This morning I awoke around 6:30 am to head to breakfast. Breakfast included bread, pineapple (which was extremely fresh), banana, eggs, and of course rice and beans. After we finished our meal and packed our bags, we loaded into vans and headed for a local school. Here we were given the opportunity to simply interact with local students and see what their world is like. Before I knew it, I was playing soccer with them, boys versus girls. It took me a minute to get the hang of things again, but after a few trips and mistakes, I was playing like I used to and it felt amazing.
Finishing our game, which the boys won, we broke into two groups. One group was placed in the first second and third grade classroom while the other was in the fourth and fifth grade room. I was in the upper grades room. We were given the opportunity to ask the kids and the teachers questions while they were given the same opportunity. Of course we had a translator due to the fact that the kids and I speak different languages. All the questions were asked and answered in about thirty minutes or so. After finishing here, we proceeded to a local's house for an interview.
A local Ladino (Latino) opened her home to us and allowed us to ask her any questions we had. From this interview we conducted, we gathered a good deal of information about her community. Most people of this community tend to marry younger and have babies immediately; she married at nineteen and had a baby within the year. After marriage, the couple then usually will move in with the woman's family. Other information was divulged and a lot was learned. It was a good opportunity for us to learn about yet another culture in Costa Rica.
Later that day we went for a gorgeous "hike". We were told this was going to be a ten minute one when in reality it was about two minutes. Here we took multiple pictures before heading to lunch. After finishing our meal, we proceeded on our journey over to Hotel Shawanda. Arrival was smooth. We were given our room assignments and settled in quickly. This time around I am paired with Tamera and Mary Lee. The three of us claimed our beds and talked until preparing for dinner.
Throwing on a t-shirt and shorts, I joined the rest of the group as we walked up the street to dinner. We were served Caribbean food consisting of chicken and rice and beans. At dinner, everyone was making plans to go out on the town for the evening. Not knowing they were going until it was too late to get ready and really not feeling up for it, I decided to stay in, along with Mary Lee, while the remainder of the group jumped in taxis and headed for town.
Playing soccer with the kids and seeing their passion for the sport reminded me of how much I loved playing and how much I miss it. It has been over a year since I last played, and I never thought I would play again. Today, my mind was completely changed. I learned that if you have a passion for something, giving up on it is not an option. Even if I never play for a team of my own again, I know I will still participate in some capacity. Passion is important and everyone deserves the opportunity to experience theirs.
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