Sad sendoff for Nik

At the Liberia airport, a sloth and turtles keep on eye on your car, no tipping necessary.

Today we had to say good bye to Nik, as he headed back to Portland for two weeks of work.   We had an easy drive to the airport in Liberia, but it was very sad for our kids, especially Madeleine and Henry, to let him go.  We have been so tight these last (almost) 2 months, and our kids have become so used to having Nik around all the time.    We are very lucky!  As we were walking out of the airport without Nik, the thought occurred to me that I was now alone with 3 kids in a foreign country.  Not a big deal really.  Fortunately we all feel comfortable and at home here.  

For some distraction from the goodbye blues, we stopped at a sparkly new-looking mall just outside Liberia.  We found a movie theater showing a couple of movies in English with Spanish subtitles (including Les Mis) and more movies that we did not recognize in Spanish.  This is the first movie theater we’ve seen in Costa Rica.  We were too early to see a movie, so Sullivan and I checked out the kids play area instead, where you pay by the amount of time you want to play.  We opted for 15 minutes for about $2.  Most of the features were familiar, but there were some new things too, like the mini zipline (fitting for CR!) and a waterbed/ trampoline thing with little fake fish inside.  Afterwards all 3 kids shared a banana split, and we headed for home.  The return drive was longer, thanks to many slow trucks on the 2-lane PanAmerican Highway.  Today while we were driving, the temperature peaked at 38C (100.4F)!  

5-year-old's oasis.

Zipline feature with an awesome crash landing.

Ice cream almost makes up for missing Dad.

Back at home, we got ourselves organized for a productive spring break week, we hope.  Our to-do lists include lots of Spanish, some science studying to get ready for Madeleine and Henry’s last exams, and some soccer playing.  We gawked at the snowy photo of the Costa Rican team playing last night in Denver.  We feel for them, as we know what a shock it would be coming from 100 degree weather to play in frigid snow.  Coincidentally, Nik flew through Denver this evening on his way to Portland and reported that the temp was 18.  And of course that’s F, not C.

I got a little Spanish work in today, translating the directions on the toilet cleaner.  The important word  I missed when I bought this a while ago was “repuesto” (replacement).  The all-important mango (handle) is not included for this strange contraption in the repuesto.  Well, once I get the whole thing, I have the Google translation of the instructions ready to go!  Soon our sanitarios (toilets) will smell of brisa de mar (sea breeze)!

Huh?

Thanks, Google Translate.  Now I get it… I think.

Pura vida!