So Costa Rica so far has been incredible. We just left the children's center and we are on the bus on our way to San Carlos to sit in volcano hot springs and check into our second hotel.
The weather here is gorgeous, 80s and breezy. We got to JFK at 130am on Saturday morning and after Macee flirted her way through customs we took naps on the airport floor until our 6am flight. Mostly everyone slept on the flight until breakfast came around and we had French toast with hot strawberry jelly and yogurt. We spent the rest of the day at the pool where Hannah got a little Costa Rican boyfriend named Becket. The seven year old blonde heart throb repeatedly brought her flowers for her hair, a man after my own heart. We had practice that night and the field was something out of a postcard. For dinner we ate a pool side buffet, each meal has a different tropical fruit juice and our server Minor is there to get us anything else we need and teach us some Spanish. The food is so good, we were all banking on bad food so we would stay skinny throughout the trip, unfortunately, I'm pretty sure we've all put on five pounds since Friday.
Yesterday we went shopping in the city, we toured historical San Jose and went shopping at a flea market where our bargaining skills were tested. A very burnt Ashley Pagano made up for her lack of sun screen with her bargaining skills. Even Katie Tatro scored a whole hammock for $10, and had not stopped talking about how she is going to get it home. While in the city, there was a marathon going on and we cheered as loud as we could, only to get cheered back at. People here love us Americans, especially blonde ones. That's probably why Ashley Mckenelley, Macee and Brie Mustapich all scored shirts and medals off the runners backs, literally, still drenched in sweat. That night we played our first game vs. Codea Alajuela, a over twenty San Jose club team. They spoke basically all Spanish, as well as the refs which was interesting in itself. Schmitt learned the phrase mas atras, which means move the ball back and she yelled it continuously from the net. Cassidy Clavet got a goal off of corner from Melissa Rodriguez in the first half, then other team came back and got two goals in the second half. It was a great game and after we got together and translated some thoughtful words to each other. After the game we went to the hotel casino and tried to win some money. Renee walked away with $20 and Amanda walked away with $9.
This morning we went to a children's center and had the time of our lives playing with under privileged children. Regardless of the language barrier, the children had as much fun as we did and loved playing with our cameras. Cassidy tried to steal a little girl and cried when they took her back to the classroom, I said just steal here and Ashley Pagano said, "shh they told us not to say that." We were all so touched that along with the numerous donations of coloring cooks, diapers, and toys we brought with us, we all chose to donate some money and actually gave them $436 to the children's center. Nothing can get us down right now.
I should also mention our additions to the trip. B-mikes brought his ten year old daughter Brina (who is full of youthful energy and a much needed ball girl) and his father Ray. Wiley brought her daughter Baily and her best friends Slammer and Shorty. I'm working on getting the story behind those names. We also have our lovely tour guides Amilo and Sebastian. Jill is getting the whole trip on her old fashion camcorder so well have lots of footage when we get back. Make sure you follow our twitter to get more up to date information about the trip and what we are up to!
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