The Beginning

So much has happened in so little time! I guess I will start from the beginning.

Yesterday packing with Jonathan and mom I was being a ridiculous human being (sorry family). I had successfully packed very little (in my book) and went into panic mode and starting trying to overpack. They held me back, and I cannot thank you enough. Yes mom, I will definitely be sending you back with things when you visit in February. And when I say things I mean like half the stuff I brought. I hate admitting this, but you and Jonathan were right. I so hate when y’all are right.

My flight was not until 5 so I had a full day of acting weird and trying not to address my emotions. Jonathan had the idea of us getting the same book to read while I’m in Costa Rica, and he’s in Texas so that we have something similar going on at the same time. Bring on the Hemingway. It should be interesting reading about war in a country who’s famous for their peaceful environment.

` Here’s when things actually get interesting. USAC had instructed us that we would get visas once we’re actually in the country We will need them because we will be in the country more than 90 days. They’ve been doing this for years, and I trust them, and while stalking 10+ blogs no one has seemed to have a problem

Cue cranky woman working American Airline’s check-in desk. Long story short, my dad is out $200 to buy me a fake ticket to return 89 days into my trip. I haven’t talked to anyone else who had this happen to them, so I’m talking to the Program Director tomorrow to figure out what I need to do to fix the situation. Oh well! Sorry, Dad.

Fast-forward, and the rest of my trip to get here has been fairly uneventful/smooth. I got to sit in between two firey red heads with the best stories. The woman to my right was a middle aged Canadian who totally proved the stereotype that Canadians are like the nicest humans to walk the earth. She gave me the motherly advice to, “make wise decisions,” and told me she wants to bring me home for one of her sons. Normal stuff? The other woman was seriously one of the most inspiring humans ever. She grew up in Australia and moved to London (her father is British) when she fell in love with a much older man. That makes for a really interesting accent by the way. They dated for 7 years, and then they broke up. She decided that she spent her youth with this guy and wanted to live her life to the fullest now. She’s traveled all over the world and is currently coming to Costa Rica for a month long adult immersion program at the age of 34. Her hobbies include going to farmers’ markets and doing yoga. This woman is so cool, y’all. After talking for awhile she told me, “You’ve got to be a Sagittarius, you’ve got that thirst for adventure and sparkle in you eye.” She was correct.

After the plane ride we stood around for a good while waiting for the bus to take us to Puntarenas. That was totally fine though because we all got to really hangout for the first time. There are some awesome people on this trip! I tried sleeping on the bus, but the roads were a little too bumpy, and I was a little too excited. Flying in at night is so weird because you’re trying to make out landscapes and it’s all just blackness. I liked the mystery. So while everyone else slept, myself and the girl I sat next to talked the whole way. She studied abroad in Spain last semester so I thoroughly enjoyed picking her brain about her time spent there.

THEN WE ARRIVED IN PUNTARENAS. It was 12:30 in the morning by the time we got here. I stepped off the bus and immediately recognized my host dad from the picture in my last post. My family is incredible. I’ve never felt so instantly loved. They made it very clear that I am a part of their family now, and this is my house, and they will take care of me. I was so nervous to meet them, and the second I started talking to them any doubt I’ve ever had went out the window.

On the topic of talking to them, I pretty much understand exsactly what they’re saying? I did not expect that at all. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve scratched my head at them a few times, and when I speak back it’s horrendous, but last night and this morning have given me so much hope for where my language level will be by the end of these four months. They are very adamant that my Spanish is very good, and they’ve had many students in the past who have spoken much less than me that have ended up fluent.

Other things:

1. Cold showers are incredible here

2. My host sister despises bugs so they’re really aren’t many in our house. Score! (She wanted me to kill a butterfly with my shoe last night. It was quite a funny scene.)

3. THE FOOD OH MY GOODNESS THE FOOD. So stinkin’ good. I was ravenous this morning, y’all it’s incredible, and a FEAST.

4. THE COFFEE OH MY GOODNESS THE COFFEE. Enough said.

5. I took a walk, and didn’t get lost.

6. I’m meeting up with a bunch of students shortly to hang out at the beach.

Pictures soon to come.

PURA VIDA