GOOOOOLs and ELLAbrations!!!

Today, I went to my first ever Costa Rican soccer game!!  And it lived up to all my expectations!  A cultural experience to say the least!  Ticos are passionate about their soccer and it was SO MUCH FUN!!!

We went to the Saprissa vs. Liga game, two of the biggest rivals in the country.  Rachel and I awkwardly lingered behind a group of people wearing Saprissa jerseys down Avenida Central downtown until we built up enough courage to ask them if they were going to the game/could tell us how to get to the bus...

Most of the game was zero-zero, and we were just hoping that someone, we didn’t even care who, would score so we could hear them yell GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!  And our dreams came true late in the second half when Saprissa scored and the stadium absolutely erupted!!  It was a home game for Saprissa, so the crowd was absolutely going crazy!  So fun to watch!!

Saprissa Stadium in Tibas

L to R:  Rachel, Me, Bonnie, Laura, Elizabeth (front).
Laura and Elizabeth are two girls from the States,
student teaching here, and being hosted by Bonnie’s family, too!

Later that evening we had an ELLAbration!!  We went out to dinner (to the only “Mexican” restaurant you will find in this country) to celebrate our sweet friend Ella who is finishing up her last trimester of language school here, and will be moving to Managua, Nicaragua next semester.  I am so sad to see her leave, although so excited for what the Lord has for her in Nica.  Ella is so full of joy and life.  Always smiling and laughing.  She cares for people deeply and has invested in her time here in Costa Rica.  Not letting it pass as simply “space inbetween”.  Our team will not be the same without her next semester, but the Lord is going to do awesome things in and through her as she joins the YL Staff team in Nicaragua!

In her own great words, “slightly awkward pic of a
super fun group of people...”  Els, you’re the best!
L to R:  Bradyn, Jason, Bonnie, Jessie, ELLA,
Grace, Me, Alex, Rachel.