A Lemon Tree and a Pet Turtle

Well, we made it to Costa Rica!!! Traveling here went completely smooth until we got to the Costa Rica airport and were trying to get through customs. The line was beyond long and Mary and I had to pee like race horses. So, us being idiots, thought “Oh if Amanda and Tara hold our bags, we will make it back before the line even moves” Nope…didn't work that way! We got back from the bathrooms and realized they had moved really far up in line! There were those dividers that snake the line back and forth so we weren't able to just nonchalantly walk up to Tara and Amanda. We had to resort to crawling. I still had my backpack on so I was like this monster turtle crawling through peoples’ legs with Mary not far behind. I accidentally hit one of the poles, it made a clatter, and next thing I know some lady slapped me really hard and yelled “ HEY YOU!! GET OUTTA HERE!” I didn't even look, I just scurried along the floor even faster. But after that little mishap, we were able to check in to the country, get our bags and we were on our way to our new family!

I live in a neighborhood that is about 30 minutes walking distance away from the school and it is just gorgeous! We have a backyard patio that is surrounded by plants and trees with a hammock! These trees are not just any ol’ trees either. One is a lemon tree that our host mom picks every so often to make lemonade and cook with. In addition to the jungle of trees and exotic plants, we have a pet turtle!!! Her name is Matilda and she is so cute! She doesn’t have a cage or anything, she just wanders around the whole backyard and eats insects and sleeps in the dirt. 

Our backyard!

Matilda

Mary, Amanda, and I share the 2 bedrooms upstairs and two other UNK students, Jen (Fin) and Liz, share a downstairs bedroom. Our host mom and dad are absolutely adorable! Our mom is so attentive to us and anything we would possibly need. She is also the best cook in the world! (Sorry mom ;p) This morning we were greeted with a full table of fresh fruit, cinnamon raisin bread, coffee, and juice and for supper we had salad, a chicken and rice dish with homemade chili salsa over top, chips and beans, and homemade juice.

Left to Right:  Me, Amanda, Fin, Liz, Mary

This morning after breakfast we went to mass. Once that was over, our host mom explained to us how to take the buses and we split ways. Amanda, Mary, Fin, Liz, and I explored a little. We went to see our school, checked out the mall, and walked around all the streets that surround our neighborhood. We were hoping to find a nearby internet café because our house doesn’t have internet! I can already feel the shakes of withdrawal coming on due to the decrease in Facebook time. 

Trying on ridiculously tall high heels in the mall!