So the next, next chapter has begun. Long story short and For all u bloggers who don't have Instagram we decided to go back to the third congregation, Sepecue, Talamanca. It's actually an indigenous reserve where they also speak bribri, which we are hoping we can learn. Definitely the most remote but we couldn't not go back:) Ironically, while reading his wilderness training manual Erik could not get his pretzel bag open...we may b in trouble:(

This is our life scaled down to 6 suitcases plus one we left here and 3 backpacks and yes that's a urinal which we affectionately call our nighttime, upstairs bathroom:) it's actually the only inside bathroom we have. We will b back in the reserve by tomorrow and although we have internet the signal is not usually strong enough for the blog so we r hoping to at least do an update once a month when we come out for supplies. There's no cars or grocery stores or restaurants inside the reserve.

This is our house across from the Kingdom Hall and a few pics of the ministry.

Anyone is welcome to come visit, we have an extra bed....but bring ur own urinal:)

Crack of dawn...

(Sorry that we got so behind but we r gonna try to catch u up:)

...That's when we seem to wake up here. If our 1st room in Alajuelita was antitrabajo then this one is "antiduermo"(not conducive to sleep). The sun seems to b up at 4:30(and in our room), the birds immed start cackling, which may sound nice but I mean like ALL the birds in Costa Rica. This after all the neighborhood dogs barking all night in harmony with what I thought was a pig or duck next door, but is actually an old dog with what sounds like a perpetual hairball:0(

The good news is I was gonna meet Flor and go on a study, the bad news is we left at 6:55am to walk to the park in the center of Perez Zeledon. But there were a ton of friends from the central congregation doing public witnessing in the park.

Erik walked back up and met the group. FYI: he forgot sunblock and got fried!
I went with Flor on her study, Flor. We got off the bus up in the quebrada and walked about 20 minutes along a pretty creek. She studied the good news brochure and is just starting the bible teach book. Catholic but seems sincere. And she has mango and avocado trees in her back yard so we went home with heavy backpacks.

First meeting in perez zeledon. A little stressful when it's pouring rain, the sister doesn't come home before meeting and we start sensing her elderly father, who she told erik the night before shouldn't b driving, is warming up the 1990, 2 door blue Nissan Beaty:)
Needless to say, r nerves were a bit fried by the time we got to meeting.

They have about 87 publishers and 4 elders, at least 2 servants, not sure number of pioneers-at least 3 that were in pioneer school plus the 2 specials.

I think we may lose weight here

It gets dark by 6pm and we r not in the city anymore so we've been going to bed early and getting up early (I think it's light at 5am) which is good bc service is at 8am-oh yeah!
We decided we would walk to service for the exercise instead of taking the bus. We left ourselves 45 minutes, not exactly sure how long it would take. Got there in 35 minutes, sweating of course. At 7am the sun is out and it's warm. It doesn't take long yo figure out why they start at 8 and finish by 11. It was just Jesus and an older pioneer sister, Flor. We preached right in town-tons of businesses. Let me tell u 2.5 hours of pretty much straight business territory will take away any nervousness. We had a good morning. Flor seems a bit feisty but she invited me on her study the next day, have to catch e bus in the center of town at 7:30-yikes!

They couldn't leave us:)

....they spent the night and went in service with us the next morning. It was at the coordinators house, Jesus, and his wife, Maria (yes I'm serious). They r special pioneers assigned here just over a year ago. Maria grew up in California and speaks English perfectly. Jesus can hold his own and seems to b a character. They have a beautiful home and invited us to stay for lunch.

Erik preached with Jesus and I worked with a sister, Mabel. The territory seemed more receptive here, we were just outside of town, but it only gets worked maybe once a month. We found a lot of people home and placed a ton of tracts. Very hilly and beautiful!

Before leaving, Doris made sure to drive by where service was the next day (every morning and afternoon it's at a different place) and took us by the cellular store to get a chip for a prepaid phone Jesus let us borrow and one for Erik's ipad. Had trouble getting it to work so she took us back (I told u she was like our mother) and got it straightened out so we had a phone to make local calls and internet on Erik's ipad (allegedly)-very spotty which is why u haven't heard much of us lately.

Finally at 5 we said our goodbyes and they nervously left us at the corner grocery store to walk home after we entertained ourselves for a bit by parousing the store. Part of me wanted Doris to stay with us forever and part of me knew we had to grow up eventhough it may not b easy.

Beach Day!

Doris very kindly offered to drive us to our next congregation, San Isidro Norte (Perez Zeledon). It's about 3 hours away thru the mountains but she wanted to take us on the scenic drive (4-5 hours) along the coast.

We were extremely grateful to b able to put r toes in the sand and not have to take the bus. She brought a sister from another congregation, Sandra. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the ocean had to b 90degrees. Not even remotely refreshing but awesome none the less. They couldn't believe that the Pacific Ocean is not always warm.

Because it's winter (rainy season) here right now (they only have 2 seasons-winter and summer) it started to rain in the afternoon as it usually does. So we stopped for a coffee and a snack-patacones (tostones) with black beans and cheese to smear on top. Ridiculously simple and yummy!

By the time we made the cut up thru the mountains it was dark, rainy and foggy. Not the best combo but we had some good classic rock blasting so we were happy until....

Managed to get around it and get to town but had a bit of difficulty finding the house where we would b staying ( did I mention there r no street names or house numbers:o) directions here r not exactly what u would call...um...clear...or understandable. But finally made it to the house at 8pm.  The house was filled with a bunch of people we didn't know again, which of course, makes for a bit of stress for those of u that knowme:) everyone finally trickled out and it was just Guiselle and her parents, Norma y Eulogio that we would b staying with...oh and her brother Andres who didn't really talk and no one in the cong could really answer when we asked if he lives there.
Doris' plans with the sister she was supposed to stay with fell thru so the family invited them to stay too. They reluctantly accepted. Her uneasiness was overshadowed by her motherly instinct to take care of us. As she watched them explain how we take a bus in a town we've never been in before & walk to a house without a number, on a street without a name in a country we've only been in for a week to get to the service group the next day, I could see her concern growing. U have to remember, Doris, her family & the congregation in Alejuelita had basically held our hand the first week and spoonfed us Costa Rica. And we loved it:) it gives u even more appreciation for Jehovah and how wonderful is his organization.

"It's really cold up there!"

Is what we kept hearing from everyone. El Vulcan de Poás.  "How cold is it?, we asked. "Really cold. You're gonna need long pants, coat, hat, scarf, gloves..." It seemed the friends were preparing for a hike up Mt. Everest. So the family Mora lovingly tried to fit Erik with a jacket....um...let me just say the dad is probably 5'3", 140 lbs. U can let ur imagination figure it out:)...oh wait, I have a pic

It's an hour away so we were gonna leave at 7am...we left at 8:30. 3 Cars full, climbing up the almost 9,000 ft. It was a beautiful drive (Credence Clearwater Revival playing on the radio of course) you could feel the temp change a bit as we climbed but not enough to warrant Doris' winter parka.

Let me just say, Erik was just fine in a tshirt, wishing he had not been scared into putting on pants...but notice the locals. I think it was about 60 degrees F.

Unfortunately, when we hiked up it was so cloudy we couldn't see anything. But we patiently waited (bc the weather in CR seems to change rapidly) and the clouds parted for a few brief moments to reveal a partial view of what would have been awesome.

There was smoke coming out bc it is still a live volcano. Then we hiked thru a "cloud forest" to a beautiful lagoon.

Stopped for a delicious lunch. We both ate traditional dishes. Erik had "olla de carne" which is a huge bowl of soup with gigantic pieces of root veggies and beef.

I had chicken casado which was chicken breast cooked on the "plancha" (grill), white rice, black beans, potatoes, tortilla y salad. To drink I had horchata (rice and cinnamon). I tried everyone's fresh fruit drinks and lots of food. Everything looked and tasted delicious.

After lunch, they took us to "la Paz" waterfall which was beautiful as well.

When we got back, Doris had planned a surprise party for us with some friends from the congregation. Should've known when we stopped at a costco-like store and they bought a truck load of desserts. The coordinator and his wife who were in pioneer school all week came so that was nice to spend a bit of time with them. They r special pioneers who graduated a little over a year ago and were assigned here. They spent a week up with the last congregation we r gonna visit and showed us some pics. It's really isolated, u can only get there by boat and need to wear those big boots.

Some brothers came from another congregation to play guitar and sing some Costa Rican songs for us like "soy tico". Erik even sang some CCR with them. Doris loves them and we've been listening to them all week in her car.

The first week passed quickly but it seemed to be a good intro to life here. It's a wonderfully hospitable congregation and we've made some great friendships. Even though I doubt we'll settle in Alajuelita, we will always have a home there.

Tamales y tortillas...costa Rican style

Perfect bfast with coffee. Gretel had asked a coworker to make them for us.

Saturday service: Erik worked with a brother named Eric, everyone seemed entertained by this. I worked with a sister, Susana y su Hijo Josue (Joshua), originally from Nicaragua.

She seemed a bit shy at first... Or dare I say terrified to b put with me as it seems everyone has been. But eventually she opened up and told me about where she is from and learning the truth. When her family came in the truth they had to walk 2.5 hours each way to get to a meeting...for years. Mostly it was her family and an uncle preaching as they were the only ones in the truth and a brother would come once a month to collect their fs reports. Her dad's health has deteriorated to the point that he is wheel chair bound which makes the ministry more challenging-no paved roads or sidewalks and very hilly but they r still faithfully serving Jehovah and the congregation has grown. She has been in CR 12 yrs. she has a daughter in Nicaragua with her parents.  A very humble, hard-working family that could easily b overlooked but definitely part of our great cloud of witnesses who r examples of faith.

We went with Doris' younger sister, Yara, to make a few rv's and got back around 1pm.

Just in time to eat, coffee and rest before 4pm meeting. The temp has been pleasingly mild. The friends here keep saying cold but by no means is it cold, just not as hot as we thought it would b.

After meeting we did Gretel's study with a woman named Linda (just became unbap pub) and her 15 yr old daughter Maria Fernanda.  After, we went to the Moras (Doris's family) for homemade (thick) tortillas with refried black beans and cream smeared on top...and coffee. Yes, Erik loves this country and no, we r not losing weight yet:)

Unfortunately, we r getting used to eating late but Rico would b proud.

Erik's first buzz

(Sorry we have been without Internet. I will try to catch u up)

So we overslept for service-it's not our fault really bc the room is "antitrabajo" as they say here, which means not conducive to work bc it is so dark and quiet.
...or it could have been carrying the washer and dryer, bed frame (in tact), dressers, boxes, etc. out of the apt and up the steps.
Anyway, Neuria was leaving today so it was nice to spend some time with her...and she agreed to cut Erik's hair even though she really didn't have any of her equipment.
Erik kept saying shorter til she had no choice but to buzz it all off.

I know what u were all thinking (buzz)

In the afternoon I went on a really nice study names Yahaira, with Hermano maritza.

She is in the chapter on prayer in the teach book and expressed nice appreciation for what she is learning. Her house is simple but she had a million dollar view out her back patio.

Doris took us to the grocery store to buy everything to make spaghetti and meatballs with real sauce. That might not sound too exciting to y'all but Gretel and Doris' family loved it. I was super excited to find fresh "albaca" (basil) they don't really seem to use it here but it was a pretty big grocery store. It was the first time we spent 38,000 on groceries, colones that is:) Not sure if I'll ever figure out the exchange (approx. 530 to 1)

...And then there was none

....hot water that is. It seems we may not have known how to use the contraption and while Erik was "preheating" it it turned bright red inside and shorted out. Seriously. Lol. But fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, a cold shower is just like riding a bike, well maybe not just like it. More like a riding on a cold, rainy day.

Despite the fiasco we did manage to make the 8:15 group for preaching. It's similar to Ecuador in that the get their 2.5 hours in by 11, u go back home for "almuerzo" (lunch). Wednesday  Neuria, the sister that lives in the apt behind us made us lunch. I met her at 7am when she knocked on the door with yogurt and bread and wanted to make us bfast. Super sweet! She goes to a sign language cong but is moving to serve where the need is greater in Guanacaste (a different province in Costa  Rica ). 
We went back out at 2 with Doris to do some rv's. We went up the mountain a bit which is really pretty bc u can see San Jose in the distance.

She wanted to take Erik on a guy that always says he doesn't speak Spanish but he wasn't home:( she also took Erik on a visit with a small store owner who has some family in the truth and seems disposed to talk. We went back sat with the teach bk to continue the conversation about the kingdom. We met his wife and he asked for r email so he could stay in touch- he emailed a few hours later so we will see.

Thursday service again. The territory here is a bit tough bc the work it so frequently that many don't answer and then u see them when u r on the other side of the street. And u have to yell "Buenos Dias" bc everything is gated and u can't get close to the door let alone knock. No doorbells hardly...definitely no house numbers ...nor street names. It's amazing how they are able to keep track of territories and not-at-homes here. I can only imagine how many nh slips they go thru bc u can only fit about 4 on each page by the time u describe the house color, color of the metal gates and any other pertinent details for the poor publisher that will have to try to work the nh's. And there is always at least 2 pairs working house over  house, if not 4 or 5 or 6. The streets r like a maze that slowly wind up the mountain-no nice neat little blocks.

In the afternoon I went with Neuria on a study with the mom of one of her students who is hearing and Erik did a study for the coordinator who was in pioneer school. As soon as we got home we changed and started helping Neuria pack up and move. Just to heighten ur stress, besides not having dollies or u-hauls, imagine the the sister from around the corner who  was gonna move in standing there with arms full of stuff while we r moving things out. Then she "hijacks" the brother who came to help and next thing I know he's back and his truck is full of her stuff. To ad insult to injury no one in the neighborhood had a ratchet to take the bed frame apart. In case ur wondering, there's no where to call for pizza when ur done so we made dinner and ate at 10:45pm...u do the math:)

Hot water, toilet seats, coffee, oh my!

I almost forgot- this may not look like much to u, but these wires going into this shower head ensure that this Costa Rican adventure will not be starting with screams like Guayaquil ...sorry to disappoint u all. Normally, electricity and water don't mix but when in Rome. (Close ur eyes joe)

Sad to say, r complete exhaustion did not allow us to wake up in time for the 8:15 service group, yes u read correctly, 8:15 AM! But we did make it for 10:00 " desalmuerzo" (brunch) at Doris's moms house. "Gallo pinto" comida tipica de Costa Rica. Deliciosa!

Seeing that we already played hooky, Doris thought it a good day to show us downtown San Jose. We r staying in alejuelita, a suburb about 15 min away. We went to the national museum of C.R. And the first room u pass thru is a butterfly atrium. I think I took 100 pics trying to catch the beautiful blue ones with their wings open...arghhhh!

Stopped to grab delicious takeout of more comida tipica: chorreadas(corn pancakes) with crema y queso, arroz con leche, enyucados (something like a potato croquet but made with yuca), and "tortillas" different than mexican but super yummy.

P.S. The coffee is as delicious as Erik had hoped:)

We are enjoying the "modern comforts" this week bc we prob won't have them in sepecue, talamanca ( the last cong we r gonna visit)