Last weekend we went to visit our friends who own the hotel/huts at Playa Negra and left with another broken toe! This is the same beach that Ray broke his two toes at while playing soccer. John happened to be running barefoot on the beach in the pitch black and tripped over a big rock (running barefoot on the beach in the dark is not a good idea). We did not realize that his toe was broken until the next day; we thought he was just going to lose a toenail. Once we saw how swollen the toe was we took him straight to the clinic. While Ray just got his X-Rays back saying that his toes are mending and he is almost in the clear, John was hearing that he has to wrap his toe and wear a boot for the next 4 weeks. Lovely! Thank goodness there is not a social services here or they may suspect that we abuse our children!
Becoming more Tico:
Mark is on a quest to find all of his favorite “Tico” things to take home with us. He has had his machete for quite some time, but needed to get a sheath to cover it. We went to an outdoor market in Liberia (which we have told is actually Nicaraguan) and Mark asked about a sheath. Since they had nothing that would fit the machete exactly, they had to take the knife for a couple of days and custom make it. He is so happy with how it turned out! It is 100% leather, custom made and cost less than $30. He can’t wait to use it back home!
In addition, Mark has wanted a proper Tico “sombrero” and found one perfect for him!
Rain, Rain and more Rain:
Last week we got our first real rain in the last 6 months! It was a downpour. John was at soccer practice and all of the boys took advantage of the good time! Since then it has rained nearly every other day which is good because we really need the water. Things are finally looking green again!
Other Interesting Notes:
- School pictures cost a fortune here as does the yearbook ($45) so we will not be purchasing the boys’ individual pictures. Here is the best they will get (little rectangles and all!)
- The school has bananas growing out back-we love this!
- Raymond’s classmate and friend, Veronica, had an accident last week while playing in a soccer game. She was hit directly in the forehead by a soccer ball. While we were getting Ray’s x-rays at the clinic she came in with her father-still walking, barely, but seemingly alert. We came to find out she was taken by ambulance to Liberia and, after being admitted, was transferred to another hospital. Mark and I helped out by subbing for her mother, a 3rd grade teacher, as the family sought medical help. Veronica was left without her memory and weakness on the left side of her body. She knows her parents, but not their names. She cannot remember how to read or write. At this point, a week and a half later, she is slowing regaining her memories. The family saw a neurologist in the capital city who ran more tests. Her brain is fine, but has swelling, and the doctors are confident she will regain her memories within the next month. Every day brings something new. Ray made Veronica her favorite cookie bars (that only he makes with my grandma’s special frosting) and she remembered them and his name! The doctor has also told her she has to return to school and should think of this as “exercising” her brain and her memories; she cannot just sit at home and hope for things to get better. Tomorrow will be her first half day back. It’s been a very upsetting and terrifying week hearing of all of this, but we continue to hope and pray that every day Veronica will get better.
Until next week, Pura Vida!
The Beilmans
Beilman's Trip to Costa Rica 