La Fortuna

After a quick stop in San Jose, La Fortuna was our first chance to put our foot on the ground and look around. We stayed for five days and caught our breath. We're here. We're in Central America. Now what? Here are some first pictures, first impressions, first babbling/gushing thoughts about starting the Central American leg of our nomadic family adventure.

 En Route to La Fortuna

Arriving in La Fortuna

Chicks in La Fortuna

Entry from May 27th:

On the bus from San Jose to La Fortuna, our family met Tineka and Chantal. When the bus arrived, Kobi and Chantal went to check out Cabinas Jerry's. (We ended up staying there for a night and then moving down the street to Gringos Petes Too-highly recommended). While they went, I looked after the mountain of backpacks and Tenika took the kids to play with chicks.

When we knew we were going to a farm, we agreed that they could purchase chicks with their own money and donate it to the farm. We discussed at length the high likelihood that they would see their chick either die from us not knowing how to best care for it, from it being killed by some other animal or due to health issues, or it being served to us one night for dinner.

As we finished up our 28th birthday celebration for Tenika and the kids finished presenting all of their many gifts to her; the ladies presented our kids a very meaningful gift: one dollar for a chick and a half. the chicks cost 380 colones (500 is about a dollar). The kids today purchased two chicks.

(Chantal and Tenika- I know you're reading. No, they have not yet named them in your honor. They are still thinking things over. I expect to find them dead in the morning....)

But while they are still alive, enjoy the pictures of the newest Klafs. (The kids proudly showed the chicks to their friend Shaked and to Kobi's mom on Skype!) I have always felt that pets teach children so many wonderful things: to be gentle with their hands, to care for others, responsibility, lessons on death, hygiene.... 

Solai grabbed paper and pencil today and started drawing out for her chick a 'learn to fly' lesson plan. She sat her chick down for lesson one, complete with lecture, visual aid, and interactive practice exercises. We'll let you know how it goes.

someone had just bought them all, and kindly agreed for the kids to purchase two

soooooooo cute. picking out only two is tough

bringing their babies home. 

ahh

solai's baby cuddles up and falls asleep inside her ponytail

orazi decided to teach his chick to play soccer.

Leaving La Fortuna

being the only surviving town from an eruption years ago, this townwas renamed "fortunate"

in our bedroom with the two bunk beds

Dahnya, a chick, and all the candies she wants her friends at school to think she bought

solai in the super mercado

We're still here in Gringos Petel Too Hostel. Kobi and I spent hours almost catching up to date on our trip finances. (We were two months behind so it feels great to catch up!) We're only been in this hostel for three nights (and in Costa Rica for five nights) and I swear it feels like months. Time moves so slowly here. I like that. 

We should be picked up tomorrow around 11 to go to the farm. (We are learning that Costa Rica time is much like Guatamaltican time... 11 may be like more like 2 or in 2 months). Kendall, Kenneth's friend called today and said he could come get us and that maybe even tomorrow we can start volunteering at the animal rescue. 

We have loved hanging out in La Fortuna and now are excited to go to La Lucha de la Tigra (the struggle of the tiger) and live on a farm. On the farm, we'll get to work the farm, volunteer at the animal rescue, and hopefully in the village school too. We can teach English and have our kids in school with us, as we all improve our Spanish. And, there, we'll get to experience more of the international foods we've missed for so long. So many options.... we'll see where the winds and the kind hearts of others end up taking us.

Kobi and Orazi went fishing; the girls and I went to the store

sunset at volcan arenal

Posted in: Discovering Cool Places