I feel grateful that my heart is open to new experiences, because the transition to tican (Costa Rican) life has been much simpler. My mama tica welcomed me with open arms, and offered me cake and sweet tea with lemon, which I gladly accepted. After we enjoyed some cake and small conversation (in Spanish which was very limited on my part) I settled into my room in this delightful house. Although all the houses are guarded with large metal gates similar to prisons, they are quite charming, and even more so on the inside. With two comfortable living rooms, a bedroom to myself, clean white tile floors and a small indoor garden, my new home is the perfect place to relax. Saturday afternoon mama tica and I strolled around our neighborhood (Santa Marta) and into San Pedro (a smaller town within San Jose). I do not remember narrowly escaping being hit by a car so many times in my entire life! My papa tica returned from work in the afternoon, and my new family and I talked over dinner. Communications have improved immensely since my arrival a little over a week ago, my host parents speak slowly so that I understand, and I try to explain myself in small sentences. My mama and papa tica teach me words which I write in a little book given to me by my aunt, they love it! I would have to say that I have learned the most just from talking with them in the evenings, they are great teachers. Mama tica gives me snacks (galletas y chocolate y jugo) and little reminder notes during the week, which makes me smile. I am so content in my house with my new family, and am extremely grateful to have been placed with such awesome and supportive host parents! Their kindness has already touched my heart.