La dia primera.

I really couldn't ask for a better host family. Upon arriving at their house on Sunday, my host mom Mirabell was extremely welcoming and sweet with me. She definitely seemed to have a few concerns about the amount of things I had chosen to bring with me to Costa Rica, exclaiming on occasion, "Muchas cosas! (Lots of things)" or "Mucha Ropa! (Lots of clothes)", but I'm happy to say that at least at that point my bag was still shrink wrapped and probably looked only to be about 2/3 of the size it actually is. Her husband Giovanni was very kind as well, and their son Andres is perhaps the most adorable child I've ever seen, second only to my little siblings! He is quite smiley and sweet. Mirabell explained that that day was election day, and that the election in Costa Rica was very historic, as there was a female candidate as well as a very revolutionary candidate running for president. She invited me to accompany them to Giovanni's parents' house and then to the school where she and Giovanni were to vote. I accepted and hopped in a cab with them. Santa Marta is up in the hills of Costa Rica not far outside of San Jose. It was cloudy that day so I couldn't see much, but I knew that the view of the mountains in the distance would be stunning soon enough. Giovanni's family was very very nice to me. He has a large family and I met many of his siblings and nieces, as well as his parents. Of course, I could not understand a WORD anyone was saying because they speak so fast, but when asked a direct question, I muddled through OK. Mirabell is so patient, and makes a point of speaking slowly for me to understand. I am shocked at how many substantive conversations we were able to have with one another just during that first day. She explained to me about her family and I about mine, and we talked very much about the three candidates running for president, and her personal choice, Otton Solis. In the end, Laura Chinchilla became the first woman president in Costa Rica's history, which was exciting for her supporters. All throughout the day cars drove by honking their horns and waving the flag representing their candidate of choice, playing music and laughing. People were out in front of their houses with their families having parties and showing their support with signs and flags. It was a truly amazing experience, and I soaked it all in. Back at the house, I unpacked my things and read the note left for me by my friend Katie who has been living in this house for about a month now, which explained that she was sorry she wasn't there to greet me, but she was working on her tan at the beach that weekend, and would see me on Monday. She proceeded to write, "Use anything of mine you want (I know you will anyway). The Cheese-Its are on our bookshelf in between the beds." Andres eventually knocked on the door to my room and when I opened it, he looked up at me smiling and said "La cena! (dinner)" in a sing-songy sort of way. I ate chicken and salad (Yes Candace, I have followed your command and stopped being a vegetarian, but I want you to know that this is done in an effort to avoid being the asshole staying with a family who makes them cook especially for me, and not because I like killing animals and eating their flesh). After dinner, I fell asleep at about six o'clock. Though I felt a little nervous and homesick throughout the day, as far as first days in a foreign place go, it was a truly excellent one.

Xtine!