Good Neighbors

Good Neighbors

A day hasn’t gone by since we’ve been in Costa Rica where the people haven’t simply amazed me in some way. I’ve never been around folks who seem so completely genuine, who love to converse, and who take a vested interest in the wellbeing of others.

Matthew has some really amazing neighbors. Ana, Juan Carlos and their children Gaby and Carlos, have welcomed us into their home as though we were family. I’ve mentioned “Sombra” before - she is their faithful dog.

The first day Michael and I were at Matthew’s house alone, Ana came over to ask if we’d like some breakfast. Thinking that she had a batch of food made and most likely had some left-overs, we graciously accepted and headed over to her house. We came to find out that she was home alone and had nothing prepared. She was intending on making us breakfast “made-to-order”. For a woman, home alone, to invite two strangers into her house was mind blowing enough but to also be so happy to cook for us, really astounded me.

She had made us the best Gallo Pinto (traditional Costa Rican breakfast of rice and beans - it’s AMAZING), eggs, bread, and of course Costa Rican coffee. She then asked us if we’d like to take the meal with us back to Matthews or if we’d like to sit with her at her house and eat. We told her whatever was best for her, to which she immediately put our plates down on her table and was happy to chat with us while we indulged. At one point Mike mentioned something about the World Cup to which she immediately turned on the TV to let us watch the game between Argentina and Germany as she said that she knew Matthew did not have a television set.

Within a few minutes, Gaby emerged. It looked as though she was going to school however it was about 11am. Shortly after, Carlos came home in his school uniform. We were then told that the school in Barva (the town the Delgado’s live in here in Heredia) has so many students that they teach them in shifts. Carlos’ day was ending, as Gaby’s was beginning. 15 minutes later, Juan Carlos came home from work. He said that they had inventory today and was able to leave early. I noticed how affectionate Juan Carlos and Ana were towards each other (they have been together for 16 years) and was equally amazed that their children were so engaged in terms of showing their parents their latest homework assignments and test scores. Even Carlos, who is 15, immediately took out his tests to show both his mother and father. In addition, I was amazed to see how much both parents studied the tests. They each looked over every question very carefully and questioned the children on answers that were not correct. Both kids seemed very happy that their parents were so proud of them. It just seemed like the perfect picture of “family” and to them, came so very natural.

Later on that evening, Ana once again emerged at Matthew’s house to give us some homemade pineapple pies. Now when she asked me if I liked Pineapple, I immediately said yes but when I saw hot pineapple pies, I honestly didn’t think I’d like hot pineapple. However, one taste and I was hooked. These mini pies actually taste like hot apple pies. They were totally amazing and we have since gotten the recipe.

The Delgado’s have fed us every night. We go over there for breakfast and dinner as is expected and I am over and over again amazed at the generosity of these folks. Dinner time at the Delgado’s usually consists of about 12 people. We eat in shifts as their table will only seat 6 at a time but no one seems to mind. Cousins and friends come over. They seem to have an open door to everyone and they seem to truly enjoy making sure you are taken care of. I remember back when my parents visited, Gerardo at one point had asked my father if he had a good time in Costa Rica. My father of course answered, yes. Gerardo looked very content and stated that very was important to Costa Ricans.

It seems if you take a genuine interest in Costa Ricans, they will take a genuine interest in you. I already feel like I’ve met good people and great friends.

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