Fries and Cries

Classes started this week on Monday. After a bit of review, and getting some things switched around, I'm honestly really enjoying myself. I've already learned several dozen new words, and being here gives me the opportunity to practice them all the time.
On Saturday, we took our second Paseo to the museums in San Jose. It was really interesting to see the history that each museum revolved around. One of the featured artists made me think about Delaney, which was cool, but also made me miss her like crazy during the whole trip.

We also got to walk around a street market, and ate lunch in the city. (Side note: The Taco Bells here serve fries. I do not recommend them.)

Between classes and paseos, I think everyone in the group is starting to feel the exhaustion set in. Our brains are also consistently running, trying to make sense of Spanish and English at the same time, trying to communicate the essentials to our Tico families without too much confusion, and trying to blend in as much as possible, even though our large group of touristy friends gets stared at no matter what.
I had managed to keep it together in the ten days we've been here, making sure to keep in contact with home just enough, but not too much. I taught my family about Pura Vida the other night on FaceTime, and still managed to smile through a call where I really just wanted to cuddle up on the bed with all of them.

One too many preterite misconjugations, one too many trips I'd like to share with D or Joe, one too many cute puppies that aren't Steve, and all the exhaustion finally broke me last night. I had a good long cry, and a cheeseburger with Kool-aid for dinner, (Other side note: my Tica Mom makes amazing cheeseburgers.) and started today fresh - ready to keep learning and growing and experiencing amazing pieces of creation and adventure.

Pura Vida