Traveling Alone-Day One

Well, I am back from Costa Rica and finally ready to write about it.

My first night in Costa Rica was terrifying, overwhelming and lonely. This was the first trip I have ever made by myself outside of the United States. After going through two rounds of customs and being cleared to head outside toward the bustle of the streets of San Jose, Costa Rica, I was "greeted" by dozens of taxi drivers calling me pretty lady and trying to get me into their cabs. There were even more people with signs with names of them. I told myself to remain calm and read every sign carefully so that I was sure that none of them were my name. Finally, I found one with my name on it. A man introduced himself as Lenny with perfect English. He walked me to his car and said that we were waiting for his son and the receptionist. His son, a four-year old boy, got into the seat behind me and speaking Spanish very quickly asked who I was. While getting into his seat, he reached both hands around my headrest and touched my face with his small fingers. I looked at him, and he smiled at me. Lenny apologized and smiled. Welcome to Costa Rica.

We arrived in the hostel run by ASVO (the company I went down there to work for). I was shown to my room by the receptionist from the car who didn't speak a word of English. I was in the Tortugeuro Room, and I had it completely to myself (pictured below). What a blessing! I settled into my room and started to cry. I was so overwhelmed and thought seriously about getting back on the plane and heading home.

The next day things got better.