I Stink at Spanish

Today was an adventure. Let me just start by saying I did not get to sleep until well after 3:30 am (which is 4:30 back home.) And by sleep, I don’t mean the deep, dead-to-the-world type sleep. No. That type of sleep is not possible here, because the noises here do not allow it. Dogs barking, sirens blaring, cars honking, dogs barking, birds chirping, people yelling, and… more dogs barking. Also, all the windows in the house are open, so it sounds as if everything is right above my head. After tossing and turning all night, I got up around 6:30, only to spend ten minutes trying to figure out how to work the shower. (There is one knob, and you have to barely turn it on in order to get warm, not hot, water. Also, in order to get the warm water, you totally have to sacrifice water pressure.) Sorry about the complaining. I just needed to get that out. When it comes down to it, I really am grateful to have a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, and friends here to keep me company.

Lili served us fresh fruit (pineapple, papaya, and mango) and “pudin” (which reminded me of banana nut bread but with a spongier consistency) for breakfast. I also had my first cup of Costa Rican coffee, which actually made me feel a little bit at home because it reminded me of Starbucks. After a 25-minute bus ride, we arrived at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) where we went straight to orientation. After a tour of the campus, lunch, which consisted of “comida tipica,” was provided. It was DELICIOUS! After lunch, I took my placement exam, which consisted of a written section as well as an oral section. The whole time I was in there I felt super intimidated, because it seemed like everyone around me was fluent, and I haven’t had a Spanish class in over a year. I struggled my way through it, and at first I was really discouraged. Lili came back to campus to show us which bus to take to get home every day. We stopped at the supermarket, and she helped us exchange our money into colones. When we got home, I went straight to my room to just be alone and pray. I feel like there is no way I can pass these classes on my own, and I am expectantly praying that God will help me.


My first Costa Rican lunch, served in la cafeteria at the UCR--- rice, beans, potatoes, fried banana, and chicken!

Later this week I will post pictures of my house and the university!