Mi Familia Tica

Ticos are what Costa Ricans called themselves so here in Costa Rica we all live with Familias Ticas or Tica Families. Due to my schedule I really don't spend a lot of time at home with my family but they are a great bunch. Clarisa is my mama tica and has 7 children. I don't know for sure but I believe she is close to 70. Two of Clarisa's children, Raul and Claudia live in the house behind us with Claudia's children Andres and Indiana. With my other two housemates we make quite the tica family.

I absolutely love my family because in many ways they resemble my family back home. I can't pinpoint similar personalities but the community is very much the same. First, Costa Ricans are very affectionate. We all say good morning, good night, hello, good bye, how was your day? because if we didn't it would be rude. I give and get a kiss on the cheek every morning, evening, and every time I leave or come home. All these little customary actions create a closeness amongst us all. We joke all the time (in Spanish of course) and breakfast or dinner consists of many laughs. In that way dinner is similar to back at home...well minus the food.

Not only am I fed twice a day but Clarisa (or the house help I'm not quite sure) does my laundry daily and folds my clothes....its looks better than anything I could ever do. Every morning I make my bed and pick up my room and everyday when I come home my bed has been remade perfectly, my pictures put in a nice row and my book organized. I am spoiled here!

My clothes are folded perfectly everyday

Tonight, mamita (what I call Clarisa) and I had an hour long conversation while I ate my dinner. Even though I was stressed from school and everything that needed to be done this conversation helped relax me. It was fun to talk, learn more about their culture and touch some interesting topics. Not only did my Spanish improve but my relationship with Clarisa deepened. Today was a reminder of what I've learned over the last few months, family is so important no matter what form it takes. I am thousands of miles away from my family but I have a family here too. They may never be the same as the ones I have back home but I am not a stranger in this how. We all have a general interest in each others lives and it is nice to know that I have people I can depend on here. 

Even though things can be stressful here I always have my family with me. I wake up to these faces everyday.