Nutcracker, talent show, goodbye party...

This past week was very fun, as we are all starting to realize that our time here is coming to a close so we are trying to cram in as much quality time together as possible. I can't believe that a week from today I will be boarding a plane and leaving the palm trees, dirty streets, and crowded buses behind and going home to cold and rain and carpet. Yesterday we went to the mall for some last minute christmas shopping, and while waiting at the bus stop we decided to buy a soda. BUT if you buy a soda in a glass bottle, which we all did, you have to empty it into a bag and drink it from a straw so the store can save the glass bottles and get money for them. Only in Costa Rica. At least now I can say I drank soda out of a "bolsita."
After the nutcracker we went back to the school for our goodbye party. And here Zach and I are with the guards that stand at every entrance and make sure we don't get robbed. Pretty secret service if you ask me...they have guns and earpieces and everything!
The nutcracker was beautiful! Granted the steps weren't perfect and there was no live orchestra, just a somewhat scratchy recording, but for $8 you can't really complain. And it put me into the christmas spirit for sure!
Outside the beautiful national theatre!
I went to the children's home on wednesday and I am going to miss those kids! Just one more week to go...Here I am with Raquel, a normally quiet girl who I finally got to smile after much dancing and singing and laughing.
We found out it was Dona Marta's birthday and so we snuck to the grocery store for some ice cream and cookies and candles and a birthday card (they didn't have cake. it was a pretty primitive little store) and surprised her and the kids. She was very grateful for the ice cream, and so was I. I am going to miss Dos Pinos (ice cream). So good!
Wednesday we had our talent show for all the international students. My class did a dance to a Juanes and Nelly Furtado song Fotografia, and it was a hit! We made a slideshow of pictures to play in the background, and people were pretty emotional about all the memories and great friendships we have made here. Good thing I still have one week!