6/30/10
It was an early start, but not for me as I am used to getting up about 5 a.m. I had packed my bags the night before, except for some last minute supplies, and headed to the church (Hope UMC). We left the church around 6 a.m., after packing all the bags on a trailer (38 bags in all - personal luggage as well as mission supplies of VBS and our eye clinic materials).
We arrived at Tampa International Airport (TIA) where our bags were quickly expedited. We left TIA, C side terminal, gate C44 at 11 a.m. After a 38 minute flight to Ft. Lauderdale, we de-boarded the plane, only to return to the same gate 35 minutes later for Spirit Airlines flight 336 to Costa Rica.
After a short delay before take-off, due to an air conditioning problem, our flight landed in San Jose, Costa Rica, 2 hours and 15 minutes later. San Jose is near the center of the country, nestled between several mountains that are 5,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level.
My first impression was the contrast of the "shanty" type of buildings combined with the lush beauty of the landscape.
After having my passport stamped at customs, the team retrieved the bags. Although they accept American money in Costa Rica, I decided to exchange about 150 dollars for the Costa Rican currency of 'collones'. The exchange rate was about 500 collones per American dollar.
We met Bob, our host, and our driver and walked to a parking garage in order to load the baggage onto a trailer and board the bus to the ranch. The 22 passenger bus took us to "Pajeste", the name of Bob and Janet's ranch, high in the mountains of Heredia, just north of San Jose.
I instantly noticed how "reckless" everyone seemed to drive - weaving motorcycles and cars - in a symphony of movement that though harmonious, seemed mildly chaotic to me. (Not having been to Europe, I nevertheless understand that the narrow roads and "hectic" style of driving is typical there, so it makes sense to me that this is the way they drive in CR.) In spite of this, there was no sign of "road rage" and except for a single accident I observed a few days later, the traffic moved quickly and without incident.
The roads were lined with small dwellings, built right next to one another. Each one was gated, some with razor wire atop 8 or 10 foot fences. I later learned that though the crime rate in CR is somewhat low, most crimes are crimes of "opportunity" - meaning, if someone is given the opportunity to steal something, they will, thus all of the gates, razor wire, and even ADT alarm systems in some areas.
We made our way up the steep incline of the mountain and then travelled down a steep, rock covered driveway, passing a large Ox in the nearby field, crossing the bridge over a running creek, and weaving our way back to the main collection of buildings we would call our home for the next 7 days.
The air was suprisingly cool in the mountains, approximately 60-65 degrees, which I thoroughly enjoyed for the remainder of our stay.
Unfortunately about this time, I developed my usual headache, due to my neck being out and muscle tension, coupled with the high altitude, which can cause "altitude sickness" due to the lower concentration of oxygen, which can make you feel light-headed and nauseated. I attempted to eat lunch, but soon felt "green", which Rollin and others on the team took notice of. I went to lay down.
After about an hour, I met the team, which had gathered in the chapel. Carmen rubbed my neck and Ronda offered me two Aleve and some Icy-Hot that she had packed for the trip and after taking advantage of all three, I felt considerably better.
Dinner followed and, as I had not eaten anything except a banana for breakfast, I was hungry. The food, which was typical for those who live in CR, was very good. Prepared by 2 women hired by the ranch (I believe), we had pasta with a white corn sauce, rice and black beans (at every meal, I would soon discover), and salad. Two cups of Costa Rican coffee accompanied my meal, which I immediately fell in love with!
After dinner, I learned a new card game that Mary Kaye taught us - 65 - which we played the remainder of the week. We had a good time.
I have to say that CR is a beautiful country and I now see why others fall in love with it. It is truly "pura vida"!
It was an early start, but not for me as I am used to getting up about 5 a.m. I had packed my bags the night before, except for some last minute supplies, and headed to the church (Hope UMC). We left the church around 6 a.m., after packing all the bags on a trailer (38 bags in all - personal luggage as well as mission supplies of VBS and our eye clinic materials).
We arrived at Tampa International Airport (TIA) where our bags were quickly expedited. We left TIA, C side terminal, gate C44 at 11 a.m. After a 38 minute flight to Ft. Lauderdale, we de-boarded the plane, only to return to the same gate 35 minutes later for Spirit Airlines flight 336 to Costa Rica.
After a short delay before take-off, due to an air conditioning problem, our flight landed in San Jose, Costa Rica, 2 hours and 15 minutes later. San Jose is near the center of the country, nestled between several mountains that are 5,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level.
My first impression was the contrast of the "shanty" type of buildings combined with the lush beauty of the landscape.
After having my passport stamped at customs, the team retrieved the bags. Although they accept American money in Costa Rica, I decided to exchange about 150 dollars for the Costa Rican currency of 'collones'. The exchange rate was about 500 collones per American dollar.
We met Bob, our host, and our driver and walked to a parking garage in order to load the baggage onto a trailer and board the bus to the ranch. The 22 passenger bus took us to "Pajeste", the name of Bob and Janet's ranch, high in the mountains of Heredia, just north of San Jose.
I instantly noticed how "reckless" everyone seemed to drive - weaving motorcycles and cars - in a symphony of movement that though harmonious, seemed mildly chaotic to me. (Not having been to Europe, I nevertheless understand that the narrow roads and "hectic" style of driving is typical there, so it makes sense to me that this is the way they drive in CR.) In spite of this, there was no sign of "road rage" and except for a single accident I observed a few days later, the traffic moved quickly and without incident.
The roads were lined with small dwellings, built right next to one another. Each one was gated, some with razor wire atop 8 or 10 foot fences. I later learned that though the crime rate in CR is somewhat low, most crimes are crimes of "opportunity" - meaning, if someone is given the opportunity to steal something, they will, thus all of the gates, razor wire, and even ADT alarm systems in some areas.
We made our way up the steep incline of the mountain and then travelled down a steep, rock covered driveway, passing a large Ox in the nearby field, crossing the bridge over a running creek, and weaving our way back to the main collection of buildings we would call our home for the next 7 days.
The air was suprisingly cool in the mountains, approximately 60-65 degrees, which I thoroughly enjoyed for the remainder of our stay.
Unfortunately about this time, I developed my usual headache, due to my neck being out and muscle tension, coupled with the high altitude, which can cause "altitude sickness" due to the lower concentration of oxygen, which can make you feel light-headed and nauseated. I attempted to eat lunch, but soon felt "green", which Rollin and others on the team took notice of. I went to lay down.
After about an hour, I met the team, which had gathered in the chapel. Carmen rubbed my neck and Ronda offered me two Aleve and some Icy-Hot that she had packed for the trip and after taking advantage of all three, I felt considerably better.
Dinner followed and, as I had not eaten anything except a banana for breakfast, I was hungry. The food, which was typical for those who live in CR, was very good. Prepared by 2 women hired by the ranch (I believe), we had pasta with a white corn sauce, rice and black beans (at every meal, I would soon discover), and salad. Two cups of Costa Rican coffee accompanied my meal, which I immediately fell in love with!
After dinner, I learned a new card game that Mary Kaye taught us - 65 - which we played the remainder of the week. We had a good time.
I have to say that CR is a beautiful country and I now see why others fall in love with it. It is truly "pura vida"!
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