Now, when I was presented this special opportunity to visit CR, I didn't know where it was on the map...I know, right? Stupid American. I will be staying in (Grecia) Alajuela, Costa Rica.
My first few days in Costa Rica were maddening. It wasn't until the plane actually landed in Juan SantaMaria Airport(9:00pm - CST) that I realized, "I am RLY in Costa Rica?" and thought to myself, "I have some nerve flying off to a distant country and not knowing the language I might add. And solo."
This to me is what being a human being is all about. Experiences. Life unknown.
So, as I step into the airport I quickly follow my fellow flight passengers to the baggage claim area. ¿Come se dice "Baggage Claim" en Español? Good thing there is a universal language of visual design in this world. I just followed the pictures. Following images of a woman pointed me to the bathroom too. Hehehe.
But before baggage claim...customs. I hate this part. I don't know why but entering another country with a foreign passport stresses me. I always mess up on those "Foreign Country Entry/Duty Forms" the airline passes out to while you are on the plane. I always fill them out wrong. But, customs wasn't so bad. The line moved along quickly.
Baggage claim was interesting. Being that I am in CR for 3 months I took with me one (1) large suitcase and one (1) medium size suitcase, a rolling tote and a carry-on. Four (4) pieces total. Two were checked and right there when I landed...
"¿Esté?" - This?
An airport worker points at all bags going through the x-ray machine to find which ones were mine. I am RLY in CR.
My co-worker's (Diego) family met me at the airport and Diego's uncle Jovel held up this sign for me to see:
Jovel speaks no English but tries for me. His lovely wife spoke no English as well, but that didn't stop her from trying either and their super cool daughter, Mónica spoke English. She teaches English at an Elementary School in San Isidro.
My house wasn't ready for me, so I stayed with Diego's family for the next two days.
2 comments:
[b]I realized, "I am RLY in Costa Rica?" and thought to myself, "I have some nerve flying off to a distant country and not knowing the language I might add. And solo."
This to me is what being a human being is all about. Experiences. Life unknown.[/b]
And this is one of the many fabulous things about you, Karmalena! I think you are brave, bold and amazing. I'm living vicariously through you right now. Keep those blogposts a-comin'!
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