GUANACASTE

The most beautiful beaches in the country are in this province.  I cannot wait to return with my family!

Playa Coco- It's prettier than a postcard.

Playa Conchal

As we were driving to Playa Conchal, our car got stuck in the sand! Luckily, we were able to get out.

Mucha gente durate Semana Santa

Montezuma

Taking a break from Santa Theresa, we took a van about 25 minutes away to this lovely little city.  We hiked to a waterfall, jumped into it, and enjoyed a nice cool swim.  I wish we could have spent more time in this beautiful little place!

Yes, that is me! :)

Hannah Gabriel

The first day I got to Costa Rica my little sister told me we lived next to Hannah Gabriel ...I assumed it was one of her little friends... welll the following week later I learned there was going to be a huge boxing fight which was a pretty big deal!!  Turns out Hannah Gabriel won!! And she is extremely famous... so I feel very naive and silly for admitting this...but....turns out she visited our school and I got to meet her with my friends Tiffany and my friend Holly from Buffalo, NY!! So coool!! She is the first famous person I have ever met, and she was so nice. 
Here*s our awesome picture to prove it---

Our friend Holly had to leave this Friday!!  So great getting to know her and talk to her.  We miss you already, Holly!

Me Ayude Amor

We met this amazing woman named Carmen who has an organization that helps the poor in Alajuela, and tonight I just got home from helping. It is 1:00 a.m.. We left at 5:30 and went straight to the church until 8:00 to pray and worship. It was a Catholic church, but it didn't seem like it to me because everyone was dancing and singing; there weren't as many rituals as I've seen in the U.S., and it didn't feel as formal. At the church, I met a beautiful little girl who was one of the children she helps. We were instantly attached, and I spent the rest of the evening with her by my side. We left the church together (there was a huge group about 50 people) on a bus that went to four different cities to pass out food to the people and try to bring them joy by singing and dancing. We had to wear a red shirt of the organization to help us be safe and stay in our group. When we arrived in the middle of the first city, we got out to pray and started the music. We danced and sang as we passed out food. It was like a party in the street; not a really sad or scary thing that I was anticipating. However, then we went to another place. It was a very small building, and there were over a hundred children waiting for us there when we arrived at about 10 p.m. at night. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. As I walked in I saw a boy, and I was in shock because it was real life. He was wearing such ragged clothes, as I approached him a I smelt a horrible stench , and I could see he was starving in a way I had only seen on those depressing African t.v. commercials for Save the Children. But this was real life. After a minute of shock, Jesus both broke my heart for him and opened my heart to him. He was so excited to meet me and have me there. We played games with him and about eight other kids. I was also able to pray with them, sing songs, and serve them food. They were so excited to eat, and many of them hadn't eaten in days. We made another smaller stop in the city, and finally a last stop at about midnight. Cockroaches scrambled the streets, stray dogs dug through the trash, and I saw quite a few people sleeping on the streets under a cardboard or sheet. We walked around in our large group for safety passing out food and drinks....

Many people don't understand why others go to another country to help when their own country needs help. I want to get one thing straight, the thing about tonight is I really didn't help the people here all of that much-- they helped me. To see people have such open hearts toward a stranger and to see people be so joyful and love Jesus so much when they hardly have anything is amazing.  To see others give up their WHOLE evening and go help strangers after an exhausting day of work on a weekly basis.....to see others trust in God so much that they don't have doubts or fears... COSTA RICA IS HELPING ME WAY MORE THAN I AM HELPING COSTA RICA. I hope to be able to give back in some way, and I'm not exactly sure how I'm supposed to do that yet. The organization, their church, Carmen, and many others we have met here are making a hugeeee difference in the lives of these people and are so inspiring to me! I am so excited to get to know them more and work with them more.

Quedarse Bien

Random Thoughts:

Por que?  is Fio's  (my 2 year old sister's)  favorite word/phrase.  It's funny how some things are all the same

We are going to Puerto Viejo this weekend! Woo woo so excited!!  And, it's a long weekend.  There are literally holidays EVERY week here.  I love it

My supervisor is coming tomorrow.  freaking outtt but as they tell me, tranquila emilia! haha it means no worries, or relax..  I did teach by myself all day today because Teacher Tamara was sick and out, and I am happy to report it went way better than last week and much better than I was expecting.

The red apretados are amazingg at school.  It's like a huge frozen popsicle in a bag made of real fruit... Yes I am obsessed with the food here.  If you were here you would also understand.

Me Encanta La Playa

"Let me tell you what you're missing...Paradise"

I went to the movie Never Say Never with my younger sisters and their friends today at the mall! Haha, it was corny but cute... I liked it way more than I was expecting to actually. It was in 3-D. School went so well today! My first two classes were the best I've ever had here. First grade is really growing on me... My favorite part is singing the songs....they are consistantly going through my head ah! "It's time to open backpack..and see what we can see...."

Interesting Mixes Here:
ketchup+mayonaise---- they literally put it on EVERYTHING. It's not bad but I like them separate better
carmel popcorn+ salted popcorn at the movie theatre (LOVE- sweet & salty, much lighter than our movie theatre popcorn)

The worst part of my day by far is that I got a stye on my eye. It hurt more than anything I've ever had, and I had to wear my glasses the rest of the day.. (I probably should for like a week but I really don't want to!)

Even though Costa Rica is amazing, I do miss a few things (and obviously people) back home!! My family and friends, you know I love you and miss you...so here's a few THINGS I miss..
1. Reese cups...and just peanut butter in general! I brought my own, but I'm already out
2. Wearing Sandals to school...I know this sounds silly but it is SO hott here- I hate tennis shoes and even my Sperrys are miserable when it's 90 degrees
3. Drinking Milk and Water.......they literally drink Coke and juice for every meal!! On the first day my family thought I was so weird and asked it I only drank water because that's all I asked for. I was trying to not be difficult...hahah but honestly, my 2 year old sister drinks coke even for breakfast
4. CTE....
5. Air conditioning- tonight it is SOO hott and humid

YESTERDAY WAS......
El Dia de Los Deportes and literally all we did was play soccer and hang out. Famous soccer players were also scheduled to come to school. Well, when I was in the office helping out, I thought I saw one because this guy with a jersey walked in. I got really excited and nervous, and later told Tiffany I was thinking about asking to take a picture with him. Well, her and my coordinating teacher got a kick out of that because it turns out he was a Social Studies Teacher who is only part time at the school (I had never seen him)....Teacher Tamara told him and took this picture of us:
　
Such an Emily moment.... turns out the soccer players couldn't come. OH Tico Time! Also, the fact that he is the social studies teacher is even better because we spent the next hour talking with him all about Costa Rica and where we should go for what things. I'm so excited to travel the next few weekends!

I also got a lovely tour of San Jose by car... can't wait to take that on foot!  And ended up going up in the mountains to this AMAZING Rancho...seriously this place was incredible and you could see the whole city up there...probably my favorite place here so far..