I'm hoping for this blog to sufficiently keep those who have requested informed on this adventure of mine. I'm not making any promises, but I did have a xanga back in the day, so I do have blogging skills somewhere in the back of my tool belt.
I arrived yesterday after a night of less sleep and packing than I had planned. This may have been due to Friday being my birthday and a certain event at Colorado College known as 'Winter Ball' (royal ball themed this year with many a princess, royal tenebaums and knights), and my flight's departure time of 6:21 a.m. My impressive skill for procrastinating packing was confirmed once more, but I managed to wake up to my alarm, and arrive at the airport in a timely fashion. I traveled with two other students on my program, and we navigated the 31 minute layover in Houston's HUGE airport as best we could, arriving as the last passengers to board our plane to San Jose. Upon our arrival, we were immediately swept away by our host families (it's Saturday morning at this point in my journey, just for a time check in) and I have yet to see them since.
I had a much less awkward than expected half hour drive to my host house accompanied by my host mom. We talked as best we could, her knowing almost no English and my spanish having been dormant for a good long while. I arrived to a full house of two host brothers (Nico y Sebastian), my host sister (Maria), my host niece (Miranda, and the most adorable three year old I have yet to encounter) and my host dad. I also have three host dogs (I don't really think that's a phrase people use). All in all, I would say that this is definitely going to be a wonderful family to be a part of. After about an hour or so here, the doorbell rang and into my new home walks Laura Henneghan. For those who understand the fanstasical magic and stupendous level of excitement in this moment, it was all it was expected to be. We explored San Jose for the evening, and I met her host mom and sister who invited me to the beach and for visits whenever I want. And even gave me a cell phone for while I am here. It was too short a visit, but a simply wonderful time.
I then proceeded to fall sound asleep until eight in the morning, when I was awoken by Miranda, wanting to play Barbie. She has since given me four new silly bands, so I forgave her. My entire day was spent at a YMCA sort of place, but with much more outdoor soccer fields, a large pool, a restaurant, and also located in tropical Costa Rica. I also proceeded to meet most of my extended host-family, from aunts and uncles to my grandma and grandpa. They were all very welcoming, but a little shocked by my insistence that I was indeed a vegetarian.
It's Sunday night now, and tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. I begin a month of instruction in Spanish and developing plans for my research. Thrown in are multiple field trips, and plenty of time to explore the city. Hopefully I can still navigate without the Rocky Mountains constantly to the west. I'll see how it goes.
For now, I think that's all I have. Hopefully I can make this a regular practice, and keep everyone in the loop. My two months "en campo" while I do research won't have that opportunity, so now is my time to blog. Buenas noche.
Spanish word of the day: martillo. It means "hammer".
One of the four new silly bands I have to add to my collection thanks to Miranda.
