Golden Valley I read your passage online and was happy to hear how Golden Valley was doing as a school. I myself worked there during the first few years of the formation of the school. I felt that things were unorganized and controlling and that employees were mistreated. I hope this is no longer the case and hope that you continue to enjoy your Costa Rican experience!
Sorry I missed you guys! I didn't know you were coming back home. If I would have known, I would have stopped at Kol Emet. I don't think your kids have any self-confidence issues or any issues with making new friends , but I'm sure that their unique experience of living within a new culture is just one of many that they will have growing up in which they learn about tolerance, respect and what it is to be human.
Replies It does seem there is a little bug on the site affecting some of the pictures -- we're already working on posting pictures of Disney for the next blog and we're having problems. Hopefully the site will be fixed soon. Also, as noted in my Dad's e-mail, we have skype and Instant Messenger so if anyone wants to talk, we're around (and we have a web-cam so you can see us).
Mark
Belated Happy Birthday Eli! Got a little behind here on the blogs with all the sickness/medical issues going around in our house....it did cross my mind at yesterday's Fairfield Garage Sale that it's been awhile since a Bortman Blog Update had popped up! Happy Belated Birthday Eliana! Just seems like yesterday your Mom was at our house right before you were born! Such a big girl now! Ari is a big boy now too : )
Glad to hear you are all doing well : ) Love, The Johnsons
Finally!!! I'd almost given up on hearing from you again. Thanks for the new blog. The kids look wonderful...just beaming. I'd imagine that the entire experience has been a positive one for them. One prob.: although the captions came through when the pics were clicked on for "larger image," some of the pics didn't show. Wonder why? The smaller versions were just fine. It's been a joy following your adventures. Hope more blogs are coming...but, if not, thanks for the vicarious fun. Have a blast, no matter what your choice is. Love to you all!!!
at long last Nice to get a travelblog at long last. I know we've talked on the phone and via skype a few of times, and we enjoy those conversations, but we don't get all the details that show up in the blog. So, keep both the skype and the blogs coming.
Also, how come Ellie and Schuyler look so serious in the photo of the two of them?
Hoping to learn more I don't know the Bortman's and stumbled across the entries here but have followed their adventure with great interest as I've contemplated doing the same. Hope to learn more soon and that all is well. A cyber friend.
Happy Birthday Ellie Wow, Dara, if Cramer's or McCaffrey's can't make it, then my kids aren't going to have it! Now I know who to turn to for great-looking cakes! I'm glad that Ellie had such a special birthday. Miss you all...
Happy Birthday Happy Birthday Ellie! Sorry we missed your birthday... Looks like both parties were a blast. Great job on the cake, Dara . Keep enjoying your adventure and having fun. We miss you. Fairfield is not the same without you. Thanks for the Blogs updates - we love reading them.
The Gellers.
Happy Birthday Eliana!! Finally found the time to enjoy your latest blog! Loved the photos! What a wonderful birthday celebration sounds like you guys had a lot of fun - after 2 fun-filled parties Eliana must feel very celebrated! Dara as creative as ever...loved the cake and the Bikini Bottom decor! You guys seem to have really adapted to life over there. Don't get too settled/attached we miss you over here...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELIANA! We enjoyed reading about your wonderful birthday celebration and seeing the happy pictures. What a great way to turn 5 years old. It's a birthday you'll never forget.
Wow, those views are amazing!!!!! It looks like you are having the time of your lives. Continue to enjoy. We love the updates. Stay well. We miss you, Eileen, Mitch and Lauryn
So cool! Right up our line with frogs, waterfalls, birds and loved the volcano adventure. Always a treat to read the latest! Must say I'm amazed how "worldly" the kids look. They are so fortunate to have this experience.
Wow, a picture in a comment! Hello Liz,
Good to hear from you. How did you get the picture in the comment? Great picture, by the way.
Dara, Mark, Ari and Eliana
looks like fun! I visited Poas with Alvaro but it was all fogged over that day. Looks beautiful! Say hi to the kids. I hope your adventure continues to be amazing!
liz
Hope all is going well in back in Randolph, bummed we didn't see Dara.
My brother just returned from CR and loved it. He supposedly was down there to look at real estate (though I think he spent most of the times in the casinos) and was surprised at how built up (and therefore expensive the north was) so he's going to return again to head south. I like the concept of having family offshore in case I ever need to go on the lam.
HI Hi my name is Emily and I was online looking at Costa Rica, I love the country although I don't know a ton about it. I came across your site for some reason and your adventure sounds amazing. I am wondering how you found a host family. I am a single mom from Minnesota and I want to go on an adventure with my son. I was thinking of renting an apartment but I am also concidering a host stay instead. I am just wondering if you would mind e mailing me and letting me know what service you went through or how you went about finding a trustworthy family to live with. Why did you choose to stay with a family and not rent? Do you know of anyone in Costa Rica looking to host? My e mail is lyon0169@metnet.edu. Thanks, any info you can share would be great! Emily
From the suburbs of Philadelphia, we're venturing out to experience La Pura Vida in Costa Rica! We (that is Mark and Dara (the parents) and Ari and Ellie (the kids - 7 and 4 1/2 years old respectively) are excited to share our adventure with friends and family! ... full info
Stephie
non-member comment
Disney World
I'm so jealous that you went to Disney without us!! Maybe next year...