Feeling at home

Well, I arrived in Costa Rica last night and I immediately felt at home. I did not realize how much I missed being in a Latin American country. I found myself quickly adjusting to the new tico time (the laid back tempo of Costa Rica) and enjoyed a hearty meal of rice, fresh juice, veggies, and some meat. I was also greeted by a few bugs that I was not expecting to see. I will have to get used to living with a few more bugs than Ecuador had to offer. This morning we had a few hours of orientation and then anticipation mounted as we waited for our host families to arrive and take us home. I was so nervous.

They made all of us sit in chairs as the families arrived, and then played musical pass the ball as one by one we had to stand up and introduce ourselves and say who are families are (in Spanish of course). Above is a photo of some of the host families waiting for us. When I stood up a friendly man and a little boy waved at me. I was thrilled to know that someone was waiting for me. We were then released from our chairs and after I found them in the crowd and we exchanged introductions, we grabbed my bags and were off. My family is part of a family compound so there are three other university students staying with 3 different families in the same compound. It was comforting to have another student riding along as her host mom is my host mom's (real) mother. So papa yeu (my host dad) and Aldito (my host brother) brought me home and showed me my room. It was humbling to have this family just bring me into their home and begin showing me love. We went for a tour around the compound and I began to meet extended family and ended up at the abuelos (grandparents house). So abuelo (grandpa) took me and another student on a walk down the street showing us coffee plants and taught us the difference between all the types of bananas. It was so surreal to me to be living in these moments. They are so familiar and yet so new. I understand so much more of what they are saying than I ever have, and yet realize how much I have yet to learn. They are all so patient with us as we take time to comprehend what they are saying and then to formulate a response. Finally, 4 pm came around and we picked up my host mom and sister and received an official tour of the house. We took a family trip to the grocery store and I was amazed to see great value at the local supermarket. They have many more brands that I am familiar with here. I helped made a type of pico for our supper of chalupas and then finished the evening off with my host sister falling asleep in my arms while we watched a movie. I already know it is going to be hard to leave this beautful, amazing place!