The last two years I have spent my Christmases doing very different things than the norm. Last Christmas I went up to LA with a friend and his family to feed the homeless. That was a great way to spend Christmas - it does help to keep your perspective in the right place. Still, it is very nice to be with family. This Christmas I can''t say feels much like Christmas. I was so hot this morning, thinking I just was not made for tropical weather. Too humid and even if it's not that hot, it is still too hot with the humidity. I must say my world travels have made me grateful to the CA weather. Although, the water at the beach today was so nice and warm that if I spent all my time in the beach water, I would be in heaven here.
So you may be wondering what we did for Christmas and the answer is...nothing. Our family here - Susanna- said because she was by herself (her husband was working all night and day) there would be no celebration. I was definitely a little dissappointed - not because I missed Christmas, but really because I was hoping to experience it the Tico way. Well, this was definitely a Tico's way. I don't think it is celebrated that much here - all the shops were open last night and today. On our way home last night, Anne and I stopped at the big automercado (mall). I bought some bug bit cream because my two bites look gnarly. We looked at a few clothing shops and then had a good time in the supermarket looking at the food and whatnot. I did try some Costa Rican chocolate and I must say, muy bueno!
Susannan fixed us a fairly normal dinner where I had the Russian potato salad (potato salad with beets so it was red). I spoke with Sussana's nephew for awhile in very broken Spanish (although I must say I am impressed with myself that I could speak for about 25 minutes in Spanish about music, sports, where I live and what I do).
The best part of last night though was that we went to a karaoke bar with Susanna. It was great - under a patio, just across the street from her house. The people sat at the tables and sang their hearts out (they don't get up to sing in front - just sit and the mic comes to them). It was great music - at least very similar to what I have heard in Mexican places if not the same. There were Christmas lights strung up. I had a taste of Imperial beer (from here) and it was not bad (considering I really don't like any beer it was quite tolerable with a pleasant aftertaste), but I think with my stomach the way it is, I wasn't going to try it. I already have enough problems with acid and alcohol doesn't help. There was a guy up on the dance floor by himself, acting as though he had a partner, then came over at one point to tell us he wasn't crazy, just likes to dance a lot. People did get up and dance eventually, and then we left. I loved being there though and just relaxing and enjoying a nice Tico evening.
Today we slept in, had a lazy breakfast and headed for some shopping and beach. This was when I got sooo hot. I bought some beautiful pink material with yellow flowers to use as a cover-up - you know that island look where they wrap it around. We also looked into what we could do tomorrow, and I think we will try to go out on a catamaran to snorkel, kayak and relax. I had some coconut water to cool down (straight from the coconut with an umbrella straw and all). So great! The sand at the beach burned the bottoms of my feet but the water felt so nice. I really am going to try to avoid laying in the sun as much as possible. My skin pigmentation just reacts poorly. I will be spotted, not evenly brown. I did pick up several shells to bring back for my nieces and nephew. After ward we came back to the school and just hung out - enjoyed the pool a bit, tried to call home several times, but the phone lines were busy.
I walked down to the same smoothy place I had my coconut water at and bought a strawberry and pineapple smoothie after doing a little shopping in a great little jewelry place. This woman made beautiful stuff and some out of coffee beans, coconut, shell, and watermelon seeds!
Tonight we will go to the Monkey Bar for some salsa hopefully. It is a nice relaxing day (which is quite typical) even if not very Christmassy.
Alright, time to go, but Merry Christmas!
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