Monday, May 19, 2014

Meet The Family


So tonight I had an experience of a lifetime and something that I’ve been indifferent on since I learned I was going on this trip—I met my first host family. Obviously, meeting your host family is an interesting experience because there are so many emotions thrown into one moment. You’re nervous because you’re about to stay with a family that you don’t know, you’re scared because you don’t know if they will be nice or if they will like you, and you’re excited because you are about to experience something new and different. Mostly, I was nervous and I handle nervousness in two different ways both of which are extremities—crying or hysterically laughing. For meeting my host family, I decided to go with crying. Luckily, I didn’t ball my eyes out or even have tears running down my face, but my eyes did start welling up.

When my family arrived at CPI, I was greeted with a hug and kiss from my mamatica and my two sisters. For those of you that know me know this was a very awkward experience. Not only am I just an awkward individual, but I really dislike being touched—especially in an intimate manner—when I don’t know the person.  After we embraced and said hellos, we all hopped in the car to head home. My mamatica and papatico drove me around the town of San Joaquin to make sure I knew everything such as meeting places and the route I should take when walking places; then we headed home. My mamatica informed me that they don’t actually live in San Joaquin, Heredia—they live in Llorente, Heredia which is just over the bridge and about five minutes into the city (If you’re trying to figure out how far I am from the school—it’s a 30 minute walk).

When we arrived at the house, the two boys or my brothers gave me two cards that they colored and I was shown to my room. Honestly, my room is just like a dorm room. It has a closet, mirror, twin size bed, side table, etc. (I’m not complaining, but I’m not going to attach a picture so just imagine a dorm room).  Then they talked to me in Spanish and I didn’t understand anything because it was so fast so obviously I became very discouraged. Then they just left so I was more discouraged and I sat in my room. It was at that point that I just wanted to break down and cry because I figured I would just be alone for this whole week. I pulled out my computer and caught up on my blogs, etc.

Then the youngest girl, Lilibeth came in my room and started doing handstand against my room. Slowly the oldest, Marisola, came in and Felipe. They sat in my room and we talked for about two hours in Spanish and English. Marisola and Felipe are working on English in their classes and wanted help so we worked on sentences and they I told them what certain phrases meant when they asked. It was refreshing to have conversation and gain trust with my host family. I felt less intimidated. I still know nothing about Alejandro though… I don’t even remember what he looks like.

Once I got all settled in, my mamatica served dinner which was traditional rice and beans, but the main dish was steak with pumpkin, peppers, onion, cilantro, and maybe a little saffron. It was delicious! Now most people know that I only eat chicken, but since I’m in another country and I’m trying to embrace a new culture I’m trying everything. I would hate to offend my mamatica or miss out on something because I have a picky palette.


After dinner, I unpacked my stuff and got ready for my first day of school! And now you’re caught up to this exact moment…  

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