CAMPING

August 14, 2011

It finally happened.  After nearly twenty-three years of marriage, four kids, and eighteen domiciles that we have called “home” it’s never been a problem.  But on the nineteenth, there was a clear competition over the bedrooms.  Will protect the guilty and not mention names, but the irony is that the room that was the coveted, and the one that was scorned, were in opposite esteem just five weeks ago.  Oh well.  Truth be known, it is the difference between a Bentley and a Benz (size, views, quality, each has walk-in closet, each has great views)—a point which has been emphasized, but only partially accepted so far.

Entry to the Apartment--which will be through the elevator door at the end of the hall

Yesterday we “moved in” to our apartment after six weeks of hotel living.  We have all new appliances that we bought last week, so we can cook, clean dishes, wash clothes, all from the comfort of our own home.  What we don’t have, however, is anything to sit on.  Literally.  The floor is our throne.  Last night we slept on blow-up air mattresses; two queens and a double—which means that Dalton and Braden had to share.  Don’t yet know how that worked out for them, but if it was at all like Dayna’s and my experience, they gradually lost about half of their air overnight.

Did we mention we like the views?

As comfortable as that wasn’t, the inconvenience of no furniture in the house was eclipsed by the awe of waking up to the sunrise over the Central Valley as it is called here in San Jose.  Personally, I love it.  We have wonderful views in any room with windows.  From the front of the house, it is mountains, valley, our suburb of Escazu, and the city of San Jose.  From the back windows of the house, it is Costa Rican countryside—literally.  There is a lot on a hill behind us where a few minutes ago I watched the chickens roaming the field looking for breakfast.

Sunrise this morning from our Master Bedroom

On Wednesday or Thursday, we will be getting a bit of rental furniture, thank you Cargill, until ours arrives.  (Since Dayna has not yet packed it out, getting our own in house could still be a couple of months away).  Gotta love camping!

View from our breakfast area--back of the house

Tomorrow, Monday, is Mother’s Day here in Costa Rica.  To their credit, it is a national holiday—i.e., the kind where people don’t go to work.  There will likely still be some stores open, and we will likely go look for area rugs.

Last Friday the kids had new student orientation, and school starts this Tuesday (the 16^th).  We have sensed a little nervousness, but nothing too onerous.  They will be in uniforms, and all three campuses (high school—Dalton; middle school—Brynne; and elementary school—Braden) are all within a stone’s throw of each other.  With the high mix of nationalities in the school, we expect a United Nations experience for them.  We are also assuming, from admissions testing and standards that have already taken place, that Country Day may require more study at home that our kids have been accustomed to.

To their credit, all three of the kids have “exceeded expectations” (can I use performance review lexicon?) this summer.  Rarely a complaint has passed their lips about the move.  They have dived in heads first with Spanish, and with Church, and even tennis.  We fully expect they will take on their new school with the same approach, and do just fine.

I will be going to Nicaragua on Wednesday and Thursday.  This will be a first for me.  I have been told multiple times that Nicaragua is the safest country in Central America.  I am looking forward to the visit.

For the record, we now have Vonage set up as well.  So if you want to call us, just use our Jacksonville number (217-245-9597), it has followed us here.

We hope all is well for you, and hope to hear from you soon.

Pura Vida!

The Karlinseys