I made it to Washington, DC on March 9 for staging after a slight anxiety attack that morning before leaving. Though it was very sad to say my final goodbyes at the airport and the days leading up to it, I was excited to begin my adventure.
In DC, it was so fitting and exciting to have the time to explore the Mall before getting started. Seeing the Capitol building, Lincoln Memorial, and White House for the first time was great, just before I left the country for over two years. The other exciting part about staging was just starting to meet the other 52 amazing 
people who would make up Tico 19.After a 1:30am (!) checkout of the hotel, no sleep, and lots of waiting at the airport (the fun scene to the right), we were on our flights to Costa Rica. We arrived in the late morning of March 11 in Costa Rica, sleep-deprived and weary, but so thrilled. We were finally there after all the endless preparations!
They loaded us and our luggage to take us to our retreat in the mountains (pictured to the left) for a few days of introduction to Peace Corps and what the next 27 months would hold for us. They were days full of information and questions. Though we were definitely sheltered and didn’t get to experience much of Costa Rica during this time, it was so amazing to get to know the rest of Tico 19. I can see how they will be a great source of endless entertainment, support, and friendship these next two years and beyond. There are some very astonishing people here with me! I also got a little bit of information about the program I will be working with – the Community Economic Development program. It sounds like it will involve work with micro-financing, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. It sounds like such a perfect fit for me and I am so thankful that I am getting this kind of opportunity to use my skills in such an amazing way!The amazing Tico 19!
Then sooner than I realized, we were off to our training communities, where we will be staying for the next 11 weeks until we swear into PC officially on May 29. Here we will be getting intensive language, technical, cultural, etc training. I am so excited about my new Tico family! My ‘Mama Tica’ is younger than my sisters and so spirited and kind – I already love her. And I also finally have some younger sisters! I now have little sisters that are 8 and 3 years old. They are so cute and fun, I love being a big sis. They have made me feel so welcome, and I am so thankful to have such an awesome family!
And mi Mama Tica
The community itself is so precious. It is in the mountains (1,800 meters altitude) and there are beautiful views everywhere I look. It’s pretty small (I’ve heard estimations of the population ranging from 500 to 1,200) with some really neat small businesses. There are 3 other PCVs from my program here and the rest of the PCVs in my program are in the surrounding communities. I am very excited for all our training and I can already see how much my Spanish will improve here. While I still get frustrated or can’t understand sometimes, I often find myself thinking in Spanish and understanding most conversations. But I have lots to learn about Spanish, as well as all the technical subjects and the culture and everything else. I am so excited for everything that lies ahead and am so thankful that I have this opportunity. I really feel like I am in the best place for me in my life right now.
I miss you all! Please keep in touch! Pura Vida!
