Wow, 24 years, safe and sound. I can’t believe I’ve survived
up to this point, don’t get me wrong, but there have been some pretty risky situations along my journey on this planet. I really consider it a miracle, as I’ve had several close calls with death itself. For example, a rabid macaque monkey bit my shoulder in Thailand when I was coming down from Monkey Hill, and
I didn’t get the rabies shot until two months later. Thanks to Dr. Rosy Wong for saving my life. On the same trip, after drinking some magic mushroom tea, we went on a spiritual walk, and I stepped on a black cobra with my
Birkenstocks. Fortunately, it just slithered away quickly without biting me.

When I was 3 years old, I loved the taste of Tempra (children’s medicine) and finished the whole bottle, ending up in the hospital for a stomach pump. Ask my 15-centimeter scar on my left leg, which I got when
I was 15. My sister was driving a quad bike and lost control of the wheel, crashing us into barbed wire and catapulting me into the sky. Anyway, we’re still alive and ready for more stories.

I won’t lie to you. This year has been one of the worst of my life because I’ve had to deal with many traumas, mental health issues, and unimaginable restarts. I can describe it as the true year of my rebirth.

However, my 22nd birthday was completely opposite to what I
had in mind because, according to my superstitious beliefs, it was supposed to be my lucky year, the one where I would be at my peak. But life surprised me a day before my birthday. I was working at Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary during the rainy season. I left at 7:00 AM to document the volunteers’ work, but when I tried to take the photo, my camera showed a black screen, as if it was completely turned off. Damn it, not again. It had already happened before, where, due to the humidity, it stopped working.

I ran to the clinic, sheltered from the rain, to check if it was true. Yes, it was. I called my mom crying.

“Oh, Ale, you can’t be so dramatic, it’s just a camera.” My mom said, annoyed. 

“My camera. I just had it fixed, and it’s my work tool. They’re going to kill
me. I still have almost three months here, and there’s no way I won’t do my job properly.”

“Well, I don’t know, love. Find a solution.”

At that moment, Sandy, the vet, walked in. She hugged me and
told me not to worry, that we could send it for repair, or she could buy one and lend it to me. A divine human being, saving yet another animal.

I went to the common area to finish editing the photos on my
computer when, out of nowhere, it turned off. Oh no, what now? I restarted it, and strange messages popped up. I decided to call Tobias, who was a tech expert and Mac enthusiast.

“Ugh, I think you should check your Apple Care; the backup isn’t working.”

“Oh no, don’t tell me that.”

“Sorry, even my dad said you might be having a streak of bad luck.”

“I think I need a cleanse.”

“What?”

“Nothing, thanks. I’ll call you when I figure it out.”

I hung up and started checking my Apple Care. It was about
to expire. IN TWO DAYS. I couldn’t believe it. My computer was practically new. I got in touch with Apple, and they told me I couldn’t resolve the issue because it was purchased in the United States, not Mexico, and other complications.

I explained the situation to my mom.

“I think the only solution is to go back to Mexico to fix my computer before
the Apple Care expires. I can’t afford another one. And also fix the
camera.”

“Well, that way, you can celebrate your birthday while you’re at it.”

“Can you help me find the ticket while I pack and notify my boss?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks, Mom. I can’t believe this is happening. What is life trying to tell
me?”

“That the humidity is crazy in Costa Rica, love. Come on, stop asking yourself silly questions and get your bus ticket to San José.”

I called Cristina, who was traveling, and explained my
issues to everyone at the sanctuary, who understood. While I was packing, my
friend Elja brought me pizza and iced tea. I had plenty of time since the flight was at 1 PM the next day, which was perfect because Dominical was a five-hour bus ride from San José. However, my mom called me.

“Alessandra, listen.”

“Alessandra? Ugh, what happened?”

“Okay, I messed up. Your flight leaves TONIGHT at 1:00 AM.”

“No, it can’t be. I already bought the bus ticket.”

“Well, buy another one.”

“Okay, don’t hang up.” – I started looking on the platform, and there was
only one bus left at 8 PM. – “What should we do?”

“Buy it and try to exchange it with someone. And go, go now or you won’t make it to the first bus.”

It was around 5 PM. I rushed up to the common area, where
Emma was waiting to take me to the bus station. She drove with all her Fast and Furious skills to get there as soon as possible. They said their goodbyes to me, and I was way too stressed. The first thing I did, as I always do in
moments of crisis, was to buy myself a strawberry milk. As soon as I finished it, I noticed all the people at the station. There were so many migrants and foreigners lined up. I decided to approach the driver and explain my situation.

“Please, I need to get there, or I’ll miss my flight.”

“What you can do is pay me for a ticket and sit on the floor.”

“Okay, whatever it takes.”

I gave him the money—yes, I bribed him—and we all boarded
the bus. I looked around and almost threw up; people had taken off their shoes. They were barefoot, and I was sitting on a piece of cardboard. There was so much noise, and it sounded like a parrot. I turned to my right, and there was a woman with chickens in a cage. I had to endure the entire trip for 5 hours, and of course, my phone battery was at 15 percent. That meant no music or memes. I
turned it off to save battery for ordering an Uber when I arrived at the airport. I decided to solve my problem by falling asleep. “Keep
complaining, and life will give you more reasons to do so.” It made me
realize how grateful I should be.

I don’t know how I managed, but I woke up because some jerks
were laughing at me, at how my head was bouncing around and how I was soaked, sitting on cardboard. Ughhh, I understood it because I would have reacted the same way.

I had finally arrived at the airport with my butt flatter than a tortilla and an unbearable tailbone pain. I almost missed my flight. I fell asleep again. When I arrived, of course, I expected my mom to be there to pick me up, but there was no one. I tried calling her, but nothing—she was probably asleep since it was around 5 AM. I took a taxi, which ate up my last few pesos. Great.

When I got home, not even Kosmo came running down. My mom
came out, and she was startled.

“Oh, honey!” My mom put her hands to her face. “Forgive me, I fell
asleep and completely forgot to pick you up.”

“Yeah, thanks, I noticed. I’m going upstairs.”

“Okay, rest up.”

“Wow, not even a birthday song?”

“Wait, what day is it?”

“Ugh, never mind. It’s my birthday.”

“Well, if you’re going to be in a bad mood, better go to sleep.”

I went up to my room and texted my friends to invite them
over for dinner at my place, to cut a cake and drink some wine. They all confirmed. Later in the afternoon, I went to eat sushi with my parents, but I was really angry and irritated. I felt awful for not being able to control my emotions and show more gratitude toward them. My friends hugged me and burst out laughing at my stories.

“Ale, seriously, this kind of thing only happens to you, I swear,” Isa
said, laughing.

“I know, right? Don’t even get me started. Let’s see what happens next.”

One of the best things in my life is having my friends as
friends. I adore them with all my heart, and they’ve always been there for me through thick and thin. They’ve shown me the true meaning of unconditional support and real sisterhood. They accept me just as I am—crazy, hyperactive, and reckless. They laugh at almost all my jokes and go along with my wild ideas. I have countless unforgettable memories with them, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything or anyone. They are part of my family.

We’ve spent the last several New Year’s Eves together, and
it’s become a beautiful tradition. We make vision boards while drinking wine, cooking, and listening to a great playlist. Once we finish, we present them to each other to help manifest and achieve our goals. We also talk about how much we’ve grown and cry all the necessary tears over the countless, unpredictable changes in our lives. Our friendship has lasted more than 15 years. We’ve watched each other grow and helped each other along the way. My precious Topless Gang. Thank you, my girls—with that fake fuckboy tone.

I took my laptop to get fixed, and they had to change everything, even the motherboard. It took about three weeks. In the meantime, I worked online, helped my mom with her clothing brand, and danced in drag clubs with Hugo Sánchez from Club de Cuervos.

When I returned to Costa Rica, Emma and I decided to go to
Playa Linda for a spiritual trip. There, I realized that I’ve lived a thousand lives in one, and I was so grateful for all my experiences that I could have died happy and satisfied right at that moment. I also had the epiphany that I needed to make a decision to change my life again because I wasn’t happy with who I was or my life in Hungary. It was intense. However, ancestral mushrooms always have the answers.

I am who I am thanks to every person I’ve crossed paths
with. Each and every one of them has taught me a different lesson about life and about myself. I wouldn’t have my personality or character without them. I firmly believe we are all a puzzle made up of pieces from different people through conversations, kisses, laughter, emotional turmoil, book exchanges, tastes of food, sips of coffee… Everything counts, and everything adds up—the good and the bad. Similarly, I don’t think there are good or bad decisions, just decisions that lead us down different paths. And whatever path we choose is fine, as long as we find inner peace. Whether it’s letting go of unrequited love, getting involved with an organization, chasing that wild dream, moving to another country to start over, or learning to believe in love again.

In the past, birthdays used to overwhelm me and give me existential crises about how the years passed and I hadn’t achieved enough. So every time my birthday comes around, instead of overthinking my existence, I prefer to express gratitude in a small, intimate ritual with my notebook, thanking all the people and experiences that have accompanied me.

To my mother, for her love, affection, and unconditional support. For being my best friend, confidante, and travel companion.

To my father, for his sense of humor, wise life lessons, and for being my concert buddy and sharing bad jokes.

To my sister, for her beautiful singing, for understanding and accepting me as I am, for being my fan and life partner.

To Tobias, for his patience, love, loyalty, and companionship.

To Ana, for her intelligence, determination, unwavering friendship, and for going along with my nonsense.

To Josune, for her brutal honesty, sense of humor, and for joining me in all my plans.

To Sofi, for her calmness, genuine friendship, and for always taking us on trips.

To Karen, for her responsibility, affection, and for pushing us every chance she gets.

To Carla, for her silliness, magnificent sense of humor, and for sharing her creativity with me.

To Ro, for giving me the opportunity to be on his work team and believing in me.

To Malena, for telling us to silence the crazy bitch in the house (our mind), to tell everything to fuck off, and not to give a shit. Yes, she is my yoga teacher from my certification.

To Monste, for giving me a warm welcome, being patient with
me, and trusting my ideas and abilities.

To Lalo, for being my first friend and making me laugh at work.

To Mel, for defending and advising me, as well as joining me for coffees before the workday starts.

To Danny, for being my project partner and putting up with client complaints, accompanied by laughter.

To all of Matraka team for making me a part of their team.

To Emma, for sending me songs and reminding me that our friendship is unique. We are one.

To Kiira, for teaching me that being vulnerable and being yourself—loud and extroverted—is perfectly fine.

To Cherry, for making me laugh so much, taking me to 1tbsp, and dancing until dawn.

To Kitty, for her silliness and laughter, friendship and affection, as well as my cute little hat from 3liebres.

To Mike, for being a great friend since we were babies and for his funny ideas.

To Caco and Fran, for giving me a second home when I needed it the most.

To Miko, for bringing me so much joy and energy.

To Kosmo, for taking me for walks in the park and all the kisses.

To my Abi, for cooking for me and letting me spend time with her in her paradise.

To my grandmother Garé, for encouraging me in my projects.

To Sandy, for making me laugh even when we’re countries apart and believing in my work.

To Saint, for our galactic and eternal friendship.

To Fa, for being my godmother, life mentor, and partner in trying delicious restaurants, especially ramen.

To Mara, for being an art mentor and travel companion. 

And as it says on the coffee mug I use every day: “don’t forget to kiss life.”

To close, I want to share one of my favorite poems by Robert
Frost called The Road Not Taken. Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing this
piece of art with us.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.