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Guacimo

I got in a taxi for the first time ever last Friday. We caught one just out in front of the Villa. We took the taxi to the bus station where we paid about $3 for a ticket to Guacimo Costa Rica, about an hour and half bus ride from Guapalupe. The weather difference between here and there was almost unbelievable, it was about as hot and humid there as it was in Haiti. We arrived around 6:30 but we were exhausted after a full day of Spanish and bible class. It is also dark outside by about 6pm so we were ready for bed. However, they were having church and we were there to help with the missionary conference at the church. When we got there they asked us to do our games with the kids that we had planned. I didn't know that was part of the plan so we covered it with some "Símon Dice". Then we were introduced to the families we would be staying with. We were all together a group of four, two guys and two girls. The guys were put in a house together but Samie and I were split. I stayed with a SCORE missionary family. They had two daughters that both spoke fluent English so communicating with my family was easy when they were nearby. When they were not however I definitely practiced my Spanish alot and pulled together everything I know. I also did alot of studying and Spanish homework with their help. The girls were very sweet to me and helpful and my host mother was lovely. My host father was sarcastic even when he only knew a few English words so we got along great. He told me on my first night there that we were all getting up at 5am to go for a run. I asked him if he was telling me this because he wanted me to watch the house while he was gone. On Saturday we went to church to help clean up for that night. The four of us helped clean and set things up but when we were done we had about 5 hours until it was time for church. I went back to my host family's house but the other three went to one house for lunch. I did get a lot of study time in and my host father put up a hammock for me.
We had church that night and I felt awful because I didn't pack much and I only had one church outfit for Sunday morning so I was going in shorts and a t-shirt. That night we didn't get to help much except with the kids craft because we didn't have time for games. Then after church they had a small dinner to try foods from the different countries represented at the conference. My host moms empanadas were jammin but some of the other stuff was not cutting it. Like for example there was this sugar water with kernels of corn in it... There was also cake that I felt like it should be awesome but just was not right. It was still cool to try different things.
Then Sunday morning I did look presentable for church. We all sat in for the service where I understood about one out of every twenty words. I think the pastor must have thought the look of confusion on my face was humorous because he kept laughing and smirking at me. Then he pointed out us four Americans and asked the entire congregation to welcome us. I thought it would be like in America when people turn to the people nearest them to welcome them.  Instead they lined up to greet us and for the first time I was kissed on the cheek by an entire church.
After church I went back to my house for lunch and then the pastor gave us a ride to the bus station. The coolest thing ever happened. Our bus back to San Jose was a double decker bus so we got to ride on the top level. I really had a great time with the other GAP students and staying with a host family was a great experience. Mi mamma told me I was welcome back any time.
 

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