When love came to town (part 2): Granada, Nicaragua

Granada, Nicaragua. 

This is a trip that I will never forget. 

As you may know, many traveling Visas that are given when entering a foreign country are for 90 days. Mine was not the exception. So as the end of my 90 days quickly approached, I figured out a game plan. The best option that I could think of was taking my Visa trip while McCray was in town. This would not only be the first time that we were out of the USA together but also the first time that we were traveling across countries together. So he was lucky enough to visit two new countries all in one week (uh, best Spring Break ever)! 

As I mentioned in my last post, we were scheduled to leave at 4:30AM Monday morning for our Nica trip. So we loaded the bus at TransNica in San Jose in the dark and headed on our way! An ominous 9 hot hours in this same bus lay ahead of us.

About half way through the trip we finally made it to the border of Nicaragua! My Spanish is only “mas o menos” so both of us did our best to decipher what exactly we were supposed to do. We got on and off the bus a few times, gave our passports to the driver a few times, took our bags off the bus once, stood in the parking lot for about 30 min, and then re-board the bus again. Finally- we were across the border with some new shiny stamps in our passport!

Crossing the Border

I’ll spare you the boring details of the next sweaty 5 hours and skip right McCray’s first hostel experience- Certainly a monumental moment! We quickly discovered that our roommates were from Australia and had been traveling for 9 months already! But McCray was mainly excited about their really cool accents.

Hostal Mochillas

Never a dull moment.

He is so fun.

Another awkward hostel pic.

 Finally, we got settled in and roamed the town. Granada is sort of an antique town- not quite as modern as Costa Rica. It is also much cheaper (for example, $6/night hostel). All of the buildings are bright colors (as well as the currency) and horse drawn carriages and bicycles are the most popular modes of transportation.

Central Square in Granada

While we were there, we saw many of the Catholic Holy Week (Semana Santa) festivities- including many parades and structures being built in front of the Cathedrals. We didn’t figure out what everything signified but it was still pretty neat either way.

We also had the opportunity to go on an AWESOME $20 boat tour on Lake Nicaragua that included a DELICIOUS lunch, too (like I said, definitely cheaper).

Where we ate lunch!

Did you know that people actually live out on the islands (“Islas”) in Lake Nicaragua? I was shocked to see that there is a whole community living out there!

Soon enough though, we were ready to head back to our home base in good old Santa Ana.

Something we learned about ourselves: I don’t think that we could ever go on a 9 month back packing trip like our Australian mates. Lets be real here, our short backpacking trip was exhausting. From beautiful pictures and fun stories, a trip like that seems glamorous. In reality, that’s just because you’re seeing the highlight real and missing all the bloopers and behind the scene struggles.

Like most things in my life, I like a good balance. As much as “traveling the world” has this delicious appeal…I don’t think there’s anything wrong with appreciating the blessing of having a home to call your own. It’s moments like that when I realize that this little bungalow and my Costa Rican town have become my home.

Just so that I wouldn’t end up rambling on for far too long- I’m cutting this adventure into 3 parts. Last but not least will be the trials that we faced while making our way back to the place I call home. 

(Click here to read the next post!)

Apparently Nica Women don't have arms

When Love Came to Town (part 1): Santa Ana Days

I have been kind of (well, pretty much completely) avoiding doing this blog post until I had the time and energy to do it justice. So this is a little behind the times, but here a much overdo post about that crazy week when my hubby-to-be came to town!

The week was choc full of excitement, new experiences, growth, and learning. God really blessed us with how much we learned and grew together in only one week.

It was almost Semana Santa and everyone in Costa Rica was getting excited- this meant Spring Break, vacations, and celebrating the Holy Week. McCray flew in late Thursday night and I had butterflies in my stomach. It had been 2 months since I had seen my handsome fiancé.

When he finally got here we were so giddy. It didn’t feel real! Unfortunately, I still had to work the next day. But that gave him an excuse to sleep in and then come play with my class! My students were thrilled to finally meet my "prometido".

Saturday, I gave him the grand tour of Santa Ana- we rode bikes, went swimming, took a bus to the giant Multi Plaza mall, and enjoyed just getting to be a normal couple again. Even the normal moments were exciting moments, because we were together.

Some gems that we found at the "librería" in Multi Plaza:

We are long distance walkers so this was a cool find.

Harry Potter in Spanish? Yes please!

 By the time Sunday rolled around, we had decided it was time for an adventure. So we woke up bright and early (it’s hard not to when the sun rises at 5!) and took a bus to San Jose. Being the experienced Costa Rican traveler that I am, I decided that we needed to get off the bus (when in reality it was far too early) and we ended up walking around San Jose and asking for bus stop directions. Typical.

Finally we made it to the bus station for our day trip destination: Jaco Beach. Not extremely glamorous but it’s the closest beach to Santa Ana (about 1hr away). We were just in time to catch the 8AM bus—except it was standing room only. The next bus didn’t leave for another hour…. So we decided, what the heck.

Once we got to Jaco, I promptly bought our tickets back to San Jose so that we wouldn’t have trouble finding seats on the way home! Then we headed over to JaguaRiders – the company who was setting up our horseback riding tour (Yes, McCray loves me THAT much).

This was the tour description:

“Horseback riding is a picturesque experience thru Costa Rica’s jungle countryside, giving you the opportunity to approach an exuberant natural world of tropical plants and wildlife.

From the lookout points you will enjoy exceptional views of the coast all the way north to the Gulf of Nicoya.

All horses are well trained, and saddles and equipment well maintained.

Trail includes a visit to a waterfall, where you can freshen up and enjoy a mud bath.”

There’s not much that McCray loves more than waterfalls and cold water so that’s how I roped him into horseback riding.

So, we get on the horses and start riding. It was fun! But let me tell you, it’s not as easy as it looks! Especially up the steep hills that were leading us to the waterfall. About halfway through the trip, our guide stopped and had us get off our horses.

I’m thinking, “is it finally waterfall time???”

Unfortunately, much to our dismay, we found out through our broken Spanish conversation that there was no waterfall- that’s on the other side of the mountain.

Disgruntledly, we trekked back down the mountain. Afterwards we found out that the guide knew where he was supposed to take us but he must have just wanted a shorter trip instead. It wasn’t the fault of JaguaRiders (very nice people, really) and they gave us back half of our money. We weren’t thrilled but at least now we had more money to save for the rest of our week!

We brushed it off and relaxed on the beach, had a few drinks and a nice dinner and headed for the bus. We were excited to be back at my cozy bungalow for a movie in about an hour. Or so we thought.

As we were boarding the bus, I cleverly asked the driver if he could just drop us off on the highway that passed by my house about 30 min away from San Jose. We passed by it on our way out of town so I couldn’t imagine why that would be a problem. Until he replied that this bus wasn’t going THAT route…we were taking the back roads. I had made the rookie mistake earlier in the day of not clarifying if this bus was a “Directo” to San Jose. Instead of 1 hour, it took us 3.

Finally, we arrived home at 9PM. Exhausted, sweaty, and salty. Just our luck again- the water was out at my house. Dirty and shower-less, we packed our bags for Nicaragua. We were leaving at 4:30AM the next morning. I was feeling a little more than stressed, tired, and nervous about our imminent trip. Just when I thought I would cry- McCray stepped in and helped calm me down. He told me that we had control over the spirit of anxiety and that I had the authority to tell it to leave. He washed my dirty feet prayed over us. I remembered again why this is the man that I am marrying.

As we quickly found out, adventure is exciting, but often not luxurious or comfortable. The next blog post will chronicle our escapades through hot Nicaragua (click here)!

All Dogs Go To Heaven

On Sunday, April 21, my family had to say goodbye to a long standing member of our family:

Emme, or adorable minature-toy poodle.

I have never actually had a pet for as long as we had Emme. She was the first dog who we raised from puppyhood. I remember a time when she was too small to even get out of the bathtub. And as it seems, a pet like that gets inside your heart and becomes more than just an animal.

From fancy tricks, to painted nails, long walks with mom, and bad hair cuts- Emme was one of the girls. My Dad has always said that he was the lone man in a house full of 5 girls: my mom, my sister, me, Emme, and Marble (our cat). She was very intelligent, always happy to see you, but notorious for being able to sniff out a tasty treat through purses, backpacks, and plastic bags. 

After a lot of thinking, reflecting, and more crying than I expected- I was left feeling more than just a little bit homesick. In the midst of this, I realized a few things. 

1. People in Costa Rica (and probably other Latin American countries for that matter), don't see pets the same way we (Americans) do. I felt like it would have been looked upon oddly to tell my co-workers that I was in such a strange funk because my dog had passed away. However, while they're keeping away fleas and tics, they're also keeping away a family friend who doesn't hold grudges or look at you funny if your hair is a mess. They're missing out on a friend who will give you sincere unconditional love. 

2. Sometimes I just want to freeze time and enjoy where I am a little longer. But no matter how hard you try, life keeps moving whether you like it our not. Emme was a part of my childhood. She was a part of my adolescence and young adulthood. That part of my life is over and I can't go back. And as much as I want to, things keep changing and life keeps moving.

There is only one constant and consistent that is worth holding onto with all your might.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." 

Hebrews 13: 8

When everything in your life is like sand slipping through your fingers-- hold fast to this truth.

“For I am the Lord, and I do not change." 

Malachi 3:6

(Alright, lets be honest...maybe she wasn't the best at playing with dogs who weren't her own size)

But she was still our Emme, our Ami Amour, our loving friend.

And lastly, just a little comic relief.

Meet Mr. West

As many of you know, just before I left for the trip of my dreams- I was surprised with the most gorgeous ring from the man of my dreams! 

Everyone told me that he was smart to put a ring on it before those Latino guys tried to woo me. I guess I agree ;)

So, believe it or not, I've been planning this wedding via FaceTime, Gmail, & iMessage. Special thanks to Apple for making this possible!

Lets rewind. Before I left....

We asked "the who"

Sara & Becca

Way back in January, I asked all of my bridesmaids to brunch at my favorite restaurant in Athens, GA: Mama's Boy. Ask anyone in town where to find the best home-cooked Southern breakfast, they will point you in that direction. 

Here's the catch: none of them knew that the others would be there. 

One by one, they showed up and joined the group. Everyone was pretty confused about why they weren't the only one at the table with me, but out of courtesy, nobody really asked why. After we placed our orders, I passed out my handmade cards to the whole group and watched their faces light up as they opened them. 

Erica & Melissa

Needless to say, none of them were too upset that I had tricked them after that! 

Jessie & Corbin

Laura & Callie

I can't wait to have all of those beautiful girls by my side on my wedding day.

Picked out "the where"

After lots of searching and a few unsuccessful visits, we found an indoor venue that was perfect for our cozy winter wedding: 

The Carl House, in Auburn, Georgia!  

Decided "the when"

For a variety of different reasons, we finally settled on January 25, 2014. By this time, I will have been back in the USA for a month and a half-- hopefully enough time to pull together the last details.

The cool part: After picking our date, McCray was looking back through some old journals and found that on January 25, 2012-- exactly 2 years before our wedding-- a good friend came up to McCray out of the blue and said, "the Lord agrees with the marriage in your heart". Little did his friend know that we had been praying and asking God to show us if we were supposed to be  together. We were so blessed by that word then and even more now that we will be celebrating our wedding on that same day!


Now, we're just filling in all the gaps the best that we can until I visit in June for a wedding-whirlwind month!

To find out more about our love story, 

visit our Wedding Website: http://www.weddingwire.com/McCraylovesLauren

All of this madness would certainly not be possible without:

My mom...

(haha- thanks Mom!)

My sister (Maid of Honor)...

My bridesmaids...

and of course, my Hubby-to-be!

Part 1 of my fiance's visit to Costa Rica is coming up next!