Seminar At Sea: Seven

This is what Porto Limon, Costa Rica looked like when we got off the boat.

And this is how we were greeted when we arrived at our destination!

Holland America had arranged the most wonderful excursion for the Seminar at Sea quilting group. There is just one quilt guild in Costa Rica, and we were to meet with its members!

A short bus ride brought us to a hotel where 30 of the guild's 40 members were waiting for us. Each of us was greeted with the gift of a light tote bag and multiple great big hugs. The reception was overwhelming.

Inside the restaurant were tables set up and examples of the quilters' work was on the walls. Most of the Costa Rican ladies had a little English; some had quite a bit. The Americans were lacking in Spanish, but some of us had a little. Somehow it worked. Wisely, entertainment was planned -- this made for a festive mood where language was less important.

Some of the members had risen at 5:30 and driven 2.5 hours to come to this event. Each of us was given a pin cushion which the guild members had made for us. Some of the members have been quilting for only two years, and the guild has been in existence for only one year. There were door prizes and refreshments. There was a spirit of joy.

Some of the seminar group had made blocks to swap with the Hispanic members. Bonnie and I regret that we didn't. Their blocks were all works of art. 

It was a morning of hugging and smiling and laughing and sharing photos, a morning of singing and dancing and picture-taking and more hugging (no language barrier here!). I came home with three email addresses and have two new Facebook Friends.

This glorious experience was followed by a canal boat tour where we saw sloth, monkey, crocodile, butterflies and birds.

It was the very best day of all.