but I can’t help it. Just look at her. She has no idea what she is in for. As Manuel starts unloading bags, I easily spot the one that must be hers. It’s a huge roller bag that looks stuffed to the brim. I can’t help but chuckle to myself as I watch her struggle to roll it across the gravel drive.

  It must weigh a ton.

  Everyone else grabs their small bags and carries them easily up the stairs to the lodge. Camille stands there, staring at the stairs like she’s being forced to climb Devil’s Tower with no rope. She’s looking back and forth between her bag and the stairs.

  I watch as she gets a determined look on her face, wobbles a little, but drags the suitcase up a few of the stairs. I’m actually impressed she makes it that far before Diego comes up and grabs the bag from her. Surprisingly, she doesn’t seem to want his help. I notice a little spunk in her. Interesting.

  But then Diego points in my direction. Oh bloody hell, no. Why did he have to do that? With the sunset you can barely see me hiding out in the dark water, and I’d hoped to keep it that way.

  I slowly sink down as far as I can into the water, but I see her head whip around, and she throws a wave and grin in my direction. I wave a finger back at her. Not the middle finger I wanted to give Diego for pointing me out, just a little pathetic wave. She looks like she is about to head toward me but, thankfully, Diego ushers her forward and up into the lodge.

  I decide to get out of the pool. Maybe if I switch to the hot tub, she won’t find me. As I ease my body into the warm water, my muscles instantly relax. It feels wonderful. I arrived in Costa Rica just after lunch and was able to get some great shots of the lush property surrounding the lodge. My trip wasn’t long since I flew in from Belize. I decided to come down to Central America a day early to get in extra photos for my portfolio. I even met up with a local photographer in Belmopan that my dad has worked with before, and camped with him in the jungle for a night. It was an amazing experience.

  I lay my head back against the cool stone and remind myself again why I took this job.

  Keep reading Girl off the Grid.