My head feels a bit like it’s spinning. The last few days have been hard, but good. It still feels surreal that we will be doing this for an entire year and are not just on vacation. I image it will feel like that for awhile. Here’s a picture of the backpacks we each are carrying for the year (so many people have asked!). It felt pretty amazing leaving my mom’s carrying everything we need on our backs.
A Surprise Goodbye
Our friends surprised us with a very special goodbye as we left my mom’s neighborhood. This of course made me cry. So sweet and unexpected!
Day One – Fumbling Forward Like Pros
Our first day of travel went extremely smooth. Our flight was a little delayed, but we still made it in time for the shuttle to our hotel. We stayed one night in San Jose at a hotel Alexis described as paradise. The next day we took a shuttle to our Airbnb in La Fortuna. It was a long, bumpy, winding 3 hour ride. We all got car sick despite having motion sickness aides on board. Poor Braxton had the worst of it. Dave got to use his Spanish skills and successfully communicated to our driver that we needed to stop. The drive was really beautiful, with something new around every curve. Even people selling waffles in a traffic jam!
Our First Home Away From Home
Our Airbnb in La Fortuna is nice! It’s very basic, but has everything we need. It does not have things we are accustomed to, like a dishwasher and an oven. There is a washing machine, but it requires your constant attention when running. Thank you AI for teaching us how it works! Overall, there is just a lack of supplies and places to set things. We’ve been creative though and it feels comfortable. We wanted to be challenged on this adventure, and we are definitely being challenged.
Our house is at the base of a volcano and in the middle of a neighborhood. Out one window there are cows. Out another there are roosters, dogs, and cats roaming free. Everything is lush and green! The houses here are very different from back home. Their size is humbling. Alexis loves the style and bright colors. The doors are always open to let air in and the locals often smile as we walk by.
Soaked, Surprised, and Slowly Figuring It Out
We fumbled our way through our first trip to the grocery store. We came away with goats milk by mistake, but overall it was a success. Dave and Braxton captured our first roach and we got caught in a rain storm without our rain jackets. The amount of fumbling around and being uncomfortable is a little overwhelming. But we are learning, and growing, and figuring it out!
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Ahhh I’ve been thinking about you nonstop. Thought I saw you at king soopers today then remembered you’re in another country 😆 what a beautiful place you’re staying!! Are you kidding me with that landscape!!? Unreal…cows out then window and all that greenery!
Good job figuring everything out, you’re all going to come out of this year so strong!
Thanks, Katie!! Missing you and wishing we could walk and I could hear all about your trip to Florida. How was it?
Oh it’s so beautiful!
I was checking my email religiously for a new post. I love this so much!
Jilllllllll!!!
I am beyond excited and so proud of you guys for making this amazing journey happen!! And what better of a place to start than Pura Vida!! 🍃
L-o-v-e-d reading your post and seeing your pictures today! Can’t wait to hear more. XOXO ❤️
Thank you, Anita!! Big Hugs!
Hey Jill!!!
I will have you and your family in my prayers as you begin this journey:) It looks like you are off to a great start! I love reading about your adventure and I thank you for sharing with us. ( *I’m here if you need anything in regards to resources ‘instructionally’ around curriculum.) Please don’t hesitate to reach out:)
Give your kiddos a hug and enjoy getting to have them all to yourself, what a gift. May God keep you safe and happy, curious and learning. Sending you love and a big hug!
Ginny Stafford
Thank you, Ginny!! I will definitely reach out if I need anything once we start school. I truly appreciate having you as a resource! Hope you’re having a fantastic summer!
Oh my gosh, I’m loving all your updates but this Ken had me giggling out loud! What did the kids think of the goats milk? And how far away from home were you when the rain hit?! Love and miss you!
P.s. why are people not swelling waffles in traffic here?! I think this trend should be adopted in the states. 🙂
No one was a huge fan of the goats milk! Ha! We were about 10 minutes from home when it started raining.