25

25 things I have learned or loved about Costa Rica so far:

1. Bug bites dont itch until 4 days after you get them, and bug spray with only 7% deet is a complete joke

2. Car doors are to be closed MUY SUAVE.

3. Just because a car is 5 feet away doesnt mean you cant pull out in front of them.

4. Toilet paper does not go in the toilet, but in the trash beside the toilet.

5. Conrado: He may not speak a word of English but is by far the funniest person I have met in Costa Rica.

6. I do not look like a gringo. Confirmed by local children.

7. Rain on the tin roofs.

8. Pineapple.

9. Saying I am American or from America is rude...because technically everyone in the Western Hemisphere is American. Therefore on 4th of July I ran around not saying AMERICAAA, but LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS!

10. Do not pick up a child and swing him around. If you pick up one, you must pick up all.

11. Rush hour is not at 5, but whenever the rain starts.

12. We need VIP movies in the states. Recliners and waiters for everyone. Sushi is also an option on the menu.

13. YoungLife skits fly in Costa Rica. We did the movie theater and the house is on fire. “La casa esta en fuego”

14. Cuidado. Careful.

15. Máma is the nicest grandma you could ever meet.

16. When told a time to be ready...go ahead and give yourself that extra hour of sleep, its not necessary to “be on time”

17. Be like the boy scouts: always be prepared! (raincoats and long sleeve shirts, bug bite itch relief, sunscreen, etc).

18. Babies here are a lot easier to like.

19. Double dutch is still only for the cool kids.

20. Anyone who looks Asian is called a chino (aka intern Jonathan).

21. Watching world cup games during VBS.

22. “Dank” good food.

23. Singing the “la cucaracha” song while killing bugs ... “la cucaracha, la cucaracha, ya no puede caminar” and yes, they have an open invite to all houses

24. Kids go crazy for bouncy houses, and bouncy houses are not made for big kids.

25. Surprise trips to get a sweet snack :)