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Welcome to Costa Rica! 26 Agosto, 2009

Well – I’ve officially survived my first day as a Tica! Rhea and I arrived in the San Jose airport around 7:00 pm local time Tuesday night. From there we spent about an hour getting through immigration and approximately 30 seconds getting through customs. Then, since we were the two lone “rugged individualists” who chose to fly on our own, we got to wait around the airport until the group arrived at approximately 10:00pm (all the while attracting many quizzical stares).

From there, we simply traveled on a bus to a retreat center where we all stayed the night and did some general orientation Wednesday morning. The people I have met so far in the group are awesome, and it makes me very excited that I’m going to be spending the next 3 ½ months with such a fun group of companeros.

After lunch Wednesday was the moment we’d all been anxiously anticipating – meeting our Tica family with whom we will be living for the better part of the semester. It was slightly intimidating; the families were seated in a big room, and all the students came in (as they were all applauding) and stood around the perimeter. The director called our names one by one along with our family’s name, and everyone applauded as we stood front and center greeted each other for the first time (with the typical kiss on the cheek and a huge hug) – a little intimidating, but…it didn’t kill us. :)

I am already falling in love with my family. My parents are Maria and Luis, and their son Marco lives with them, along with their other son Juan and his wife Ileana. Juan and Ileana have an adorable 4-year-old Sofia and a 12-year-old Juan Antonio. I love it because I get the best of every world with a three generation home. Some other family already came by to visit this afternoon, and I was informed that another son and his family live next door. Needless to say, I’m sure there will never be a dull moment.

Today (Thursday), we’re doing an activity (basically a scavenger hunt) to orient us to downtown . I will also be doing a Spanish interview for placement in our Spanish classes, which start Monday. I’ve taken on the mindset that everyday is going to be a new adventure, and so far, I haven’t been disappointed. I miss all of you at home, but know that I am doing well and am already learning a ton (from the 4-year old, no less), and…it’s going to be a good semester. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers! I’ll try to update you again soon, but for now – hasta luego!

Posted by Erin Fitzgerald at 12:25 PM