Costa Rica

My niece will be traveling in November to Costa Rica to learn massage therapy.  My sister mentioned that she was going to visit her.  From the time I was in high school and had a friend from Costa Rica, I have wanted to visit the beautiful country in Central America.  I visualize blue skies, tropical palms, pristine beaches, excellent cuisine.  So when opportunity arose, I grabbed it with both hands.  Now years ago, ages ago, I had a passport. However, if I want to go to Costa Rica, I need an updated one.  Last night I began the process.  I filled in the DS11 form and my husband and I got passport pictures taken.  With much difficulty, my husband printed out the form.  This morning I went to work for a while, and then when my coworker arrived, I drove to the post office.  "I'd like to apply for a passport please, " I told the woman behind the counter.  "We accept applications between 10 and 3, Monday through Friday."  I looked at my watch...9am!  "Thank you."   I smiled and left.  I chatted with my coworkers, and decided that it might be a good idea to take money from the ATM just in case debit cards were not accepted.  Driving back to the post office, the same woman started to help me.  "Since the old passport was in your maiden name, you need to provide a marriage certificate."  In my sling bag, I had my birth certificate and passport photos--in my wallet my driver's license.  I had no marriage certificate.  Since my parents' house is on my way home and I had to get the marriage certificate, I thought it was worth a try to make a quick search of my parents' home for the old passport. No luck there!  I came home retrieved the marriage certificate and drove back to the post office for the third time.  "You're back!" the woman stated.  She helped me through the process, double checking the information.  It was time to pay up.  "You can pay with a money order or check."  No problem since I could buy a money order .  I called my sister to say, "Guess who's going to Costa Rica!"  For 5 or 10 minutes, I heard my sister screaming happily in my ear.