A Big Grin

The other day Claire and Caleb were determined to walk by themselves down the road to the pulperia (tiny corner store) to buy a few eggs.  I gave Claire the appropriate Spanish phrase to use (“necesito ocho huevos, por favor”) and some money, and off they went.  Fifteen minutes later, I stepped out the door wondering if I could see them coming, and Claire proudly held up a plastic bag filled with 8 eggs—complete with a big grin!  The kind that says I Did It!

Last night, as I drove Mario’s vehicle by myself down the winding gravel road into San Gerado de Dota, I realized that I had a similar big grin on my face.  This was my first time driving a vehicle since December, so it was fun navigating the hair-pin turns in the dark J.     

I spent the day with Mario and his family yesterday, running errands in San Jose.  His wife and daughter are back from a long holiday, and needed to do some back-to-school errands in the city before school starts tomorrow.  I went along for a change of pace and to buy staples at the Costa Rican version of Costco.  We left at 7am for the two hour drive to San Jose; Claire and Caleb woke up just in time to say goodbye to me before I left. 

After a winding trip to San Jose and a stop for a typical breakfast—rice and beans, chicken, and of course great coffee!—Mario dropped me off at the Costa Rican Costco, so I could shop while his family did their errands.  I received a few funny looks at the store when I loaded all of my many groceries into a large suitcase that I could pull behind me while I found a nearby spot to read and wait for them to pick me up.  Never mind the fact that I tried to use Mario’s membership card, and I’m clearly not Mario (which didn’t make the manager happy, so I flashed my VISA, which worked like a charm!).  

Several hours later, they picked me up with my load of groceries.  After an additional hour or more of driving through winding streets, and numerous stops and errands, Mario and I headed back in the direction of San Gerardo.  He’d dropped off his daughter in the city of Cartago where she goes to high school, and his wife Laura stayed in San Jose for an appointment.  On the way, he asked me if I drive a car in Canada.  Sure, I replied, without much thought.  When we reached the turn-off to the gravel road down to San Gerardo, he hopped out and indicated that he needed me to drive his vehicle down to the village so he could drive his quad, which happened to be parked there. I thought it was funny that he didn’t ask if I drive standard.    

So that’s how I ended up driving Mario’s vehicle by myself in the dark down the scariest road I’ve ever driven, with a big grin (never mind that the “Check Engine” light went on, half-way down the mountain!).  Thanks for your prayers, Mom and Dad!

 

Claire and Caleb having lunch with Erica, the daughter of Mario (who we rent our cabin from).  The kids adore Erica, since she gives them so much attention and enjoys feeding them; unfortunately, she lives in another city to go to school. 



Lunch with Mario and his wife Laura (who's from Vancouver, but has lived in Costa Rica most of her life). We are blessed with wonderful people around us here.