La Floristeria

    If anyone was wondering if Valentines Day is celebrated in Costa Rica, that is a definite yes! Although here the majority of people call it "El Dia de Amistad" meaning the day of friendship. My host mom's sister owns a floristeria, or a florists shop for those of you who didn't catch the cognate. So this was a big weekend for the family (and she has a huge family too, everyone is related! I think their family in San Rafael rivals the number Roths in Silver/Pratum area.)
    On Friday night I helped get Gerber daisies ready for bouquets with several of the nieces. Then Saturday morning we put together flower arrangements and I pulled thorns off of more roses than my thumbs could fathom. Sunday, after a morning of playing with Sophie and homework, Lula and I went back to the floristeria to finish a few bouquets and label everything for the morning.  Lindy (the director of the campus and my professor for the culture class) got his wife Dinorah a very nice arrangement of roses that Lula surprised her with this morning. Very cute!
    I learned quite a lot this weekend. How to staple leaves in nice loops as space filler. How many colones each flower costs. Always, always have a man take out the garbage. Spray the flowers to make it seem like they have a nice strong sent. Valentine's Day is just as much about friendship here. And chocolate certainly does taste good, especially after having almost none for two weeks.

 

This is what Lula gave me for Valentine's Day

 

Lovely roses (from the floristeria, of course)