Time Travel

I’m not sure I could have packed one more thing into this past week.  I feel as if I’ve time traveled and somehow fit, I don’t know, a month into just 7 days!  We had a huge party for the whole neighborhood, Obama came to town, we found a house for rent and will be moving out, I hung out for a day at the pool with Guissell and her family, we serenaded a 91 year old neighbor for her birthday, we had a coffee hour for all of our neighbors, I am helping to cure a goat every morning, we had triple the amount of kids in tutoring yesterday, and Sarah, Evan, Alissa and Sarah are finally here!  Whew, I’m winded just thinking about it!

Limbo!

Ok, so first things first—Bola Bola.  We had our big kick-off event last Wednesday and it turned out super well.  Given, not everything went according to plan but it went nonetheless.  I would say we had roughly 50 kids there in all—a bunch of them new faces—and their families too!  There was face painting, water balloon fights, sack races, limbo, relay races, and a soccer tournament.  In all, I feel we really attracted the attention of the neighborhood and promoted our project to many new people.  Mission accomplished!

On Friday, Obama came to town and all of the public schools took the day off.  Roads were also shut down and so traffic was crazy—basically, the government advised everyone to just stay at home for the day (they were also afraid of protestors so, by giving them a day off, they hoped people would forget protesting and just go to the beach instead).  I’m not even sure we get the same treatment back home when the President comes to town!  Tells you how powerful the U.S. is and how we affect other countries… kind of sad really.  No one wants to pick on the big bully on the block.  The big rich bully.  Needless to say, I didn’t have trouble getting to work, so no day off for me.

On Friday, Rachel, Guiss and I looked at a house for rent that’s really close to Casa Adobe.  The price is extremely reasonable, the owners are very nice, and the location is perfect—so, we chatted with Ruth and Jim and have decided that we are moving out!  So, sometime in the next week or so, I will be sleeping under a new roof :)  Probably on the floor… I don’t exactly own a bed or anything.  But we will cross that bridge when we get there!  Anyone have any ideas or tips for first-time renters who have no furniture and very little spending money?

I Love Us :)

And finally, the most exciting thing that’s happened to me in a while (seriously, I can’t wipe the smile off my face): Sarah and Evan and Alissa and Sarah are here!!!!  We are all still adjusting to the idea that we are here, in Costa Rica, together.  It’s such a weird thought!  Yesterday, I showed them around a bit, had them sample some typical Costa Rican food (including some very weird fruit—you’ll have to ask them all about it), and laughed so hard I thought I would die :)  It’s so good to be around all of them!  Now we just have to immerse them in some Spanish and chalk this trip up as a true learning experience (so you parents out there won’t think we are just partying here on the beach or something).  Tomorrow, we are leaving for the beach for a few days and so I probably won’t be able to write next week.  Don’t worry—we’ll have lots of fun :)  Stay tuned!