roadie journal #3

2 days after the Seattle trip, i met my family back home in Myrtle Beach and we flew out to Costa Rica. i don't know what it is about foreign cultures, but i'm really drawn to them. i've only been out of the country 3 times (twice to Costa Rica & once to Nicaragua), but i have a real sensation for traveling and experiencing new and different places.

Costa Rica is a somewhat "3rd World Country" or even "Developing Country," a term used by our missionary there, and it is located right in the middle of Central America, with Nicaragua on the north border and Panama the south. it has a annual income per person of $12k US dollars with a population of approximately 6 million people, 2&1/2 million residing in the San Jose area. also, it is approximately half the size of South Carolina and produces beautiful people, beautiful mountains, over 100 volcanoes (only a hundful are active), beautiful animals, rain forests, beaches and steep cliffs. the common language is Spanish. Most of the younger children and students are learning English in school, but you wont be able to get by without knowing a few Spanish phrases. The food is different, but good if you're not picky. there are some modern conveniences in the metropolis of San Jose, but most of the country living is rural without air conditioning, hot water or internet. all the houses have walls surrounding the property with bars on the windows and sometimes barbed wire on top of the fence. your things will be stolen if they aren't watched or protected. in the city, every house is connected wall to wall, without a yard or trees. it is very different than North America...quite a culture shock.

all in all, i love it. if you've never been outside the States, you need to do yourself a favor to travel and open your eyes to the other countries around the world. you will be humbled and very grateful when you return to your suburbian 2 story house with a 2 car garage, a yard, multiple vehicles, air conditioning, hot water, wireless internet, tvo, theatres, malls, Walmart, and safety.

tomorrow i'll chat about the enormous waves!! Seth and i almost died.