I will miss...

I truly had the most amazing time in Sayulita. The people were so kind, the students sweet and eager to learn, and the climate was amazing. There are so many things I am going to miss. The following are the top 10 things I will miss most, in no particular order:

1. Costa Verde International School

There are so many things about Costa Verde that I will miss. The progressive nature of the school, the layout, the home-made lunches, and the amazing specials (soccer, breakdancing, or surfing anyone?) are just some of the things that make the school so great.

An amazing school. ¡Viva Costa Verde!

2. My students

The students at CVIS are passionate and eager to learn. They are brilliant, sweet, and accepting of differences. I am going to miss all of them beyond words can possibly express. I loved seeing them in school, on the streets riding their bikes, and surfing at the beach.

3. The staff and faculty at CVIS

CVIS is a small school. It is a great school and able to operate because of the hard-work of all of the staff and faculty. They come in and work on Saturdays, fill in as substitutes for each other, take on extra responsibilities, and are always willing to help a colleague. I am so lucky to have found such a positive, collaborative work environment.

Teachers, administrators, parents, and more!

4. Working under Kathy’s leadership

Part of the reason why CVIS is such a great school is because of Kathy. She is the most amazing role model because she is person who truly walks the walk. She was an educator for many years before becoming a school director, and continues to teach secondary school classes, and English classes to staff and faculty members. Although she will be elsewhere next year, she has positively impacted CVIS and her legacy will live on. 

5. The weather and the beach!

I probably missed the worst winter of all time. While my friends and family were dealing with multiple polar vortex I was wearing my summer clothes, learning to surf, and going whale watching. I am definitely going to miss the sun and summer lifestyle. It made me a happier person and really put everything into perspective for me. It is just harder to be stressed out when you can take a quick break on the beach!

Bienvenidos a heaven on earth.

Beach life!

6. The community feel

The community feel is strong in Sayulita, both in and out of the school. I loved that parents and community members were also connecting with CVIS. And I love that I knew my neighbors, the store owners, and the beachgoers. Everyone was so friendly in Sayulita. I seriously think that if you can’t make friends in Sayulita, you just can’t make friends.

7. The laid back lifestyle

Sayulita is a hippie town at its finest. People are so laid back and relaxed, and that rubbed off on me while I was there. I embraced things that normally would bother me in the states. One day, Cynhia and I walked to the Juice Bar only to find it closed so the owners could spend a day with their daughter. In the states I would grumble about how it is bad business. But here I am happy because I know they are happy and are following their hearts. I am going to try to stay positive like that when I get back.

I will miss these hippie signs!

8. The best food on the planet

I am such a foodie, and Sayulita is hands-down the best place for a foodie to be. The food is always fresh and delicious. I cannot get over the fact that buying a giant a bucket full of produce only cost us $5. When we weren’t cooking ourselves, we were eating the best school lunches in the world, or eating at one of the amazing restaurants. Sushi, fish dinners, pasta, brunch, sandwiches, pizza, burritos, chocolate croissants, you name it and Sayulita has the best version of it.

Fresh lobster dinner. Where am I going

to get fresh seafood back in Wisconsin?

9. Trucks for everything

One of my favorite things in Sayulita are all of trucks. If you need to buy something, there is probably a truck driving around town that can sell it to you.

The bed truck!

The plastic truck!

The chair truck!

10. All of the dogs

During my time in Sayulita I have unsuccessfully attempted to adopt a dog on multiple occasions. It’s probably a good thing that it didn’t ever pan out for me. At this point in my life I can confidently say that I’m NOT ready to be a dog owner. And even if I did bring a dog back to the states, it wouldn’t be the same. The dogs here have their own lives. Many of them don’t wear collars, and they aren’t confined to their kennel our house. They roam around town and the beach freely. They have their own people friends who feed them, and dog friends to play with whenever they want. To put it simply, they have it made.

Now that's one happy dog!