twas the night before Christmas and in the Williams house...
Just ate a great meal of butter soup (celery, carrots, potatoes, peas, barley, tomato juice and browned butter) and ham sandwiches (ham and sandwich buns). Mom and I busted out the white zinfandel and drank the whole bottle, almost. I think Dad had only one glass! We left the tablecloth on for tomorrow, and I made a pumpkin pie for dessert tonight (which could have turned out much better, but at least I got a taste of pumpkin pie this year : )
The house is winding way down, with Uncle Dennis long gone to his quiet apartment, Nate back from work, Peter STILL at work, and John and I on our respective laptops. Avia is already in bed, and Mom is organizing the kitchen for tomorrow. Dad is in front of the tv, as usual. The fire in the fireplace is dying down and Mom has an old Christmas tape playing in the background. I still have to listen to John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas, haha! A classic here at Casa Williams.
I'm thrilled to be home right now. This is exactly what I imagined, during months of anticipation and pangs of homesickness. Quiet moments with the manger scene, the Christmas tree glowing, and the family relaxing. The house isn't always this tranquil, especially with all of 6 of us home. It makes me appreciate this moment that much more... Tomorrow morning we will have a leisurely breakfast and go to mass together, and then open gifts around lunch, and have a casual meal in the evening, since Mom is exhausted after the last couple days. I think its a simple pasta meal on the menu tomorrow night, accompanied by some good bread and wine.
I am heading up to bed, to curl up under my two comforters in my fleece pjs and wake up to my final day at home: Christmas Day.
Feliz Navidad, and lots of hugs!
Pura Vida
The house is winding way down, with Uncle Dennis long gone to his quiet apartment, Nate back from work, Peter STILL at work, and John and I on our respective laptops. Avia is already in bed, and Mom is organizing the kitchen for tomorrow. Dad is in front of the tv, as usual. The fire in the fireplace is dying down and Mom has an old Christmas tape playing in the background. I still have to listen to John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas, haha! A classic here at Casa Williams.
I'm thrilled to be home right now. This is exactly what I imagined, during months of anticipation and pangs of homesickness. Quiet moments with the manger scene, the Christmas tree glowing, and the family relaxing. The house isn't always this tranquil, especially with all of 6 of us home. It makes me appreciate this moment that much more... Tomorrow morning we will have a leisurely breakfast and go to mass together, and then open gifts around lunch, and have a casual meal in the evening, since Mom is exhausted after the last couple days. I think its a simple pasta meal on the menu tomorrow night, accompanied by some good bread and wine.
I am heading up to bed, to curl up under my two comforters in my fleece pjs and wake up to my final day at home: Christmas Day.
Feliz Navidad, and lots of hugs!
Pura Vida
reverse culture shock
I've officially been home for one week.
Last Wednesday I got Starbucks and got sick...my brother brought home breadsticks which did not agree with me. Or maybe the combination of tea and breadsticks was a bad idea?? In any case I felt like crap overnight, and all day the following day. I also got my haircut. (see picture!)
My brother and I put up the Christmas tree and brought up numerous boxes of Christmas decorations. The pesebre (manger scene) is set up, and so are the felt stockings that hang over the fireplace. The house smells like pine with the REAL Christmas tree...Mom and I picked it out at Lowe's, and she is very pleased with it: the shape is "just right," according to her. The best part for me was taking out all the old ornaments we have, things we made as kids and reminiscing. The last couple days my Christmas playlist has been on repeat...
But amidst the familiar I am also thrown with how different things are here in the USA. The snow for one, was a huge shock. I ran out of the plane into the warm airport, only to find out my mom had forgotten to bring my coat. I have yet to go sledding...but it seems like a crazy thing to do in the cold. At some point I think I'll go with my brother...
Also driving everywhere. If there is no car at home, I am STUCK! The bank is a half hour walk away, the nearest grocery store is even farther, to go anywhere you have to have a car to get there. I miss being able to walk down the street, or catch a taxi. I have gotten used to not having a car, to not depending on one for transportation. Its wierd, and frustrating at times. Things I have forgotten...little things that make life in Costa Rica so much easier! Those Ticos have public transportation down, thats for sure.
Also the amount of stuff!! A few days ago I made a smoothie with the blender, this morning I used the toaster, yesterday night I used the microwave, this morning i baked in the oven, I am doing laundry downstairs with the washer & dryer. I have none of these things at home...and sometimes I miss them, but I also realize that they are not essentials. What a simple life I live in my cabina in comparison. But I don't feel deprived.
My wardrobe too. I had forgotten how many sweaters I have, all my winter clothes that are here! There are sweatshirts, t-shirts, socks in abundance here in my dresser. But on the whole...I would hav been fine with the basics I brought with me. I feel a little silly having so much, and having things I don't use. Simplify, simplify...
Its been interesting to compare lifestyles. I think I know which one I like more... :)
Only four days until Navidad! All my gifts are wrapped! I think I will be helping mom and my brothers with last minute wrapping...
Pura Vida
Last Wednesday I got Starbucks and got sick...my brother brought home breadsticks which did not agree with me. Or maybe the combination of tea and breadsticks was a bad idea?? In any case I felt like crap overnight, and all day the following day. I also got my haircut. (see picture!)
My brother and I put up the Christmas tree and brought up numerous boxes of Christmas decorations. The pesebre (manger scene) is set up, and so are the felt stockings that hang over the fireplace. The house smells like pine with the REAL Christmas tree...Mom and I picked it out at Lowe's, and she is very pleased with it: the shape is "just right," according to her. The best part for me was taking out all the old ornaments we have, things we made as kids and reminiscing. The last couple days my Christmas playlist has been on repeat...
But amidst the familiar I am also thrown with how different things are here in the USA. The snow for one, was a huge shock. I ran out of the plane into the warm airport, only to find out my mom had forgotten to bring my coat. I have yet to go sledding...but it seems like a crazy thing to do in the cold. At some point I think I'll go with my brother...
Also driving everywhere. If there is no car at home, I am STUCK! The bank is a half hour walk away, the nearest grocery store is even farther, to go anywhere you have to have a car to get there. I miss being able to walk down the street, or catch a taxi. I have gotten used to not having a car, to not depending on one for transportation. Its wierd, and frustrating at times. Things I have forgotten...little things that make life in Costa Rica so much easier! Those Ticos have public transportation down, thats for sure.
Also the amount of stuff!! A few days ago I made a smoothie with the blender, this morning I used the toaster, yesterday night I used the microwave, this morning i baked in the oven, I am doing laundry downstairs with the washer & dryer. I have none of these things at home...and sometimes I miss them, but I also realize that they are not essentials. What a simple life I live in my cabina in comparison. But I don't feel deprived.
My wardrobe too. I had forgotten how many sweaters I have, all my winter clothes that are here! There are sweatshirts, t-shirts, socks in abundance here in my dresser. But on the whole...I would hav been fine with the basics I brought with me. I feel a little silly having so much, and having things I don't use. Simplify, simplify...
Its been interesting to compare lifestyles. I think I know which one I like more... :)
Only four days until Navidad! All my gifts are wrapped! I think I will be helping mom and my brothers with last minute wrapping...
Pura Vida
aeropuertoooooooooo
Hola muy buenos dias...
I am here in SJO waiting to board my flight to Houston. From Houston I go on to Dayton...my bag will be sent to my final destination, and I have very little with me. Just my backpack, an extra cardi, my cell phone (which won't work in the USA), and my compu. My flight leaves in another 55 minutes.
I walked around in the duty free store, and oh my how I love the smell...I kept from going nuts with all the sample perfumes and only tried one...D&G le'eau The One. YUM!! I actually didn't pack any perfumes with me leaving for two weeks, since I have two at home. (That is something cultural i have become very accustomed to: wearing perfume 24/7. Putting it on in the morning has become part of my routine.)
The smell of a nearby Cinnabon is driving me crazy!! But I don't want to spend money on something that I can get in the USA. Better to save that cash for little moments with friends in the USA...hitting a Starbucks tomorrow afternoon at 12pm, for example.
I like airports a lot though. They are so interesting: the people, the environment, movement, colors. You see all types in here, and its FACINATING. Some lady at the gate looked at me weird when I was speaking in Spanish with mom on the phone...It makes me wonder what do I look like? Tica? extranjera? where would someone guess I am from? Once I had someone mistake me for French. Airports are the best for people watching.
The last couple days have been whirlwind.
Saturday was the CPI Christmas party, and what day! I showed up at 10am to help with some prep, and people started arriving around 11am. Some staff from CPI Heredia came, and so did Carolina y Cali, who run CPI Flamingo. Romy Morales y Don Alfredo were there too...the founder and her husband. Romy even went to the bar with some of the younger crowd after the party was over.
We played lots of games and ate lots of food. I did a dance presentation with two co-workers, and while we could have used more practice we had a blast and everyone told us it looked good! At the very end of the night we opened gifts after a month of Secret Santa...my amigo had NO IDEA I was the gifter, and I had NO IDEA who my amigo was!! It was so much fun. Sunday I stopped in Esparza to visit Elliott with Muni, and yesterday I spent the whole day with Muni hanging out...we hung out at home with our Mama Tica, I went to the bank and paid my exit tax, then we went to the mall. I bought a watch...it was kind of cheap, but its plastic and perfect for Groups. Then I slept...and woke up at 4:30am. The bus ride to the airport was barely 10 minutes...my Hermano Tico let me out at 5am this morning. WOW! I am tired still...I have my little pillow for sleeping on the plane. I think I will be fine.
SJO-IAH-DAY. Almost home.
Pura Vida.
I am here in SJO waiting to board my flight to Houston. From Houston I go on to Dayton...my bag will be sent to my final destination, and I have very little with me. Just my backpack, an extra cardi, my cell phone (which won't work in the USA), and my compu. My flight leaves in another 55 minutes.
I walked around in the duty free store, and oh my how I love the smell...I kept from going nuts with all the sample perfumes and only tried one...D&G le'eau The One. YUM!! I actually didn't pack any perfumes with me leaving for two weeks, since I have two at home. (That is something cultural i have become very accustomed to: wearing perfume 24/7. Putting it on in the morning has become part of my routine.)
The smell of a nearby Cinnabon is driving me crazy!! But I don't want to spend money on something that I can get in the USA. Better to save that cash for little moments with friends in the USA...hitting a Starbucks tomorrow afternoon at 12pm, for example.
I like airports a lot though. They are so interesting: the people, the environment, movement, colors. You see all types in here, and its FACINATING. Some lady at the gate looked at me weird when I was speaking in Spanish with mom on the phone...It makes me wonder what do I look like? Tica? extranjera? where would someone guess I am from? Once I had someone mistake me for French. Airports are the best for people watching.
The last couple days have been whirlwind.
Saturday was the CPI Christmas party, and what day! I showed up at 10am to help with some prep, and people started arriving around 11am. Some staff from CPI Heredia came, and so did Carolina y Cali, who run CPI Flamingo. Romy Morales y Don Alfredo were there too...the founder and her husband. Romy even went to the bar with some of the younger crowd after the party was over.
We played lots of games and ate lots of food. I did a dance presentation with two co-workers, and while we could have used more practice we had a blast and everyone told us it looked good! At the very end of the night we opened gifts after a month of Secret Santa...my amigo had NO IDEA I was the gifter, and I had NO IDEA who my amigo was!! It was so much fun. Sunday I stopped in Esparza to visit Elliott with Muni, and yesterday I spent the whole day with Muni hanging out...we hung out at home with our Mama Tica, I went to the bank and paid my exit tax, then we went to the mall. I bought a watch...it was kind of cheap, but its plastic and perfect for Groups. Then I slept...and woke up at 4:30am. The bus ride to the airport was barely 10 minutes...my Hermano Tico let me out at 5am this morning. WOW! I am tired still...I have my little pillow for sleeping on the plane. I think I will be fine.
SJO-IAH-DAY. Almost home.
Pura Vida.
ensayos and 6 more days...
Its a beautiful sunset here in Monteverde, and its already Wednesday.
Quick weekend update:
Saturday spent the whole day with friends, walked to the Feria (local fair where produce and other stuff is on sale), had lunch and later coffee, watched the Teleton marathon until 9:30pm, slept hard.
Beautiful weather Sunday, did two loads of laundry and it dried fairly quickly in the sun. Went to a friend's birthday party and stayed til about 8pm, after went to wait downtown for the results of local elections and participated in a caravan of the winning party...I was the only gringa there, for sure. Cool experiencing Costa Rican democracy first-hand!
This week has been a mad rush, with the Christmas party this weekend! Everyone is really excited. I have a fun batch of students this week: a rasta girl, a middle-aged doctor, one semi-local, an actor, and a retired couple.
Next week ESCAPING to the USA!
Yesterday I bought gifts for the family, and tomorrow my goal is to get my Tica Bus ticket at lunchtime...Friday pay the exit tax...and be on my way to the CV Sunday.
Why does it still feel like I have forever and a day before I leave...??? Time really does have wings. But sometimes I feel like I see things passing in slow motion. And before I know it, things are passed and gone and DONE! Life is funny that way.
Pura Vida
Quick weekend update:
Saturday spent the whole day with friends, walked to the Feria (local fair where produce and other stuff is on sale), had lunch and later coffee, watched the Teleton marathon until 9:30pm, slept hard.
Beautiful weather Sunday, did two loads of laundry and it dried fairly quickly in the sun. Went to a friend's birthday party and stayed til about 8pm, after went to wait downtown for the results of local elections and participated in a caravan of the winning party...I was the only gringa there, for sure. Cool experiencing Costa Rican democracy first-hand!
This week has been a mad rush, with the Christmas party this weekend! Everyone is really excited. I have a fun batch of students this week: a rasta girl, a middle-aged doctor, one semi-local, an actor, and a retired couple.
Next week ESCAPING to the USA!
Yesterday I bought gifts for the family, and tomorrow my goal is to get my Tica Bus ticket at lunchtime...Friday pay the exit tax...and be on my way to the CV Sunday.
Why does it still feel like I have forever and a day before I leave...??? Time really does have wings. But sometimes I feel like I see things passing in slow motion. And before I know it, things are passed and gone and DONE! Life is funny that way.
Pura Vida
anecdotes
Reflection on my arrival to Costa Rica May 13th, 2010.
"Pura Vida: Third First Impressions"
The first thing I noticed was the smell.
Humidity started to seep through my pores, the air was full of dust, car exhaust, recent rain.
I had forgotten how the language sounded, “pura vida” fell on my ears again and again. A slow smile formed on my lips.
Glancing down at my wrists the words jumped out at me, inked onto my skin, part of me…pura vida. I felt like I was home.
I was back in Costa Rica.
This weekend I have little planned: tonight visiting downtown with a friend, doing all the laundry I can tomorrow, weather permitting, Sunday a birthday party for a friend and a possible visit from Elliott.
I have some exciting news for the New Year: in January I will be working with groups again, with college students from Maine for 3 weeks. I will be travelling to Heredia and then spend a week in Monteverde. I am really looking forward to getting back into ACTION! In fact my mind has already formed a tentative packing list...
The house is not as cozy as I would like these days. The wind gets in every nook and cranny! The last few nights I have been sleeping with socks and three top layers...with my hood over my head. But being the pinche (or cheap) person I am, I do not want to spring for a new blanket here when I have so many at home! Surviving...but I am almost out of clean socks. Thus the laundry tomorrow.
Pura Vida
"Pura Vida: Third First Impressions"
The first thing I noticed was the smell.
Humidity started to seep through my pores, the air was full of dust, car exhaust, recent rain.
I had forgotten how the language sounded, “pura vida” fell on my ears again and again. A slow smile formed on my lips.
Glancing down at my wrists the words jumped out at me, inked onto my skin, part of me…pura vida. I felt like I was home.
I was back in Costa Rica.
This weekend I have little planned: tonight visiting downtown with a friend, doing all the laundry I can tomorrow, weather permitting, Sunday a birthday party for a friend and a possible visit from Elliott.
I have some exciting news for the New Year: in January I will be working with groups again, with college students from Maine for 3 weeks. I will be travelling to Heredia and then spend a week in Monteverde. I am really looking forward to getting back into ACTION! In fact my mind has already formed a tentative packing list...
The house is not as cozy as I would like these days. The wind gets in every nook and cranny! The last few nights I have been sleeping with socks and three top layers...with my hood over my head. But being the pinche (or cheap) person I am, I do not want to spring for a new blanket here when I have so many at home! Surviving...but I am almost out of clean socks. Thus the laundry tomorrow.
Pura Vida
sad tidings...
So it happened...the sad, the frustrating, the unthinkable...I lost my camera.
The story goes something like this:
Saturday I went to visit Elliott, and took the early bus to Puntarenas. Packing my bag last minute, I stuffed my camera in an inside pocket, thinking that was the safest place, and it wouldn't fall out. On the bus I had a seat all to myself...I opened the same pocket, took out my iPod and listened to music, leaving my backpack open. Upon exiting the bus I closed my bag and continued on my way, waiting at another bus stop with my bag on the ground in front of me for about 10-15 minutes. Getting on the bus I stood with my bag on my back, not sitting down. Later in the afternoon I was getting out some stuff when I noticed my camera was nowhere to be found...
Option 1: It fell out of my backpack on the bus, and I didn't notice.
Option 2: I was robbed on the second bus while standing. (this option didn't even occur to me until I was telling the story to my boss, who suggested the possibility)
Bottom line: I am without a camera. I find this particularly frustrating because in packing my bag Saturday morning, I thought to myself "I really don't need to bring this" but packed it anyway. Also frustrating is the fact that i can't pinpoint the moment where I lost it...I would feel better about myself, and the situation, if I knew when it happened. But I have no idea.
Luckily I only had a few pictures on it. We called the bus driver, but he didn't find anything, and I called Grettel to double check at home but it wasn't there.
On the whole I am relived I lost my camera and not my wallet, which would have been even worse. I have also come to realize that I can definitely survive without a camera, even though its a pain in the butt. This whole situation has taught me to pack light...take what I need...and to heed the advice I often give to students, to be aware of your things at all times.
In other news, I have 14 more days before I head back to the USA. I am already planning my trip down the mountain.
This weekend there is a local festival, Monteverde Brilla! I am looking forward to going out and seeing the town all busy and bright!
The new house is cute, but small. We have a stove, but no gas. I have a mattress, but not enough blankets.
On the whole...I am doing just fine.
Christmas list (though after the plane ticket, I do not expect anything! my gift is being able to go home):
http://www.target.com/Aquarelle-Stripe-Rain-Boots-Carnation/dp/B002VRT196/ref=sr_1_47?ie=UTF8&id=Aquarelle%20Stripe%20Rain%20Boots%20Carnation&node=1038576|1287991011&searchView=grid5&searchSize=90&keywords=rain%2Bboots&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&sr=1-47&searchRank=target104545&frombrowse=0&qid=1291164090
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___77741
http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=dress_club&product_id=2084244363&Page=1
The story goes something like this:
Saturday I went to visit Elliott, and took the early bus to Puntarenas. Packing my bag last minute, I stuffed my camera in an inside pocket, thinking that was the safest place, and it wouldn't fall out. On the bus I had a seat all to myself...I opened the same pocket, took out my iPod and listened to music, leaving my backpack open. Upon exiting the bus I closed my bag and continued on my way, waiting at another bus stop with my bag on the ground in front of me for about 10-15 minutes. Getting on the bus I stood with my bag on my back, not sitting down. Later in the afternoon I was getting out some stuff when I noticed my camera was nowhere to be found...
Option 1: It fell out of my backpack on the bus, and I didn't notice.
Option 2: I was robbed on the second bus while standing. (this option didn't even occur to me until I was telling the story to my boss, who suggested the possibility)
Bottom line: I am without a camera. I find this particularly frustrating because in packing my bag Saturday morning, I thought to myself "I really don't need to bring this" but packed it anyway. Also frustrating is the fact that i can't pinpoint the moment where I lost it...I would feel better about myself, and the situation, if I knew when it happened. But I have no idea.
Luckily I only had a few pictures on it. We called the bus driver, but he didn't find anything, and I called Grettel to double check at home but it wasn't there.
On the whole I am relived I lost my camera and not my wallet, which would have been even worse. I have also come to realize that I can definitely survive without a camera, even though its a pain in the butt. This whole situation has taught me to pack light...take what I need...and to heed the advice I often give to students, to be aware of your things at all times.
In other news, I have 14 more days before I head back to the USA. I am already planning my trip down the mountain.
This weekend there is a local festival, Monteverde Brilla! I am looking forward to going out and seeing the town all busy and bright!
The new house is cute, but small. We have a stove, but no gas. I have a mattress, but not enough blankets.
On the whole...I am doing just fine.
Christmas list (though after the plane ticket, I do not expect anything! my gift is being able to go home):
http://www.target.com/Aquarelle-Stripe-Rain-Boots-Carnation/dp/B002VRT196/ref=sr_1_47?ie=UTF8&id=Aquarelle%20Stripe%20Rain%20Boots%20Carnation&node=1038576|1287991011&searchView=grid5&searchSize=90&keywords=rain%2Bboots&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&sr=1-47&searchRank=target104545&frombrowse=0&qid=1291164090
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___77741
http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=dress_club&product_id=2084244363&Page=1
what i miss most
It seems appropriate, just after Thanksgiving, to talk a little about what I miss.
Thanksgiving being one of the first things. This is a purely American holiday...and even more familiar (familiar meaning family-oriented) than Christmas. I am feeling pretty homesick thinking of my two favorite foods: cranberry jello and pumpkin pie. But mom has promised me a pie for Christmas!
Most of what i fiind myself missing while I am here has a lot to do with nostalgia, sentimentality. Its not the Wal-Marts or the numerous traffic lights (since there aren't many here, and ZERO in Monteverde). Its the feeling of walking or driving down the street and seeing familiar things, places, faces. I miss seeing the post office, or the restaurant or the store where I used to go with my mom, room-mates, friends. There are other material things I miss too...TV and peanut butter, washer and dryer, going to the mall and the ease of jumping in a car and going where-ever I want. I miss the expanse of my closet, watching movies with Nate, texting my friends, talking with mom in the kitchen. Ah but you can see there how my list moves from material...to sentimental.
I go home in a little over two weeks...I got more time to visit, instead of just one week I will have two. I am glad, considering the Holidays and the expensive ticket!
Some things I plan to do once I am home:
1. haircut. its been a year and my split ends are starting to bother me...my hair looks ratty.
2. STARBUCKS. there will be a frantic run through the airport...because I want my first taste of the USA to be Starbucks. I miss my sugary coffee flavored drinks.
3. movies. Yes, go to the movies.
4. pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie at Christmas? you bet...I missed Thanksgiving.
5. UD. Go back to good old college...visit Catering and friends who are still there!
6. friends. There are several friends I want to visit. How to go about doing it I'm not sure! Since I cannot drive.
7. Movies with the parents. Dad and I have to watch the Bourne Trilogy, Mom and I West Side Story and My Fair Lady.
That is all that comes to mind for now. I am sure to think of more later.
Right now I am in the Central Park of Esparza with Irma Arellys, Elliott's sister. Later today we are heading to Puntarenas, and from there i will leave to go back to Monteverde.
How was my Thanksgiving you may wonder? Well, Grettel and I found a cheaper place to live so we spent all of Thursday afternoon moving our things to the new house (its a little smaller, but thats ok! we are savinga lot, and it has a washer. We did have to go buy mattresses, but its ok. I will sell it when I leave). So once again...non-traditional! But I am extremely thankful for all I have in my rich life, especially the opportunities I have right here, right now.
Looking forward to going home for a while...because there are some things I miss.
Pura Vida
Thanksgiving being one of the first things. This is a purely American holiday...and even more familiar (familiar meaning family-oriented) than Christmas. I am feeling pretty homesick thinking of my two favorite foods: cranberry jello and pumpkin pie. But mom has promised me a pie for Christmas!
Most of what i fiind myself missing while I am here has a lot to do with nostalgia, sentimentality. Its not the Wal-Marts or the numerous traffic lights (since there aren't many here, and ZERO in Monteverde). Its the feeling of walking or driving down the street and seeing familiar things, places, faces. I miss seeing the post office, or the restaurant or the store where I used to go with my mom, room-mates, friends. There are other material things I miss too...TV and peanut butter, washer and dryer, going to the mall and the ease of jumping in a car and going where-ever I want. I miss the expanse of my closet, watching movies with Nate, texting my friends, talking with mom in the kitchen. Ah but you can see there how my list moves from material...to sentimental.
I go home in a little over two weeks...I got more time to visit, instead of just one week I will have two. I am glad, considering the Holidays and the expensive ticket!
Some things I plan to do once I am home:
1. haircut. its been a year and my split ends are starting to bother me...my hair looks ratty.
2. STARBUCKS. there will be a frantic run through the airport...because I want my first taste of the USA to be Starbucks. I miss my sugary coffee flavored drinks.
3. movies. Yes, go to the movies.
4. pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie at Christmas? you bet...I missed Thanksgiving.
5. UD. Go back to good old college...visit Catering and friends who are still there!
6. friends. There are several friends I want to visit. How to go about doing it I'm not sure! Since I cannot drive.
7. Movies with the parents. Dad and I have to watch the Bourne Trilogy, Mom and I West Side Story and My Fair Lady.
That is all that comes to mind for now. I am sure to think of more later.
Right now I am in the Central Park of Esparza with Irma Arellys, Elliott's sister. Later today we are heading to Puntarenas, and from there i will leave to go back to Monteverde.
How was my Thanksgiving you may wonder? Well, Grettel and I found a cheaper place to live so we spent all of Thursday afternoon moving our things to the new house (its a little smaller, but thats ok! we are savinga lot, and it has a washer. We did have to go buy mattresses, but its ok. I will sell it when I leave). So once again...non-traditional! But I am extremely thankful for all I have in my rich life, especially the opportunities I have right here, right now.
Looking forward to going home for a while...because there are some things I miss.
Pura Vida
socks
Its currently 6:30pm on a Sunday and I have just finished my 3rd cup of coffee for the day. No, I am not addicted, don't worry. Its just chilly and I don't want anymore tea.
Today has been exceptionally cold...but I think that also has something to do with how wet it is!! There has been rain on and off, and steady wind. My little wooden cabina has more cracks than can be seen with the naked eye. The air moves in and out and takes any and all heat with it! I love living here in the mountains, but sometimes I really miss the sun and the heat. I am almost always cold...even if its hot I don't find myself sweating too profusely, unless I am also doing some kind of physical activity. I am also extremely white, which I think gives away my gringa-ness. Although I had two people ask me yesterday if I was Tica! the highest of compliments.
In any case I am wearing socks, my cashmere blend cardigan and my heaviest sweatshirt. I wish I had a hat. Its a sleeping-with-socks kind of night tonight.
This is what living in the mountains is all about...beautiful sunsets and socks, haha! Oh Monteverde. It reminds me in so many ways of little, beautiful Minocqua, WI. My favorite place in the world.
But Costa Rica (in general) runs a close second: )
I had an interesting question asked of me the other day...if it has been hard adjusting to life here. After some thought, I have come to the conclusion that no, it has not been a challenge becoming used to the Tico way of life. There are some things I still struggle with: Tico time, in particular, and Pachuco (or Costa Rican slang). But on the whole I am used to the random and numerous dogs on the streets, the crazy traffic, bus system, Imperial, rice and beans, coffee, Mega Super,tp in the trashcans, white showerheads, tropical and beach and city. In many ways I have been primed to be open and flexible within another culture: my family background, my parents, especially my Avia. Also spending the last two summers here helped! Things were not so unfamiliar. Looking back at my experiences, I am actually kind of impressed with myself. Here I am living in another country, alone, and experiencing something totally different from the majority of my peers...how many other kids from my graduating class are doing the same thing?? From high school?? From college?? This is once in a lifetime, this is unique, this is way off the beaten path. I am so lucky.
Sometimes before we begin an adventure or a journey, we may look at the road ahead and think, "How the hell am I going to do this? Will I make it? What if I don't know what to do?" This is the fear that keeps us from beginning our travels, or the uncertainty that holds us back because we want a schedule, a plan, a guarantee. But I have found that the only thing to do is to GO, to DO. Quit worrying about knowing where you are going, travelling is about getting lost, discovering new places and enjoying where you are. Be open to new things, don't be afraid to take a first step. Because we do not know what the future is like, and the only thing to do is LIVE your life to get there.
I can honestly say that I never saw myself doing what I am doing now. How could I have known that I would be living in another country, working where I am now? This journey has been incredible, a blessing, and an adventure every day. No regrets. My life is so beautiful, and I am so blessed. Gracias a Dios.
Pura Vida
Today has been exceptionally cold...but I think that also has something to do with how wet it is!! There has been rain on and off, and steady wind. My little wooden cabina has more cracks than can be seen with the naked eye. The air moves in and out and takes any and all heat with it! I love living here in the mountains, but sometimes I really miss the sun and the heat. I am almost always cold...even if its hot I don't find myself sweating too profusely, unless I am also doing some kind of physical activity. I am also extremely white, which I think gives away my gringa-ness. Although I had two people ask me yesterday if I was Tica! the highest of compliments.
In any case I am wearing socks, my cashmere blend cardigan and my heaviest sweatshirt. I wish I had a hat. Its a sleeping-with-socks kind of night tonight.
This is what living in the mountains is all about...beautiful sunsets and socks, haha! Oh Monteverde. It reminds me in so many ways of little, beautiful Minocqua, WI. My favorite place in the world.
But Costa Rica (in general) runs a close second: )
I had an interesting question asked of me the other day...if it has been hard adjusting to life here. After some thought, I have come to the conclusion that no, it has not been a challenge becoming used to the Tico way of life. There are some things I still struggle with: Tico time, in particular, and Pachuco (or Costa Rican slang). But on the whole I am used to the random and numerous dogs on the streets, the crazy traffic, bus system, Imperial, rice and beans, coffee, Mega Super,tp in the trashcans, white showerheads, tropical and beach and city. In many ways I have been primed to be open and flexible within another culture: my family background, my parents, especially my Avia. Also spending the last two summers here helped! Things were not so unfamiliar. Looking back at my experiences, I am actually kind of impressed with myself. Here I am living in another country, alone, and experiencing something totally different from the majority of my peers...how many other kids from my graduating class are doing the same thing?? From high school?? From college?? This is once in a lifetime, this is unique, this is way off the beaten path. I am so lucky.
Sometimes before we begin an adventure or a journey, we may look at the road ahead and think, "How the hell am I going to do this? Will I make it? What if I don't know what to do?" This is the fear that keeps us from beginning our travels, or the uncertainty that holds us back because we want a schedule, a plan, a guarantee. But I have found that the only thing to do is to GO, to DO. Quit worrying about knowing where you are going, travelling is about getting lost, discovering new places and enjoying where you are. Be open to new things, don't be afraid to take a first step. Because we do not know what the future is like, and the only thing to do is LIVE your life to get there.
I can honestly say that I never saw myself doing what I am doing now. How could I have known that I would be living in another country, working where I am now? This journey has been incredible, a blessing, and an adventure every day. No regrets. My life is so beautiful, and I am so blessed. Gracias a Dios.
Pura Vida
laundry 911
If there is one thing I have truly come to miss about the USA, its the ease of getting your clothes washed and dried. I won't go into more detail about how laundry is done, after dedicating an entire entry to the subject. But my goal today was to do at least the basics for the following week. After about 5 full weeks of not doing laundry, I was down to my last two pair of underwear (yes, I have that many clothes! although keep in mind I am wearing more work clothes, and not jeans and tees like usual, so my wardrobe goes a long way). Usually I wash at Grettel's grandma's, since she has two washers. But today she wasn't around, and neither was Grettel. Elliott and I got to hang out for a while today, and when I walked with him down town to take the bus I checked out Chunches Libreria to see if they still had laundry service. While perusing I found a very CUTE wallet (which I didn't buy!) and also that they no longer have a washer, just a drier. The lady I talked with recommended Hotel El Tucan, but there is a creepy guy who works there and I don't want to hang around waiting on my laundry there. Sooooo, in desperation I went down the street to my nieghbor's house and pretty much begged...to do laundry. Yes, I got to do it, yes I have the basics done, and the little bodega at the back of the house is full of my hanging laundry. I MISS HAVING A WASHER AND DRIER!!!!!!!!!
Also today I made tortillas. Elliott was throughly impressed, haha! My cooking skills are slowly improving, though I do not claim to be a master of comida tica. I still prefer baking to anything else. But my tortillas turned out pretty good!
I also made a loan payment online today. Depressing but exhilarating...I am alternately pained by the fact that I have a lot left to repay, and glad that I have at least started on the road to being debt free.
I have started a simple job search too, and hope to have more solidified plans in the new year. 2011 is so close...2010 has been full of so many changes, its gone so quick!
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1986719_1986718,00.html
The travel bug left a bug bite...serious wanderlust going on lately.
I still have time to travel.
Pura Vida
Also today I made tortillas. Elliott was throughly impressed, haha! My cooking skills are slowly improving, though I do not claim to be a master of comida tica. I still prefer baking to anything else. But my tortillas turned out pretty good!
I also made a loan payment online today. Depressing but exhilarating...I am alternately pained by the fact that I have a lot left to repay, and glad that I have at least started on the road to being debt free.
I have started a simple job search too, and hope to have more solidified plans in the new year. 2011 is so close...2010 has been full of so many changes, its gone so quick!
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1986719_1986718,00.html
The travel bug left a bug bite...serious wanderlust going on lately.
I still have time to travel.
Pura Vida
water makes a difference
Something I have noticed over the last week, drinking 4 waterbottles full of water per day, is the difference water makes!!
My skin, which once a month looks pretty rugged, has been looking incredibly smooth and clear. Four times a day I stop to fill up my waterbottle, and while its resulted in more bathroom stops, I can see a difference in my complexion and I'm thrilled. I doubt that I ever kept myself so well hydrated back in the USA! My waterbottle is a constant companion.
Just thought I would share: and I recommend uping your water intake!
Pura Vida
My skin, which once a month looks pretty rugged, has been looking incredibly smooth and clear. Four times a day I stop to fill up my waterbottle, and while its resulted in more bathroom stops, I can see a difference in my complexion and I'm thrilled. I doubt that I ever kept myself so well hydrated back in the USA! My waterbottle is a constant companion.
Just thought I would share: and I recommend uping your water intake!
Pura Vida
my new obcessions
What do I do online when I am not updating my blog?
Well there are the obvious things: Facebook and gmail, chatting on Skype with whoever is connected. But I have a few other things I find myself doing online, and quite regularly.
Checking cnn.com
Yes, I have made it a point to try and stay more on top of world events. I have students from all over the world, and I want to try and seem more aware of what's happening. I especially like CNN World, where you can see what is happening specifically in regions of the world like Europe or Africa...or Latin America. (Right now in Costa Rica there is a huge dispute going on between Nicaragua and Costa Rica concerning a certain San Juan river and the exact border between the two countries.)
From cnn.com, I find sites about travel.
Travel sites I check out a lot are AOL Travel, Concierge.com, National Geographic, the Travel Channel, and Real Simple. There are all sorts of interesting articles about things as simple as packing lists to "10 Things Flight Attendants Won't Tell You." I like knowing what the Top 10 Vacation Beaches are, and am often thrilled to find Costa Rica listed. I also like Travel Advisor, which I actually use a lot in helping students find lodging and form ideas for future trips of my own. Its also handy to know what places rank here in Monteverde: Hostel Monte Elena, for example, is exactly as its listed on Trip Advisor. I also look up info on places I still have to visit here in CR: beaches and parks and activities there, the cost of tours and what tour companies can take you there.
And from travel sites, I get the travel bug.
I find myself looking at the fluctuating costs of plane tickets to Spain or France, from Dayton and from Costa Rica. I've taken to looking for airport jobs, cruise line jobs, customer service and hospitality jobs, even jobs teaching English (which is my last resort!). All in preparation for someday possibly settling abroad, or at least getting to travel as much as I possibly can.
From travel sites I look at travel accessories: my new favorite backpacks are Lafuma, a French brand. Why are Lafuma packs so great? Because they all come with a rain cover. I also like looking at rain jackets, naturally, and comparing prices and reviews of different brands. You never realize how handy product reviews are, until you are considering buying something. I also am thinking about hiking boots. Because I don't have any, and getting some would be great for the future.
While reviewing all of these, I am brought back to earth by a very real fact. That I have very limited funding...someday I will travel, maybe have my own travel show (yes I have even checked what he requirements are to be part of the amazing race, and what it takes to get a show on the travel channel). For now I am happy to be where I am. Living in another country, living in and learning about another culture. creo que ya soy Tica de corazon.
Pura Vida
Well there are the obvious things: Facebook and gmail, chatting on Skype with whoever is connected. But I have a few other things I find myself doing online, and quite regularly.
Checking cnn.com
Yes, I have made it a point to try and stay more on top of world events. I have students from all over the world, and I want to try and seem more aware of what's happening. I especially like CNN World, where you can see what is happening specifically in regions of the world like Europe or Africa...or Latin America. (Right now in Costa Rica there is a huge dispute going on between Nicaragua and Costa Rica concerning a certain San Juan river and the exact border between the two countries.)
From cnn.com, I find sites about travel.
Travel sites I check out a lot are AOL Travel, Concierge.com, National Geographic, the Travel Channel, and Real Simple. There are all sorts of interesting articles about things as simple as packing lists to "10 Things Flight Attendants Won't Tell You." I like knowing what the Top 10 Vacation Beaches are, and am often thrilled to find Costa Rica listed. I also like Travel Advisor, which I actually use a lot in helping students find lodging and form ideas for future trips of my own. Its also handy to know what places rank here in Monteverde: Hostel Monte Elena, for example, is exactly as its listed on Trip Advisor. I also look up info on places I still have to visit here in CR: beaches and parks and activities there, the cost of tours and what tour companies can take you there.
And from travel sites, I get the travel bug.
I find myself looking at the fluctuating costs of plane tickets to Spain or France, from Dayton and from Costa Rica. I've taken to looking for airport jobs, cruise line jobs, customer service and hospitality jobs, even jobs teaching English (which is my last resort!). All in preparation for someday possibly settling abroad, or at least getting to travel as much as I possibly can.
From travel sites I look at travel accessories: my new favorite backpacks are Lafuma, a French brand. Why are Lafuma packs so great? Because they all come with a rain cover. I also like looking at rain jackets, naturally, and comparing prices and reviews of different brands. You never realize how handy product reviews are, until you are considering buying something. I also am thinking about hiking boots. Because I don't have any, and getting some would be great for the future.
While reviewing all of these, I am brought back to earth by a very real fact. That I have very limited funding...someday I will travel, maybe have my own travel show (yes I have even checked what he requirements are to be part of the amazing race, and what it takes to get a show on the travel channel). For now I am happy to be where I am. Living in another country, living in and learning about another culture. creo que ya soy Tica de corazon.
Pura Vida
hold on kids we're going to Monteverde
Have you ever ridden on a public bus? Then you understand the frustration of not finding a seat when you have to ride. You stand and you stand and every time the bus stops you look around to see if anyone is getting off, and if you can snag a spot to sit down. Well imagine that you board the bus and not only are there no seats, but that it is already full. The only place to sit, instead of stand the whole way is a spot on the floor. And that the roads are not paved the whole way, and you have to endure the last hour and a half of your journey bumping your butt and the back of your head against the side of the bus. And you are surrounded by gringos, and next to you is a silent girl and you have to go to the bathroom. This is the bus ride to Monteverde on Sunday. I like to think that I can handle any situation, that nothing is too tough for me, nothing is too dirty or too extreme. That I can handle everything. But bus rides to Monteverde... may leave my butt a little sore, and my insides a little shaken, and worse for the wear.
I spent last weekend in Heredia with my Familia Tica. I left Monteverde early Saturday morning, and arrived around 11am in Heredia. My Mama Tica and I spent the whole afternoon in the city, window shopping and hanging out and chatting. I got some small gifts for my "Amigo Secreto," since we are doing a Secret Santa at CPI.
On Sunday I headed home.
This week has been fairly slow. I have only one new student, a man from France. He actually has pretty good Spanish, just that he is learning more about vocabulary and pronunciation. I love having students like that! He is here for 5 weeks.
The weather has changed again...it is windy and chilly, but not rainy. This is Christmas weather...
Right now I am missing the fall weather back home in Dayton. I want a bite of pumpkin ice cream, and a slice of pumpkin pie, and to smell the leaves falling and rotting and woodsmoke. The smells and tastes and sights of fall...Dayton, Ohio. Thinking of my hometown.
Pura Vida
I spent last weekend in Heredia with my Familia Tica. I left Monteverde early Saturday morning, and arrived around 11am in Heredia. My Mama Tica and I spent the whole afternoon in the city, window shopping and hanging out and chatting. I got some small gifts for my "Amigo Secreto," since we are doing a Secret Santa at CPI.
On Sunday I headed home.
This week has been fairly slow. I have only one new student, a man from France. He actually has pretty good Spanish, just that he is learning more about vocabulary and pronunciation. I love having students like that! He is here for 5 weeks.
The weather has changed again...it is windy and chilly, but not rainy. This is Christmas weather...
Right now I am missing the fall weather back home in Dayton. I want a bite of pumpkin ice cream, and a slice of pumpkin pie, and to smell the leaves falling and rotting and woodsmoke. The smells and tastes and sights of fall...Dayton, Ohio. Thinking of my hometown.
Pura Vida
avanzado.
This week remains slow...but tomorrow is Friday, and payday! Sabores is open again, which means easy access to ice cream and internet. I am going to Heredia this weekend to visit my Familia Tica, and I have to confess that I am in love.
If things ever seem down or dull, I have to take a deep breath and remind myself that I am in a beautiful country and in the midst of an amazing life adventure...I am in Costa Rica! Today after leaving work I decided to sit on the rock out n front of CPI, across the street, and watch the sunset. It was an absolutely clear view to the Gulf of Nicoya and Puntarenas, and the sun behind the clouds was winking in colors of orange, pink, yellow, and light purples. The sunsets are one of my favorite things about being so high in the mountains. We have the best views. I'm told that December is the month to really enjoy sunsets, when the sun appears to go down into the water of the Gulf. Its hard to imagine something ever more beautiful than what I have seen up to now. I am looking forward to December.
Luckily tomorrow is payday. I have already begun a mental list of groceries and other things I have to purchase, which include minutes for my phone and gas for the stove. We also have plenty of soups left on the shelves, but no sugar, salsa Lizano, meat, frijoles molidos or tortillas. In my mind we are just fine until we run out of rice and beans, but our menu has become very limited with the gas running out this evening (ironically we were making beans at the time!). The cost of living here is not high, but the little things add up. I will not be going out to eat for a while, that is for sure. A pity too, I miss sushi.
Sabores, the ice cream parlor up the street is open again. They were closed the whole month of October mas o menos, since it is usually such a slow month. Grettel and I are thrilled that they are open again...we have missed chocobananos and the wifi there. I ate ice cream this afternoon, naturally.
This weekend I plan to go to Heredia and visit with my Familia Tica there. I had planned to go last weekend but ended up travelling elsewhere. I haven't been back to see them since September, and a visit is way overdue. I am glad to have a cell phone, I have been in touch with my Mama and Papa Tico weekly since getting the cell. Going to see them feels very much like going home, and we always have great conversations. They are in every sense my surrogate parents here in Costa Rica.
I also want to share that I have been dating someone for the last four months...his name is Elliott, and we are completely smitten and perfectly comfortable with each other. Yes, I am not afraid to use the "L" word to describe what we have. Love, in the most unusual and wonderful of places.
Pura Vida!
If things ever seem down or dull, I have to take a deep breath and remind myself that I am in a beautiful country and in the midst of an amazing life adventure...I am in Costa Rica! Today after leaving work I decided to sit on the rock out n front of CPI, across the street, and watch the sunset. It was an absolutely clear view to the Gulf of Nicoya and Puntarenas, and the sun behind the clouds was winking in colors of orange, pink, yellow, and light purples. The sunsets are one of my favorite things about being so high in the mountains. We have the best views. I'm told that December is the month to really enjoy sunsets, when the sun appears to go down into the water of the Gulf. Its hard to imagine something ever more beautiful than what I have seen up to now. I am looking forward to December.
Luckily tomorrow is payday. I have already begun a mental list of groceries and other things I have to purchase, which include minutes for my phone and gas for the stove. We also have plenty of soups left on the shelves, but no sugar, salsa Lizano, meat, frijoles molidos or tortillas. In my mind we are just fine until we run out of rice and beans, but our menu has become very limited with the gas running out this evening (ironically we were making beans at the time!). The cost of living here is not high, but the little things add up. I will not be going out to eat for a while, that is for sure. A pity too, I miss sushi.
Sabores, the ice cream parlor up the street is open again. They were closed the whole month of October mas o menos, since it is usually such a slow month. Grettel and I are thrilled that they are open again...we have missed chocobananos and the wifi there. I ate ice cream this afternoon, naturally.
This weekend I plan to go to Heredia and visit with my Familia Tica there. I had planned to go last weekend but ended up travelling elsewhere. I haven't been back to see them since September, and a visit is way overdue. I am glad to have a cell phone, I have been in touch with my Mama and Papa Tico weekly since getting the cell. Going to see them feels very much like going home, and we always have great conversations. They are in every sense my surrogate parents here in Costa Rica.
I also want to share that I have been dating someone for the last four months...his name is Elliott, and we are completely smitten and perfectly comfortable with each other. Yes, I am not afraid to use the "L" word to describe what we have. Love, in the most unusual and wonderful of places.
Pura Vida!
clotheslines
I always seem to come up with interesting blog titles when I don`t have time to blog...same with topics for my blogs, instead of just an update about my life. Topics include:
Eco Tourism
Bilingual
Cost of Living
Customs
Family and Traditions
Vocabulary words
Travel-ways of getting around
Women's roles
Men's roles
Immersion
Wildlife/biodiveristy
Skype
Job hunting/careers
Geography of Costa Rica
Culture shock
If there is a topic you want to read about let me know.
Today I am going to write about laundry. My inspiration comes from the fact that we now have a clothesline hanging in our back room, the storage closet in the house. My luandry has been there since Monday, and is still damp. I have to say though that there isn't much air movement back there at that end of the house. I have socks drying on the extra bed in my room...
At least today it hasn't rained much. There was an early morning shower, then the sun gradualy came out and even now its peeking through clouds. I have no doubt it will rain again this evening though. A dryer would be a boon here in the rainy season...but it doesn't make much sense to have a dryer and not a washer. At least we have a clothesline, but there is no telling how long it will take our things to dry. Plus the fact that put togther Grettel and I have enough clothing to clothe at least our entire neighborhood(well the women anyway).
Washing clothes is actually quite an interesting experience. Grettel and I go to her grandmother's to wash, as she has two washers and *gasp* a dryer, which we do not use because it requires so much electricity. Washers here are set up differently too. There are two parts: a large compartment that is filled with the water and soap, where everything gets washed, and another part on the side that has the spin cycle...first you wash the clothes, and then move them over to be spun (mostly) dry. This type of washer uses much less electricity, and the washing is more thorough. I always manage to forget some dirty things to wash though. Then we line dry our clothes, or if it is really rainy then hopefully we will be able to use the dryer. Most families here do not have a dryer, and during most of the year its no big deal to line dry clothing in the backyard or under an awning, maybe in a back room. But in the rainy season doing laundry takes longer...you are never sure when things will be properly dry.
All I know is that I miss having a washer and dryer available when I need them...Washing clothes here without them is much more difficult. I was so spoiled in the USA!
The good thing is though, that my clothes last me about a month beofre I have to wash again. Another three weeks...hopefully my things will be dry by then.
This week we have three students: one girl from Switzerland and a couple from Colorado. Next week there are two students...I feel so necessary. Such is life here in low season.
Pura Vida
Eco Tourism
Bilingual
Cost of Living
Customs
Family and Traditions
Vocabulary words
Travel-ways of getting around
Women's roles
Men's roles
Immersion
Wildlife/biodiveristy
Skype
Job hunting/careers
Geography of Costa Rica
Culture shock
If there is a topic you want to read about let me know.
Today I am going to write about laundry. My inspiration comes from the fact that we now have a clothesline hanging in our back room, the storage closet in the house. My luandry has been there since Monday, and is still damp. I have to say though that there isn't much air movement back there at that end of the house. I have socks drying on the extra bed in my room...
At least today it hasn't rained much. There was an early morning shower, then the sun gradualy came out and even now its peeking through clouds. I have no doubt it will rain again this evening though. A dryer would be a boon here in the rainy season...but it doesn't make much sense to have a dryer and not a washer. At least we have a clothesline, but there is no telling how long it will take our things to dry. Plus the fact that put togther Grettel and I have enough clothing to clothe at least our entire neighborhood(well the women anyway).
Washing clothes is actually quite an interesting experience. Grettel and I go to her grandmother's to wash, as she has two washers and *gasp* a dryer, which we do not use because it requires so much electricity. Washers here are set up differently too. There are two parts: a large compartment that is filled with the water and soap, where everything gets washed, and another part on the side that has the spin cycle...first you wash the clothes, and then move them over to be spun (mostly) dry. This type of washer uses much less electricity, and the washing is more thorough. I always manage to forget some dirty things to wash though. Then we line dry our clothes, or if it is really rainy then hopefully we will be able to use the dryer. Most families here do not have a dryer, and during most of the year its no big deal to line dry clothing in the backyard or under an awning, maybe in a back room. But in the rainy season doing laundry takes longer...you are never sure when things will be properly dry.
All I know is that I miss having a washer and dryer available when I need them...Washing clothes here without them is much more difficult. I was so spoiled in the USA!
The good thing is though, that my clothes last me about a month beofre I have to wash again. Another three weeks...hopefully my things will be dry by then.
This week we have three students: one girl from Switzerland and a couple from Colorado. Next week there are two students...I feel so necessary. Such is life here in low season.
Pura Vida
welcome back october
Monday. The hardest day of my week...and not just beacuse I get a case of the Mondays every Monday. Today I met new and transfer students and did orientation, am working on a project that is slow going because I need more information and my resources are people who are busier than me, and its started to look more like a proper October in Monteverde...rainy. Good thing my raincoat is with me.
I have to talk about my wonderful weekend, which keeps making me smile.
A close friend of mine from UD is also here in Costa Rica for a year as part of a volunteer program. This past weekend she had a three day weekend (no work today, Monday). So she and some of her friends came up to Monteverde for a weekend trip, and to visit me! I was a guide and resource for them all weekend long, this being "my town." We ate dinner together Saturday night and then hung out until late, dancing and talking and laughing. On Sunday we went on a canopy tour (EXTREMO, my favorite and highly recommended for its being truly IN the canopy!) and then had a relaxing afternoon strolling around town and chatting, then dinner at my cabina and lots more laughter. It was great to see my friend again, and to get to know some relly cool new people. I also feel a glow of pride at being knowlegeable about the area and being able to help them with all thier questions, recommending restaurants and activities. Hopefully I will be able to make a trip to Moravia and the San Jose area to visit, maybe sometime in November. Having such good company really made my weekend!! It was a lot of fun, and I am so blessed to have friends here.
So even with the wet weather, I am warmed by the great memories I made this weekend. Thanks Brittany for visiting ; )
Pura Vida
I have to talk about my wonderful weekend, which keeps making me smile.
A close friend of mine from UD is also here in Costa Rica for a year as part of a volunteer program. This past weekend she had a three day weekend (no work today, Monday). So she and some of her friends came up to Monteverde for a weekend trip, and to visit me! I was a guide and resource for them all weekend long, this being "my town." We ate dinner together Saturday night and then hung out until late, dancing and talking and laughing. On Sunday we went on a canopy tour (EXTREMO, my favorite and highly recommended for its being truly IN the canopy!) and then had a relaxing afternoon strolling around town and chatting, then dinner at my cabina and lots more laughter. It was great to see my friend again, and to get to know some relly cool new people. I also feel a glow of pride at being knowlegeable about the area and being able to help them with all thier questions, recommending restaurants and activities. Hopefully I will be able to make a trip to Moravia and the San Jose area to visit, maybe sometime in November. Having such good company really made my weekend!! It was a lot of fun, and I am so blessed to have friends here.
So even with the wet weather, I am warmed by the great memories I made this weekend. Thanks Brittany for visiting ; )
Pura Vida
backpacks/vegetables/december
First of all, I gave in and bought a new daypack. I am a huge fan of LLBean, but after 9 years and a week of non stop rain my Turbo Transit pack is approaching retirement. Its molded throughout and some of the lining is starting to come off from the bottom compartment, making my things full of bits of plastic and fabric. While this bag has been great for school, it hasn't been ideal for the mountain climate.
My new favorite brand? Lafuma, a French brand that makes all kinds of products, including backpacks. The best thing about Lafuma packs? They all have built in rain covers. ESSENTIAL! Check it out:
http://www.departmentofgoods.com/lafuma-eco-28-backpack-1700cu-in
I like to think that I am pretty savvy when it comes to outdoor products, but every time I browse online I find yet another brand or product that is new or different. Its always good to know what brands and types of jackets, hiking boots, waterproof bags will work best for whatever adventure I undertake next. Plus I am just a fan of online shopping.
Lately I have also been reflecting on what to do for New Years. Last year my resolution was to brush my teeth every morning, which was not a regular part of my routine (gross I know, but I could just never remember!). There have only been a handful of times in 2010 that I have not brushed my teeth in the morning: now its automatic. But what to do for 2011, since I have pearly whites? I think I am going to try and do something more challenging.
For those that know me, I am huge meat lover. Pizza hut meat lover's pizza, turkey, chicken...I like meat. Bacon on my hamburger? Yes please. And I have been thinking to myself...what if I tried going vegetarian? For at least 6 months, just to try it? And the for the next year? Some of my reasoning is as follows:
-it is healthy. Avia is living proof that a healthy diet of fruits and veggies doesn't hurt anyone. And I could definitely use more fruits and veggies in my diet.
-the challenge. We are supposed to challenge ourselves in the new year, dare ourselves to be better. this fits the bill.
-it wouldn't be that hard...food here in Costa Rica is fresh fruits and veggies. Its a regular part of people's diet, and is affordable and plentiful. So it wouldn't be hard to cook, just to keep stocked.
-I eat lots of beans. I wouldn't be completely cutting protien from my diet, I would just have to make sure I am getting plenty.
-Meat is not usually on my shopping list. Just ask my roomies from last year...I occasionally bought jamon serrano or fish, but not chicken or red meat. I would be saving money since meat is usually a little more expensive.
We will see...I am still looking forward to ham sandwiches when I go home for Christmas...that is why this would be a New Year's resolution, haha!
Speaking of Christmas, we are still experiencing December weather here in Monteverde. It is windy and cool, cold even. I wear two layers and my raincoat, which doubles as a windbreaker. I wish I had brought a hat! and more socks. This has apparently been an uncharacteristically dry October...But I am loving. Way better than rain and wind! At least all my clothes are dry.
Speaking of clothes, I have to do laundry. SOON. Its been about 3 weeks...at least I still have clean underwear! Hopefully this weekend. What I wouldn't give for a washer and dryer...!!!
Pura Vida
My new favorite brand? Lafuma, a French brand that makes all kinds of products, including backpacks. The best thing about Lafuma packs? They all have built in rain covers. ESSENTIAL! Check it out:
http://www.departmentofgoods.com/lafuma-eco-28-backpack-1700cu-in
I like to think that I am pretty savvy when it comes to outdoor products, but every time I browse online I find yet another brand or product that is new or different. Its always good to know what brands and types of jackets, hiking boots, waterproof bags will work best for whatever adventure I undertake next. Plus I am just a fan of online shopping.
Lately I have also been reflecting on what to do for New Years. Last year my resolution was to brush my teeth every morning, which was not a regular part of my routine (gross I know, but I could just never remember!). There have only been a handful of times in 2010 that I have not brushed my teeth in the morning: now its automatic. But what to do for 2011, since I have pearly whites? I think I am going to try and do something more challenging.
For those that know me, I am huge meat lover. Pizza hut meat lover's pizza, turkey, chicken...I like meat. Bacon on my hamburger? Yes please. And I have been thinking to myself...what if I tried going vegetarian? For at least 6 months, just to try it? And the for the next year? Some of my reasoning is as follows:
-it is healthy. Avia is living proof that a healthy diet of fruits and veggies doesn't hurt anyone. And I could definitely use more fruits and veggies in my diet.
-the challenge. We are supposed to challenge ourselves in the new year, dare ourselves to be better. this fits the bill.
-it wouldn't be that hard...food here in Costa Rica is fresh fruits and veggies. Its a regular part of people's diet, and is affordable and plentiful. So it wouldn't be hard to cook, just to keep stocked.
-I eat lots of beans. I wouldn't be completely cutting protien from my diet, I would just have to make sure I am getting plenty.
-Meat is not usually on my shopping list. Just ask my roomies from last year...I occasionally bought jamon serrano or fish, but not chicken or red meat. I would be saving money since meat is usually a little more expensive.
We will see...I am still looking forward to ham sandwiches when I go home for Christmas...that is why this would be a New Year's resolution, haha!
Speaking of Christmas, we are still experiencing December weather here in Monteverde. It is windy and cool, cold even. I wear two layers and my raincoat, which doubles as a windbreaker. I wish I had brought a hat! and more socks. This has apparently been an uncharacteristically dry October...But I am loving. Way better than rain and wind! At least all my clothes are dry.
Speaking of clothes, I have to do laundry. SOON. Its been about 3 weeks...at least I still have clean underwear! Hopefully this weekend. What I wouldn't give for a washer and dryer...!!!
Pura Vida
scorpions and earthquakes OH MY
Last night Grettel and I were watching a movie when we suddenly felt like we were on a waterbed. "Meggie, un temblor!" Grettel jumped up and opened all the doors...we stood in the front door and felt a few smaller pulses. But earthquakes are harder to recognize when you are standing... sitting or lying down you recognize the movement. Opening the doors, Grettel later explained, is essential. If during the quake the house shifts the door might get stuck in the frame. The conecpt of standing in a doorframe immediately came to mind, and opening doors makes sense. We then made several phone calls and found that everyone was all right. But that was one of the strongest earthquakes I have experienced. Other than that it was an uneventful evening, and I am totally out of movies to watch. Lastima.
This morning I found a scorpion in my room. The walls of the house are overlapping pieces of wood, and in the corner I noticed a leg. Upon closer inspection I found a scorpion...small, black and POISONOUS. Grettel killed it with her flip flop...Where are the rest, we are wondering...oh dear.
So far its another breezy Saturday here in Monteverde. At last p oint I heard a few raindrops faling, but the sun is out again today gracias a Dios. I am on my way out to hike with a friend from Holland...later!
Pura Vida
This morning I found a scorpion in my room. The walls of the house are overlapping pieces of wood, and in the corner I noticed a leg. Upon closer inspection I found a scorpion...small, black and POISONOUS. Grettel killed it with her flip flop...Where are the rest, we are wondering...oh dear.
So far its another breezy Saturday here in Monteverde. At last p oint I heard a few raindrops faling, but the sun is out again today gracias a Dios. I am on my way out to hike with a friend from Holland...later!
Pura Vida
places i want to see/visit
Jaco
Montezuma
Playa Hermosa
Playa Samara
Santa Teresa
Osa Peninsula
Limon
Rio Celeste
Irazu Volcano
Moravia (Brittany Buckner is there!)
San Vito (again)
I still have time.
Montezuma
Playa Hermosa
Playa Samara
Santa Teresa
Osa Peninsula
Limon
Rio Celeste
Irazu Volcano
Moravia (Brittany Buckner is there!)
San Vito (again)
I still have time.
hello december
I am cold.
Today I am wearing a cardigan and a swetshirt, and I am still shivering. Oh I also have a scarf. The wind bites!
This is typical Monteverde weather...windy and chilly. But its come about 2 months too early! Still sleeping with socks every night. I have to say though, that I much prefer wind over rain. Up until the last three days, our front door was so swollen with water and saturated that it would not completely close. So stressful leaving the house with the dorr partially open. One morning after slamming it shut, I had to climb out the kitchen window to force it open from the outside. What an adventure..but now I know how to get out if there is ever an emergency, haha!
I also have a story about my closet. It is small, with a shelf at waist level and a smaller compartment above, built into the wall. I have my things folded and organized on the shelf, and some things leaning against the wall in the back. Below the shelf is a large space on the floor, where I have my shoes organized and two bags, one filled with socks and the other with underwear. Two night ago I opened the door and bent down to retrieve a pair of socks before going to bed...when I spotted something big and black on the wall in the corner. Yes, there was TARANTULA IN MY CLOSET. I screamed, and Grettel came in and stared. I have never seen a spider so big in my life...and the most unsettling thing was its proximity to my underwear. I took immediate action and removed everything from the closet floor except my chaco sandals, which are heavy and plastic...I then braced myself and wacked as hard as I could with my one chaco...the result was a leggy and squishy mess, which I cleaned with a paper towel, grimacing. I have been checking my sheets every night, and moved my bed further away from the wall. Daddy-long-legs are one thing...tarantulas are another. I understand that my environment invites itself to bug encounters, but this was by far the most unpleasant one I have had. Mosquitoes do not bother me. I am not unnerved by cockroaches. But tarantulas! That was crazy.
I hope this December weather keeps up; its better being cold and dry than cold and wet. Grettel and I have been eating oatmeal, toast and eggs for breakfast, and soups and hot rice dishes for dinner.
Some new words and phrases I have learned:
pegajoso= sticky
pelo de gato= drizzling rain.
If someone asks me if I am fluent or bilingual, I say no. Because truly, there is so much I have yet to learn. Eyes and ears open...all the time!
Pura Vida
Today I am wearing a cardigan and a swetshirt, and I am still shivering. Oh I also have a scarf. The wind bites!
This is typical Monteverde weather...windy and chilly. But its come about 2 months too early! Still sleeping with socks every night. I have to say though, that I much prefer wind over rain. Up until the last three days, our front door was so swollen with water and saturated that it would not completely close. So stressful leaving the house with the dorr partially open. One morning after slamming it shut, I had to climb out the kitchen window to force it open from the outside. What an adventure..but now I know how to get out if there is ever an emergency, haha!
I also have a story about my closet. It is small, with a shelf at waist level and a smaller compartment above, built into the wall. I have my things folded and organized on the shelf, and some things leaning against the wall in the back. Below the shelf is a large space on the floor, where I have my shoes organized and two bags, one filled with socks and the other with underwear. Two night ago I opened the door and bent down to retrieve a pair of socks before going to bed...when I spotted something big and black on the wall in the corner. Yes, there was TARANTULA IN MY CLOSET. I screamed, and Grettel came in and stared. I have never seen a spider so big in my life...and the most unsettling thing was its proximity to my underwear. I took immediate action and removed everything from the closet floor except my chaco sandals, which are heavy and plastic...I then braced myself and wacked as hard as I could with my one chaco...the result was a leggy and squishy mess, which I cleaned with a paper towel, grimacing. I have been checking my sheets every night, and moved my bed further away from the wall. Daddy-long-legs are one thing...tarantulas are another. I understand that my environment invites itself to bug encounters, but this was by far the most unpleasant one I have had. Mosquitoes do not bother me. I am not unnerved by cockroaches. But tarantulas! That was crazy.
I hope this December weather keeps up; its better being cold and dry than cold and wet. Grettel and I have been eating oatmeal, toast and eggs for breakfast, and soups and hot rice dishes for dinner.
Some new words and phrases I have learned:
pegajoso= sticky
pelo de gato= drizzling rain.
If someone asks me if I am fluent or bilingual, I say no. Because truly, there is so much I have yet to learn. Eyes and ears open...all the time!
Pura Vida
sun and signals
Today it has not rained.
AGH I feel like I just jinxed the weather, but I am so thrilled that today the sun was bright and beautiful over CPI and that I could leave my pathetic molding backpack on the lawn to dry. Overcast at 3pm, but now at 6:30pm we are still dry! Although the sky is not as clear as it was this morning...
This weekend I hope to do a deep cleaning of the house and sleep. I want to shake out all of the molding items in my closet and make sure my passport is safe. Plus we need to go shopping here for our little stock of food...we are running low on rice and beans.
Work has been going well. Right now there are so few students I hardly know what to do with myself...today a couple from Texas left after being here a whole month, and I am going to miss them! Yesterday we did a farewell dinner and they made an apple pie, which turned out great!
Speaking of pies, I am definitely missing fall back home. My favorite season, I love the transition of colors and the smells and tastes of the fall season. I will also miss making pies and celebrating Thanksgiving. Its strange to imagine not celebrating at all, but its a very American holiday. Maybe I will at least make apple pie and mashed potatoes for Grettel and myself.
Right now I am bumming internet off the restaurant next door, which is open today. Yesterday when I tried to go and call a cab in the rain, I was sad to discover that it was CLOSED! So I walked. Luckily today they are open for business, and conveniently do not have a password for internet.
Many places are closing earlier or closing completely for the month of October, low season here in Monteverde. There are still tourists and visitors to the community, but significantly fewer. So many places close for a time, and many people go on vacation.
I am getting desperate for a cell phone...after walking in the rain yesterday because I had no way to call for a taxi I felt pretty frustrated. There are some friends who can hopefully help me get a good deal on a cell phone here...the most expensive part is the phone, and I will simply have a pre-paid plan. Previously cell phones were not even an option for extranjeros...you had to be a resident to have a phone number here. Luckily that has changed in the last year. Now I just have to get a phone and get on board! Not having instant communication has been an adjustment. I am very thankful for Skype and e-mail.
That is all for now. Tonight I am meeting some friends downtown for sushi.
This weekend is off to a good start!
PURA VIDA
AGH I feel like I just jinxed the weather, but I am so thrilled that today the sun was bright and beautiful over CPI and that I could leave my pathetic molding backpack on the lawn to dry. Overcast at 3pm, but now at 6:30pm we are still dry! Although the sky is not as clear as it was this morning...
This weekend I hope to do a deep cleaning of the house and sleep. I want to shake out all of the molding items in my closet and make sure my passport is safe. Plus we need to go shopping here for our little stock of food...we are running low on rice and beans.
Work has been going well. Right now there are so few students I hardly know what to do with myself...today a couple from Texas left after being here a whole month, and I am going to miss them! Yesterday we did a farewell dinner and they made an apple pie, which turned out great!
Speaking of pies, I am definitely missing fall back home. My favorite season, I love the transition of colors and the smells and tastes of the fall season. I will also miss making pies and celebrating Thanksgiving. Its strange to imagine not celebrating at all, but its a very American holiday. Maybe I will at least make apple pie and mashed potatoes for Grettel and myself.
Right now I am bumming internet off the restaurant next door, which is open today. Yesterday when I tried to go and call a cab in the rain, I was sad to discover that it was CLOSED! So I walked. Luckily today they are open for business, and conveniently do not have a password for internet.
Many places are closing earlier or closing completely for the month of October, low season here in Monteverde. There are still tourists and visitors to the community, but significantly fewer. So many places close for a time, and many people go on vacation.
I am getting desperate for a cell phone...after walking in the rain yesterday because I had no way to call for a taxi I felt pretty frustrated. There are some friends who can hopefully help me get a good deal on a cell phone here...the most expensive part is the phone, and I will simply have a pre-paid plan. Previously cell phones were not even an option for extranjeros...you had to be a resident to have a phone number here. Luckily that has changed in the last year. Now I just have to get a phone and get on board! Not having instant communication has been an adjustment. I am very thankful for Skype and e-mail.
That is all for now. Tonight I am meeting some friends downtown for sushi.
This weekend is off to a good start!
PURA VIDA
i hate mold.
Let it be known about Monteverde weather: when it rains, nothing is dry. Even the air is heavy and humid and WET. This has led to the unfortunate destruction of several of my belongings...most notably in my closet. My beloved striped cardigan is molding at the sleeves. My black cross body bag is completely molded. And even my Lands End tote has mold on the bottom. Even my purse hanging from my doorknob is starting to mold! I have been trying to periodically go through my closet and shake out my shirts and other clothes, so that the humidity doesn't sink in too much. What I wouldn't give for a de-humidifyer...or a dryer.
Well, this weekend will be pretty easy going. Headed to Puntarenas for the afternoon, back tomorrow. Its been raining nonstop for the last couple days due to a tropical depression, hopefully the rain doesn't follow me down the mountain.
Good afternoon...relaxing.
Pura Vida
Well, this weekend will be pretty easy going. Headed to Puntarenas for the afternoon, back tomorrow. Its been raining nonstop for the last couple days due to a tropical depression, hopefully the rain doesn't follow me down the mountain.
Good afternoon...relaxing.
Pura Vida
old people and ADD
So today I encountered a student who I am pretty sure will drive me crazy the next three weeks.
She is an older woman in her late 50s early 60s, and is absolutely ADD. It took me about an hour to do an orientation that normally takes about 20 mins...talk about frustrating. Every time I started talking she interrupted me with a story that would move to another subject, and then complained to me that orientation was taking too long. HER FAULT!!! I just hope that is not me when I get older. Old people and ADD make for a very bad combination... patience, calm.
What a quick Monday...today I had only two new students, one from the Netherlands. How do you say the Netherlands in Spanish, you may wonder?? "Holanda." Yeah, I just learned that today.
This weekend really flew by too...on Friday I traveled by bus 3.5 hours to downtown Puntarenas. I spent a couple days there last summer with one of my groups, and it was cool to walk around (I must have walked like 20 mins after sitting all day!) and see some familiar sites: the restaurant that I made my kids walk too, the portion of the beach where there was a huge carnival, another restaurant...the hotel was too far from the bus stop I needed, so I didn't walk all the way there. Instead I ate some over priced garlic clams and had a Fresca before catching the 8pm bus to Esparza, which was only 30-35 mins away.
Saturday I went to San Jose and observed a friend's final presentation in Portuguese...I am really amazed at how similar Portuguese is to Spanish, nothing more than different pronunciation and some vocab. But very similar! Then I went back to Esparza and ate Chinese food.
Sunday I went to downtown Puntarenas again, this time during the day. There were lots of people out on the beach, and it was pretty good weather! I think being on the Gulf of Nicoya has something to do with it, blowing the clouds away to Monteverde! I walked around and have decided I will never go swimming in the Gulf...apparently it is one of the most contaminated areas of Costa Rica. That is ironic because I saw a baula sea turtle swimming around! I went out on the pier too, where the cruise ships come in. I hear that they do not let Ticos enter the pier area during cruise season because a lot of tourists end up getting robbed...sad but true about a community like this. On the whole Puntarenas can be summed up as being fishy and dirty...lots of trash and ceviche in every restaurant. Still, it was nice to visit. My shoulders got a little color.
Fotos later...Pura vida!
She is an older woman in her late 50s early 60s, and is absolutely ADD. It took me about an hour to do an orientation that normally takes about 20 mins...talk about frustrating. Every time I started talking she interrupted me with a story that would move to another subject, and then complained to me that orientation was taking too long. HER FAULT!!! I just hope that is not me when I get older. Old people and ADD make for a very bad combination... patience, calm.
What a quick Monday...today I had only two new students, one from the Netherlands. How do you say the Netherlands in Spanish, you may wonder?? "Holanda." Yeah, I just learned that today.
This weekend really flew by too...on Friday I traveled by bus 3.5 hours to downtown Puntarenas. I spent a couple days there last summer with one of my groups, and it was cool to walk around (I must have walked like 20 mins after sitting all day!) and see some familiar sites: the restaurant that I made my kids walk too, the portion of the beach where there was a huge carnival, another restaurant...the hotel was too far from the bus stop I needed, so I didn't walk all the way there. Instead I ate some over priced garlic clams and had a Fresca before catching the 8pm bus to Esparza, which was only 30-35 mins away.
Saturday I went to San Jose and observed a friend's final presentation in Portuguese...I am really amazed at how similar Portuguese is to Spanish, nothing more than different pronunciation and some vocab. But very similar! Then I went back to Esparza and ate Chinese food.
Sunday I went to downtown Puntarenas again, this time during the day. There were lots of people out on the beach, and it was pretty good weather! I think being on the Gulf of Nicoya has something to do with it, blowing the clouds away to Monteverde! I walked around and have decided I will never go swimming in the Gulf...apparently it is one of the most contaminated areas of Costa Rica. That is ironic because I saw a baula sea turtle swimming around! I went out on the pier too, where the cruise ships come in. I hear that they do not let Ticos enter the pier area during cruise season because a lot of tourists end up getting robbed...sad but true about a community like this. On the whole Puntarenas can be summed up as being fishy and dirty...lots of trash and ceviche in every restaurant. Still, it was nice to visit. My shoulders got a little color.
Fotos later...Pura vida!
did you feel it??
I just experienced my second earthquake here in Costa Rica.
According to my co-worker, we felt it more strongly because we were sitting down...for a second I thought to myself "wow I feel dizzy" but then realized it was my chair shaking, and not my head.
Earthquakes are not uncommon here, 5.3 tremble in Nicoya (which can be seen from the front of the school on a clear day) was what we just experienced here. Apparently it was strongly felt in Puntarenas... Its actually pretty comical that there is an earthquake, and that life continues as normal here. The phones are still ringing, students are still in class, and internet is still working. You would never know that there was just an earthquake...
Yesterday was Independence Day here in Costa Rica. I got to watch the parades and spend time with students and teachers observing and taking pictures (with 2 cameras, the school's and mine). It was beautful, lots of waving flags and bright colors, the sound of school bands and drumlines pounding, coreographed dances, the whole world seemed to be crammed on the sidewalks, watching. The parade (desfile) started at the gym at the high school in downtown Santa Elena, and went through and around most of the town in a loop. I got some good pictures, and some good sun...my face is pink. Thats fine by me, I need to get some color after being here in the mountains and losing my tan. And speaking of tanning...
Today begins my 3 day weekend: I think tomorrow I will be heading to Puntarenas centro, and hitting the beach for a bit. During lunch today I am going to go buy my ticket at the bus station...grab a bite and then come back to school. On Saturday I might go to the city for a little while, downtown San Jose, and on Sunday return in the afternoon.
Shortly a good friend of mine will be leaving Costa Rica: Munira Issa, who was my CPI chaperona 2 years ago and has been my co-worker the last two summers. Muni is one of a kind, and I will miss her very much. She is returning home to Suriname after living in Costa Rica for the last 3 years, and after making her mark on the town of Monteverde. People come and go...Sometimes its hard to accept that things are so transient. But part of living and learning is appreciating the moments you spend with people, long or short. Time with Muni has definately been memorable!
Pura Vida...
According to my co-worker, we felt it more strongly because we were sitting down...for a second I thought to myself "wow I feel dizzy" but then realized it was my chair shaking, and not my head.
Earthquakes are not uncommon here, 5.3 tremble in Nicoya (which can be seen from the front of the school on a clear day) was what we just experienced here. Apparently it was strongly felt in Puntarenas... Its actually pretty comical that there is an earthquake, and that life continues as normal here. The phones are still ringing, students are still in class, and internet is still working. You would never know that there was just an earthquake...
Yesterday was Independence Day here in Costa Rica. I got to watch the parades and spend time with students and teachers observing and taking pictures (with 2 cameras, the school's and mine). It was beautful, lots of waving flags and bright colors, the sound of school bands and drumlines pounding, coreographed dances, the whole world seemed to be crammed on the sidewalks, watching. The parade (desfile) started at the gym at the high school in downtown Santa Elena, and went through and around most of the town in a loop. I got some good pictures, and some good sun...my face is pink. Thats fine by me, I need to get some color after being here in the mountains and losing my tan. And speaking of tanning...
Today begins my 3 day weekend: I think tomorrow I will be heading to Puntarenas centro, and hitting the beach for a bit. During lunch today I am going to go buy my ticket at the bus station...grab a bite and then come back to school. On Saturday I might go to the city for a little while, downtown San Jose, and on Sunday return in the afternoon.
Shortly a good friend of mine will be leaving Costa Rica: Munira Issa, who was my CPI chaperona 2 years ago and has been my co-worker the last two summers. Muni is one of a kind, and I will miss her very much. She is returning home to Suriname after living in Costa Rica for the last 3 years, and after making her mark on the town of Monteverde. People come and go...Sometimes its hard to accept that things are so transient. But part of living and learning is appreciating the moments you spend with people, long or short. Time with Muni has definately been memorable!
Pura Vida...
Tico in 5 minutes
A short vocab lesson of common words in Tico Spanish and thier meanings:
aguacero-rainstorm, lots of rain.
buena nota- a good thing, cool or fun.
chaleco- jacket, cap, hood.
cubierto- knife, in reference to tableware vs. cooking utensils.
dele- go or give it! used in refence to moving vehicles or driving.
dichosa- jealous, how lucky.
faja- belt.
hale- push or go!
¿mama de quien?- what did you say or what was that?
ni papa- nothing, or not a thing.
que dicha- how awesome, great, wonderful, glad to hear it.
un rojo- one thousand colones, the red bill.
vacilon- funny, a joke, hilarious.
It is currently raining and I leave work in five minutes...time to head home and drink some agua dulce and work out.
Today Grettel found out her grandfather passed away, so I am not sure if she will be coming home later or not.
I still plan to post some house pictures, keep an eye out...
pura vida
aguacero-rainstorm, lots of rain.
buena nota- a good thing, cool or fun.
chaleco- jacket, cap, hood.
cubierto- knife, in reference to tableware vs. cooking utensils.
dele- go or give it! used in refence to moving vehicles or driving.
dichosa- jealous, how lucky.
faja- belt.
hale- push or go!
¿mama de quien?- what did you say or what was that?
ni papa- nothing, or not a thing.
que dicha- how awesome, great, wonderful, glad to hear it.
un rojo- one thousand colones, the red bill.
vacilon- funny, a joke, hilarious.
It is currently raining and I leave work in five minutes...time to head home and drink some agua dulce and work out.
Today Grettel found out her grandfather passed away, so I am not sure if she will be coming home later or not.
I still plan to post some house pictures, keep an eye out...
pura vida
yes i speak english...
If there is a ranking for compliments, one of the highest in my book is being mistaken for Tica.
Yesterday I assisted my boss in welcoming a new group of students to CPI. They will be studying at the Biological Research Station here in Monteverde, and will be taking Spanish classes in the afternoon. During the orientation I had some students ask me if I spoke English...and truly, being mistaken for Tica always gives me a little thrill, because it means that I am doing ok with my language skills! At least it means I am getting pronunciation right, haha.
Slowly but surely I am learning how to cook more. To clraify, I am not a bad cook or anything, but I am a little out of my element cooking with so many different materials: achote, culantro, palatno maduro, chile y salsa lizano. I am very lucky to have Grettel as a house-mate; I 'm learning something new every day. She has already made tortillas twice...next time it will be my turn.
Work has been going well, I am getting the hang of the little office details that make the difference between doing the job and doing it well...I am gettingthe hang of more phone lingo, having to answer the phone more. Helping with other office duties falls under the job description..and is a learning opportunity (oh if Dad could hear me now...he would eat this up haha).
My plans for this weekend include sleeping and doing laundry...I have a lot of dirty clothes, not having done laundry since moving in 3(3?? already?) weeks ago. This afternoon I might head down to the cafe nearby for a coffee and use the internet for a while, post some more pictures on Facebook and here on the old blog...
Pura Vidaaaaaaa!
Yesterday I assisted my boss in welcoming a new group of students to CPI. They will be studying at the Biological Research Station here in Monteverde, and will be taking Spanish classes in the afternoon. During the orientation I had some students ask me if I spoke English...and truly, being mistaken for Tica always gives me a little thrill, because it means that I am doing ok with my language skills! At least it means I am getting pronunciation right, haha.
Slowly but surely I am learning how to cook more. To clraify, I am not a bad cook or anything, but I am a little out of my element cooking with so many different materials: achote, culantro, palatno maduro, chile y salsa lizano. I am very lucky to have Grettel as a house-mate; I 'm learning something new every day. She has already made tortillas twice...next time it will be my turn.
Work has been going well, I am getting the hang of the little office details that make the difference between doing the job and doing it well...I am gettingthe hang of more phone lingo, having to answer the phone more. Helping with other office duties falls under the job description..and is a learning opportunity (oh if Dad could hear me now...he would eat this up haha).
My plans for this weekend include sleeping and doing laundry...I have a lot of dirty clothes, not having done laundry since moving in 3(3?? already?) weeks ago. This afternoon I might head down to the cafe nearby for a coffee and use the internet for a while, post some more pictures on Facebook and here on the old blog...
Pura Vidaaaaaaa!
what's in an ad?
If you check out several online classifieds websites, you will find a listing for CPI to study and travel in Costa Rica. The last two days I have been posting and updating adverts for the school on a variety of websites like buyselleverything.com, perfectdone.com, ad-mart.com and usahotads.com. This is one of those deatils that does not fall under the job descrition...I do appreciate my growing knowlege of how to find free online advertising.
I have also discovered craigslist for the first time, and wow is it cool. I think it might be a good jumping off point for job hunting when I come home. Speaking of job hunting, I need to update my CV (curriculum vitae)to include what I am doing now.
My goal during my time here is really to see and learn as much as I can in the way of experience, which I hope will serve me well when job-hunting back in old Ohio.
In reflection of my college years, I learned a lot but lacked direction. Spanish may be a major, but how to translate it into a career...I am greatful for websites like Hire a Flyer and connections. Because let's face it, connections are very important in finding a job! All this online posting and advertising is making me think of how best to advertise myself...
This Tuesday is flying by. It is almost 11am and cloudy, which means the rain will be coming early today. I just booked a canopy tour for two students, and there is no doubt they will be rained on...canopy is still fun inthe rain, but much less dry haha. Of course I have my raincoat and am wearing my new crocs, which in addition to being cute are also all-weather! Really I am a Boy Scout at heart, "always be prepared" could be my personal motto.
On a side note I am totally broke right now, awaiting two refunds for plane tickets. One from Mexicana, and another from Spirit. I ended up having to buy an exit ticket to enter Costa Rica, just as I feared. What a hit...right now I have about 1000 colones which will get me a taxi ride downtown or maybe a coffee. Right now I am very thankful for Grettel, who paid for groceries yesterday. At least the cost of living here isn't too high, and I am not spending on much besides rent and food, which on my current salary will allow me to begin paying loans back. Just lately its mind-blowing how much money I have poured into travel...plane tickets are expensive!!!! I am getting worried for the holidays... we will see.
Pura Vida
I have also discovered craigslist for the first time, and wow is it cool. I think it might be a good jumping off point for job hunting when I come home. Speaking of job hunting, I need to update my CV (curriculum vitae)to include what I am doing now.
My goal during my time here is really to see and learn as much as I can in the way of experience, which I hope will serve me well when job-hunting back in old Ohio.
In reflection of my college years, I learned a lot but lacked direction. Spanish may be a major, but how to translate it into a career...I am greatful for websites like Hire a Flyer and connections. Because let's face it, connections are very important in finding a job! All this online posting and advertising is making me think of how best to advertise myself...
This Tuesday is flying by. It is almost 11am and cloudy, which means the rain will be coming early today. I just booked a canopy tour for two students, and there is no doubt they will be rained on...canopy is still fun inthe rain, but much less dry haha. Of course I have my raincoat and am wearing my new crocs, which in addition to being cute are also all-weather! Really I am a Boy Scout at heart, "always be prepared" could be my personal motto.
On a side note I am totally broke right now, awaiting two refunds for plane tickets. One from Mexicana, and another from Spirit. I ended up having to buy an exit ticket to enter Costa Rica, just as I feared. What a hit...right now I have about 1000 colones which will get me a taxi ride downtown or maybe a coffee. Right now I am very thankful for Grettel, who paid for groceries yesterday. At least the cost of living here isn't too high, and I am not spending on much besides rent and food, which on my current salary will allow me to begin paying loans back. Just lately its mind-blowing how much money I have poured into travel...plane tickets are expensive!!!! I am getting worried for the holidays... we will see.
Pura Vida
my best friends' wedding
In the last 72 hours I have flown something like 4,000 miles, had a mini breakdown, got dressed up, had Starbucks, and saw all of my best friends and my parents.
I went to Chicago for 3 days for a wedding: my two best friends from college got married on Saturday, September 4th 2010. I was the Maid of Honor in the wedding, and I have never felt more honored to take part of anything in my entire life. The ceremony was truly moving, and seeing all my friends from home really broke me up. Leaving to come back was really hard...I was pretty much dead on my feet in the airport, focusing on not letting myself be too overwhelmed.
I got to see my parents also, and it was really great to catch up with them. I was worried I would get really emotional, but I held it together pretty well the whole weekend. I had a chance to fully explain what I am doing now in my job, and what my life and workday is like. I think there was definitely some curiosity about that. Part of being in this job is being flexible too, which groups prepared me for!!
I arrived home around 7pm last night, after about 12 hours of travel. I took two flights from O'Hare to Ft. Lauderdale to San Jose, and from there a taxi to the bus station in San Jose to arrive via public bus to Monteverde. I went to sleep around 9pm, and was still exhausted!! it might have had something to do with excessive dancing, alcohol consumption, and 2 hours of sleep the night before. Tonight I hope to sleep more.
I am home, broke, and happy as can be.
PURA VIDA
I went to Chicago for 3 days for a wedding: my two best friends from college got married on Saturday, September 4th 2010. I was the Maid of Honor in the wedding, and I have never felt more honored to take part of anything in my entire life. The ceremony was truly moving, and seeing all my friends from home really broke me up. Leaving to come back was really hard...I was pretty much dead on my feet in the airport, focusing on not letting myself be too overwhelmed.
I got to see my parents also, and it was really great to catch up with them. I was worried I would get really emotional, but I held it together pretty well the whole weekend. I had a chance to fully explain what I am doing now in my job, and what my life and workday is like. I think there was definitely some curiosity about that. Part of being in this job is being flexible too, which groups prepared me for!!
I arrived home around 7pm last night, after about 12 hours of travel. I took two flights from O'Hare to Ft. Lauderdale to San Jose, and from there a taxi to the bus station in San Jose to arrive via public bus to Monteverde. I went to sleep around 9pm, and was still exhausted!! it might have had something to do with excessive dancing, alcohol consumption, and 2 hours of sleep the night before. Tonight I hope to sleep more.
I am home, broke, and happy as can be.
PURA VIDA
plenty of water to go around...
There is only one word to describe today: wet.
This morning I woke up to rain drumming on the roof of the cabina, and darkness outside. It must have been 6am, and it was already pouring! Since rain typically comes in the afternoon, this did not bode well for the start of a relaxing Saturday. I finally woke up around 9am, which is significant because I have been getting up at 5:30am all week long. Grettel (my house-mate) showed me how to make tortillas, ad we ate a nice breakfast of fruit salad and cheese tortillitas. Yum! I have not yet had my daily cup of coffee, since we have three different kinds of juice right now.
Our little fridge is pretty full too, we made rice the other day and we also have a container of beans, a whole box of veggies (I love the veggies here, they are super fresh and super cheap!! amazing combination!)and a bottle of yogurt. The last few days we have been making all our meals together and eating together, which I am really enjoying. We talk a lot and are getting to know each other much better...Grettel is fairly reserved, I think, so I am still finding ways to open up more.
After breakfast we cleaned...I should say Grettel cleaned. She has really stepped up to the plate in terms of being organized and taking the lead in cleaning and cooking. I try to fill in and anticipate what needs to be done or how best I can help, but sometimes I end up feeling a little silly. With more time I am sure we will fall into a better rhythm, I want to do chores too!
It has been raining most of the afternoon and morning, Grettel and I left the house to get connected to the internet. Luckily we have several options very close to us, places where you can go to buy a cup of coffee and use the wifi. We are both interested in somehow getting wifi at the house.
Today I feel very much like one of those over-prepared tourists. You know, the ones outfitted with the quick-drying pants, all terrain shoes, rain jacket and backpack stuffed with guidebook/flashlight/waterbottle/map, with a bandana around their forhead. I am wearing my raincoat and red rainboots, with my backpack, and a flashlight stuffed in my dry bag. In addition my computer is wrapped snuggly in a plastic bag...yes, its one of those rainy days, and I look like a tourist.
The rain has made the day a cold one too, so I am wearing a hoodie and a scarf around my neck, along with socks. I have actually been sleeping with socks, which if you know me is something I generally dislike doing since I get hot. But with the chilly mountain nights, I am very glad I brought a lot of my winter socks with me.
Something I have been looking at getting is a new backpack...my LLBean one has lasted me for quite some time, but the lining in the bottom pocket is starting to wear away and I am finding that I wish I had some other features in a backpack...one of them being, very appropriately, a rain cover! And compression straps, and a large capacity (thinking 1,000+ cubic inch interior). On the whole i have to say that there are some investments I am very glad I made before coming down here: my 5,000+ cu. in. backpack, and two raincoats. (Grettel is actually using one today, haha!)
It might be time to invest in a new backpack...
In four days i will hopefully be heading back to the USA for the first time in over 3 months. This summer has gone so fast...with the start of September begins the approach of fall, my favorite season. I will miss it very much this year. One thing I won't miss...going back to school! But best of luck to everyone who is starting classes out there.
TUANIS
This morning I woke up to rain drumming on the roof of the cabina, and darkness outside. It must have been 6am, and it was already pouring! Since rain typically comes in the afternoon, this did not bode well for the start of a relaxing Saturday. I finally woke up around 9am, which is significant because I have been getting up at 5:30am all week long. Grettel (my house-mate) showed me how to make tortillas, ad we ate a nice breakfast of fruit salad and cheese tortillitas. Yum! I have not yet had my daily cup of coffee, since we have three different kinds of juice right now.
Our little fridge is pretty full too, we made rice the other day and we also have a container of beans, a whole box of veggies (I love the veggies here, they are super fresh and super cheap!! amazing combination!)and a bottle of yogurt. The last few days we have been making all our meals together and eating together, which I am really enjoying. We talk a lot and are getting to know each other much better...Grettel is fairly reserved, I think, so I am still finding ways to open up more.
After breakfast we cleaned...I should say Grettel cleaned. She has really stepped up to the plate in terms of being organized and taking the lead in cleaning and cooking. I try to fill in and anticipate what needs to be done or how best I can help, but sometimes I end up feeling a little silly. With more time I am sure we will fall into a better rhythm, I want to do chores too!
It has been raining most of the afternoon and morning, Grettel and I left the house to get connected to the internet. Luckily we have several options very close to us, places where you can go to buy a cup of coffee and use the wifi. We are both interested in somehow getting wifi at the house.
Today I feel very much like one of those over-prepared tourists. You know, the ones outfitted with the quick-drying pants, all terrain shoes, rain jacket and backpack stuffed with guidebook/flashlight/waterbottle/map, with a bandana around their forhead. I am wearing my raincoat and red rainboots, with my backpack, and a flashlight stuffed in my dry bag. In addition my computer is wrapped snuggly in a plastic bag...yes, its one of those rainy days, and I look like a tourist.
The rain has made the day a cold one too, so I am wearing a hoodie and a scarf around my neck, along with socks. I have actually been sleeping with socks, which if you know me is something I generally dislike doing since I get hot. But with the chilly mountain nights, I am very glad I brought a lot of my winter socks with me.
Something I have been looking at getting is a new backpack...my LLBean one has lasted me for quite some time, but the lining in the bottom pocket is starting to wear away and I am finding that I wish I had some other features in a backpack...one of them being, very appropriately, a rain cover! And compression straps, and a large capacity (thinking 1,000+ cubic inch interior). On the whole i have to say that there are some investments I am very glad I made before coming down here: my 5,000+ cu. in. backpack, and two raincoats. (Grettel is actually using one today, haha!)
It might be time to invest in a new backpack...
In four days i will hopefully be heading back to the USA for the first time in over 3 months. This summer has gone so fast...with the start of September begins the approach of fall, my favorite season. I will miss it very much this year. One thing I won't miss...going back to school! But best of luck to everyone who is starting classes out there.
TUANIS
mountain love
A week ago I arrived here in Monteverde, after saying goodbye to my group at the airport at 4:30 in the morning. I slept a few more hours and then left to go up the mountain in the huge CPI bus, empty except for me and the chofer. We encountered some traffic on the road, along with several landslides in the process of being cleaned up. We arrived almost two hours later than anticpated.
On Sunday I met up with my future room-mate and we cleaned our little cabina out, going through all the rooms and getting rid of junk being stored there, sweeping the floors, checking the sinks and windows. On Monday afternoon we moved in! This weekend we are celebrating our first full week there.
On Monday I also began my new job here at CPI Monteverde: Student Coordiinator. My job includes a lot of the following:
-orientation for new and transfer students
-organizing activities and tours
-arranging and confirming transportation for students
-inputting student info into online databases
-taking pictures of activities
-writing vouchers and charging students for activities and transportation
-turning in financial reports on Fridays
-memorization
-marketing
Today is Friday and the end of my first week in this position; there are still things I am learning on the fly, and somethings I can do without thinking already. As I continue on and gain experience we will see how it goes. I might stay in this job if I do well, and not return to groups!! That will be determined in December.
A typical overcast day here, there has already been a drizzle and I snagged a snack during break while talking to my four students here this week. Tonight my room-mate (house-mate?) and I plan to relax and do some more organizing of the house.
After finishing my last group I had to turn in my cell phone, and am currently without and kind of communication other than internet on this work computer. You also may not see me as much on Skype, as I am now using a different name and account connected to all CPI personnel at all three campuses. Butu keep an eye out for me after 5pm (my time). Hopefully I can get a cell phone in the next two weeks.
Also next week I will be making my first trip back to the States since May, for Katie and Ben's wedding. After my bout of homesickness I am ready to see all my best friends again for a few days. I plan to leave Tuesday afternoon and head down the moountain via bus to Heredia, stay overnight and leave the following day on my afternoon flight. No way am I risking coming down the same day, when things like traffic or weather could ruin my trip. All I want to worry about is getting to the airport in time day-of!
I do have another big concern: coming back to Costa Rica. I still do not have my ticket to go home in December, and I am hoping that I will be allowed to re-enter the country without any document detailing my plans to leave. I know folks who have done it, but I am nervous taking chances when I have invested so much here now with renting a house and a steady job. Hopefully I have no problems! I look fairly innocent, right?
Overall very much enjoying my time here in the mountains, Monteverde is definately where I feel most at home in this country, and I love it.
Pura Vida
ps. house pictures to come soon!
On Sunday I met up with my future room-mate and we cleaned our little cabina out, going through all the rooms and getting rid of junk being stored there, sweeping the floors, checking the sinks and windows. On Monday afternoon we moved in! This weekend we are celebrating our first full week there.
On Monday I also began my new job here at CPI Monteverde: Student Coordiinator. My job includes a lot of the following:
-orientation for new and transfer students
-organizing activities and tours
-arranging and confirming transportation for students
-inputting student info into online databases
-taking pictures of activities
-writing vouchers and charging students for activities and transportation
-turning in financial reports on Fridays
-memorization
-marketing
Today is Friday and the end of my first week in this position; there are still things I am learning on the fly, and somethings I can do without thinking already. As I continue on and gain experience we will see how it goes. I might stay in this job if I do well, and not return to groups!! That will be determined in December.
A typical overcast day here, there has already been a drizzle and I snagged a snack during break while talking to my four students here this week. Tonight my room-mate (house-mate?) and I plan to relax and do some more organizing of the house.
After finishing my last group I had to turn in my cell phone, and am currently without and kind of communication other than internet on this work computer. You also may not see me as much on Skype, as I am now using a different name and account connected to all CPI personnel at all three campuses. Butu keep an eye out for me after 5pm (my time). Hopefully I can get a cell phone in the next two weeks.
Also next week I will be making my first trip back to the States since May, for Katie and Ben's wedding. After my bout of homesickness I am ready to see all my best friends again for a few days. I plan to leave Tuesday afternoon and head down the moountain via bus to Heredia, stay overnight and leave the following day on my afternoon flight. No way am I risking coming down the same day, when things like traffic or weather could ruin my trip. All I want to worry about is getting to the airport in time day-of!
I do have another big concern: coming back to Costa Rica. I still do not have my ticket to go home in December, and I am hoping that I will be allowed to re-enter the country without any document detailing my plans to leave. I know folks who have done it, but I am nervous taking chances when I have invested so much here now with renting a house and a steady job. Hopefully I have no problems! I look fairly innocent, right?
Overall very much enjoying my time here in the mountains, Monteverde is definately where I feel most at home in this country, and I love it.
Pura Vida
ps. house pictures to come soon!
hanging around
- Yeah I look pretty (dorky) in my harness for doing the Superman cable.
So today my group did a canopy tour...we beat the afternoon rain thank goodness, and MOST of them made it to class on time!
For the first time I did the superman cable, followed by rappel. And it was an experience...!!! I am not fond of the sensation of falling, to say the least. Doing the superman and being flung out into space was a little bit of a shock for me. Being unhooked I was a little unsteady...and being faced with doing the rappel and being dropped completely freaked me out!! Thankfully the guides were really understanding, and helped me through it. Overall I am glad I embraced the experience, and DID it! Leave no opportunity behind.
Right now it is POURING here in Heredia, and I am glad to be snug inside the office. I am putting the finishing touches on the dvd for my group's graduation ceremony later, and its almost break time. Hopefully this weather lightens up a little, I had hoped to visit Esparza and downtown Heredia this weekend to shop and hang out.
Craving ice cream...wow this diet is going to be harder than I thought with things like Mmio bars being so plentiful (makes me think of Sonia!).
This is Costa Rica...PURA VIDA.
La Carpio
-Nela, who works with the Humanitarian Foundation. She was originally a street kid addicted to drugs who was rescued by Gail, and now works with volunteers and does walk-abouts with students groups (like us!)
-Pictures of La Carpio: you see the construction of the houses, conditions of the streets, and how much trash is left and not picked up. Litter is a huge problem and contributes to the poor health conditions and unpleasant smell of the city (San Jose) dump, which is nearby.
blessed
Today was a day of service in La Carpio with my group. They worked at the clinic, delivered bunk beds, and distributed vitamins and toys in one of the poorest neighborhoods next to the river. It is always very humbling to go and visit these places, to see people's homes and to see their need. It is a reminder of how much I am blessed in my life, and how I really do not want for anything. My needs are not nearly as profound as the needs of others.
Tomorrow the group is going on a canopy tour, and I am going. Hopefully we have good weather: we are going fairly early in the morning so I think we will be ok. This week has been a total blur...of course the last moments are always the fastest.
On Sunday I make my way back up the mountain and hopefully do some house cleaning before moving in with my room-mate sometime next week. I also start my new job in the Monteverde office...better put my game face on.
Hopefully Saturday I will find what I need for the house shopping in Heredia...it just occurred to me I might need several blankets because I am always cold. One more thing to add to the list!
I think I am officially going on a diet here. The rice is catching up with my girlish figure, oh dear. There has been no lack of food this summer, that much is for sure.
Pura Vida
Tomorrow the group is going on a canopy tour, and I am going. Hopefully we have good weather: we are going fairly early in the morning so I think we will be ok. This week has been a total blur...of course the last moments are always the fastest.
On Sunday I make my way back up the mountain and hopefully do some house cleaning before moving in with my room-mate sometime next week. I also start my new job in the Monteverde office...better put my game face on.
Hopefully Saturday I will find what I need for the house shopping in Heredia...it just occurred to me I might need several blankets because I am always cold. One more thing to add to the list!
I think I am officially going on a diet here. The rice is catching up with my girlish figure, oh dear. There has been no lack of food this summer, that much is for sure.
Pura Vida
get a glimpse
-picture of Mother's Day Celebration, CPI Heredia (Mother's Day is actually August 15th here!)
-view from rest stop on the way to Heredia from Esparza...love it!!
finish strong!
Its a chilly Monday here in the Central Valley...This is my last week in Heredia, and I have very much fallen in love with the people at this campus. I can understand why it was so hard for Diana to leave.
Yesterday was a long day...I made three different trips to the airport, dropping off my group from last week and later (MUCH later...11:20pm) picking up my group for this week. They are all medical students from a school in California, and so far my first impressions are good (and for me, first impressions are the most important). I went to bed around 1:30am. Woot!
This morning has been go-go-GO! We got the group through orientation and testing, and I documented their cooking class before seeing them off at 1pm as they began their Spanish classes. Now to begin making student IDs...In the next week this group will be doing a combination of service work and activities. Tomorrow we will be going to La Carpio, a shanty town with a majority population of Nicaraguans and Costa Ricans of Nicaraguan heritage. The group will be working at clinics throughout the neighborhood, directed and established by Gail Nystrom- at truly inspiring woman.
It has been more than a year since I've been to La Carpio, and it is a powerful experience. The poverty and the spirit of the people and community are amazing and inspiring. I always leave with a piece of my heart being changed, and a desire to do service burning in me...Hopefully visiting this week will leave this group feeling the same way.
This is my last week, and my last group...thus the title of this post, finish strong!
Pura Vida
Yesterday was a long day...I made three different trips to the airport, dropping off my group from last week and later (MUCH later...11:20pm) picking up my group for this week. They are all medical students from a school in California, and so far my first impressions are good (and for me, first impressions are the most important). I went to bed around 1:30am. Woot!
This morning has been go-go-GO! We got the group through orientation and testing, and I documented their cooking class before seeing them off at 1pm as they began their Spanish classes. Now to begin making student IDs...In the next week this group will be doing a combination of service work and activities. Tomorrow we will be going to La Carpio, a shanty town with a majority population of Nicaraguans and Costa Ricans of Nicaraguan heritage. The group will be working at clinics throughout the neighborhood, directed and established by Gail Nystrom- at truly inspiring woman.
It has been more than a year since I've been to La Carpio, and it is a powerful experience. The poverty and the spirit of the people and community are amazing and inspiring. I always leave with a piece of my heart being changed, and a desire to do service burning in me...Hopefully visiting this week will leave this group feeling the same way.
This is my last week, and my last group...thus the title of this post, finish strong!
Pura Vida
keep it simple
Regular rainy afternoon here. Today is my 90th day away from the USA. WOW! Time flies.
Earlier I made a trip to the bank and left feeling successful. Tomorrow I return to pick up my credit/debit card.
Today my group is on a tour down the Sarapiqui river, and I hope they see animals with rainy weather today. Last time I went I saw a LOT of crocodiles, I hope they see birds and monkeys and such. They have a guide who will be bale to point the wildlife out to them better than me, haha. Tomorrow they go to Cafe Britt, and I am organizing a graduation ceremony although not all of them will attend. Awesome...
Looking forward to moving into my new house soon. Next week is my last week in Heredia for a while! Already figuring out what I need for the house.
Pura Vida.
Earlier I made a trip to the bank and left feeling successful. Tomorrow I return to pick up my credit/debit card.
Today my group is on a tour down the Sarapiqui river, and I hope they see animals with rainy weather today. Last time I went I saw a LOT of crocodiles, I hope they see birds and monkeys and such. They have a guide who will be bale to point the wildlife out to them better than me, haha. Tomorrow they go to Cafe Britt, and I am organizing a graduation ceremony although not all of them will attend. Awesome...
Looking forward to moving into my new house soon. Next week is my last week in Heredia for a while! Already figuring out what I need for the house.
Pura Vida.
adios Spain....
*Diana and Nidia with the tortilla*
This morning my good friend from Spain left to go home at 5am...now I feel very alone here, being one of the only chaperonas. Muni is still with another group!
Last night the final airport pick-up went well...right away we found the last three people to arrive, and we dropped off at apartments and homestays with no problems. I was home by 9:30, and stayed up til almost 11pm talking with Diana and my host family, all about food to culture to vocabulary. Its been great getting to know Diana in these last few weeks...we have been room-mates for almost two weeks. This morning she left to go back to Spain, and I already miss her humor and comments: she always made the day interesting and fun. She went out with a bang though! Last night she and Nidia (my Mama Tica) spent time together in the kitchen to make a tortilla Espanola, Spanish tortilla (which is like an omelette, with potatoes and onion). It was a huge production, and very fun to watch...I documented the whole thing, haha! We sat and ate with the family later, and when I got home from the airport everyone was still seated and chatting. Once again the pace of life stands out here, a huge contrast to life on the go in the USA...
I also found out yesterday that the house I was hoping to rent in Monteverde IS available! This house was ideal, with furniture and fridge included. Looking to move in during the last week of August, with my room-mate. Incredibly grateful that this house worked out!! I jumped up and down when I found out, haha.
Pura Vida!
airport blues
In the last 48 hours I have spent wayyyyyyy too much time at the airport.
I go back in an hour and a half to do yet ANOTHER pick-up...what a pain that everyone is arriving at different times. I hope the rest of this week goes well, this group is professors from a college in Texas...all older. Older groups can be fun or can be a pain: sometimes it is too much to be taken out of your comfort zone. Today I am doing orientation at CPI and testing...hopefully all runs smoothly.
Staying with my favorite Familia Tica here in San Joaquin, Nidia y Miguel. They are most like my cousins in Steubenville, I am very close to them. This is the house where I feel most at home in all of Costa Rica. Love being here, totally and absolutely.
Pura Vida
I go back in an hour and a half to do yet ANOTHER pick-up...what a pain that everyone is arriving at different times. I hope the rest of this week goes well, this group is professors from a college in Texas...all older. Older groups can be fun or can be a pain: sometimes it is too much to be taken out of your comfort zone. Today I am doing orientation at CPI and testing...hopefully all runs smoothly.
Staying with my favorite Familia Tica here in San Joaquin, Nidia y Miguel. They are most like my cousins in Steubenville, I am very close to them. This is the house where I feel most at home in all of Costa Rica. Love being here, totally and absolutely.
Pura Vida
back down to the central valley
What a beautiful Friday here in Monteverde...the sun is bright and I have Coldplay playing quietly in the background here in the groups office. This afternoon I am leaving to go back to heredia in the Central Valley (CV) to pick up my second to last group from the airport. They are arriving today, tomorrow and Sunday on different flights, so I can be found at the airport this weekend, if anyone is trying to find me.
This week has been really nice; sharing #8 with Diana, another chaperona from Spain. We have gotten to know each other over the summer and her time here is almost up. Monday she leaves to go back to Spain. We will stay with the same host family this weekend, so it will be her "despedida" or goodbye. We have been watching movies and walking to the bakery together, and talking about plans for the next year and next summer. She hopes to return to work with Grupos.
My job situation has changed too: I will be working as the student coordinator here in Monteverde when I finish with groups. I will be getting the same pay, but i will be working in another office and dealing with the individual students who study at the school. This includes letting them know about activities available, arranging transportation and making reservations in addition to being friendly and helpful. The only preocupation I have is jumping into the job: I will have next to no training when I start, but most of the things I have to learn will be hands-on. Also I have NO office appropriate clothes, since I cam prepared to work in Grupos. All I need is some black pants I think... This would be my cross-training at CPI. Once January rolls around I will be back in Grupos, prepping for the high season.
House-hunting has been promising...I went with my future room-mate to look around and see what is available, make some phone calls and ask friends. We found a very nice cabina that is VERY affordable and VERY close to CPI...we are waiting to hear back on availability. I am hoping to be moved in by the end of the month! We have several other numbers to call and a couple other leads on houses. We will see what turns up!
Yesterday I gave in and opened a bank account here in Costa Rica at the Banco Nacional, the bank that CPI uses for all their business transactions. Opening the account was a little tricky...I went to the bank in person in Monteverde, and was asked for my visa...oops! Two of my co-workers have opened accounts here without a visa, so I was a little taken aback. I ended up opening the account via e-mail, through the accountant/financial advisor in Heredia. Now I am just waiting for my debit card to be ready. Lovely.
Looking forward to being in familiar Heredia...not looking forward to the empty Grupos office. I miss all the chaps!! But its been a beautiful summer.
Pura Vida
(fotos: me in the office, sunset in Monteverde, Diana y yo with raincoats!)
back home...
This morning dawned bright and cool here in the montes...but it was raining by 11am, and it has been overcast all day. Its a quarter to 4 now, and the torres (radio towers) are totally obscured by gray cloudcover, while out the wind is a scrap of blue sky teasing me...I am just glad the rain has held off for most of the day! I have already left twice today, once to walk down to get lunch at a new bakery in Cerro Plano (Jimenez: nice, but not many options. Plus I eat a lot) and again for an ice cream run. How can I resist a chocobanano from Sabores? only 400 colones, which is less than a dollar!
Right now I am staying in little #8 in Casas del Toro, with another chaperona. I love having company! Last night we watched a movie together and tomorrow we are for sure going out to eat, since she will be leaving fro home at the end of the week and I will be leaving sometime Wednesday or Thursday for Heredia.
House hunting in the next 48 hours is going to be challenging...many available places are farther from CPI than I would like, and another complication is that we need furniture included. My room-mate and I cannot afford to buy everything we need for a house!! Just the basics, like pots and pans and glasses. Yes, challenging...I have been putting feelers out so hopefully my search will yield something. Fingers crossed!
Pura Vida
Right now I am staying in little #8 in Casas del Toro, with another chaperona. I love having company! Last night we watched a movie together and tomorrow we are for sure going out to eat, since she will be leaving fro home at the end of the week and I will be leaving sometime Wednesday or Thursday for Heredia.
House hunting in the next 48 hours is going to be challenging...many available places are farther from CPI than I would like, and another complication is that we need furniture included. My room-mate and I cannot afford to buy everything we need for a house!! Just the basics, like pots and pans and glasses. Yes, challenging...I have been putting feelers out so hopefully my search will yield something. Fingers crossed!
Pura Vida
tanlines and goodtimes.
-mountain view San Vito
-Bocas del Toro, Panama
-crossing the border!
Just got back this morning from my trip to Panama, and to some other parts of Costa Rica. Last Saturday I visited Puerto Viejo, which is a popular tourist spot on the Caribbean side of the country: I had never visited the province of Limon before. Puerto Viejo reminded me of a rasta version of Tamarindo...I liked it, anyway. The next morning I left by bus to go to the border, and crossed into Panama. From there it was an hour taxi ride with a couple from Spain to Mirante, where we caught a water taxi for a 30 min. ride to Bocas del Toro (final destination), a little town on the Island of Colon off the northern coast of Panama, in the province of Bocas del Toro. Yes, it was a lot of travelling! Getting to Bocas was a bumpy boat ride in the rain...thankfully once we arrived the walk to the hotel was short and there was room. Hotel Las Brisas is no Motel 6, let me tell you. But it was comfortable, and the dock/patio at the back of the hotel was a good place to hang out, and swim (of course I swam!).
Things were really cheap there, from hotels to food to souvenirs to tours. Breakfast was $3 or less, and tours to different beaches and places to see around the island ran about $15-$20 (normally tours like that are $80 or more in CR!). I went to Bahia los Delfines, Playa Las Estrellas, Playa Red Frog, Isla de Pajaros, Punta Caracol and Punta Hospital. The first day there was great weather: the sun was out and it was gorgeous. Bocas is totally a beach town...most of the buildings are built out over the water on stilts, and are washed out brights or faded pastel colors. There were lots of tourists and several hostels, and plenty of colorful locals...in Bocas most places only accept cash, and the currency is the American dollar. It was strange to have such small coins in my wallet, compared to colones! There is also a strong Chinese population: many of them own stores and panederias. The Caribbean culture is pretty strong, many foods being prepared with coconut oil and rice being part of the diet. Language too is both English and Spanish, and its not uncommmon to hear Portuguese or French or Hebrew (there were a TON of Isrealis at the hotel). Many people work in the tourism industry at hotels or hostels, tour companies or as taxistas or give tours by boat. Leaving Panama we took a different route, south to the city of David and the east to Paso Canoas. There I bought some duty free items (the malls there are HUGE and everything is cheap!!) and we went to San Vito, Costa Rica. San Vito is very similar to Monteverde in terms of elevation and weather...I liked it! We stayed there one night and hiked a little the following morning, and from there took the bus for 9 hours (San Jose to San Ramon to Esparza) and went through some of the highest elevations I have ever been in...it was COLD going through the mountains, and I was totally unprepared in shorts and a tee shirt! I stayed two nights in Esparza and just got back to the Central Valley this morning. Heredia is exactly the same...except many of the chaperones are gone.
Tomorrow morning I leave to go to Monteverde for a few days, until my group begins to arrive Friday and Saturday of next week. They will be in Heredia for one week, and then I have another group the following week, and then the season basically comes to a halt. What a crazy couple of days, I am glad to be slowing down!
Hopefully my tan lasts.
Pura Vida