For a frame of reference, we are two hours behind all of you in the US. just so you know!
There was not time to write yesterday, because we went to Santa Barbara last night to get money and to eat dinner. We had to take the bus to get there which was interesting. If you stand on the right side of the street you are going to Santa Barbara, but if you stand on the left side, you are going to San Jose.
Cole and Lindsay tried to get money out of the ATM on Sunday, and it didn't work, so we went last night with my friend Rebecca, who is from California, and has been here for two months. Their ATM's are part of the bank and there is a separate door for each of them. So, Cole and Lindsay and I all went in together and Lindsay tried her card, and it worked, and she yelled "BINGO!!!!!" because she was so happy that it worked! It was HILARIOUS! The money here is the "colon" or "colones" and the number are in thousands. One dollar is worth about 580 colones.
After we got money, we went to a restaurant and ate dinner. Rebecca and I got this coconut milk drink that was SOOOO good, and a type of taco with chicken and cheese. It was really good, but it was pouring rain the whole time we were in the city! We all laugh SO much when we're together and we love to joke with each other about stuff. It was a wonderful first outing in the city and we had a great time!
Yesterday was all the first day of classes. In the morning we had an Advanced Grammar class with Majella, one of the professors there. It was a lot of review because it was the first day. But it was a great class, it was good to review, and the teacher is so patient and kind. The classes here are three hours long, but the time flies! They have two breaks in the day that they call "recreos", one is at 1o am, and the other at 4 pm. At these times they stop whatever they're doing and they drink coffee and eat cookies. Their coffee is AMAZING. No joke. I will bring some back! I normally don't drink coffee, but i LOVE this stuff!
In the afternoon we had a Costa Rican Spanish Class, to teach us their words. Costa Ricans refer to themselves as "ticos" and so we are learning all the "tico" words. Marco, the founder and director of the school, teaches this class, and we feel SO fortunate to have him as our teacher! It is only the three of us in all the classes, but that is perfect. However, the class with Marco was the most difficult thing in the world. We read a story about a bunny and a tiger (or jaguar) and all of the words were tico words. My brain was MUSH after that class. It is physically and mentally draining to try to translate everything from spanish to english in my head, 6 hours a day in class, and then also at my house.
Today we had a class about the Culture of Costa Rica with Marco's sister, Rebecca. She is a wonderful teacher and it was much easier to understand her and the material. On Tuesday afternoons we have dance class, and today we had a great time learning Salsa, and Pachato (?) and La Cumbia, traditional Costa Rican dances. They are taught by our friend Victor who is about our age and is a fantastic dancer.
Tonight there is another fiesta for Rob at the Institute, the english guy who has lived here for a year. He is going back to England in two weeks and tonight is his goodbye party. Tomorrow we start our volunteer projects. I will be working at the Elderly Care, Linsay will be working at the School or the Day Care, and Cole will be working at the Canopy, giving tours.
God continues to amaze us with His beauty in the creation here. The people are so beautiful, inside and out, and the land is breathtaking as well. Today we met our professor Rebecca's baby, and the Lord is SO evident in the sweet innocence of such a dear child. She is about 6 months old and is so precious.
Pray that there will be opportunities to share Christ with these people. It is evident that many of them do not know Christ, but it is also extremely hard to know what that means to them. I have to keep reminding myself that I have only been here for 4 days and it is necessary to forms relationships with these people and continue to pray.
Christ is alive and I trust that HE is working! How amazing is the power of GRACE. There is nothing like HIS love.
may the God of peace guard your hearts and minds today. Live changed lives!
bendiciones, mis amigos y familia!
haha the dance se llama la bachata. it's super romantic and slow and you do that hip thing! aventura sings most of their songs in that rhythm.
ReplyDeleteI understand the mushy brain syndrome. It seemed everytime I went abroad when I was younger that after a few days I couldn't think and just HAD to speak English. In a few weeks it will pass, hang in there. I must say that Rob has certainly had a lot of fiestas! I'm curious about your volunteer adventure--hopefully it will be rewarding. If not let someone know. But I think your smile and good words and prayers would be welcomed by the elderly.
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