i made it!

I can't believe the time has finally come. I am sitting in my hotel room (Hotel Bougainvillea) in Heredia, Costa Rica! I arrived this morning at about 5am. The last 24 hours were stressful and emotional, but all a part of the decision to come to Costa Rica.

Yesterday, I finished up in my house with the help of great friends, Lori and Sarah, had pizza and beer with more friends, enter Cari and Lisa, spent time with my dog, Bentley (saying goodbye to him was the hardest!), and headed to the airport... completely full of nerves! I had six bags/boxes to check... yes six, I am moving for 2 years!!! Each box or bag needed to be under 50 pounds and boy was I close! Most of the items were exactly 50 pounds and one was 51 pounds! Luckily it was a suitcase and I was able to quickly grab my nude pumps and pack them into my carry on, bringing me down to 50 pounds! Phew! Once all of my bags were checked, I was able to take a huge sigh of relief... but the stress wasn't over yet!

The 5 hour flight was easy, of course I couldn't sleep a wink, but I certainly tried. We arrived at 5 am and it did not take long to get through immigration and on to baggage claim (the most dreaded part of this adventure was how I was going to manage 6 massive checked items in San Jose!!) Luckily, in true Tico form, the airport was full of people ready to help! A nice man loaded up all of my items and wheeled my huge cart right to customs where another man took over and loaded up all my items onto the conveyor belt Before I knew it they were all loaded up on the cart and we were off to find my taxi! Customs with 6 checked bags and 2 carry on... CHECK!

The man driving me to the hotel was waiting with a sign with my name on it, so it wasn't long before I was on my way to the hotel! The nice man talked to me all about Costa Rica on the way to the hotel and even pulled over to show me where coffee was being grown and gave me an explanation of how it all works (in English!). In about 20 minutes, I was at my hotel getting all checked in to my "Mountain View with a balcony- King sized bed" hotel room. Not too shabby!

After checking in I took a nice nap for a few hours and then headed down to the hotel lobby for breakfast. My first meal was a typical Costa Rican breakfast: eggs, rice and beans (gallo pinto!) fresh fruit, fried plantains, orange juice and coffee! IT WAS SO GOOD! I had forgotten just how amazing the food is here... I think I could have eaten an entire pineapple!

 

After stuffing my face I thought it would be a good idea to put on my bikini and find the pool! Even though it was probably around 75-80 degrees, I was the only one there. So peaceful. Next I headed in for a massage, which was just what I needed after the stress of the past month or so. Who can pass up a massage from a tico? :) 

My afternoon was filled with a visit to a host family (Reiner & Lily) I reconnected with before coming down. Reiner invited me over for a visit (or at least I think he did, it was all in Spanish). I had the hotel help me with getting a taxi because directions are difficult here. Thankfully, ticos are amazing and very friendly and the taxi driver called Lily at the house for directions!! Nothing like my previous experience of getting kicked out of a cab in Denver for living too far away! Anyway, I arrived at Lily's house and she welcomed me in with open arms! I spent the evening trying to understand and speak Spanish while spending time with Lily and her family. There were also 2 students from the states staying there as well. Lily was able to help me with a cab ride home. Her nephew drives a taxi so it was nice to get a safe and trustworthy ride home on my first night in Costa Rica. I even scored his digits for future rides! He said he will go anywhere... may be hiring him for a beach vacation soon! 

Needless to say, this has been a fantastic day. The food was fabulous, the people are wonderful and laying in my king-sized bed writing this isn't so bad either... if you made it this far, thanks for reading :) 

buenas noches