Eggplants a la Pura Vida and the First Day of School

 "Pura Vida!"  We hear that often...It translates directly to "Pure life," but the heart of the expression is akin to the work Shalom in the Hebrew language - all encompassing goodwill; hello, goodbye, peace be with you, don't worry, be happy.   Certainly the eggplant dish that Vir, our sweet housekeeper, made tonight was pura vida.  Smothered in butter and fried to perfection.


Today was our children's first day as middle schoolers!   Their excitement mounted as we drove our honking big SUV- which we nicknamed "Ethan" for the lost renter whose deposit made it all possible - to school.  Yes, it's a whopping three blocks, but each of us was porting a laptop and enough school supplies to start our own small university.

Steve and I taught our first Costa Rican classes one after the other, and by the end of the day, we were both a little hoarse (neigh).   I think it will get easier as we get to teaching, rather than explaining our expectations ad nauseum.
The kids seemed to have a happy day.  Both enjoyed their classes and teachers at Country Day School, and Benji played soccer during the break, while Marina made three new friends and played jump rope with agility and grace.  I only spied on them a little.



In the evening, we went to Congregacion B'nei Israel, one of Escazu/San Jose's three synagogues.  There, the kids registered for Hebrew school, which they begin tomorrow!   The Argentinian rabbi there was so welcoming, as so many people here have been.   It really is Pura Vida here.