one week to go

I'm going to see the BIGGEST TURTLES IN THE WORLD! i am so excited! i've never been on the plane alone before, never left the province without my family, never carried a 50lb backpack (hopefully it will weigh less), never been to Costa Rica, and i've never spoke spanish outside of the classroom!

i almost have everything ready, but i need to pick up some basics like sunscreen and bug repellent (though we're not allowed to use it when we're working with turtles). i'll be going downtown tomorrow to look at mini guitars because i'd like to bring one along. since the shifts are all around the clock, there is a lot of free time.

my backpack (we're not allowed to bring suitcases) is full but i still feel that there is so much to pack. i will weigh it when every thing is packed. i am such a pack rat, i hope it doesn't break my back!