I've Been Adopted!

The Ticos (Costa Ricans) have to be some of the warmest, most welcoming body of people that I have ever met; or perhaps I just happened to land the best host family ever. Either way, my nervousness has quickly transformed into a drive to immerse myself fully into the Tico culture with the hope of learning as much as possible.

The three years of Spanish that I took in high school are slowly trickling back to me piece by piece, but I can already sense that I will leave this place with far greater spanish linguistic skills than I have ever had before. It didn't take long for me to understand why people always say that you need to live in a country that speaks a foreign language to truly learn it. The persistent presence of the language all around you along with the need to communicate in that language demands that you learn, and quickly.

Thankfully, my host family is patient with me and extremely interested in helping me progress my Spanish skills. in fact, I think they're impressed at the progress I've already made in these couple days. After the introductory classes today my host mother (she refers to me as her third son) showed me how to use the bus system in San Jose to get to and from our house and the University. However, instead of returning straight home, she guided me a few streets over to her sister's house (a total surprise to me). As we left the rainy outdoors for the cozy interior of the house I found myself greeted by an arsenal of smiling faces belonging to varying aged Ticas (Costa Rican women).

Let me just side-step this story to praise the greeting style of the Ticos – gentle embraces with cheeks touching while kissing the air (between opposite sexes). I love it!!! too bad I'd have a good chance of receiving a slap to the face if I tried to import this greeting to the US.

Anyways, I was quickly seated at the head of the table and served a cup of Costa Rican coffee with a plate of desserts that didn't seem to have an end. They love to feed their guests, which is great for me because I love to eat their food! A symbiotic relationship made in heaven. I was then introduced to all the women present as if they were long lost members of an extend family I never knew i possessed. The whole female side of my new family was there – my aunt, grandmother, cousin, etc. and all were eager to unleash an artillery of questions in Spanish. I have to say I managed myself quite well, and one of them spoke English so all the gaps were filled. Within minutes, my "aunts" were trying to encourage me that I ought to consider dating their daughters!!! They're seriously trying to indoctrinate me here. Fortunately enough for me, and my girlfriend, their daughters were on about 16 years old so they said I'd have to return in 5 years before they would be pushing them on me.

Oh there's so much more to talk about from todays events, but I don't want to run myself dry of material for the coming days. Stay tuned for more. in the mean time, here's some pictures of the house I'll be calling home.