finally here

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Hola! Greetings from San Jose, Costa Rica.

After a two day trip, including a layover in Dallas staying at my cousins place Friday night, and a flight last night that was delayed an hour, I'm finally "aqui".

My flight from Dallas was delayed an hour because there was a bag on the plane who's owner didn't show up for the flight...muy peligroso (very dangerous). So, I was glad to know that such safety precautions were in effect, but, already being anxious that I was arriving so late to my host family's house, the delay made even a little more nervous about the late night meeting.

I finally got through customs and got my bags at around 11:15pm Costa Rican time. I was greeted at the airport by a representative from the school who ushered me and a German guy named Markos to a taxi that was waiting for us. I finally arrived to my host family's house at around midnight. They were wide awake and waiting for me with open arms which was quite a relief. I had been chatting with Marlene, the woman from the school, in the back of the taxi the entire way, and she proceeded to tell my host family that I spoke good Spanish! There's nothing worse than being introduced that way. I like to keep expectations really low, that way I can wow and amaze people with what little ability I do have (apparently that worked with Marlene).

The next two hours (yes, we stayed up for 2 hours talking) was a challenge being that I was exhausted from the trip and, contrary to the belief of most people I talked to before my trip ("oh, I'm sure they'll speak some English), they do not really speak any English (except Karla, 14). So I managed for 2 hours at 1am to have my first conversation with the people I will be living with for the next tow months. I didn't humiliate myself, and I think I provided pretty accurate information. That's all I could have asked for.

My family consists of Ivette and Carlos, the parents, and Karla (14) and Renato (9). Monserrat is 18 but is in University and doesn't live in the house anymore. Carlos is hilarious and has a tendency to try to make jokes to me in Spanish. Like, sarcastic jokes. It's a good thing they've had a few students stay with them prior to this, because they are well-versed in the technique of speaking to someone who speaks below mediocre Spanish. So, although it's hard to understand sarcastic jokes in your OWN language, I can understand Carlos' pretty well (like when he told me he was 86...I was able to put a smile on my face quickly and say "Ah, siiii" in a disbelieving tone). Ivette is very kind and is herself studying Psychology at the University. Karla is the one person in the house who can speak English (mas o menos), and so when Renato, who at the age of 9 doesn't really know how to speak slowly or use easy words to the poor gringa, has a problem understanding me, he looks at Karla instantly. It's become an inside joke already after only 12 hours together.

Today I woke up and had my first freezing cold Costa Rican shower. But it was all my fault. Carlos explained how to use the shower very quickly and I didn't really understand him. I understood that it was possible to have a NOT freezing cold shower, but didn't know exactly how to execute that...until the very end. If I turn the dial only a little, it's warm! A lot? It's freezing. After breakfast, we all went to church (minus Ivette, she had studying to do for finals...I think), and then we went and walked around downtown San Jose for a while, which was great.

I've included a picture of my new host sis and host bro in the picture above. There will be many more pictures of the house and my family to come, but right now, estoy muy cansada...and I think I might take a siesta. Tomorrow is my first say at school. I have to be there at 8am for an oral test to figure out which class I need to be in. So glad I've been practicing with my family!

I have to admit, it feels really weird to even write in English when I've been speaking only Spanish since I arrived.

Adios for now!