Pura Vida!

This morning I woke up and enjoyed a hot home cooked meal from my Momma Tica. She made my roommate and I eggs, rice, beans, and bread with guava jelly. My stomach was very happy. Today in the University we had our Survival Spanish class. As a non -Spanish speaker I found this lesson in Spanish extremely helpful. Not only did we learn Spanish phrases and verbs, we also learned common Costa Rican vernacular. Instead of using "Yo necesito", in Costa Rica they use "Ocupo". Both mean "I need". We also learned the famous phrase that originates in Costa Rica, "Pura Vida". "Pura Vida" translates to "Pure Life" in English. Pura Vida is used as a greeting, a way to express how you are feeling, and a way of saying goodbye. It is also a way to express happiness and optimism.

After the Survival Spanish class some students from the group and I walked to the mall after class to pick up some McDonald's ice cream and to view the stores inside. The mall has a beautiful fountain on the inside and outside. We all took a picture with the outside fountain.

I ordered a KitKat Mcflurry from the McDonald's, it was soo delicious! Once we all received our ice cream, we ate our ice cream at the food court in the mall. Then we decided the food court would be a great place to work on our journal assignment. It was nice to be able to work on the journal and laugh with everyone at the same time.

After walking back from the mall, my roommate Karryn and I ate dinner with our Momma Tica and her sons. For dinner we ate beans, rice, and a salad. It was a very fulfilling and tasty meal. We talked about our day and the new words that we have learned. My Momma Tica is very kind and always asks about our day and how we are doing. I appreciate that she initiates conversations with my roommate and I even though we both are not fluent in Spanish. Despite not speaking the same language as our Momma Tica, we are still able to converse and laugh with her!

This day is a resting day for us because the day before we explored all around Heredia. Lots of walking but the sights were incredible. Heredia is muy bonito! I am beyond excited to continue this journey that is ahead of me. Costa Rica has been so welcoming of me already! I can't wait to see what the future holds! Pura Vida everyone!