Hola everyone! I am safe and sound in Costa Rica. The weather is gorgeous, my host family is wonderful, my roommate is great, and best of all, my host family has two dogs and four cats!! I´m very happy with that. But first, a synopsis of my journey here:
I was booked on a flight to Denver Friday June 17 at 7:39 pm. I arrived at the Salt Lake City airport around 6:30 and got in line to check in. But alas. The computers had just crashed. ALL of United Airlines´ computers, around the world, had crashed. It was originally referred to as a "hiccup", then a glitch, and overall a disaster (that last one is my contribution). We waited in line while being repeatedly assured that they were doing everything they could to get the computers back online. 8:00. 9:00: the plane arrives. 9:30: the plane departs. For security reasons, whatever that means. We´re told to go home and try to book the next flight in the morning. Problem: my next flight is NOT United, and leaves from Denver in 10 hours. I was afraid I was going to have to drive through the night, but I found a flight the next morning scheduled to arrive in Denver
20 minutes before the next one leaves. So I pray, and book the flight. I had to pay more than double my original ticket price because the only thing left was business class (for a 1 1/2 hour flight, whoopee). After a few hours of sleep, my mom took me back to the airport. During check-in, the attendant had to call and override something because normally I guess they will not book you a flight that close to your connecting flight. Business class turned out to be a blessing because a) I was able to walk right to the front of the security line and b) I was one of the first off the plane in Denver. Luckily I was seated by a pilot who directed me where to go in the huge Denver airport. And I made it! Such a relief. I was off to Miami, then to Costa Rica. Both flights were 3 hours, but it seemed too short to me because I was nervous to arrive. But arrive I did.
I was thankful to find my luggage because I was told it likely would get lost. A little mix-up and I got through customs and came to the madhouse outside the airport. I stood and searched through all the people and taxis searching for a sign with my name on it, but no. So I waited. I was trying my best to look confident and not victim-like, but an American guy saw through my facade and asked if I needed anything. He was really nice and assured me I was in the right spot and I was safe. Eventually a guy who I think worked with the airport called the contact number I gave him and I found out that there was some problem and I needed to go in another taxi. So I did, but the whole time I was thinking of the movie Taken and hoping I didn´t walk right into a kidnapping ring. The taxi driver didn´t speak English and after driving for 10 or 15 minutes, he suddenly pulled over for no apparent reason. I sat there while he talked on the phone, got out of the car, talked on another phone, and finally came back and told me in simple-enough Spanish for me to understand that Hellen (the lady in charge) was on her way to get me. Whew! We followed Hellen to the house of my host family the Pachecos and the nightmare was over (not that I was comfortable, because now I had to meet new people in a language I barely knew).
I met 12-year-old Maria Pacheco, who was very nice to me. We went to a small flute concert that her mother Adriana (who is even nicer) was playing in. I enjoyed the music and mingled, sort of. We walked home and I got a tour. We ate dinner (fish, rice, and salad). The study abroad program was supposed to report my eating habits to my family, but failed (grrr) and the Pachecos seem a bit dismayed that I don´t usually eat meat. I met Maria´s 15-year-old brother Fernando, who listens to heavy metal Christian rock, which makes me smile. I took a shower; there was not a lot of hot water, which will be challenging for me. I have my own room and got a decent night´s sleep. I intended to wake up early, eat breakfast, and go with the family to an outdoor concert that sounded way fun, but surprise surprise - I slept in. :( I was awakened by my newly arrived roommate (housemate?). Her name is Chelsea, she is also from Kaysville, and I like her.
I quickly got dressed and Adriana (Mama Pacheco) walked us to the nearest LDS church, about 10 minutes away. We met Elder Scheffl...uh, Elder S, who is from Ogden and his companion from El Salvador. We had missed most of the block, but were able to sit in for the last half hour of Relief Society. Honestly, I understood almost nothing, but the Spirit is the real teacher, right? The ladies were SO nice and we got multiple hugs and kisses. A lady in front of me was wearing these cool ceramic turtle earrings and I figured out how to compliment them in Spanish. But Chelsea beat me to it, and lo and behold, the earrings now belong to Chelsea. Can you believe it? It rained torrentially while we were in R.S., but luckily let up before we walked home because neither of us have umbrellas yet. Apparently we need special Costa Rican umbrellas, much superior to wimpy U.S. umbrellas. Sidenote: Adriana and Fernando just came hurtling past me because a sudden rainstorm is threatening their drying laundry. :)
Wow, this is so long. If you´re still reading, congratulations on your endurance; I´ll try to keep them shorter in the future. Thanks! I love you friends and family!
