Valentine's Day!

 Our group of gringos got back from Tortuguero late Saturday evening, leaving me a leisurely Sunday to lounge around drinking and excessive amount of coffee with my host sister, Laura, and doing homework. When the host parents were out, I was feeling particularly crafty and made them a little Valentine's cake, which we all ate gluttonously instead of our dinners. =)

It was then we discussed the possibility of going out to dinner "as a family" for Valentine's day, which followed with a half hour back and forth about schedules and which restaurants were unacceptable and which were fantastic to the point that nothing was settled even after so many words were spoken.  It was quite hilarious, and reminded me of my own family (especially when dad says "pick a restaurant"  but everyone chimes in with their own "anything but this one") 

Monday we did in fact go out to dinner, deciding on a seafood place after I shocked them with the knowledge that I had never eaten shrimp. When we got there there was a line at least 20 people long, but apparently my host mom knows people, and after talking to a waiter, we were seated immediately.  With an incredible authority I had not yet seen demonstrated, she ordered us all margharitas and even scolded our waiter to "make sure they were the good strong ones."  Apparently its okay to drink on Valentine's Day,  even for evangelicals =) 

We had a  lovely dinner talking and laughing (and most of the time I even knew what we were laughing about!)  When we got home they gave "their daughters"  presents, and I got a beautiful carved wooden jewelry box,  but more importantly, a hug and a kiss which was meant for a daughter.  Life Lesson: Never stop trying to put your best foot forward.  Sometimes it takes a tico a month to win over a hardened heart.