Living, Working, and Exploring in Latin America: My Host Family

After more than 24 hours travel and a brief stop in Nicaragua, I have finally arrived at my new home in San Jose, Costa Rica. The place, the people, and the neighborhood is perfect. I am still taking everything in, but I'll do my best to share everything I've experienced so far.

The Family:

It seems that I will be seeing the most of Marta, a wonderful and loving catholic woman. She is the mother of the house, a wonderful cook, and so accommodating and loving that I already feel (and am being implored to consider myself) like family. She is not employed outside the house, and has assured me that I am welcome to do anything and everything she does--like Piglet and Pooh.

The father, Marcus, works in the airport (customs I believe), and is equally as warm. He reminds me of a young version of my grandpa Irwin in his diction and inflection-filled means of communication. He left for work shortly after I arrived, but stayed long enough to enjoy breakfast with me and the rest of the family.

Marco (please appreciate the similarity in names) is a thirty year old son, and the last person living here in the house with me. He is a pilot for Spirit Airlines. He's fit, intelligent, and his lifestyle parallels mine in the United States. He keeps his laptop by his bed, rocks a blackberry of the sorts, and appreciates the finer things in life. He's invited me to play some pick-up soccer with him and his friends (they play two nights a week) when he's not staying over in another country. We've had quite a few laughs together. I already consider us friends.

Rebekah, the daughter, works in the hotel industry in Costa Rica. She recently married, and now lives a kilometer down the road with her husband Richard. I plan to write about them when I see their home. They are wonderful as well.

There is also a fairly regular maid, Lidieth, who is a part of the family. I imagine I'll get a photo of her up here soon enough.

The Home:

The house has a beautiful atrium (or rather, a peristylium) full of flowers, plants, and a babbling fountain. It brings sound, color, and balance into the entire home. I love it. Though it's only been a day (and I've admittedly slept a majority of it), I can tell that this will be a great experience.

I've also added photos of the family pets. The kitten is just about the only cat I've ever enjoyed. I actually like that it looks like a rat. The dogs are polar opposites. One is a very friendly and somewhat goofy stray named Lucas (I fell in love immediately). The other dog is mean as spit, aqui se llama griñon.