Back to the US

Back to the US! (We were excited.)

We returned to the US a bit earlier than anticipated to attend Mark's brother's graduation from Texas A&M (whoop!). It was a joy to visit with family, celebrate, enjoy American cuisine, and sleep well. Our first meal back (famous pork loin recipe from Aunt Cherie, sweet potatoes, salad with fruit, and steamed broccoli):

Then, we headed to Virginia to spend some time at the beach with our Virginia family. Building sand castles with our little nephew, Ashton:

After the beach, we spent a day at Busch Gardens, where Lindsay went almost every summer when she was in high school. Ashton got to meet Grover:

And Mark and Lindsay got to ride some rides:

Thank you to all of our family who welcomed us back warmly.

Volcan Poas

Continuing with our volcano theme, we decided to make one last trip to a volcano before returning to the US. We headed to Alajuela, and visited nearby Poas Volcano. Normally, we read up on the sites we visit, but this time, we failed to review the write-up, and the note that said, "Dress warmly, because the area around Volcan Poas can be quite windy and wet, and can drop to freezing temperatures at night. Oops! We thoroughly enjoyed the sites, but were rather chilly in the venture. Hope you enjoy the pics!

Information about the various areas of the main crater:

Main crater, with sulfur smoke billowing out; old crater that is now filled with a lake (two bottom pictures):

White-water Rafting

Costa Rica is known for some of the best white water rafting in the Americas, and Turrialba is a main hub. Thus, we took a day after the wedding to take advantage of our location and experience white water in Costa Rica. Enjoy the pics!

Go teams!

Hold on tight!

Where did Mark´s body go?
Way to paddle Mark!
And, we´re pulling out:

Lunch break:

Amazing view of the gorge we floated through:
Where did the boat go?

Flotation and a great guide are wonderful things:

We made it! Go teams!

I Do

When we worked at the first farm, we blogged (title: "Minus One") about having met a few locals, one of which Lindsay worked with regularly: Raquel. In April, Raquel invited us to her Saturday church, and we attended. We were welcomed warmly by her family and had the opportunity to meet Raquel´s fiance. They invited us to their wedding in May, but we did not think we would be able to return for it. God had other plans. Our schedule worked out that we had to pass through Turrialba on the way to Alajuela for our flight this week, and we were able to visit the Jimenez family once more and celebrate with them at the wedding!

Soccer game day before the wedding:

We stayed at Raquel and David´s house, built by Raquel´s dad. (when we first visited it in April, it had only the framework complete):

Now, it was furnished! Main room downstairs:

ONTO THE WEDDING ON SUNDAY!

The reception hall, waiting to be filled with smiling guests:

The cake:

Everyone waiting outside, expectantly:

David, with his parents, about to enter the church:

Raquel and her father:

The beautiful bride, Raquel:

The service (Raquel´s dad is the pastor, so he performed the service.):

The overflow of folks looking in from outside the church:

The exchanging of the Bibles: (Raquel explained to me that in their tradition, they exchange Bibles, instead of rings.)

The kiss!

The (TWO!) happy NEWlywed couple(s):

For lunch, we had mixed rice with chicken and veggies, salad, and juice or soda. (no pic)

The cutting of the cake:

The opening of the gifts:

Animal House

After a relaxing few days celebrating our anniversary in Punta Uva, we reunited with our German friend, Markus, in Puerto Viejo. The hostel (Rocking J´s) was huge...and a little like Animal House, having a party atmostphere. Complete with a "hammock hotel" and "rent-a-tent" area, more people slept in hammocks and tents than in actual beds. We selected to sleep in beds, and though the accommodations were very basic, we enjoyed the direct beach access, hammocks, and artsy surroundings. Pictures below.

Entrance:

Communal area:

More hang-out/communal areas:

A main shared shower/toilet area:

Shared shower:

Shared toilet:
Part of the hammock hotel, with lockers in the rear:

Shared hammocks, with ocean breeze blowing through:

Walkway to the beach:

The beach:

Path to the center of Puerto Viejo: