America – Through the Eyes of a Child

Several months ago we decided that a trip to visit supporters and friends here in Oregon was needed, not to mention wanting to give Tyler and Kira the opportunity to see their cousins, uncles and aunts and grandparents. After a long trip on Wednesday we arrived in Portland. We almost did not get out of Costa Rica due to a law that aims to protect children against trafficking and kidnapping. Upon approaching the airline counter, we were told that we needed authorization forms signed (by ourselves and child services) in order to take the kids out of the country given they are now residents. So we found the immigration booth and pleaded for a temporary authorization. Fortunately the immigration officer woke up on the right side of the bed and we got the form just in time to catch our flight. After a very long day of travels (with an eight hour stop in Houston and many rides on the electric terminal “train”) we arrived in PDX. The first thing Tyler and Kira noticed, despite being 11PM, was the color of the leaves on the trees and the lack of. Both kids did not understand the idea of trees loosing leaves. “Why do the trees not have leaves, are they all dead?” asked Tyler. One of the funniest comments yet came from Tyler when we told him that he could throw the toilet paper in the toilet instead of the trash can (like in CR). He said, “wow, that’s really weird!” The first thing that Kira mentioned when we woke up was, “look, an American flag” pointing to a neighbors flag across the street. This trip is going to be fun! More to come I’m sure . . .