Now that I have finally sat down to write I am exhausted. It is so humid here. I think it makes me ten times sweatier than normal and I sweat quite a bit as some of you may know. So, naturally, unpacking was quite the task. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me start with Monday.

            Saying goodbye to my parents at the airport at 5:30 in the morning was difficult, but seeing everyone else going through the same thing really helped. Having two giant roller suitcases, a duffle carry on, a jam packed backpack and giant tube (thanks Hannah Muller :P) made maneuvering through the airport a rather difficult task. The school wanted us all to check in together. I’m not sure if that meant at the same time or at the same kiosk. Unfortunately, we interpreted it as the kiosk. Therefore, checking in took much longer than it probably should have. Not to mention there were 15 of us clogging up the check in area and several people let us know (very rudely) that we were in their way. After check in we had a little less than 3 hrs to spare. Of course, that early in the morning I wasn’t in the mood for breakfast food. So I decided to have my “last” fastfood meal. Even though I am sure I will cave and visit one in Costa Rica. So I had Wendy’s chicken nuggets. The worker ladies were super nice and gave me extra nuggets. Don’t know why but I was so happy after! As we were waiting to board the plane, I was feeling prettttty darn good. I got that weird confidence you get when something goes wrong. Unfortunately it was short lived.

            Up until we landed in Costa Rica, the most exhilarating part of our trip was a girl in our group tracking down the guys that drive elderly people on carts through the airport and asked him to drive us to our gate since it had just been changed. The guy was a crazy driver and clipped a few people on the way. But it was great not to have to walk with all of our stuff.

            It felt so weird when we were taking off from Texas. It was surreal knowing we were leaving the US, especially when the only place I have been outside the country is Canada. I hadn’t flown over the ocean I don’t think since I was 8 years old. It was so strange. Miles and miles of water and nothing else. It’s amazing how dark it really is when it’s only the moon shining in the sky and no lights. Watching to sun go down was so beautiful and the clouds were amazing. So immense and with colors I have never seen. I’m pretty sure we saw lightening on the way down into Costa Rica. That was a little scary, but not really a big deal. As we were approaching San Jose, the nerves started to set in. But I was still excited!

            After we got off the plane, we walked to immigration. A few girls and I somehow got behind the group. I think people must have been super anxious or something because they were speed walking. For some reason I was super nervous for this part. I wasn’t sure if they would speak to me in Spanish or English, and my brain definitely was not ready for Spanish. I got up to the glass and the man asked me if I spoke Spanish (en español). I told him a little, not wanting him to talk too fast or expect me to really understand. Then he says something a hundred miles an hour and I just stare at him, eyes wide, like a bush baby. I didn’t catch any of it. He gave me a snide look, probably tired and annoyed, or hating his job, who knows, and asked me how many days in English. So, I answered 3 and a half months, in English. He looked at me, annoyed again, and started saying other things in Spanish but I didn’t understand. I started to get realllllly hot and overwhelmed. He told me tres meses! But I was confused because I knew we were staying for 3 and half. So then I said 4 months? And he said no, solo 3 meses! (Only 3 months). So I said ok, and he said se habla español, huh? (you speak Spanish huh?) I was so mortified. When I got to my group I think they could see in my face that I was freaking out. I was so traumatized. I looked at my friend Chandler and my eyes were watering and my heart was pounding and I was sweating bullets, and I told her I don’t think I can do this, I couldn’t understand anything he said! Haha Then I was informed that you can only stay as a tourist for 90 days… or 3 months. And that we are going to Nicaragua for a week and then we can come back or something. So I really wished someone had told me, or reminded me I guess. But It was too late by then. From then on things were rough.

Grabbing our luggage and going through customs only made things worse. I was scooting along with all my bags going sooo slow. Fell behind the group (again) but Chandler waited for me. I managed to drop my passport putting us even farther behind. Luckily someone picked it up for me other wise I probably would have collapsed onto the ground when I bent over and just given up and stayed there. When we got outside and finally found the group waiting for our bus with Doña Mayra, my senses were going crazy. There were so many different people, all speaking a different language and waving signs with names and trying to help you get a taxi. Plus the air was so humid and there were all sorts of new smells. There was wayyyy too much stimulation. It was overwhelming.

            By the time the bus arrived I was almost in full panic mode. The bus was big enough for all of us with a few extra rows of seats. As we started to drive Doña Mayra was talking and explaining many things. I was in the back and couldn’t hear let alone understand anything that was coming out of her mouth. I just kept looking around at everyone with the look of “do you have any idea what is going on? I’m so lost.” I tried to listen as best I could, but I kept looking at the surroundings. There was tons of construction going on and it all looked really dangerous. There wasn’t much between the cars on the road and the workers on the street. Not to mention the roads were soooo bumpy. As in it was the bumpiest  bus ride of my life. Then there was on coming traffic flashing by us super fast and I don’t even know if I remember seeing much of any lane divisions, but we were definitely driving in two. I’m pretty sure our headlights only shined about 3 feet in front of us. So that was exciting. I just tried to pretend it was a ride. But as my nerves got worse and Doña Mayra continued to talk, I seriously thought to myself, oh my gosh, what have I done? I can’t do this. I can’t understand anything. I’m going to throw up. Not sure if it was the bumpy ride or the nerves or both.

            As we approached San Ramón, I was still freaking out. We pulled up at a house and my heart was in my throat. I recognized it from a photo and instantly knew it was mine. My first thought was oh shoot! (replace a few letters). This is my house!  I’m getting off first. All alone. I’m going to throw up. I’m going to throw up and then I’m going to die. But luckily, we were all just meeting at my house. Everyone got off the bus and all of our families were waiting anxiously. I recognized my host brother, Guillermo, in the doorway and he waved which instantly made me feel a little better. Few. A somewhat familiar face. As I walked toward the house, my host mom came right up and hugged me and said yo soy Gina. Who knows why, if it was just the hug or a mother’s touch that made everything feel ok. Thank God for that. I got my bags and my family helped me carry them inside. I hugged my friend Chandler goodbye and told her that we were only two blocks away from each other. I met my host dad and he gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek and asked how I was. By that time I was feeling much better and couldn’t stop smiling.

My host mom, Gina, showed me the house, by room, how to use the shower etc. She asked if I was hungry, and my instinct was to say no, but I really was hungry, so I said yes. My other host brother, Dário, was already in bed because he had school at 7 the next morning. (WOW that’s early!)She made me a sandwich and Guillermo, Gina, and Guillermo Jr. and I sat in the kitchen and talked. Yes, finally I can somewhat understand people. Ok, so I HAVE actually been learning Spanish, good. They were so incredibly friendly and nice and funny. They told me to treat the house like it was my own, it made me feel so welcome.

            We talked for a while about family and jobs and what kinds of food I don’t like. It was hard being put on the spot, so I’m sure I forgot a few things. (Since I’m such a picky eater) It was nice having Guillermo there to ask how to say words I didn’t know. My host parents speak little English but Guillermo is very good. My host dad told me that everyday is a fiesta (party) in Costa Rica. If you lose a game, you celebrate, if you finish your hw, you celebrate, if you don’t have hw, you celebrate. Haha! They were all so funny and understanding.

            I tried this stuff, I can’t remember what it is called, I think its is natilla. But it looked kind of like mayo which kind of grossed me out. I guess its like milk/cheese or something. It looks like mayo and butter to me, texture wise. Gina put some on a plate for me to try. I think you put it on bread and what not. So I dipped my finger in it and tried it. Guillermo made a grossed out face, and soon so did I. It’s not really something you want to just eat on its own. Haha.

The house is so adorable. There is a big black gate that goes around in front and a small porch. Inside there is a living/tv room, kitchen/dining area, bathroom, and bedrooms. My bedroom is at the very end of the hall and it is very cute. I have a wardrobe, shelves, desk, and even a TV! Oh and while flipping through channels I managed to find an episode of Pretty Little Liars on. IN SPANISH. So weird. But I could really learn from watching TV now haha. I emailed my family and then it was off to bed. It was hard to fall asleep with all the commotion, but it was late and I had to be with the group at 9 the next morning. 

More to come later! 

Kristin