Curbing the curiosity: planes, trains and auto-buses...

Hey everyone!
So, I have just about completed my first week here in Costa Rica and, although it hasn't been jam-packed, I feel like I've experienced quite a bit. So, I arrived to San Jose, Costa Rica, last Saturday around 9ish pm. Customs took a while and hauling my fatty luggage around didn't make that process any easier or faster.....but Jeff Dixon (director of SI Costa Rica) was there to pick me up from the airport and it was good to see a familiar face. So we took a taxi back to the Dixons house, where I'd be staying until we figured out a living situation for Krysta and I. Jeff and Tracey (his wife), along with their kids, have been super welcoming and helpful during this first week. The next day was a low-key day of going to the park and visiting with the Janzens (another family that's part of our SI team here. On Monday, the Dixons and Janzens didn't have class at their language school, so we made a trip (along with one other family they know) to the Volcano, Poas. It was incredible! Not too much of a hike, but with amazing views! That day we also visited a place called Sarchi, in which they are known for their handmade furniture.
During the following days, we were able to check out an apartment that looks pretty positive for Krysta and I, which is VERY exciting!!!! The only thing is that, we haven't been able to check out the inside yet because there is currently a tenant in there and the guy that owns it wants to make sure that guy is out and get it cleaned before we see it. But judging from the outside, I don't really see how bad the inside could be. This apartment would be a huge answer to prayer, though, because its in a safe place, with a 24 hour security guard and gates, within walking distance to our language school and anything else we might need, its very affordable and the guy is willing to lease it to us for a shorter period. Soooo, it's pretty much perfect, or so it seems....we will get to check out the inside on Monday and I'll keep you all updated on it. On our way back from the apartment, the rain came and poured and we got drenched, which I expect is just the first of many times to come =)
Other events from this week include Tracey and I (neither of whom are super great with directions), venturing into downtown San Jose. We made it there and back fine, thanks to Tracey! We walked around a little and then had coffee at a little cafe we found. It was really nice. Then on our way back, when we were on the bus, we were stopped, along with the rest of traffic, when we heard a honking kind of noise--which is not unusual, by any means. But this honking kept going, sounded kind of different and it kept getting closer. So, we looked out the window and lo and behold, it was a train! And we were on the tracks, blocking it, but no worries, it was going slow enough to stop. But I guess some people either didn't notice that or were still freaked out, because a bunch of people from the back of the bus started making a mad dash for the front- I have to admit, I was a little unnerved by it, but we were in no real danger because the train had stopped, yet it continued to honk/blow it's whistley-horn-ma-bob-thingy. Sooooo, that was interesting and fun!
This week I've also had a number of opportunities to go out and explore the city on my own.....many of which I have not taken ; ) HOWEVER, I have been working my way up to it! I've made my way around the Dixon's neighborhood a few times, but today, I took it a few steps further. I took two buses on my own to where Krysta and my language school is. I spent some good time with my good friend Joe (cup of Joe, that is----coffee) and a book. Then, I found my way back and did it all without getting lost or even missing any stops, which is pretty good for me! Not super exciting, but it made me happy. It was kinda funny, though, I used the bathroom in McDonalds and while I was washing my hands, I asked the lady next to me (in Spanish) if she had the time. I don't know if she just didn't hear what I asked or didn't understand, maybe she just assumed I wasn't speaking Spanish, so she didn't try to hear or understand, because she thought I was asking her something about the water faucets. They were automatic, so she was showing me that I just needed to keep my hands under them to keep the water coming. But eventually, after multiple times of me asking her the same thing in different ways (and pointing to the watch on her wrist), she showed it to me so I could see the time. Sooooo, either my Spanish is WAY off or cross-cultural communication has a lot more to do with it than just language.
Well, Krysta comes tomorrow and that is exciting! We're looking to start language school on Monday and move into an apartment soon, so things are moving along quickly! But I will keep you all updated and try to write more often, so that these won't be as long every time. I know that if something is super long, I may not be as inclined to read it, but this is all just adding to the rambling........so we'll be in touch! =)

*below are pictures from our trip to the volcano, Poas*