Costa Rica Trip #5

Where I've been:  Just like last year, I flew to Costa Rica during Semana Santa.  This year was extra special, though, because my parents and sister joined me there.  By the grace of God, Krysta and I had the same week of spring break.  We decided to take advantage of the awesome coincidence and show mom and dad around Costa Rica.  It was a busy week, but such a blessing that we got to spend it together exploring a country I love.

San Ramon:  Our first stop was San Ramon, the town where my host family lives.  We got to spend time with the teacher I helped back in 2012.  Her name is Cristina, and she even brought her new baby.  It was so fun to catch up and see her.  While we were waiting for her, we explored the central park and got my favorite Cosechas milkshakes and smoothies.

We ate dinner at my host family's house, and it was such a dream for my real family to meet my Costa Rican family.

I also got to bring my parents to my church in San Ramon.  I was trying to translate the sermon, and my parent's got to see a baptism.

After church we went to my friend Lucy's house with KFC for lunch.  It was a nice time laughing and sharing with people I love.

Arenal:  We spent our first day at the volcano hiking around the national park and the hanging bridges park.  It is very humid in the rain forest.  We were sweating bullets as we adventured through the parks.  We didn't get to see much wildlife except for a few snakes and lizards.  I kept asking the park maintenance people if they had seen any sloths or monkeys that day, but no one had.

Flat Stanley also joined us on our journey.  This is the second time I've gotten Flat Stanley.  We found this mini replica of the hanging bridges that was just his size!

Although the trees and forest were beautiful, my favorite part was soaking in the hot springs.  My first and third trip to Costa Rica I went to "hot springs," but they weren't very warm.  This pool was huge, and it felt so lovely.  My mom, dad, and sister said it was too warm, but I could have spent another few days floating in the warm water.

We got to see some amazing wildlife on our way from Arenal to Tamarindo.  Although it was a long drive, it was one of my favorite parts of the week.  It made me realize the beauty in Costa Rica.

Tamarindo:  Unfortunately we picked the busiest and craziest week of the year to travel in Costa Rica.  Most of the beaches were so crowded, but we went to Bahia de los Piratas, a beach my host brother has taken me to several times.

We spent lots of time walking around the town, eating yummy food, and relaxing in the condo.

Monte Verde:  This was my first real time in Monteverde, and I loved it.  I wished we had spent more time here.  The weather was much cooler than the 90+ degree heat in Tamarindo.  We stayed at an amazing lodge with beautiful gardens and hammocks.

We also did ziplining in Monteverde.  It was my fifth time doing ziplining, and this one was the craziest and most intense.  We had to hike up a mountain and two of the lines we were hooked up on our backs.  It was one of the most terrifying things I have ever done.  There was also a tarzan swing, which I did not think I would do.  I got suited up just to check and see, but before I knew it the door was open and I was free falling.  My throat hurt so much from screaming, but I guess God knew I needed to work on taking some steps of faith.

San Jose:  My sister studied abroad in Costa Rica for a month, and she still keeps in contact with one of the girls from her program.  On my parent's last night we attempted to go to the National Theater and a market, but everything was closed for Semana Santa.  We ended up going to a little coffee shop and talking with her.

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San Ramon:  My last day in Costa Rica was awesome.  I got to spend it with all the people I love.  We ate, and talked, and laughed, and shared.

Every time I leave Costa Rica I have this feeling I will be back soon.  What places are pulling on your heartstrings?  Where is God calling you to go?

Con mucho amor.

El pais de mi corazon

Where I've been: I got to spend 12 days in Costa Rica over Semana Santa, or spring break.  I left Wednesday, March 25th and got back to the DR on Monday, April 6th.  It was 12 days full of friends, laughter, yummy food, and rest that I so desperately needed.

I was rather nervous to leave the country.  I hadn't left since I got here in August.  That's 8 months, and the tourist stamp on my passport is only good for 2-3 months.  I spent a lot of time praying that God would help me get out of the DR safely.  I had a letter stating I am a missionary, I had a badge with my picture and name of New Hope, and I had my paperwork showing I was working on getting my visa.

Pedro dropped me off at the airport, and in I went.  I stared down the walkway and saw the first airport person who would look at my passport.  He was a probably in his 30s, and looked rather scary to me.  I walked up and handed him my passport and my customs form to leave.  My hands were shaking, but I tried to conceal my nerves.  What happened?  He told me I was beautiful and asked for my number.  I started chuckling on the inside and told him I didn't have one.

Next, a lady had to look at my papers and stamp my passport to let me leave the country.  I had prepared everything that I was going to say to her if she asked me.  First I was going to show her my badge, then my letter, then the visa paperwork if necessary.  I had practiced over and over again in my head.  I handed her my passport and my custom form with a big grin.  She looked at me, looked at the papers, stamped my passport, and said nothing.

I thought it was too easy.  I thought someone was going to chase me down.  But no.  GOD HAD ANSWERED MY PRAYERS.  How faithful He is.

The first few days I stayed in San Ramon.  I walked around town, had a movie night or two, laid in bed and read.  It felt so nice to be "home."  Waking up every morning to a hug and a kiss from my host mom was wonderful.  I had some coffee dates with friends where I would drink water, and I got my fill of different rice and beans than the ones I have been eating in the DR. :)

We went to Viviana's boyfriend's house on Saturday.  There's a pool and Viviana even made my favorite dessert, cheesecake de maracuya.  It was one of the best desserts I've ever had.  We watched the sunset over the city of San Jose.

Sunday after church I went to San Jose by myself on a bus.  I hung out with my friend Yasmin.  I went shopping for the first time in 8 months.  I got new undershirts and a new pair of jeans.  It felt kind of weird to spend money on clothes.  Yasmin and I made dinner and I spent the night at her house.  The next day we walked around the city more, and then I headed back to San Ramon.  I was pretty proud of myself for getting to the capital and back alone.

Monday was the start of Holy Week.  Easter is a huge deal in the Catholic church, and Baptist churches barely recognize the special day.  I got to see Catholic processions and parades with Jesus statues and chanting and singing.  It was very interesting and different to observe these traditions.  It seemed rather cult-ish to me, but it's how some people celebrate in CR.

I also got to eat and make some special foods that are normally only eaten on Holy Week.  One of the foods I made were empanadas de chiverre.  They were little empanadas made with a jelly/sweet filling.  So yummy.  I went over to Lucy's house and made them with her son and daughter.

We spent a day at la finca (the farm) of my host family.  Fabi, Krystell and I made these cookies de almidon.  They were SO yummy and fairly easy to make.  The evening after the day at la finca, Angelica and I got together and played cards.  She is one of my favorite people, and I always wish I have more time to hang out with her.  She beat me many times during our games of slap jack and war.

Gueru's sister lives in Orotina.  I had never traveled to that part of Costa Rica before.  It was kind of desert-ish.  Much warmer that freezing San Ramon.  We spent the day swimming at the pool and eating lots of yummy foods.  We camped and slept in tents at her sister's house.  I felt like such a part of the family.

The next day we went to Tamarindo, which is a beach in the north part of the country.  We camped again and spent all Saturday relaxing in the sand.  There was so much traffic going back to San Ramon on Saturday night.  Most of the country has Thursday, Friday, and Saturday off for Holy Week, so beaches are packed.

Sunday was my last full day in the country.  We went to church and had lunch together at the mall.  That afternoon I went with my host brother and his friends to see Fast and the Furious 7, and we ended the night by going to my favorite hill in San Ramon to look at the lights.

Until next time, Costa Rica.