Vaya con Dios

Once upon a time, one of the many projects that I made in Spanish class in high school required a motto. I decided on "Vaya con dios", which translates to "Go with God". I remember telling the class that I decided on this motto because "if you go with God, life is much more beautiful". Looking back over the past 48 hours, I know that this motto definitely applies.


Traveling is stressful. I love it, but it is a challenge. My first flight was delayed by 3 hours. That caused me to miss my connection and have a 6 hour lay over in Houston. It didn't help that I was already nervous about going and now stressed about flights and had ample time to sit and think. Then, I arrived 6 hours late in Costa Rica at about 11pm. Stressful, to say the least.

Good thing I had some angels. Like the little girl I sat next to on the flight to Houston that kept me busy by telling me everything she loved about her trip to Chicago. (The highlight for her? Lou Malnatis Pizza. Atta girl!) Like the post-grad I met that was doing a similar program in San Jose also, who lent me her iphone charger when mine was about to die and then spent the whole time in Houston with me when we were stuck. Like my family that listened to my multiple calls about flights and fears. Like the Tican woman I met on my flight to Costa Rica that gave me her phone number and email just in case I needed anything. Like the travel agent that picked another student and me up from the airport that was so funny I couldn't even think about being nervous. Like my family that graciously greeted me even at the late hour.

After everything, I am so happy that I am here. My family is fun and exciting. The father loves to talk about anything and even taught my housemate and me how to make an origami "paloma" or crane. My mother is very sweet and can cook food that would put Los Potrillos to shame. The twin daughters are very funny, especially when the father is talking and they are making comments. The dog, Inca, is going to be my best friend. Dubhe, the cat, though, will not. 

My school is small and very artsy. Orientation today was not exactly helpful, but thankfully, I met some friends and we figured things out together. Classes start tomorrow. While I might not know exactly where any of the bathrooms in the school are, or where my class is, or anything for that matter, I do know that I will go con dios.