Homestays

We got back today from our homestays, where a small group of us were staying with a traditional family that lives on a farm.  What an incredible experience, tremendously humbling and grounding all at the same time.  The family I stayed with lives on a 30 acre farm in the hills in the rain forest, calling cows, horses, a pig, a talapia fish pond, a mangy dog, and plentiful fruit trees their own.  Fernando, the husband, and Lydia, the wife spoke not a lick of English, similar to the 4 teachers that accompanied me on the homestay who spoke not a lick of Spanish either.  So, that left me translating everything that was said all 3 days, and what a time it was!  My Spanish has come a long way since high school classes and it felt great to use it in such a constructive way.  

We milked cows, fed the pig and talapias, built a 60m "live" fence, and toured his 30 acres of heaven.  When I compare my life in the U.S.A. with the life of these poor Costa Ricans it becomes apparent that many aspects of my life are just distractions, busyness that doesn't add to much value to my life.  

Arenal Volcano, the peak at ~5400ft obscured in the clouds.

One big iguana!

The family and fellow teachers I stayed with in the traditional Costa Rican village. In the back is Phyilllis from Rhode Island, the daughter of the family we stayed with, and me.  In the second row is Fernando, Lydia, Susan (ME) , Melissa (GA), and Jason (OH).  In the front row is the lovely grand daughter of the folks we stayed with, named Andrea.

 
Toucan.

Your truly milking a cow!

Hanging bird nests, arriba!

A ginormous beetle on the walk to my room.