Costa Rica has gotten off to a great start. We were greeted at the bus station by many of our hosts and my host family. After eight hours of bus travel (and a bit of a sunburn), I was so happy to be welcomed into my new home with a basket of goodies that included aloe vera. My hosts are Eduardo and Olga de Soto. They have traveled worldwide and most of the US and were looking into planning a vacation next year... to Branson. Seriously. Their next vacations are to the South of Spain, Hawaii and good ol' Branson.
So far in our travels we haven't met anyone who has heard of Branson and in the 24 hours in Costa Rica we have met a couple of families who have traveled there.
My hosts are both retired and both sweet as pie. Their house is filled with amazing art that they collect as well as their son collects... so if I have any free time I'm pretty sure I could spend the day walking around their house. Their daughters' live in the two houses next door and one runs a language institute that I'm pretty sure I need to come back and immerse myself in.
When we arrived late last night they asked if I had heard about the bombing at the Boston Marathon (which I had not since we had been on the bus for the whole day). They immediately turned on the news and let me watch for some time and gave me a big hug when I was tearing up at the news. The event is so terribly sad and it's a weird feeling to watch something like that unfold when you are not at home.
We had a late start this morning so we could rest. We all met at a supermarket of sorts and grabbed some Costa Rican cash. I squealed when I saw this sloth. Like a legitimate squeal. I have found the best way not to spend money: have bills that are as pretty as this guy.
We met with our Rotary group for the day and to our surprise, a Rotary Ambassador scholar from Nixa, MO. Nicholas Reasor is an Evangel graduate and is currently working for Wal-Mart in Costa Rica as well as studying at the Universidad para la Paz (University for Peace) that we toured later in the afternoon.
After a delicious (and once again too filling) lunch, we headed to the campus of the University.
I don't think I can count how many times I said, "People work here." It was a gorgeous campus. The Universities of Peace worldwide have a very awesome mission and I may have already started researching doctoral programs, teach-away programs... :)
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| If I bring one thing back to OTC from this journey, I hope it's hammocks |
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| And we thought Missouri was dry... |
After the tour of campus, we went to the house of the president of the Rotary Club of Belen. We had a little time to meet with our hosts Victor and Maru Mata and their beautiful family.
We once again had a wonder meeting at their house and received a great welcome. We had a much interaction during our presentation. I discussed the Rock'n Ribs and mentioned it was being set up this week for the event this weekend. They were very interested in the event and I maybe got a little too excited discussing it (much like Christi does when she talks about grapes).
Christi and I realized we had on the same shoes and same pants... just different colors.
I thought I would really enjoy Costa Rica, but I had no idea who amazing of a vibe and feeling I would have almost immediately in the country. I am thrilled to be here and can not wait for this very busy (but very awesome) week ahead.
And I also had no idea how freaking awesome it would feel to unpack and settle in for one entire week in the same place. And the weather is awesome. And my feet are no longer swollen. And ... let's just say I'm one happy girl.
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