If I’m being honest, the start of this week didn’t exactly scream “peace and relaxation.” We spent a few days at a coffee farm, and while the scenery was beautiful and the people even more so, whewww it was work. We painted benches that now look like they belong in an art museum (okay, maybe just a small-town plaza, but still). I shoveled what felt like hundreds of bags of fertilizer, and I smelled so many different coffee beans that I caught a headache trying to pretend I could actually taste the difference.
Oh, and by the way..I don’t even like coffee.
But we learned, we laughed, and somehow, every ache and sweat stain was worth it. Still, this final blog isn’t about coffee or the farm or the bugs I’m sure are still trapped somewhere in my clothes. I want to dedicate this one to someone who made my experience in Costa Rica feel like more than just a trip. I want to dedicate it to Ofelia and Miguel—our host parents, our Costa Rican family, and my forever home away from home.
From the moment I stepped off the van, Ofelia wrapped me up in a hug so warm it made the humidity jealous. I didn’t even know what she was saying, but the love translated perfectly. Night one was a little awkward not gonna lie. The language barrier was real. But even in that, I felt comfort. She gave us a tour of the house, and soon after, made us dinner, spaghetti, Costa Rican style. It hit in all the right ways.
By day two, we were waking up to delicious breakfasts and learning how to communicate in smiles, hand gestures, and the occasional Google Translate moment. We’d sit around the table and do our best to talk, but even without many words, we understood one another. After farm work, we’d return to find the smell of dinner floating through the air, help clean up, and all end the evening watching TV together. It was like being part of something real. Something homegrown and sacred.
Every single meal Ofelia made was crafted with love. You could taste it. You could feel it. There’s something beautiful about watching someone do what they love, and for Ofelia, serving and caring for others is a true gift. On our last day, she showed us her garden and showed us to her entire block literally . Her family lives all up and down the same street, a beautiful village of love and legacy. Around the corner, she proudly showed us the Airbnbs she had poured her heart into. They were stunning. Modern. Tropical. Full of personality.
So, if you ever find yourself needing a place to stay in Costa Rica, hit up your girl Ofelia. She’s got you covered!
Now, I’d be wrong not to mention Miguel, my Costa Rican “enemy”
in the best way. From the jump, we had the kind of fake beef that makes everything fun. He told me I couldn’t have ice cream, said I wasn’t allowed to use his honey for my tea, and made sure I knew he didn’t trust anyone who didn’t like chocolate. I couldn’t understand half of what he said, but somehow, I understood him perfectly. We laughed constantly. By the end of the trip, we were dancing like we hadn’t been roasting each other all week.
And let’s not forget how I somehow became engaged to Ofelia’s son yes, really. Apparently, I’m now her daughter-in-law and she won’t hear otherwise. She was always picture-ready, always hyping me up, and even told me I should be a model. And you know what? After this trip, after all the love and light I felt, I just might take her advice.
Our last night together was filled with dancing, laughter, and hugs that held a thousand unspoken words. I think what I loved most is that even with the language barrier, one thing was loud and clear: joy. We may not have spoken the same way, but we felt the same way. And that reminded me of a scripture:
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” — Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)
This place, these people, gave me joy. Pure and simple. I wish I could’ve stayed longer, learned more, eaten more of Ofelia’s food, and given Miguel a few more fake insults. But I know I’m leaving with memories that will last forever. Ofelia, our cool, purple-haired, 5-foot-tall, in-shape, boss-lady host mom, will always be one of my favorite parts of Costa Rica.
So here’s to love that crosses language, food that feels like a hug, and moments that nourish the soul.
“No Words Needed”
Kyla M Williams
The smile was the sentence.
The meal—our shared prayer.
Laughter filled the gaps
where language could not go.
A hug spoke louder
than anything I could translate.
And in her garden, I saw
what love sown deep can grow.
I came a stranger.
I leave a daughter.
And joy,
joy needed no interpreter.
Looking back on these past few weeks in Costa Rica, it’s hard to put into words everything I’ve experienced, felt, and learned. From sweating through rainforest hikes and swatting away ants, to sipping fresh fruit juice under the shade of a tree, this trip has stretched me in every way—but it’s also poured into me just as much.
I came here expecting to learn about the planet of course, and I did. But what surprised me most was how much I learned about myself. I realized how deeply food, nature, and community affect our health not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too. Eating fresh, whole foods and drinking more water (and less soda!) gave me more energy, clearer skin, and honestly, a lighter spirit. I didn’t just study wellness I lived it.
The people I met, especially my host family, made the experience unforgettable. Ofelia and Miguel welcomed me into their home and hearts with open arms and warm meals. Even without speaking the same language fluently, we shared laughs, stories, and memories I’ll carry forever. It reminded me that joy, love, and kindness don’t need translation.
This journey has inspired me to continue learning about nutrition and environmental health. There’s power in what we put into our bodies, and this trip showed me that healing doesn’t always come from a bottle sometimes, it comes from the land, from connection, and from slowing down to truly appreciate the good things around us.
Costa Rica, thank you for teaching me, feeding me, and loving me in your own vibrant, tropical way. I’ll never forget it.
PURA VIDA
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