Picures Report
Each team started the morning with some prayer.
The planning team looks really happy, that must be because they are distracted.
The ticos try to run the whole mime for the first time.
Some close-ups of the run through, although I don't know how Kelly got onto the Tico team.
The rest of the girls had a good time sitting around looking pretty.
In the afternoon we did some training on what is a testimony and how to use it.
Chip shared the basics to be included in a testimony, then Kelly and Stephanie shared their testimonies.
Eric must have a Bono complex going, no one else seemed to need sunglasses.
After we shared about the testimonies, we gave them some time to write their's out.
Aparently Joel thought that Jonathan could be doing a better job.
Other Ticos writing with Joel's blessing.
The soccer ball had gotten stuck way up in the tree. Four guys lifted Brian up the wall and he climbed the rest of the way up the fence, swinging himself onto the roof.
If you thought that was complicated, he still had to get back down.
Costa Rica Day Six – July 4, 2007
Dear Readers,
I trust these daily reports have enthralled you with tellings of Costa Rica’s exotic culture, and our experiences of it. Why, just yesterday I sampled a dish the locals call “Pizza Hut”, and saw a Chinese kite salesman in the middle of Parque de la Paz. Since he spoke neither Spanish nor English, I could see why he wasn’t selling any kites.
Our activities today consisted of teaching the mime to the Ticos, instructing then how to write their testimonies, and seeing “Fantastic 4” at the Cineplex in the mall. The Ticos were very cooperative in all three, although “Fantastic 4” kinda made everyone depressed. I am amazed by how fast the Ticos have picked up on the mime. Their learning it in about two days, where as we had a month. Communication was limited to improvised sign language in my case, but Esteban ended up doing my part better than me… so yeah… that’s great. Later, me and my host-person, José, watched the Costa Rica/Japan soccer game at his house. Costa Rica lost L. We ate tacos with hotdogs in them and I thought nothing of it.
I made my way to bed and stared at the ceiling until I fell asleep.
The end,
Joel Caswell
Today was a lot of fun. I had cereal (authentic, I know) with Chola’s older brother David and he told me about his girl troubles, which was cool. We walked two minutes to church (it seems that every country I live in I am two minutes from church) and I ate some lemon peanuts, which were not too tasty. I was nervous because at first it seemed like I was connecting more with David than Chola, but last night we went to dinner (Subway and Taco Bell) just the two of us and, though we had trouble communicating, we got to know each other better. I took a cold shower this morning, thought I can’t complain since I get me own room and bathroom.
In the afternoon we had Chinese (with chicken pot pie the first night I’m beginning to wonder when I’ll eat some Costa Rican food) and played a fun cup game. In representation of the United States, I won the first round and made it to the final three of the second. It is amazing how quickly the relationships here are made. I guess with a kiss on the cheek every hello & goodbye you grow closer faster. My favorite part of everyday is our “Gringo debrief” because we get to hear how everyone from just our group is doing in the homes and such.
It amazes me how different the culture is. Relationships between siblings are always good (Hi Dustin! Hi Logan!), and everyone gets along. As some of us found out today, personal space doesn’t exist. And it seems that is is a game to see who can drive closest to the curb or any other object without hitting it. Also seatbelts are not a necessity (don’t worry mom, I still put mine on). Red lights and stop signs are optional; you go when you can. “It’s not better, it’s not worse – it’s just different” has been our mini-theme this week and we are always having to remind each other of that. As for tomorrow, we shop (your Father’s Day present is on it’s way, Dad)!
Missing you all,
Tessie