Okay – if you watch the TikTok above you will get the abridged version of this post. Upon our move, I made an executive decision. In lieu of any religious services, the family is going to spend Sunday mornings at the beach. It is as close to a higher power as I think we can get. I mean look at this….

It is perfection. (also there isn’t a Unitarian Univeralist congregation near us).

So, this past Sunday morning, we headed to Playa Conchal, a beach famous for it’s white, seashell sandy, shores and crystal blue water. We are staying fairly close, but to access the beach, you have to walk (read drag a 5 year old and all of your beach stuff) about 20 minutes along a different beach. The walk there was peaceful and beautiful and went quickly despite the whining child and copious amounts of gear.

Once we arrived, we found this perfect spot under some trees. (see above pic) I am Snow White fair and so even with my 50 sunscreen and long sleeve swim shirt, I prefer shade. This spot was ideal.

The water was warm and clear. The girls and Jeff swam for quite a while. Don’t panic – The girls were in their swim vests. I hadn’t yet heard what happened to Malcolm Jamal Warner but am always cautious of rough water and this particular beach is known for it’s strong riptides so vests were not optional.

After swimming and playing in the sand, Charlotte climbed a tree. The trees on this beach happen to be low to the ground and have lots of twisty turny branches just ripe for climbing. Ready to come down, my future Olympic gymnast, did a lovely dismount…..right onto a broken branch sticking straight up, piercing the bottom of her foot.

Let’s just say, much like democracy in the US, our church services came to an abrupt halt. Charlotte is always dramatic, but we all could tell immediately this was bad. Even Jeff, who normally downplays major injuries, knew this was no bueno. Here’s when things got super fun. Jeff, Kylie and I had to carry all of our stuff, a screaming Charlotte, who legitimately could not walk, and a whining Evie, who could have walked but was refusing citing sympathy pains (read she’s just a PITA).

Despite wearing all white (don’t ask, I have no idea why this was her fashion choice for a trip to the beach), Kylie took the first leg carrying the blood gushing Charlotte. Jeff and I took turns trading stuff and our own mini-Sarah Heartburn. Eventually we all had a turn carrying Charlotte, Evie and beach gear – Jeff actually walked Charlotte straight into a tree giving her an additional scratch on her face….don’t tell him I shared that part. Not his proudest parenting moment.

After what felt like an eternity but was probably just 10 minutes, we got to a part of the beach that could be accessed by a one way dirt road. Jeff ran to get the car. A few super nice Ticos tried to help us despite the language barrier and Charlotte’s refusal to let anyone look at her wound which was wrapped in what once was her cute, pink beach coverup.

Once Jeff returned with the car, we decided that Evie and I would go to the house while he and Kylie took Charlotte to the clinic. (Charlotte picked Kylie over me. Not gonna lie, my feelings were hurt a little but whatever.) Jeff was the obvious choice for clinic duty because, although he argues to the contrary, he is a decent Spanish speaker. As it turns out, they speak perfect English at the clinic but we did not know that when these important decisions were being made.

Here is one of the many lessons learned that day……I had looked into Medismart, the discount medical program available in Costa Rica, a few days earlier. But we hadn’t dealt with our Costa Rican phone numbers yet and it was hard to understand and fill out the application online so, I put a pin in it. I figured it could wait a week or two. This was a costly decision. Would have been smarter to have prioritized health care.

Charlotte ended up needing 3 stitches (but she only got 2 because she was not the most cooperative patient), sedation (did I mention she wasn’t a cooperative patient), an ultrasound to insure that there was nothing stuck inside the wound, lots of washes and ointments and fancy bandages. We were charged the Gringo price, fair as we are Gringos and do not have Medismart, but also a bummer because I could have spent that insane amount of money on a car, which we need to purchase in the near future. (Perhaps my girls get their dramatic talent honestly but it was an unnecessarily pricey experience.)

On the plus side, Charlotte received great medical care and will have a great story to tell and a scar to match. She can’t put weight on her foot for 10 days and of course no swimming. Not the best way to spend your first month in Costa Rica. However, she is not complaining about being carted around like a Disney princess. And we are walking away with more than a large medical bill, we have learned a few things:

1. Deal with healthcare right when you move internationally.
2. Don’t jump off trees barefoot unless you have thoroughly checked your landing spot.
3. The folks at the clinic near us speak English well.
4. It may be safer to go to a more traditional church than the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Beach (although we will return to UUCB when Charlotte is able)

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