Goooooooooooal!

There has been much soccer-related excitement here lately. Not only did Costa Rica soundly beat the U.S. (a rivalry made even hotter by this), they also qualified for the World Cup. Speaking of which, so did the U.S. Gooooooooals all around!

When the big game began, my host parents and I were finishing up dinner at McDonalds. When Costa Rica scored a goal within the first 5 minutes of the game, everyone in the restaurant swarmed to the TV like moths to a porch light. We returned to the house for the rest of the game and when Costa Rica scored the final goal, cinching the win, we could hear cries of joy throughout the neighborhood! I was thankful to be a 'part' of the victory--even while falling asleep to a chorus of jubilant car horns in the street.

Last weekend was also a patriotic one--Costa Rica's Independence Day was on September 15th! There are a few pictures below of the festivities. I have continued to enjoy talking (and eating!) with my host family and I'm settling into my routine of classes. Although this weekend we are breaking the routine by taking a trip to Limon, a city on the Caribbean! I can't wait.

I'm working on a longer blog post, but this will just have to be a small update for now! Made even smaller after deleting itself when I tried to publish it...

Thank you for all of your prayers! I am so thankful to have experienced God's presence and care here in Costa Rica. Every time I've sought Him, and every time I haven't, He's been there.

Some pictures:

Some yummy helado sorbetera from the Central Market in San Jose! I don't always look that tired...at least, I hope not!

 A beautiful example of a farole, a traditional decorated lantern that school children carry in parades the night before Independence Day.

 Part of the Independence Day parade!

A clip of a music group we saw on the night before Independence Day. I loved listening to them--they made me wish I could dance!