We've Arrived!

We've officially been in Costa Rica a full week and there's so much to report.  Its been wonderful and challenging and slightly crazy.  Some highlights:

• Spent New Years Eve with our host family and a few of our host mother's fourteen (yes, fourteen) brothers and sisters and their children.  Drank wine.  Dan ate slow roasted pork.  Watched our host brother set off a massive amount of fireworks in the driveway.  Listened to the neighborhood dogs going crazy in reaction to all the fireworks.  Participated in the Costa Rican tradition of walking around the block with suitcase in hand to guarantee travel in the upcoming year.  After many discussions that evening of all the exciting places in Central America I have yet to see, I walked around the block.  Twice.
• Went boating with Dan's bosses and their families.  Spent the day jumping off the back of a boat, swimming to nearby beaches, and floating around in the water.  What a wonderful welcome a las playas del Costa Rica!
• Perhaps the most exciting news of all, found an apartment!!!!   Yay!   So so so excited!  Apartment hunting for the past week has been relatively stressful as Dan and I learned, upon our arrival, that our jobs are literally at opposite ends of the city.  Because there is no central bus schedule to be found, we visited 7 apartments in 3 different parts of the city.  And all within 3 days!  Phew!  Happily, we found a wonderful casita in Escazu and are moving in tomorrow!!!  Pictures will soon follow, but for now I can say that we're situated in the back of a garden with fruit trees and a big patio and room enough for friends and family to crash (though sadly it'll have to be on the floor or outside in the hammock).

Headed on an adventure this weekend to a yet to be determined location.  

Pura Vida!

Jill (y Dan)