I'm back from Costa Rica!

[Shadowchild]

I didn't tell too many people that I was going on a Missions Trip to Costa Rica (except for White and Muffin, but that's beside the point), but now I'm back and I really wanna show you guys the adventure I really had. It was soo much of a mountain top experience I couldn't believe it!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture008.jpg
We had some fun on the flight there. I mostly just listened to Kutless, but I got to play with the camera a bit.
While I was playing with the camera I looked down and saw that we were just over Costa Rica. Clouds are so low around there and the sun was just starting to go down when I saw this.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture015.jpg
I looked back down again at the ground below us and I just saw all these trees and such beautiful land. I took another picture. ^.^
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture016.jpg
We got to the base and I think everyone kinda tanked out because we were all alseep in a shot. (loong flight).
The next day we had a littel free time so everyone went down to this really cool little market. A few of the people from my church stopped and saw this really cool little hummingbird just fluttering around some wierd looking flowers. It kinda flew around a bit before it perched on top of a string of razor wire.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture017.jpg
I think we all had a good time at the market. They sell pineapple in Costa Rica 4 pineapples a dollar! (like 500 colones in their money.)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture018.jpg
After we got back from the market, our group leader took us all to different places where we kinda met up and prayed for alot of people who for one didn't know us and definately had no idea what we were saying! Spanish translator please!
We got back and were pretty tanked out again for walking around all day long.
The next day was Sunday and we had a church thing in the morning where they had planned a special dance for us, and another church in the afternoon. The first church we went to was okay, but I just didn't really feel too much of the power of God really in there. No one really paid any attention whatsoever to the speakers.
After we were done there we had a scavenger hunt/prayer hunt thing to go on.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture026.jpg
The one place I think I remember was a cemetary that was pretty much all white. They actually have these tombs there where if you're poor, they only keep you in the tomb 5 years and then they toss out the remains and put another person in the tomb! If you're lucky, your family would be able to afford a permanent tomb, but that was too difficult for many people there.
As soon as we had finished our hunt, we had to go back to base and get ready for the church servise in the afternoon. Me being the genius I am, I wore a skirt when we went. It was soo hot!
The hurch was rather small and was probably about the area of 40 sq ft! there was probably over 50 people crammed inside and there was a rather small empty area up front. I had no idea what it was for till they began to worship service. People all crowded up ther jumping and dancing to teh music! I had never seen so many people just pour out their hearts and give their worship like this at all! The floor was all wet from how bad everyone was sweating. The guy's dress shurts were soaked! The first song they played was "Come" but it was in spanish. So about a few minutes into the song, I gave up on trying to sing it in english and just bounced up and down with the rest of the people content that I knew what they were saying. Worship is worship, no matter what language it is in. God understands it all.
The next day was Monday and we had more walking to do. I dont remember what we really had planned, but I do remember that we went down to the River. that was the poorest place in La Aurora around where Alajuelita (that's where we stayed) is. We had a steep climb to go downbut we survived. Duke, a group leader of ours drove his car down full of supplies to cook hot dogs and stuff for the kids there. Let's just say those kids were hungry, great at jump rope, and loved bubbles.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture027.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture030.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture031.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture033.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture035.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture037.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture038.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture044.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture045.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture046.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture048.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture050.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture060.jpg
While we were down at the river,just as we were about to leave, we noticed this dog just lying there in the road. It stood up and limped across the street, obviously in alot of pain and lay back down again. One of the kids explained that the dog was very sick and dying. Usually in the USA we would just say take them to the vet, but in Costa Rica, you can't find a vet easily if at all.

[Shadowchild]

During the first few days there, I learned that there were alot of dogs in Costa Rica, but I had no idea that the people loved birds so much! Just about every house you went to had at least one bird. Some houses had over 12! Can you imagine that!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture061.jpg
The next two days are a dull memory to me, but I'll show you the pictures and you can just imagine how much fun we had.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture065.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture070.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture072.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture077.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture082.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture085.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture092.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture093.jpg
Now I believe this was Wednesday when we had a day that we split up and some went to an elementary school, and the others to a small place called San Juan. We cleared out a rec room that was full of donation clothes and set up a Jesus video for all of the kids. I dont think too many of them really paid any attention to it, but I know the mothers and a few of the older kids did. After that we played outside and make foam crosses inside. My friend Tuti and I made some mischief with the stickers, but you can PM me about that.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture103.jpg
(The guy just behing the kid in red is my friend Tuti)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture106.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture110.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture115.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture122.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture124.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture132.jpg
(lol My friend Aaron loves kids soo much. You should hear him play guitar!)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture137.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture139.jpg
(never let the kids in Costa Rica hold the camera, there is no gurantee that they'll get it back)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture140.jpg
The last day we were there we went to a highschool and played Baseball and Soccer. I think everyone was depressed that wer were leaving soon, because I dont remember anything really big happening besides it raining hard and Aaron getting hit in the face with a soccer ball nearly smashing his glasses. Luckily my best bud in Costa Rica and I fixed them. ^^
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture148.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture151.jpg
(That's me in the green, and Carolina in the stripes.)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture152.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture158.jpg
(My dad's crazy, don't ask. -_-')
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture162.jpg
Our last night, everyone was depressed. We had affirmations and nearly everone was in tears. I had to hug my friend Carolina half of the whole 3 hours because she really didn't want me to go. I think Aaron cheered us up alot though when we had a little down time. We got to take a few pictures if us together. And Aaron made me make one of him and his buddy Victor.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture165.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/Seleniax/Costa%20Rica%20Trip/Picture164.jpg
I ended up riding with Duke when he took Carolina back home. We got to say goodbye and amazingly we were all cried out. Got back to the base and everyone was in bed, but not alseep. I think I listened to a recording I made of Aaron singing "Open the Eyes" is Spanish about 2o times before I finally went to sleep.
The next morning we got up early and everyone was really tired. I didn't eat anything before we got on the bus, or really until we got onto the plane. Then I munched on a sandwich and some mints. Getting back home took forever considering the plane left at about 10 and I wasn't home till about 5:45. Dad let me borrow the camera and I got to look through everything that had happened. I started crying so bad, it wasn't even funny. Even though I'm back in the states, I still feel like I left a huge part of me with the people in Costa Rica.

((Thanks to all or any of you who even looked halfway through this. I dont expect too many to even look at all of the pictures, but I hope you get to see a general idea of what Costa Rica is like and how God really is there with those people. All the smiles stand out like a light in the dark against the tin roofing and injured dogs.))

[Saint Kevin]

Yeah, I went to Costa Rica in the summer of 2001 for a language immersion trip. Isn't it beautiful? And the people there have a great sense of hospitality. My host mom cooked me breakfast, lunch (when I was there), and dinner every day. I even complimented my mom about two framed handpainted bird feathers that were on her wall, and she gave them to me, just like that!

The coffee down there is the best in the world, in my opinion. It absolutely ruined Starbucks for me forever.

I spent a month in the country, and I have to say that the people I met were very friendly and approachable, and the country is blessed with a wonderful landscape. They had volcanoes and rainforests as well as superb surf, scuba diving, and sport fishing.

I can understand why so many expatriate Americans retire there (a lot more than you might think).

Still, there are a lot of families that could be considered poor. I stayed in a ranch-style house that was small, but immaculately kept. It was almost necessary, as bugs and mold can overrun you in the tropical climate if you don't. As for my meals, I ate beans and rice for every meal unless we ate out, which we rarely did.

I had an adventure myself. I zip-lined across the rainforest, bungee jumped, experienced my first soccer riot (in the plaza in downtown San Jose), went to a lot of clubs, and got to boogie board for two days straight.

It really is a wonderful place. I long to bring the relaxed pace and hospitable and friendly attitude into my life here in America. It truly is the Pure Life. Or as they say in Costa Rica, La Pura Vida.

EDIT: I also lived in Alajuela, and I think I remember the steep hill with the shacks on it. One picture in particular of one of those shacks was so incredibly familiar. It was almost as if I saw the exact same one (or that the type of shack is common enough in a certain part of Alajuela that I could confuse two of them).

[Seppuku]

looks like quite the experience. hope u dont mind if i save a few of those village pictures.

[fairyprincess90]

sweet!!! im going to costa rica in like two days!!!! ^_^
cool cool cool cool ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

[TallHobbit86]

wow... mission trips really do change people's perspectives on things and help break them out of the mold of things they're used to... your mission trip looked like it went well! awesome pics to give a feel for the setting!

[kaji]

Thanks for sharing SC. It seams like your trip went well. Now I guess the next big question is: Has this changed your perception of the Worlds need for Christ? And Do you think you might go back some day?

BTW, some of those pictures were really great. Almost National Geographic-esque. I liked the bird on the 'Razor Wire' and 'Girl w/Kitten' ones.

[Shadowchild]

Wow SK, I bet we pretty much stayed near the same place. That's cool. Yeah, I did the zip-line too... DUH! That's the day I forgot what we did! I like it, but I wish they had a little more on views. The only really cool we saw when we were there were poisonus frogs and a great view of the beach. Otherwise we didn't see too much, but a funny view of our pastor going down the zipline again and again with his legs sprawled about everywhere. We thought he nearly hit that tree that shattered a guy's leg recently.

Seppuku, you can use as many of those pictures you want. I'm sure everyone is Costa Rica wouldn't mind.

fairyprincess90, You will have the best time there. It is the coolest place with the sweetest people you will ever meet. PM me when you get back, I wanna hear all about it. ^^

Actually, it did change my view of things, kaji. I realized that in Costa Rica, people need God just as much as the people in the USA. But I found that even though while you're there, it may not feel like you're making any difference. You just have to remember, we're just throwing the seeds, it's up to God to let them grow. Some may fall upon the rock or between the thorns, but there are some that will fall on good soil.
And as for your other question, kaji. Yes, I am going back. I'm going to be going back next summer, but I hope to see if I can stay longer than only a week. I hope to venture for a month, but I have to see if they will allow that for someone my age. I never wanted to leave Costa Rica, but I did come to realise that my life is back in the USA, but that doesn't mean that I can't come for visits. ^.^

Ooh! My friend Carolina may actually be coming to Florida sometime soon! I am sooo excited! I hope this works out well! I miss her so much. I think she probably ministered to me more than I did to her. Her mother's been really depressed lately because Carolina's sister has been in Canada for the past good couple of months. Her mom having clinical depression and missing her daughter that much isn't very good, so it would be cool if you guys could pray for her and the rest of the family.

[Yahshua]

Glad the experience has been meaningful for you Shadowchild.

[Saint Kevin]

I've contemplated going back myself some day. If I did, I'd probably stay in a hostel (they're dirt cheap), and stick around for a month, maybe longer. I don't think I'd recommend that for the ladies though (unless you have an escort or a gun). It's kinda dangerous.

[fairyprincess90]

dude! i cant believe i JUST saw this!
i so went to costa rica too on a missions trip!
hahahaha!
::hi-fives shadowchild::
OMG its so gorgeous down there!
i went tho along the pacific side... and we were at the capital in costa rica... *sorry i dont remember the town names and such*
but yeah!
its cool that we both went to costa rica on missions trips!
i just thought that was cool!
^_^
tee hee

[jon_jinn]

yeah. my older brother went there last summer for a language immersion trip also. he was there for like a month (might've been two) and he brought back a whole ton of pictures.