There is a reason why Costa Rica is called the `Rich Coast.´ I discovered why this last week as my host family brought me to their family cabin near the western coast in the province of Guanacaste. I felt some of the warmest ocean water I have ever felt and relaxed on paradise like beaches. For five days, we (host Dad Victor, host Mom Bilma, host sister Fabiola, and I) basically traveled down the coast. What I mean by that is we went to a ton of incredible, absolutely beautiful beaches. Every day there was a new beach to go to, to explore. One of my favorites was Playa Conchal which basically means Seashell Beach. The beach was only made up of seashells as you can see where the name came from.
One very special thing about these beaches was that they had water that you didnt have to get used to. You could just jump right in and instantly enjoy it!! I definitely had some amazing times in the waves.
There were the beaches but there were also the ANIMALS!! On this trip, I probably saw as least 20 monkeys, I would say, in the trees (that is a first), some igwanas, and parrots. Here there is such a variety of animals. There is always a new bug to look at or a butterfly to pass by. Im living in the jungle baby!
After that vacation full of beaches, animals, great food, talking, and discovering, we headed home. That same day we went to a family party to celebrate Fabiola´s Grandfather´s Birthday!! That is what I call a party!! It was night full of meeting a ton of new people (at least 30 people there), eating, singing, laughing......ah it was so great. A mariachi band came to play for the family (the band with the trumpets, guitar, etc. where they sing traditional songs) which was so entertaining. There was the band in back and a man dancing in the front, once and a while making the whole family laugh! I absolutely loved it! There was also Karaoke...and of course they wanted me to sing some English songs. Hahaha....oh good times! Picture a group of grown Spanish speaking men and me all singing Dancing Queen. Loved it just loved it! Family here is a very very important part of life here. They all live near each other, generally all on the same street. When there is a celebration, birthday or something everybody comes and there is a lot of laughing. Its a big family reunion all the time!
Speaking about families, there is an amazing Christian family at their church. Just last Sunday, I was in the service and didnt really understand what the pastor was talking about. Yes I understood some main parts but I wanted to truly understand the pastor´s message completely. In that certain service, people had the option to use headphones and listen to the service translated in English. I loved that option! I got the headphones and suddenly the pastor´s message became so clear. Before I got them, the pastor told a few funny stories that I kind of got but not really. With the headphones, I was laughing right along side the whole congregation. After the service was over, Katherine (older host sister) and I were invited to a lunch with the missionaries who translate for the church and others who spoke English. Those headphones opened doors. I met the translator of the service, a young man in college by the name of Gabriel who live in Texas but is here on vacation. That lunch was the first real English conversation I had since I had been with my host family. Languages are incredible!!
Well those have been some highlights from my adventures here in Costa Rica!! There is more to come. This next weekend my host family is going to bring me to another beach on the east coast of Costa Rica where they said there are going to be turtles....how cool! ¡Que chiva!
My host Dad, Victor, wants to say Buenas Noches or `good night´ to you all as well as I do too! Until next time..........over and out!
Love,
Serena
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