Cafe Del M@r

So, as most people know, I love coffee. I truly believe it's a desire from the Lord, because if not then Im just crazy and weird. I drink it all the time. As a matter of fact, I am having a cup right now.

One of my prayers and goals (since this summer is being counted as an internship, I know- a total blessing) is that I will be able to establish relationships with the locals (o Ticos/Ticas) here. I have had much practice with this through Young Life. Just get yourself seen right? One of the ways I decided to accomplish this was by finding a local coffee shop and going there every other day. I mean - come on- I love coffee and especially coffee from Costa Rica- and what a way to get out and "be seen" while having some individual time to do something that I love, plus I get to work on my spanish without the help of Sarah or Daniel.

I told Sarah the idea and she recommended this place called "Cafe Del Mar" (Coffee from the Sea). So, the day before the Lexington Mission team came in, I decided to take her up on the recommendation and go there for a few hours to work on putting together the team's morning devotional packet. It's a shop right off the main strip in Jaco. The inside is really small, but outside they have a nice covered area with fans (ohh yea, jump on that). The feel for the place is very beachy and Costa Rican. Yes, love it. All of the workers (or as far as I have seen) are women, so it is perfect! Daniel and Sarah dropped me off right before lunch and before I got out Sarah told me that the food there is EXCELLENT and to try a Casados, which is like a combo back in the states. So it comes with rice, beans, planton or plantans, a meat, and small salad. Yes please! I'll have the Casado con Pollo. Here is what I got:

It was muy incredible!! (very incredible) No way did I finish that whole plate, so I brought it home to finish off-- and get this: all of that for like 5ish dollars! That's what's up.

On Sunday the Lexington Mission Team went to church then had some free time to walk down the strip and shop. Some of my amigos from Lexington share with me in my love for coffee, so we decided to stop by Cafe Del Mar before their day was over. What a sight it was for those girls working when I brought 6 friends by for coffee. Haha, I wish I could have recorded our order conversation. That's a whole other blog within itself. Hilarious.

Every morning now, I try to make a run to the post office and then stop by Cafe Del Mar for my regular iced vanilla latte. The whole route takes like 20mins on a bike. I love that-- we bike everywhere. ( Quickly on that note, the traffic here is a little crazy. Cars hands down have the right away, so make sure you're out of the road. Most people here ride bikes and it's awesome: plus its another great opportunity to show your face around town)

Today was such a huge praise report though! I left the house on my normal routine. I got to Cafe Del Mar and placed in my order and sat outside with the bike until she was done. Now, typically my order is 1,500 Colones (which in the States is like 3 dollars). One of the safe things to do here is NOT flash your money and since I knew how much it was I pulled out the exact amount so I could just give it to her and leave. As soon as she was done, she walked around the counter then called me over. I handed her a 1000 Colones bill and then five 100 coins. She looked at me and shook her head! No No No, "solo un mil colones!" She spoke so fast at first I didn't really understand, so I pointed to my purse assuming I had misunderstood the price. I figured it was more than what I thought and I need to pay up. So I began to get my wallet out and she just shook her head and said more slowly, "Solo UN MIL Colones!" Then I processed! I understood!!!! They had dropped the price for me!!!!! I payed for a normal latte about 2 dollars today. What an answer to prayer.

I praise the Lord not because it was less money, but because by His grace He is establishing a relationship between us. They are beginning to recognize that I love to stop by there every morning for my 'usual' coffee. No longer do I get the "gringa" price and THAT is such a blessing. Just the title and recognition. My prayer is that the Lord will continue to grow the relationships between the girls there and myself. If anything, I leave praying over each one and rest that God is in the business of growing seeds-- even in my own heart!