I used to imagine myself thriving in another era, I always pictured myself living in quaint scenes of domestic bliss from the 50's or the rugged frontier life of pioneers (I love Little House!). Little did I know that my missionary journey to Costa Rica would challenge those idyllic fantasies in the most unexpected ways. Take washing clothes, for instance—a task that has become an everyday adventure.
Our laundry room, nestled under the house, is a gateway to the outdoors, inviting all sorts of critters to join in the cleaning ritual. The process itself is a multi-step saga: first, load the clothes, then fill with water and soap and set to spin for 15 minutes. (Never mind that all the knobs are in Spanish.) Then, in what can only be described as a giant salad spinner you sling out the soapy water. Return the clothes to the washer and repeat with clean water, spin again, and finally hang out to dry. Sounds straightforward? Think again. Drying time ranges from a mere two hours to a leisurely three business days, dictated by the weather being either humid, sunny, or rainy. And let's not forget the scorpion surprise I found in the washing machine after washing the towels—a startling reminder of the local wildlife's audacious presence. I wonder whose towel he was curled up in!
And cooking! Oh, cooking deserves its own blog another day. Let's just say the comforts and shortcuts of American kitchens are relics of the past here. Each meal is a test of creativity and meticulous planning, navigating ingredients and techniques that are a world away from home.
Cleaning, too, is a never-ending saga. Bugs, scorpions, and even bats make their presence felt, turning routine tasks into high-stakes encounters. Picture this: swarms of flying bugs descending upon any light inside your home at night, infiltrating every nook and cranny! For about 2 weeks we battled these bugs. They lose their wings all over the house every night. They then turn to worms. I couldn't figure out where the worms were going until I changed the sheets. They were trapped between the sheet and the mattress! I contemplated burning the beds. That was the last straw. The maintenance man came and put up packing tape around all the windows outside. lol I then proceeded to use an entire can of OFF bug spray around every window. These interventions saved the day (and the night). Cleaning continues with the never-ending sweeping. I thought we had mice in the laundry room. Every day I would sweep droppings. I was today years old when I learned they were bat droppings! Never mind the battle I fight with muddy footprints. (Pictures: Bug wings after one night! The other scorpion I found in the kitchen drawer. The bats outside our bedroom window.)
Reflecting on these challenges, I've come to appreciate the resilience and resourcefulness required for daily life in Costa Rica. The ordinary becomes extraordinary, and each hurdle is a lesson in adaptation. While I may not be the quintessential 1950s housewife or a pioneer, I've discovered a new era of my own—one filled with unexpected trials and triumphs in the heart of this vibrant country.
Stay tuned for more tales about food, friends, and our new car—there's always an adventure waiting just around the corner.
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