Pictures

Here are some pictures from my first weekend being a tourist. We went to Arenal Volcano where we went to Hot Springs, then went to La Fortuna, the waterfall then took a "van-Boat-van" to MonteVerde where we got to zip-line.
I am having writers block so the pictures will have to be enough for now. And the top picture is of my Tico family and I.

I'm HOME

Amigos,
Sorry for the long space between posts but I was blessed with the opportunity to be a tourist for a week with 2 of my favorite people from school and I didn't have regular internet access. And if I can be completely honest, internet access was not even on my top 100 priority list for the week. But rather finding a place to set up my hammock was 1st priority. And I was quite successful at that. As of today I am sano y salvo (safe and sound) at home but I would really love to tell you all about my last couple weeks in Costa Rica and some concluding thoughts whether or not anyone is still reading. I plan on including some fotos. Maybe, with caitlyns gracious artistic permission I can use some of hers. Considering she was a little more picture happy. I can't tell you all how strange it is for everyone to be speaking english. I keep slipping random spanish words. I am ecstatic to be home to see my wonderful friends and family but it definitely is a little strange to be back on US soil. Thank you friends for your thoughts and prayers and check back within the week for some exciting posts, well hopefully I can do my adventures justice and you can live the excitement vicariously. Maybe I will be able to communicate sufficiently. Love you all.
Lauren

PS I didn't proofread this so please bear with me

Vamos Morado

So when my host dad told me we were going to go to see a Saprissa soccer game (I had been dropping hints like no one's business) I wasn't quite sure if I heard him right or if we were really going, because he told me not to tell the kids. But alas, when Sunday rolled around we rushed home from church, changed, ate cereal, and the guys and I headed back out.

The Saprissa is the local San Jose futbol (soccer) team. My host mom says they are boring, but my tico dad and brothers love the Saprissa.

So we took a bus to the center of San Jose and began our journey to the stop for the other bus we needed to take to the stadium. As we are walking down the street (and just about every street we walked down), Randall (my Tico dad) turns to me and says, "Don't ever walk down these streets, they are dangerous". So Than, being a great brother grabs my arm until we get to our destination. I saw a few hookers, crack heads, gang members and strip clubs, and I'm not just saying that. How's that for culture, professor? Ha. Anyways, we finally get to the stop and there's already a huge line of Saprissa fans. We had over full occupancy on our bus which is over 80. I was slightly claustrophobic standing like herded animals but luckily it was a bearable, short ride.

We have to go buy our tickets when we get there. They have many different ticket prices. The cheapest being in the sol (the sun) and the next is in the sombra (the shade). It was overcast so everything was shaded but apparently because the sun seats are so cheap there are a lot of crazies, so Johnathan insisted on the shade seats. But don't let this fool you, all Latin Americans are crazy when it comes to futbol.

There were two large groups of gringos (North Americans) in the section above ours so the kids watched them before the game started and we poked fun at them during the game. All in good clean fun I must say. Because I'm constantly around Ticos (Costa Ricans) I don't consider myself a gringa. And my friends in Carpio say I'm a Tica because I know Spanish. We also could see the whole city, the mountains and more from our seats. It was quite a sight. So normally I hate watching, playing or anything related to futbol, but this was better than awesome.

If you have ever been to any sporting event you might know (or if we are honest) you might even be that person who knows better than any player, coach or other fan and likes to voice it. This person is obnoxious, just saying. So I had that guy in front of me, and even though I couldn't always decipher his screams muffled by the other crowd noise, it was still slightly annoying. But not as much when you think that it's just part of what makes the experience. I mean isn't that what makes life so interesting? You experience the good and the bad (hopefully more good) and should just able to appreciate being alive.

There are people in the "end zone" seats with huge drums and they chant for the entire game. It's great. Some of the chants aren't exactly appropriate though.

Then when we score a goal (there were 3) people go crazy, so crazy that the stands shake. They move so much it feels like an earth tremor. It's honestly an accident waiting to happen. But alas it was great.

All in all it was a fabulous experience and I wish I could go all the time.