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Forty years ago, we called San José, Costa Rica home. Our purpose was to learn the Spanish language and Latin American culture. Before the year had ended, we were living in Quito, Ecuador and beginning to learn that language and culture is not homogenous across Latin America. I’m sure you’re aware that language and culture is not the same in each region of our nation.
Sylvia and I spent 5 mornings a week in classes. Our afternoons were spent in study. While we were in class, our younger son was in a pre-kinder. Our older son was enrolled in a nearby English-language school.
On Saturday, we would board a public bus and ride north to Cartago. Cartago is the ancient capitol of Costa Rica. It was also the site of a Saturday market. Farmers brought their produce where they sold it at the largest farmer’s market that I have seen.
One of our favorite characters was the older fellow who sold oranges. Our Spanish was limited and he was patient with us and we all laughed. A lot. For us he came to epitomize the industry, warmth and humor of a wonderful group of people.
Sylvia stand beside the Orange Man.
We enjoyed our weekly trip to the market in Cartago. We would return from the trip with two or three bags full of fresh fruit and vegetables. I sometimes wonder what it is like there today.
I knew Sylvia in a flash with that smile, but I thought for a minute there that you had seriously changed.
I have changed. :surrender: However, that’s not me. I was probably 20 years younger than that warm and friendly Costa Rican farmer. :beam:
How wonderful that God granted you the opportunity to see so much of His wonderful world. Thank you for sharing the memory.
Yes it was wonderful, and completely amazing. I’ve been on four continents, got wet in Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas. Been from sea level to 14 thousand feet up in the Andes Mountains of South America. And just as God saw it when He created it, it was good. :up:
What a great adventure! Do you ever want to go back to see if it has stayed the same?
I laughed at Terri’s comment. It’s amazing that people don’t understand accents across our country. I crack up when Joe talks to our friend from Alabama–he talks so softly, slowly and with a deep southern drawl. I can tell by Joe’s face that he has NO idea what the man is saying–he just keeps smiling and nodding. Me, I have no problem, but Joe can’t get it.
No strong desire to return. I know that it has changed. And that’s okay. :up:
Terri’s comment elicited a number of memories like that, but without subtitles. :ha:
It is so interesting how lives change and how people influence us. I also had a similar experience when I came from Cuba over 40 years ago…what a wonder for a child to experience different culture, speech and try to make a new life in a new country. Thank you for sharing your experience
Hola Maria,
Thanks for the visit and the comment. I believe that introducing our sons to another language and culture and people of different races may have been one of the greatest legacies we could have given them.
Nice post! Use Google Earth’s Street View to check it out…
Good idea. I spent some time on Bing maps, but had trouble identifying neighborhoods and locations. 🙁
Thank you for sharing this bit of your past. A storehouse full of memories is a treasure.
Those were days that required a will to work and a sense of humor. Fortunately, Sylvia and I both have both. :up:
Yes, I’m wondering if you were missionaries at that time also?? I’m sure you could pull up a few familiar pictures/locations if you travel vicariously via the web. I like that your wife is wearing an orange dress as she stands next to the “orange” man – lol!
Yes, we were Shar. Were you too? I hadn’t noticed the orange dress and the significance before.
First time visitor. Great story! Language is so diverse. Even here in the US. We were watching a tv show about alligators in the Florida swamps and they put English subtitles under the swamp mans words! We understood him, but I guess the producer didn’t! These wonderful memories you have are so fun. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Terri Betz,
One of the more interesting experiences I’ve had was watching a Georgia boy try to communicate with a room full of New Englanders. Head scratching ensued. 🙄
I was just thinking the same thing about the picture of Sylvia. I am also curious if I have missed something somewhere. Were you guys over there as missionaries or was it work related?
I would love to travel like that. Thanks for sharing with us again today Chuck. I may not be able to partake in this meme but I am sure loving reading yours and now Joan is doing it too!
I hope you guys have a great weekend! 😀
We were on our way to Ecuador, where we were missionaries for one term. Turns out my body can’t stand living in high altitudes. 🙁
I’d just love to visit Costa Rica, and you got to live there! What a nice experience to have under your belts, and that’s an awesome picture of Sylvia.
Costa Rica is incredibly beautiful. In the mountains, the climate is as close to perfect as I’ve experienced.