Habitat's Global Village Trip | Costa Rica 2014 | Days 1 & 2

The following entry was contributed by Global Village team members.

By Vicki & Roger Henry

Our group arrived from different places to be welcomed in a grand fashion by the HFH group from Costa Rica. Local program manager Diana and Director Andrea gave a heartfelt summary of the project we are starting to create a community for 44 families in Sabalo, Costa Rica, 1 hour from the Panama border. Valeria, another HFH Costa Rica employee, modeled the gift bag items of T-shirt, safety vest, goggles, gloves and information manual. We described ourselves in one word each: spunky, dependable, excited, spicy, tenacious, bibliophile adventurous, purposeful, child like, grateful, intrigued, blessed, friendly, gregarious, super hero, renaissance, detail oriented (passionately), reserved, adaptable, happy, and thankful.

Twenty HFH volunteers, our two HFH guides, Adrian and Juan, and our drivers Mauricio and David began our journey of discovery at 7ish AM Sunday morning.

First stop was the Tacoles River where we had a chance for a pit stop, a refreshing coconut drink or mango smoothie, and our first glimpse of about 20 crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks of the river. No volunteers surfaced to go feed the crocs. At the bridge overlook, a young man approached our group to thank us for our HFH work as he and his family were the recipient of a HFH home a 10 years back. It had changed their lives. We were heartened by the feedback on the impact of HFH in Costa Rica.

Next stop was a Maxi Pali (super market) where Tracy purchased new clothing for the trip as Delta misplaced his luggage. The over/under betting is that the clothes might show up by Wednesday or not. Tracy also slammed his thumb in the van door and announced that he might as well take on the role of experiencing all the mishaps for the entire group. What a guy!

We stopped briefly at Jaco to take pictures of a gorgeous beach where they held a world surfing competition two years ago. Our route took us past palm plantations around the town of Quepos, the gateway to one of the main national parks, Manuel Antonio.

We finished our meandering and frequently stopped 9 hour bus ride through scenic Costa Rica with a 45 minute Costa Rica back rub-- the ride up the steep rocky road to our destination, Asoprola, a quaint “hotel” association run by the locals. It has amazing mosaic tile features in the dining room and a unique rubber tire climbing dragon. The observation deck above the dining room has stunning views of the sunsets over the mountains.

We checked into our rooms…quaint “cubicles” that provide separation but limited isolation. All the better for team building (good night John boy…). We had a great meal of traditional Costa Rican food. Leaders Dave and Rebecca reminded us of the important mission of the trip to create safe, decent, affordable housing. So much for serious, then we got on to fun! We finished the evening with some boisterous bonding that echoed throughout the hills, proudly announcing the arrival of Twin Cities HFH.

The group (mostly) retired early as wake up for our first day of work will be 5AM. We are stoked for what will be a most amazing building journey of faith and fellowship!

Biolley Bound :)

Beautiful, sunny, perfect morning in San Jose :) Hopping in the bus for 7 hours and heading down to our final destination in Biolley (in the south, near Panama)! 

We might be off the grid for a bit (I'm secretly hoping!) but I'll update as often as I can about the beautiful experience we are having, and the houses we will be building! The people here are so kind and welcoming, I'm truly in love with this country and it hasn't even been 24 hours :) Ta ta for now, check back for pictures and updates!!

Our home for the next week: http://www.asoprola.org/

Do you know the way to San Jose?

Day 1.... we've arrived!

After an early morning, and a pretty long flight (complete with new seat neighbor friends who shared all of their yummy fresh organic fruit with me) we are safely in San Jose! We do have internet at the hotel, but that will only be until tomorrow morning. So far we've checked in, had a great meal, and the largest margaritas I've ever seen (photo evidence below). 

Costa Rica truly is as beautiful as everyone says, absolutely stunning! I didn't expect such gorgeous, picturesque mountains... a very lovely surprise :) The weather is perfect, 80's and sunny with a calm, warm breeze (and yes, lots of palm trees!) 

We are off to dinner at 5 to meet the Costa Rica Habitat folks and get an idea of what the week will look like. Then hopefully some exploring in downtown San Jose!

I am so incredibly happy and excited to be here, I can hardly stand it, all smiles for this girl :-D

Off We Go!

Goodbye snowy, cold Minnesota... here we come sunny 80°!!!

Packed and Ready to Go :)

In 21.5 hours, we will officially be in Costa Rica (but who's counting, haha)!!
I'm immunized, packed, and so incredibly excited to start our adventure! I don't know with any certainty what our internet/cell phone access will be like (as we are sort of going to be in the middle of nowhere) but as often as I'm able, I will be sure to post updates and pictures! I'm bringing my nice Canon DSLR, and also my Kate-proof camera (water, dust, freeze AND shock proof) and cannot wait to start snapping photos of gorgeous CR :) 

I'd like to say a huge THANK YOU again to everyone who has supported me (both emotionally and financially). I wouldn't be able to do this without you!

Flying out at 7:40am tomorrow, direct flight to San Jose.... so excited I can't stop smiling :)

Gearing up!

Thank you tax refund and REI winter clearance sale.... for making today feel like Christmas morning!

5 days until we're Costa Rica bound!

I'm sorry for this in advance... but I do need to report that Saturday in San Jose is forecasted to be sunny and 75° :-D

"Quisiera una cerveza por favor."

Since I don't have much more than un poco knowledge of Spanish, I've been looking through my little travel dictionary trying to pull out some key phrases for our trip (which is only 2 weeks away now!!!). Excitedly, I just found the most important page in the entire Latin American Spanish dictionary....

 

"I'd like a beer please" = "Quisiera una cerveza por favor."

 

"How much is a kilo of cheese?" = “¿Cuánto vale un kilo de queso?”

:)