Mamma Ticas

Since arriving, we've been hosted by two families. Our current accommodations are great, we've got a private bedroom, bath, and even our own dining table. We've currently got 8 roommates in what resembles a hostel more than a home stay (we join the family for breakfast and dinner, but otherwise we all stay in our quarters upstairs).

Though this is all wonderful, nothing can compare to our experience with our first Mamma Tica (a term for Costa Rican women--men are Ticos. These aren't derogatory terms but are used colloquially), Maria del Rosio. She was a gracious host and has found a permanent place in both of our hearts as an adopted Mamma for life.

Despite the language barrier, we learned that she was genuine, warm, welcoming, gracious, fabulously domestic, and kinder than we could have ever dreamed. We arrived late one Thursday evening, not having a clue whether or not we were even in the right place. Maria welcomed us, showed us our room, and even gave us some cookies and crackers before we went to sleep--we were so grateful.

On our last night with Maria we (well, Justin) made dinner for Maria, her husband Fabio, and our other three roommates--some lovely college students from Indiana. It was the first time we all sat at the table together, as we students were usually served before the family ate. It was great to express our gratitude, share a recipe, drink wine, and celebrate community. Afterword Maria stayed up with us and our roommate Mollie looking at our wedding photos, sharing stories about past home stay students, trading English and Spanish lessons, and really enjoying one another's company.

We owe Maria a visit (or several!) before we leave, though I'm certain it won't repay her for our warm reception into Costa Rica. Thank you, Mamma Tica! We love you!!

And now, some pictures from the home of our first Costa Rican family:

Our room

Pita, the oldest, most crochety cat you ever saw (he was 21)

Mellie and Diana, Mamma Tica's granddaughter and daughter

Mellie showing off the living room

Chester

Mellie sharing her sunglasses

and her silly faces :)

Maria, Diana, and Mellie

Fabio, Mellie, Maria, and Diana. Fabio LOVES this picture (and for good reason, too!)

Making dinner

Fryin' up the chicken tenders (they were SO good)

Our San Jose family: Ali, me, Justin, Maria, Mollie, and Chandlar

Costa Rica, Week One

We've been in Costa Rica for just over one week. What a whirlwind its already been! We have already taken tons of pictures, met many wonderful Costa Ricans and Americans, completed a few days of Spanish lessons, retrieved both of our bags from Delta (finally! It took four days for Justin's to arrive and seven for mine to get here), spent about $450.00 USD of Delta's money buying things we needed while we waited for our bags (ok--I didn't NEED the curling iron, but Delta deserved it! I hardly bought anything before I decided to get it!), and generally had a wonderful time. So far, we've traveled to Liberia, Curabande, San Jose, San Pedro (we live here--its a suburb on San Jose) and Cartago, a beautiful little mountain town.

Costa Rica is surprisingly not as different from the US as I'd expected. Don't get me wrong, the Bed and Breakfast we stayed at for the first two nights was completely Costa Rican, all snuggled into the forest, with a cacophony of bird songs to lull us to sleep every night, but San Jose? Its a city. And with that comes fast food, consumerism, high prices (similar to the US, much to my dismay), bad traffic, lots of restaurants, and generally people everywhere. I feel like there are less tress here than back home in Seattle. We did travel to a small town called Cartago on Sunday, but other than the journey there, even that felt a lot like a regular town.

Some things I love about Costa Rica:

• Everyone is VERY patient with you when you **try** to speak Spanish
• People are so polite
• People have cell phones, but aren't constantly on them (except maybe on the bus)
• Coffee flows like water
• Speaking of water, you can drink it out of the tap here--wonderful!

Some things I didn't expect

• People are really stylish here, even in the small towns. I never expected to feel like I needed to dress UP on a backpacking trip. I hope people are more laid back at the beach, where we'll be next week.
• Its much colder here than I expected (I had to wear a sweatshirt and long pants today).
• Cell phone plans are SUPER cheap (we're getting ripped off in the states)
• For the most part, the showers are warm
• It is very clean, no one piles up on motorbikes with their whole family and their dog, people are very educated
• This is, in short, a developed country (if you ask me)

Later this week I'll write about our wonderful host mamma, Maria del Rosio, and how I wish I could pack her up and keep her in my pocket because she's just so sweet! Until then, here are some pictures:

Our "room" at the Bed and Breakfast, where we spent our first two nights.

This is Lola. She was more like a cat then any dog I've ever met. 

Justin by the pool

Cool street art in downtown San Jose

Beautiful old church in Cartago that was never finished due to earthquakes. 

The front of the church, including an odd obelisk. 

The view from my (Crystal's) classroom at Maximo Nivel in San Pedro.