2018 Summer Adventure: Day Two, Road Trip

2018 Summer Adventure

Sorry we are posting a few days late.  We've been so busy and so tired each night, we get back to the hotel and just crash to the sounds of crickets, frogs and the jungle.

Day Two:  July 5th

We leave Liberia for our home for the next 2 weeks:

Horquetas de Sarapiqui

Each day is a new day, a new experience, a new wonder and a new love.  

Each day we pray for God's guidance, His peace and His patience.

He has blessed us abundantly.

Each day we see a sparkle of God's beauty in the tapestry he has painted in our midst.  

Each day we decide what new experience, what new adventure we share with our loved ones back home.

What a day filled with adventures!  

Woke up, ate breakfast and packed our bags to get on the bus with Denis, our new best friend and his wife Damaris.  Off we went. 

Then, our first stop was at the bank due to some construction payment complications- kids decided to exchange their US dollars to Costarican Colones. With their cash in hand, each grabbed a ticket and waited for their number to be called.

Josie and Frank had exchanged their money and when it was Johnny and West's turn there was a little problem. The lady looked at their passports and realized they were too young. That meant that Johnny and West weren't able to exchange money and Josie and Frank had to re exchange their money and get US dollars back. We learned that you are not supposed to exchange money unless you are 18 and older.  Best part was that the women who helped Josie and Frank didn't know what to do... they had to consult with their "jefe"...classic!   With the help of the bus driver's wife, they gave her their money and she exchanged it. All was good and Nancy did what she needed to as well. Soon after, the kids were off to spend their new money on costarican snacks and beverages for our bus ride.

After a short bus ride (3 hours) to Upala, just a hop, skip and a jump for Nicaragua, we stopped for an amazing meal and a priceless cultural experience.  We entered the market in search of a place for lunch.  After walking and observing the different, small business establishments and multiple "sodas" (mini cafe type countertop restaurant), we decided on "soda de Lindo"...

Group favorites were cow tongue, liver, carrot and orange juice, and the atmosphere of sitting around the counter and sharing "casados" our first meal together as a group.

A "casado" is a typical meal with a your choice of a meat, rice, beans, fried plantains, a salad, cheese an some form of potato (in our case, mashed).

Once everyone had a full stomach we got back on the bus and were getting even closer to our destination. while we were on our way we saw a vendor on the side of the road selling "mamones chinos".     -- Everyone got their own bag and we again hopped back on the bus.  

We were getting closer and closer to our hotel "Sueno Azul" and we finally arrived! We unpacked our bags from the bus and carried everything over a bridge.

THE BRIDGE

"ohh my gosh"  says Josie.  It's a wobbly, single person walkway over a flowing river with rapids and rocks.  Green forest surrounds our view and as we approach the other side, a "Bienvenidos" sign greets us.

As we approach the lobby, pulling our bags over cobblestones, and past the swimming pool, we are pleasantly greeted with our welcome drinks of fresh passion fruit juice. YUM!

After a quick dip in the pool for the kids and an Imperial for the adults...

---we gathered for a meal together and to share the highlights of the day. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY:

We decided that at the end of everyday, (or the beginning of the next, depending on how tired we are) we would gather and each share one highlight of the day.  Highlights of Day 2:

• Frank:  The bridge was super cool
• West:  The food, all the food
• Johnny:  Everything!
• Josie:  Manones chinos from the vendor on the roadside
• Paul:  The housing stock.  Homes here are very different than those back home.
• Nancy:  Watching the kids master their Spanish everywhere we went.
• Jeff:  Going to US owned discount store (not to be named) to look for level and all the strange looks from "ticos" as he and Paul walk side-by-side.  

2018 Summer Adventure

Day One:  July 4th  

We leave our beloved country on it's birthday to celebrate a new kind of life in Horquetas de Sarapiqui

Each day is a new day, a new experience, a new wonder and a new love.  

Each day we pray for God's guidance, His peace and His patience.

He has blessed us abundantly.

Each day we see a sparkle of God's beauty in the tapestry he has painted in our midst.  

Each day we decide what new experience, what new adventure we share with our loved ones back home.

Today on this day, seven of our adventurous volunteers will meet in Liberia, Costa Rica.  Paul Bertucci left a day to encounter his own adventures.  Jeff Larson left on his own a bit later than us to enjoy a few more hours of sleep in his comfy, "size appropriate" Minnesota bed.

As for the five of us (Nancy and West Alvarado, Josie Kietzmann, Johnny Falzone and Frank Lizzi).  We arrived early to depart together on this journey.  

Costa Rica here we come!

The day was long, but not without adventure, laughs and new beginnings.  One adult and four youth... what can possibly go wrong?  First:  Nancy's bag was searched... culprit was the Spot It card game.  Johnny's bag was then searched... culprit... Swedish fish.  Frank's bag was opened at customs... culprit St. Louis Park based Nordicware bundt pans.  And somehow, Josie was able to sneak scissors through... what an adventure!

We made it to Houston!

While in Houston (for a very long layover) we ate, we walked, we painted our nails, walked some more, we ate again, we read, we gamed, we waited.

  

Then, finally, we board, we do more reading, more gaming, more eating, some sleeping, listen to a very sad baby cry, and finally...

YA ESTAMOS AQUI EN COSTA RICA - PURA VIDA

We grabbed our bags and headed to our simple hotel located in downtown Liberia.  

It's hot and sticky here but we are ready for our next adventure. 

Now let's let this real journey begin!

Stay tuned... more to come...

New Adventures for 2013

Please join us with prayers and encouragement

as we plan our next adventures

to San Marcos de Cutris.  

All because we can't stay away from the joy and happiness that comes from serving others!

This year our focus will continue in the small village of San Marcos.  Our goal is to replace the 20+ pound door, with a light weight, more manageable door, insulate the dome, build a workstation, possibly a display case, and bake more breads.

West, Ana, a friend and I (Nancy) will return, leaving Minnesota June 20 and returning July 17th.  A new traveler, (longtime supporter of the project) Joanna, will join us July 3-17th.  We are hopeful that Jeff and his wife can find a way to join us as well for those last couple weeks.  We welcome others who have a passon to serve, a willingness to get their hands dirty, and an open heart to new, life-long friendships to consider joining us (as well as financially supporting our efforts).

In addition to the oven work, AnaGrace and her friend Mariel will be focusing their volunteer time at the local two-room school house.  Their goal is to raise $500 to buy supplies for all 87 students.

To start off their school supplies fundraising efforts, 

we invite you all to stop by our 

FIVE FAMILY GARAGE SALE

Saturday, May 11th from 9:00-3:00!  

If finding treasures isn't your pleasure, 

PLEASE stop by and eat some bread to raise dough!  

more details to come.

6 week check-in and all is baking STRONG

The Perez family is loving their new oven.  I spoke with Cristina and Laura today and they shared with me their adventures with their baking.  Currently they are making coconut filled empanadas, cinnamon and pineapple rolls, cheese stuffed breads and different varieties of coffee cakes.  

The are doing most of their baking on the week-ends.  Heating the oven up to only 400 degrees and baking the breads at a lower temperature.  Their clientele consists of their standard customers who purchase their eggs, two local grocery stores and the Dole processing plant.  They make over 800 empanadas along with cinnamon and pineapple rolls and other breads depending on demand.   They will soon be testing their baking strategies with biscochos; a corn based, crunchy donut shaped treat.

With $600 still in the bank, we are looking for ways to send a plastic bag sealer, more cash for baking materials, and additional bread baking ideas.  If you know of anyone who is planning to travel to Costa Rica, please let us know.  Also, if you know of any brick bread oven bakers who would be willing to share some of their favorite recipes, please let us know.

Thanks again to all who contributed to the great project.  

It continues to be a great success!   

FINAL PROJECT FINANCIALS:

Income:

     Garage Sale                                                   603

     Garden Party                                                 1,419    
          Gross Contributions     1,760
          Less supplies                  -341
     One Time Donations                                     2,227
     Social Media Campaign                                  1,182

Total Contributions:                                     5,431


Expenses:
     Oven Building Materials                               2,365
     Gazebo Building Materials                              820
     Material Transportation Costs                        325
     Cooking Materials                                         695
     Baking Supplies                                              271
     Cash left for future baking supplies                 235

Total Expenses:                                             4,711         

Cash Remaining:                                            720                         

EARTHQUAKE UPDATE

Thanks to all of you who have expressed concern for our friends in Costa Rica.  I spoke with Cristina and Laura today after the quake.  They are fine and still baking bread!

They did mention the tremor (as they call it) felt quite strong and lasted pretty long.  They are quite a ways from the epicenter so no significant damage occurred in the village.

The oven had already formed a hairline crack by the time I had left two weeks ago.  I guess it's common when you pour two different layers of cement and different times (cement sides poured and then the cement poured over the dome). 

The crack is a bit larger from the quake, but just a crack, nothing major and no smoke leaks or concerns for it's integrity.

They took it all with a grain of salt and laughed saying "At least we now know the oven (and the gazebo) are guaranteed for life!"  They both withstood to 7.6 tremor.

On a separate note, they have been testing additional recipes and have been selling breads to the locals in San Marcos and have already expanded to include their clientele from nearby communities that also purchase their farm fresh eggs.  They have agreed to use some of the funds we left behind to purchase a plastic bag sealer (smart idea... not bugs in the bread)!

Pretty cool!

But ohh how I miss the pizzas!

"...THIS WORLD WOULD BE A DIFFERENT PLACE."

A Letter (and English Translation) from a Costa Rican.

8/25/2012

Estimados familias y amigos:

     Espero que hayan llegado bien a su casa y sobre todo, que hayan disfrutado su paseo a Costa Rica.

     Muchísimas gracias también por la labor humanitaria tan grande que realizaron con la familia Pérez en San Marcos. De parte mía y creo que todavía más de parte de esa gente en San Marcos, mi más grande admiración y respeto por ese trabajo que sin ningún interés realizaron. Me siento sumamente orgulloso por lo humildes que son al venir desde tan lejos a cumplir el sueño de una familia.

     Dígale a todas esas personas que colaboraron con ese proyecto, que si más gente fuera como ellos, este mundo sería completamente diferente del que estamos viviendo hoy día. Como costarricense me siento muy orgulloso de ese espíritu de entrega de la gente de Minesota, pues a través de los años han demostrado un gran amor por este país al ayudar a personas que ni siquiera conocen.

     Como tico puedo decirle a ustedes y a todas esas personas que ayudaron, que la familia Pérez en San Marcos ahora si está !PURA VIDA¡.

Atte.
Cope y familia

8/28/2012

Dear families and friends:

     I hope that you all arrived well in Minnesota and overall that you enjoyed your visit to Costa Rica.  

     Thank you very much for the great humanitarian project you did with the Perez familiy in San Marcos. On my behalf and I also believe on the behalf of all the people in San Marcos, y send my greatest admiration and respect for the work you did, not expecting anything in return!  I feel extremely humbled by your nobleness to go to a place so far away just to help a family reach a dream!

     Tell all the people who collaborated in the project, that if more people were like them, this world would be a very different place that what it is today.  As a Costa Rican I am humbled by the "spirit of giving" that all the Minnesota families have shown. Throughout the years, you all have demonstrated a great love for this country by helping people who you haven't met.

     As a Costa Rican I can tell you all that the Perez family in San Marcos now is "PURA VIDA"!

Sincerely.

Cope and family

10 REASONS TO GIVE THANKS

We are back!  With mixed emotions we are back!  We literally spent the last days in San Marcos baking breads, testing recipes, trouble shooting oven temps and improvising with limited materials and supplies.  I could have easily spent two more weeks (months or years )testing, sampling and marketing our bread.

We could not have done such an amazing job without everyone's incredible financial support, prayers and words of encouragement.  The Perez families sends their deepest and most sincere words of gratitude.  The English language does not have words to describe their humbling sense of gratefulness.

This is not the end of our journey!

We are all so blessed!  

Laura, Cristina and I grateful for GREAT bread

1.  The Perez family feels so blessed to have been a part of this incredible, life changing experience.  The hard work, laughter and friendships made will last a life time.

Chico Solis hauled in over one ton of brick and cement for free and later shared in a pizza party

2.  Thanks to all the many Costa Rican families that participated in the many different stages of the oven building.  We were blessed that special talents (and tools) appeared at the perfect time of need.  All have returned for fresh breads and pizzas.  All have expressed the joy of having participated in this special project.

The SLP clan prior at Poas Volcano, in the clouds (and rain).
Joey's quote of the day "we came all the way here for this?" 

3.  Thanks to the St. Louis Park families who financially supported the project and helped us build the oven (the Amelse family, the Falzone family, and the St. Claire family).  Thank you!  You all incredible people!   Thanks for the hard work and your acceptance of tico time.  We are blessed to have you in our cycle of friends!

John eating the BEST tamales EVER
(and more)!

Caroline and AnaGrace
surfing in Nicaragua

4.   Gracias "pue" to the Schweiters family.  The child exchange of Ana to Nicaragua to surf for John's hard core labor was life changing I'm sure as much for John as it was for AnaGrace.  John was the perfect addition to our team.  He is a wonderful young man, hard working and a great eater.   The San Marcos community will always be your home John.  You are on our return list when we plan our next adventure back to San Marcos.

Nancy and Jeff proud to be together and sharing in our many dreams together

5.  To BFF's!   To all the BFF's in the world.  May you all be as blessed as I am to have a BFF as compassionate, caring and forgiving as I have in my friends Jeff.

Enjoying a little (just a little) time together at Tamarindo Beach

6.  Special thanks to Chato.  Mostly for putting up with me and my crazy adventures.  Thanks Chato for all the hard work you put into trip planning for the Minnesota families, for the muscle work during your limited time back in your country and your patience with us as we struggle to return to a different world back in MN.

West and AnaGrace loving their Costa Rican life

7. Muchisimas Gracias Famila Alvarado for watching over my children (especially abuela Adela, Karen and Mami dos).  When I was busy with the oven project, you protected them, loved them and laughed with them.  It's true that it takes a village to raise a child.  But we are especially blessed to be a part of the whole Alvarado family who has helped us raise two beautiful children.  They are blessed and ohhh so fortunate.

West during a soccer scrimmage with the young boys of San Marcos

8.  To all the children in San Marcos.  They all accepted my children with open harms.  Shared their love and compassion for their country and nursed West back to health during his many injuries.  I will miss those screams of joy!

Teach a family to bake bread and they will be prosper

9.  Again, we want to thank all who have supported the project financially.  We hope to give you a financial update within the week (still waiting on some final I.O.U.'s).  It's been amazing and humbling to know so many of our family and friends were able to financially support this project.

One of God's many gifts we saw during our journey 

10.  For the love of our God.  He was present with us each day, showing His grace and His beauty.  His presence, his blessings and his words of encouragement were abundant during our project.  He provided for our every needs.  He shared sun when we needed sun (remember this is supposed to be the rainy season in Costa Rica).  He gave us bread when we ask for bread.  He even helped us find stuff when we lost it (like water proof cameras).  Cheers to the power of prayer!

We are blessed!