Week 2: Settling in.....

Now I know it's been awhile but I'm considering that a good thing. While we certainly don't want to take for granted this privilege, it shows that we are settling in and acclimating to our environment. Just thought we'd share a couple of pictures from around the house.

The left side agitates and the right side is a spin dryer.

 

Hostess Elena making tamales, YUM!

Abran the laundry helper.

This little guy lives in the backyard

The fishboats bring the days catch in just a block over..P.U.!

More Fish.....

The house has been great so far and the experience excellent. We are going to make the next post about some of the service down here. Talk to you Later.....

They have Black Friday sales here!

Service day number 2 was interesting. Tony and Josie went with an elder and another pioneer sister to an island to search out English speakers. We hopped on the ferry and after the short ride across the canal we were on foot again. The island is called Isla Cocal and it is the ghetto. They do have running water and electricity but other than that they are pretty much ignored by the municipalities. We didn't really get any pics of the little neighborhood itself but believe me, it's not a pretty sight.

Ferry to Cocal

Ferry to Cocal

 

 

 

Standing on the beach updating territory map.

The territories here are a pretty big undertaking because they have few, if any, road names or addresses. Even the houses don't stay the same color for much longer than a year because of the mold problems. They'll periodically wash and paint the houses. That being said, the friends here have to hand-draw the maps.

Service Time and more in Quepos!!!

We arrived in Quepos by bus which was no small feat. First we had to get to get to the bus station...the correct one. I add that note because the first one we went to was the incorrect one that actually made us about 2 hours later coming into Quepos than we originally expected. However, in Costa Rica we have quickly learned that no one really stresses about time or appointments for that matter. So, though this was an annoyance, we got where we needed to go eventually.

San Jose Bus Station

From there we rode the bus about 3 hours from San Jose to Quepos. Now most bus rides are long and boring. This is not the case when you travel in Costa Rica. We found that every trip is exciting and new. The sights are amazing. We descended from about 5200 feet to right at sea level so we saw a diverse landscape and were amazed at Jehovah's handiwork.

After we arrived in Quepos at about 4:30 we were bushed. So we got a taxi to the house that seemed like an eternal drive, but was actually about 5 minutes away. The taxi guys are pretty nice and used to tourists so they are easy to deal with.

After a good nights rest we got ready for the service meeting, which starts at 8. Now this sounds very early for meeting, it did to Tony thats for sure. In retro spect though its really not. See the sun comes up and goes down here around 5:00 and 5:30. The sun seems to control all activity here. So people get going pretty early and when they get going they get loud. So we have been getting up 5:30 to 6:00, now if you know us well you know we don't like mornings. So this has been a pleasnt adjustment for us.

Here are some pictures of our first day in service. Its was all walking with a short bus ride.

The Magazine counter

The Literature counter

Ocean-view from our mountaintop territory

Capuchins just monkeying around

Our First Stop

So, we are definitely already spoiled. 

We decided to do our relaxing at the beginning before we hit it hard in the ministry. 

We stayed at a bed and breakfast that is owned by former missionary couple, Jody and Suzie Waddell. The great thing is that they only rent to fellow Witnesses! And she is an amazing cook as well.

A few of the flowers in front of the house.

The view over looking the Waterfall!

Our Room.

Derrick and Lacey at the bottom of the waterfall.

La Cascada

From here we head to Quepos. We will fill you guys in after we have got our feet wet.

The Trip to Start all Trips!

Well folks, today is the day! Last night (Nov 7) Tony and Josie stayed at Derek and Lacey's house. It wasn't exactly necessary but as excited as we were we had to because there was nothing left for us to do at our house! So we all decided to get up reasonably early and head to the big D, and I do mean Dallas.

The first stop was was breakfast at IHOP. Really, is there any other place to eat breakfast?
Then it was off to Grapevine Mills to see if there was anything we just HAD to have. I wouldn't say that what we got was absolutely necessary, but then again what is when you're at the mall?

Gigantic food court

Lovely People!

Once we were sufficiently worn out we headed to my (Josie's) aunt and uncle's house to have dinner. Spaghetti, YUM!

Could we be more excited?!

Since they so graciously offered to let us leave the car there (which will save us a bundle) Uncle Micheal drove us to our hotel, where we slept for maybe 5 hours.

Nov 9th, 4am and it's time to catch the shuttle

Hotel Lobby, I'm sure the clerk is thrilled to be taking our picture, haha.

 6 1/2 hours later and we have touchdown.

How can you not love this?

The Big Send-Off

November 2.
7 days until take-off and we couldn't be more excited! Our wonderful friends decided to give us nice little parting party. We had many from our local congregation and there were some that traveled a considerable distance to show their support.


There was dinner....

Dancing...

And, of course, CAKE!!

It was a blast!