Day 6: Passion

Today was Sunday, so, because Jose's family is Catholic, they were off to church. I decided to go with them to experience what church was like for them and to try something new. We got there for the service just after 11am and were only there for and hour. But in that hour I saw how beautiful the church was, with it's polished wood ceilings and it's grand stained glass windows. I did feel a bit out of place, not really having a clue what to do, but I tried to play along. I think I stuck out like a sore thumb.
Once we returned home, I quickly got changed out of my jeans and slipped into shorts, because it was really really warm today, almost unbearable for me.
We then had lunch at Jose's grandparents house with all of the family, all his aunts, uncles and cousins.
It was such a great time, and everyone thought it was so funny how tall I was, but I felt so accepted as part of the family. We had great food, funny conversations, with a lot of stuff being lost in translation with me, and many photos. It was nice just to be talking, well trying to anyway, with people from Jose's family, and I think they enjoyed learning a bit more about New Zealand. Next time, I really want to make them think that we do something really strange in New Zealand, something made up, like every time we meet someone for the first time we have to count to ten with them... something really random and see if they will believe it.
After this, it was time to go to the football match between Heredia and Cartago in the stadium of Heredia. I went with Melania, Jose's sister, her boyfriend and her best friend Laura. Jorge got me to wear a Heredian football shirt to show my support, and turns out I really fit in because everyone was wearing one. While watching the game I found out that Costa Ricans are very very passionate about football, they swear at the ref, at the other team, at their own team too sometimes, they cheer, the shout, they try to climb the fences around the field, and due to this, there was a lot of police present. One thing that was very noticeable was the lack of supporters for the other team. I later found out that it is because there are many fights between the fans of the teams, and that it is best if the supporters of the away team don't attend. Heredia won 3-0 and will be playing in the final in about a weeks time.
All while the match was happening, there was lightening occurring in the nearby mountains creating quite a spectacle.
When I got home, after trying to learn how to whistle properly, I had my first taste of tamales, a traditional meal of Costa Rica, and I found it very different, but delicious all the same.
Overall, today was a great day, filled with passion for God, for family and for sport.

The family