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Yet another week here has gone by, and another great one at that! After returning home from Panama on Monday, it was time to get into the Halloween spirit.  Melissa and I wanted to come up with the most inexpensive and easiest costumes possible, so we went with cats.  We went to the Mall San Pedro and grabbed two pairs of ears, and we were all set. The next evening, we wanted to come up with something a little different, so we got creative with items that were already in our closet. After digging through my stuff for a while, I was able to put together a “safari adventure” outfit.  (Thanks mom for having me bring those quick-dry shorts and binoculars, and thanks to my other roommate Elaysha for the hat!).

This week was my first week without Spanish classes, so I had a three-day weekend. On Friday, I woke up early to go on a run with my friend Stephanie, and we explored a bit of the neighborhood.  I took her to a nearby park called Parque La Paz, which she had never seen before.  It feels good to be able to be someone else’s tour guide in San Jose! In the afternoon, Braden, Bradley, Melissa and I went to the artisan market downtown.  We spent a long time looking around, and I made a few purchases.  I figured I should start gathering some Christmas presents now, because I know it’ll be here before we know it.

On Saturday morning, a couple friends and I had arranged to go check out a place that sells totally organic jewelry made from bananas, orange peels, and other fruit products.  It was right inside the artist’s house, and the jewelry was beautiful – plus I love the story behind it all.  This is the website if you want to look at any of her products: http://www.artesaniasdecrochet.com/

Saturday afternoon, Melissa and I went with the family to Mercedes’ mother’s house in Cartago.  We love our abuela tica, or “Tita” as they affectionately call her.  She stayed at our house for a week while our housekeeper was sick, so we have gotten to know her a little. Her home in Cartago is beautiful.  It is very modern in style, and it is set atop a hill, so in the mornings she said you can see both the Irazú and Turrialba Volcanoes clearly through the large glass windows in the living room.  Many friends and family came over to Tita’s house because they were holding a Rosary service for Mercedes’ father, who passed away at the end of September.  After the moving service, the family shared delicious desserts and pastries together, and sang and played guitar for the rest of the evening.  Today is Mercedes’ and Jose’s 12^th anniversary, so when we got back to the house, the party continued.  They had some more friends over, and we played cards together till early in the morning.  It’s been a weekend full of fun, family, and culture, and now it’s time to get back to business.  Melissa and I will doing homework for the rest of this lovely Sunday, and I’ll be eagerly anticipating the arrival of my parents this Wednesday!!