I have successfully navigated the Labyrinth...at least for a few days. ;-)

Well everyone, I´m sorry it´s been a bit since I´ve posted...it was a slow weekend but enough has happened that I feel good about updating. I´m still having a great time here in CR...thanks to everyone for your thoughts, comments, and prayers as I´ve started this journey. Things are going very well here. I have successfully (with friends)navigated the maze that is San Jose (at least the parts I need to visit), and I have completed the first day of both my classes. Things are very different here...for instance I would never drive. There are some obscure rules, and people do obey the stop lights, but it is not a pedestrian oriented culture, so if you´re in the middle of the road, you will get hit.

As I said, classes are going well...thus far they have all been in Español, and that has been difficult but rewarding. I already feel as though my Spanish is improving simply because I am speaking it all of the time. I am in about the middle of the road as far as skill levels here at LASP. There are many gifted students from all over the country, and it has been a pleasure to get to know them. So far the food is good. I have enjoyed (almost) everything that Mama Hebe has made me...what strikes me about the people of CR is their sincere graciousness and kindness towards us. There are many fine people here. I tell you what though, I may never want to see another bus again after this semester...I´m spending about 3 hours a day on a bus, and that is just way too much! However, I haven´t gotten lost in the city due to the most excellent directions of my host mother. I feel almost as though I´m starting to recognize places, although many things still look very similar to my gringo eye!

It is something different to become familiar with the Latin American reality...things are so different here. People here lead very different lives than those of us in the U.S. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity both to grow up in the states and to travel abroad to recognize what I have. I think everyone should.

So far, only a little bit of homesickness, but that usually occurs when I´m tired, have a headache, hungry, or frustrated with the fact that I have to work so hard to understand and be understood. Ah well... I miss everyone but I am having a GREAT time here. It´s been such a blessing already.

Love you all and miss you bunches. Keep reading!