The flying "lobster"

Ok, it's official. Last night I saw the biggest bug I've EVER seen (and felt as it landed briefly on my head). It was 4-5 inches long and looked exactly like a giant grasshopper (or cricket...whichever is the flying one.)

The name for it here is "la langosta" which also means "lobster." The more literal English translation is "locust". But, this is a locust on steroids! Our host, Carlos, said that Costa Rica doesn't see much crop damage from the "langostas" but other neighboring countries have had crops decimated by these voracious monsters.

I've just been watching iguanas running around and in the palm trees outside my room like squirrels at home. I love it! Lucas is fascinated and fearful of them. "Mama, they will bite me!" Fun to watch them feast on the colorful, camellia-like flowers around the hotel.

Our drive to the coast yesterday started with a trip to the auto mercado (big grocery store). It was such a strange experience to walk in and feel immediately transported back to the US. There was even a gluten-free section!

Saturday heading west from San Jose towards the coast found us in traffic with loads of locals also heading to the coast. It made for a slow trip and a fun one - cars and tour vans and motorcycles packed with people heading for fun in the sun. Such a different "highway" experience - one lane in each direction with an occasional passing lane. Along the route there are endless "sodas" - small open-air restaurant/cafes - Soda Mango, Soda Teresa, Bomba, etc. We stopped for a bit at one (can't remember the name) for cold juice and snacks. As I sipped on my can of pear nectar made with 25% juice, I looked on longingly at a tica sipping a creamy smoothie-looking drink out of a tall glass. Slowly we will learn our way about and be able to take full advantage of all that Costa Rica has to offer!

We are now at the Hideaway Hotel tucked between Playa Samara and Playa Carillo. It is small, tranquil and lovely. Not fancy and super comfortable. As most of the hotels here, it is owned by an American couple who live in Nevada part-time. The manage is Italian and the other staff Costa Rican. It is an eclectic, international mix. Everyone is so, so nice and very patient, encouraging and complimentary of our Spanish.

Lucas is holding up so well. It has been a lot of travel right at the start. It's hot, he's already got 5 huge bug bites, and his appetite hasn't yet returned from the stomach bug he had 2 days prior to our trip. Plus, the "different" food is an adjustment. He really does melt in the heat...Matt and I looked at each other this morning and said, "How funny we are to bring our Scandenavian son to Costa Rica!" We will spend a lot of time at the beach and in the pool while here on the Nicoya. It's hot for me, too. It will be lovely to alternate the heat of the coast with the coolness of the mountains.

As is typical for me at the start of almost every adventure away from home, I am missing people, dog and place. It is helpful to have finally landed in a spot for several days with no agenda to start settling in and adjusting to our new (temporary) life.  Let the adventure begin...