Manuel Antonio and me with a GREAT night view of San Jose!
sal y sol
Salt and sun...that pretty much describes where I am right now! Just got back from ocean Kayaking with the group, and I am salty and tired, with sand in my swim suit and the sunburn on my legs beginning to blister. Ouch.
This morning was pretty hectic. I got a phone call from a student who had a bug bite right over here eye that had swollen and she did not come on the activity: I called her prof to let him know we had another student who wanted to go to the doctor, and he opted out of the activity and took her. (I feel guilty but lucky I haven't had to go to the clinic at all yet. But I better bite my tongue, I know I will go with West Coast!)The group arrives on time to our pick-up point for kayaking...but the kayaks and crew arrive almost an hour LATE due to the tide and the waves, which prevented them from leaving another beach on time. So we left an hour late. You know how I need to be on time...I was calling frantically every three minutes, but only got an answering machine.
I really like the sea. Its a beautiful feeling being on the water and having the roar around you! I love the blue, and the sky and the coolness of the water. Well...there is one thing about the sea I could do without...the sand! It gets everywhere and is so hard to wash out of your hair. This is part of why I may LIKE the sea, but I LOVE lakes (Trout Lake!).
My tan is getting deeper. Ali if you could see me now...By the end of my time here I will definitely look more Tica!
Later tonight I am going out to dinner with the cahperone of my group and his wife. They asked if I had any suggestions for restaurants, but I can't think of anything appropriate! Most of the places I know here are places I have gone to get a quick meal with a large group of students...not really places to go and eat out! I want to go somewhere a little nicer, but not break the bank. I also want to hang out with Jessica tonight, so I want to find a place in Potrero so I won't have to cab all the way from Brasilito! I just have to brainstorm...there are so many places around here I have yet to go to. In any case, I am looking forward to a good dinner!
Pictures to come.
Pura Vida
This morning was pretty hectic. I got a phone call from a student who had a bug bite right over here eye that had swollen and she did not come on the activity: I called her prof to let him know we had another student who wanted to go to the doctor, and he opted out of the activity and took her. (I feel guilty but lucky I haven't had to go to the clinic at all yet. But I better bite my tongue, I know I will go with West Coast!)The group arrives on time to our pick-up point for kayaking...but the kayaks and crew arrive almost an hour LATE due to the tide and the waves, which prevented them from leaving another beach on time. So we left an hour late. You know how I need to be on time...I was calling frantically every three minutes, but only got an answering machine.
I really like the sea. Its a beautiful feeling being on the water and having the roar around you! I love the blue, and the sky and the coolness of the water. Well...there is one thing about the sea I could do without...the sand! It gets everywhere and is so hard to wash out of your hair. This is part of why I may LIKE the sea, but I LOVE lakes (Trout Lake!).
My tan is getting deeper. Ali if you could see me now...By the end of my time here I will definitely look more Tica!
Later tonight I am going out to dinner with the cahperone of my group and his wife. They asked if I had any suggestions for restaurants, but I can't think of anything appropriate! Most of the places I know here are places I have gone to get a quick meal with a large group of students...not really places to go and eat out! I want to go somewhere a little nicer, but not break the bank. I also want to hang out with Jessica tonight, so I want to find a place in Potrero so I won't have to cab all the way from Brasilito! I just have to brainstorm...there are so many places around here I have yet to go to. In any case, I am looking forward to a good dinner!
Pictures to come.
Pura Vida
heat of the sun
Saludos desde la playa! Hello from the beach! Sunday night I arrived with my group to the Flamingo Beach area, where we will be for the next week. I am staying in Playa Brasilito which is a 10 minute drive from CPI Flamingo, with a family. Been loving my gallo pinto the last two mornings...
Summary of this weekend:
Friday went whitewater rafting and got ROCKED! I fell out of the boat and everything on a wild set of rapids! No injuries, thank goodness. Having been rafting before I knew to keep my feet downstream and grab the nearest kayak...two other chaperones who were with me also fell out at the same time, so we all laughed about it later! Also got very sunburnt, since silly me I didn't use sunscreen at all. (My thighs are BRIGHT red!)That night took my group to Tiquisia, an experience of typical Costa Rican food, music, and dance! We had a lot of fun and the food was good! (Note that I was showered and ready to go in about 10 minutes!) From there I went to Rumba a dance club, with another group and practiced salsa and hung out with Sonia and Diana, two other chaperones. We have all since parted ways to go with other groups!
Saturday left early in the morning to get to Manuel Antonio National Park. The guide and I frantically try to reach the chofer, who arrives late. Pick up group and hit the National Park...my fault that no one had swim suits ready! but we hiked, saw monkeys and racoons, and deer on the way back. Check into the hotel, and relaxed by the pool for a little while. Went to a cool restaurant for dinner and celebrated a birthday! Return to hotel and do a flip flop with rooms, since a braker blew. I gave up my room and had to share with someone else... Then went out with a few students and the guide to dance for a while, came home and collapsed.
Sunday visited area around the entrance to Manuel Antonio, got lunch, took a few beach photos. Got on the road to Flamingo! 6 hours later say goodbye to my guide and chofer (they ROCK!) and make sure all my students get to their familias: arrive at my own homestay and SLEEP.
Yesterday (Monday) give brief tour of Flamingo beach area, go eat lunch at my fave restaurant where I was greeted with a hug!!!! Take students home and double check reservations, investigate transports for Saturday morning, and make sure everyone gets on the right bus to go home.
Today: surf class. I suck, but I had a smoothie and a good convo with a student and we arrived ON TIME for the students to go to class! Tonight: bonfire. Still not sure how I am getting there, since I live 20 minutes away. Also pretty sure I will totally miss dinner. Three girls in my group are sick, but all have seen a doctor, and I did not have to accompany them since I was with the rest of the group in Tamarindo. Right now: wating for my coordinator to get back with me. I have a question about a reservation for Saturday and plans for Thursday night (disco night...scary!). Such is the life of a chaperone.
Mom, I hope you like this extra long entry!! I will try to post pictures again soon.
PURA VIDA
Summary of this weekend:
Friday went whitewater rafting and got ROCKED! I fell out of the boat and everything on a wild set of rapids! No injuries, thank goodness. Having been rafting before I knew to keep my feet downstream and grab the nearest kayak...two other chaperones who were with me also fell out at the same time, so we all laughed about it later! Also got very sunburnt, since silly me I didn't use sunscreen at all. (My thighs are BRIGHT red!)That night took my group to Tiquisia, an experience of typical Costa Rican food, music, and dance! We had a lot of fun and the food was good! (Note that I was showered and ready to go in about 10 minutes!) From there I went to Rumba a dance club, with another group and practiced salsa and hung out with Sonia and Diana, two other chaperones. We have all since parted ways to go with other groups!
Saturday left early in the morning to get to Manuel Antonio National Park. The guide and I frantically try to reach the chofer, who arrives late. Pick up group and hit the National Park...my fault that no one had swim suits ready! but we hiked, saw monkeys and racoons, and deer on the way back. Check into the hotel, and relaxed by the pool for a little while. Went to a cool restaurant for dinner and celebrated a birthday! Return to hotel and do a flip flop with rooms, since a braker blew. I gave up my room and had to share with someone else... Then went out with a few students and the guide to dance for a while, came home and collapsed.
Sunday visited area around the entrance to Manuel Antonio, got lunch, took a few beach photos. Got on the road to Flamingo! 6 hours later say goodbye to my guide and chofer (they ROCK!) and make sure all my students get to their familias: arrive at my own homestay and SLEEP.
Yesterday (Monday) give brief tour of Flamingo beach area, go eat lunch at my fave restaurant where I was greeted with a hug!!!! Take students home and double check reservations, investigate transports for Saturday morning, and make sure everyone gets on the right bus to go home.
Today: surf class. I suck, but I had a smoothie and a good convo with a student and we arrived ON TIME for the students to go to class! Tonight: bonfire. Still not sure how I am getting there, since I live 20 minutes away. Also pretty sure I will totally miss dinner. Three girls in my group are sick, but all have seen a doctor, and I did not have to accompany them since I was with the rest of the group in Tamarindo. Right now: wating for my coordinator to get back with me. I have a question about a reservation for Saturday and plans for Thursday night (disco night...scary!). Such is the life of a chaperone.
Mom, I hope you like this extra long entry!! I will try to post pictures again soon.
PURA VIDA
just hop down the waterfall...
Today I went rappelling for the first time with my group. And not just any kind of rappelling....WATERFALL rappelling.
Once again we left late from our meeting point (this is a point of great frustration for me with this group; we NEVER do anything on time. for those that know me you can imagine how frustrated I am about that!)and arrived barely on time to the rappelling place, led by our guides driving a blue pickup. Then we hiked to the waterfall and the cahperone and I proceeded to translate what the students were expected to do in terms of safety and positioning. I was the first to be harnessed and helmeted, providing a visual to all the students. I demonstrated and explained, despite never having done the activity before. I waited until everyone had gone except me and two other girls before finally putting my helmet back on and being guided down with an other on of the students. It was really exhilarating; I got completely soaked! Upon reaching the bottom I was FREEZING! But what an adrenaline rush, with the noise of the water and my hands cramped from holding the rope so tightly. I was on such an amazing natural high!! It seems that the activities I do are slowly turning me into an adrenaline junkie...By the time all of the students were done it was 2:30pm, so we booked it back to CPI and we got pizza for a VERY late lunch! I ran around getting lunch money, reminding students of class times, and finally grabbing a bite myself. I just finished stapling together info for the student's homestays in the coming week: the smell of the waterfall is starting to get old on my skin! Going home to shower in a bit.
The day before I went with my group to the Poas Volcano: it was beautiful! We were very fortunate to see the volcano at all, due to the elevation, clouds, and steam that usually combine to hide it from view. I got a few good pictures, to be posted later. The guide assigned to our group has really worked out well, and I am glad we get along. Sometimes guides and chaperones butt heads, but I have been really lucky with easy going guides so far! That same evening the group went to the mall for a movie night and saw "A-Team." It was really good and I liked it! I couldn't help thinking of dad while watching; it was action movie I know he would like! By 10pm we finally had all the students home and I collapsed into bed.
Tomorrow I go whitewater rafting! I am looking forward to it a lot: Sonia and Diana, two other chaperones, are also going with us as part of their training. Neither of them have gone rafting with a group like this before. I hope everything goes well and no one falls out of the raft! With some of this group I can already feel my hair turning gray...
Still working on being more tranquila. Leslie would be proud of me.
Pura Vida : )
Once again we left late from our meeting point (this is a point of great frustration for me with this group; we NEVER do anything on time. for those that know me you can imagine how frustrated I am about that!)and arrived barely on time to the rappelling place, led by our guides driving a blue pickup. Then we hiked to the waterfall and the cahperone and I proceeded to translate what the students were expected to do in terms of safety and positioning. I was the first to be harnessed and helmeted, providing a visual to all the students. I demonstrated and explained, despite never having done the activity before. I waited until everyone had gone except me and two other girls before finally putting my helmet back on and being guided down with an other on of the students. It was really exhilarating; I got completely soaked! Upon reaching the bottom I was FREEZING! But what an adrenaline rush, with the noise of the water and my hands cramped from holding the rope so tightly. I was on such an amazing natural high!! It seems that the activities I do are slowly turning me into an adrenaline junkie...By the time all of the students were done it was 2:30pm, so we booked it back to CPI and we got pizza for a VERY late lunch! I ran around getting lunch money, reminding students of class times, and finally grabbing a bite myself. I just finished stapling together info for the student's homestays in the coming week: the smell of the waterfall is starting to get old on my skin! Going home to shower in a bit.
The day before I went with my group to the Poas Volcano: it was beautiful! We were very fortunate to see the volcano at all, due to the elevation, clouds, and steam that usually combine to hide it from view. I got a few good pictures, to be posted later. The guide assigned to our group has really worked out well, and I am glad we get along. Sometimes guides and chaperones butt heads, but I have been really lucky with easy going guides so far! That same evening the group went to the mall for a movie night and saw "A-Team." It was really good and I liked it! I couldn't help thinking of dad while watching; it was action movie I know he would like! By 10pm we finally had all the students home and I collapsed into bed.
Tomorrow I go whitewater rafting! I am looking forward to it a lot: Sonia and Diana, two other chaperones, are also going with us as part of their training. Neither of them have gone rafting with a group like this before. I hope everything goes well and no one falls out of the raft! With some of this group I can already feel my hair turning gray...
Still working on being more tranquila. Leslie would be proud of me.
Pura Vida : )
downtown
The more cities I see, the more convinced I am that I belong in the country.
Today I went downtown to San Jose for the first time with a tour. It was big, and bustling, and the skyscrapers really weren't scraping the sky. I visited the Teatro Nacional, the Museo Nacional, and did a cool walking tour and saw lots of the city. Awkward moment though, when a woman who noticed our tour began following us...she paid her way into all the museums we went to, but was asking our guide questions, interrupting him, and some students were lagging behind talking with her. I approached her and told her that it was a private tour, that our students had paid to have a guide, that this was not an open tour and that she was not part of our group. She took great offense: I think she misinterpreted what I said. She kept saying that Costa Rica is a free country and that she could go where she wanted, that I should not treat Ticos this way, that she was not bothering anyone. My emphasis was that we were on a private tour, with a private guide. If she wanted to ask questions and see these places, she needed a personal guide and not to continue asking ours! There was a bit of a showdown in the lobby of the museum, and she yelled at me...just doing my job. I was upset in the moment, but now I think its funny more than anything!
Tonight I have to go to another soccer game. I do not play soccer. Hopefully tonight I can meet with some other chaperones, who plan to hang out later. There are five of us here right now in Heredia: the office is pretty tight on space right now.
Today I went downtown to San Jose for the first time with a tour. It was big, and bustling, and the skyscrapers really weren't scraping the sky. I visited the Teatro Nacional, the Museo Nacional, and did a cool walking tour and saw lots of the city. Awkward moment though, when a woman who noticed our tour began following us...she paid her way into all the museums we went to, but was asking our guide questions, interrupting him, and some students were lagging behind talking with her. I approached her and told her that it was a private tour, that our students had paid to have a guide, that this was not an open tour and that she was not part of our group. She took great offense: I think she misinterpreted what I said. She kept saying that Costa Rica is a free country and that she could go where she wanted, that I should not treat Ticos this way, that she was not bothering anyone. My emphasis was that we were on a private tour, with a private guide. If she wanted to ask questions and see these places, she needed a personal guide and not to continue asking ours! There was a bit of a showdown in the lobby of the museum, and she yelled at me...just doing my job. I was upset in the moment, but now I think its funny more than anything!
Tonight I have to go to another soccer game. I do not play soccer. Hopefully tonight I can meet with some other chaperones, who plan to hang out later. There are five of us here right now in Heredia: the office is pretty tight on space right now.
sights of the ciudad
-dome of the National Theater.
-Cathedral in downtown San Jose
-all natural store...thinking of Mom and Avia!
little girl in the big city
Happy Father's Day! What a blessing to have my dad in my life: hugs and kisses for him today.
What an unexpected adventure this weekend turned out to be!! Of the last 48 hours I must have spent at least 8 on the road.
This weekend my group went to Arenal, one of the active volcanoes here in Costa Rica. I anticipated staying home and doing laundry Saturday, maybe watching a movie or two. Friday night, however, after substitute teaching for an ENGLISH class (!!! yes I had to teach class for an hour while the regular teacher taught dance class for my group!!!) I was informed that I would be accompanying my group to Arenal after all. Normally groups go with a guide and the chaperone stays behind: the guide for this weekend is new to CPI, and so I went as an "assistant." The guide did an excellent job, so there really wasn't much for me to do. My role consisted of telling the guide names, counting heads in the bus, and reminding the group to be on time (which is something they struggle with! it irritates me to no end). We stayed in Arenal Springs, which is without a doubt the most upscale hotel I have ever stayed in! I had a "sencilla," a room all to myself which was fabulous! The bathroom was HUGE and I listened to my music the whole time, and had the chance to reorganize my backpack on the second queen bed.
We went to the hot springs of Baldi, where lo and behold I encountered Jessica and her group. We both had a banano loco and relaxed for a while before going to dinner with our respective groups. It was the last time we expected to see each other, but today when we went to the La Fortuna Waterfall we saw each other all over again! I amgoing to miss Jessica a lot: more than ever I am glad we were able to spend a week together in Monteverde.
I had forgotten the powers of hot water: Baldi was really nice! The buffet style dinner hit the spot! That evening I hung out with the guide and a few of the older group members at the hotel pool laughing about "pachuco" or Tico Spanish. Sometimes though I can hardly follow what people say to each other if they are using local phrases!which tells me that I have a lot left to learn about the language and the culture here in Costa Rica... We ate a good breakfast at the hotel and left this morning for the waterfall of La Fortuna. I came two years ago as a student: but I was still taken aback by the beauty and power of the waterfall. I really love waterfalls, I could sit and listen to them all day! From there we left to go to Sarchi, an artisan town where carretas (oxcarts, a national symbol of Costa Rica, are produced and hand painted. We stopped to shop and saw the world's largest carreta. On the way to Heredia we hit some heavy traffic and it began to rain heavily: by the time we arrived in Mercedes Sur, where the families were awaiting the students, it was raining hard and there was no place to park. We ended up cramming into a garage and hurriedly getting students and thier wet luggage into the cars of Familia Ticas. I am currently in the apartments of Dona Romy, who founded CPI! (the apartments are attatched to her house, actually)Also sharing an apartment with a chaperone for the week: we aren't sure how/where we are getting breakfast tomorrow morning. Interesting...
Even San Joaquin seems overwhelming after the tranquility of Monteverde: there is a lot more traffic, more people, more noise. What a different feeling! To me this is "big city."
I have been working on being more "tranquila," adjusting to Tico time. My guide was telling me that I have to stress less: but its just part of what I do! Its part of my American personality to be anxious about time and schedule. I can see this reflected in my groups too: many of their questions are time related.
I plan to go to bed in a little bit; first upload a few pictures from this weekend. Check them out!
PURA VIDA
What an unexpected adventure this weekend turned out to be!! Of the last 48 hours I must have spent at least 8 on the road.
This weekend my group went to Arenal, one of the active volcanoes here in Costa Rica. I anticipated staying home and doing laundry Saturday, maybe watching a movie or two. Friday night, however, after substitute teaching for an ENGLISH class (!!! yes I had to teach class for an hour while the regular teacher taught dance class for my group!!!) I was informed that I would be accompanying my group to Arenal after all. Normally groups go with a guide and the chaperone stays behind: the guide for this weekend is new to CPI, and so I went as an "assistant." The guide did an excellent job, so there really wasn't much for me to do. My role consisted of telling the guide names, counting heads in the bus, and reminding the group to be on time (which is something they struggle with! it irritates me to no end). We stayed in Arenal Springs, which is without a doubt the most upscale hotel I have ever stayed in! I had a "sencilla," a room all to myself which was fabulous! The bathroom was HUGE and I listened to my music the whole time, and had the chance to reorganize my backpack on the second queen bed.
We went to the hot springs of Baldi, where lo and behold I encountered Jessica and her group. We both had a banano loco and relaxed for a while before going to dinner with our respective groups. It was the last time we expected to see each other, but today when we went to the La Fortuna Waterfall we saw each other all over again! I amgoing to miss Jessica a lot: more than ever I am glad we were able to spend a week together in Monteverde.
I had forgotten the powers of hot water: Baldi was really nice! The buffet style dinner hit the spot! That evening I hung out with the guide and a few of the older group members at the hotel pool laughing about "pachuco" or Tico Spanish. Sometimes though I can hardly follow what people say to each other if they are using local phrases!which tells me that I have a lot left to learn about the language and the culture here in Costa Rica... We ate a good breakfast at the hotel and left this morning for the waterfall of La Fortuna. I came two years ago as a student: but I was still taken aback by the beauty and power of the waterfall. I really love waterfalls, I could sit and listen to them all day! From there we left to go to Sarchi, an artisan town where carretas (oxcarts, a national symbol of Costa Rica, are produced and hand painted. We stopped to shop and saw the world's largest carreta. On the way to Heredia we hit some heavy traffic and it began to rain heavily: by the time we arrived in Mercedes Sur, where the families were awaiting the students, it was raining hard and there was no place to park. We ended up cramming into a garage and hurriedly getting students and thier wet luggage into the cars of Familia Ticas. I am currently in the apartments of Dona Romy, who founded CPI! (the apartments are attatched to her house, actually)Also sharing an apartment with a chaperone for the week: we aren't sure how/where we are getting breakfast tomorrow morning. Interesting...
Even San Joaquin seems overwhelming after the tranquility of Monteverde: there is a lot more traffic, more people, more noise. What a different feeling! To me this is "big city."
I have been working on being more "tranquila," adjusting to Tico time. My guide was telling me that I have to stress less: but its just part of what I do! Its part of my American personality to be anxious about time and schedule. I can see this reflected in my groups too: many of their questions are time related.
I plan to go to bed in a little bit; first upload a few pictures from this weekend. Check them out!
PURA VIDA
no more hotdogs
I recall now why I disliked hotdogs. The answer came to me last night as I threw up my dinner on the side of the road...as much as I like cheap food, De a Parao has lost my business! NO MORE HOTDOGS.
On the other hand I am feeling fine right now.
After class yesterday I accompanied a student to the pharmacy to get meds for her cough/sinus/allergy problems. It seems to me she cannot decide if she has a sinus infection or is simply suffering from decongestion due to the climate change??? after I got my miserable hotdog and watched a soccer game...I wasn't feeling up to playing.
Last night I went briefly to see my group at La Cascada, one of the few bar/restaurant I do not know in Monteverde. The majority of my group was there, and it was kareoke night. I left! My group followed me and danced the night away somewhere else. I walked home and dealt with that hotdog.
This morning my group went horseback riding...I am not a huge fan of horses, though I was in my younger years. Now the smell, and the hugeness of them put me off. Not to mention my sore bum after riding for two hours. Though I did get an adrenaline rush from cantering for a while, and my horse was very well behaved.
This evening my group will be watching the Lakers game. Not sure if I will join. I think I have a skype date with a few people.
In the next week I will be leaving for Heredia, and I will miss Monteverde. I have really enjoyed having Muni and Jessica around this week, just like old times. Hanging out with Leslie has been fun, like having Peter around.
Just walked to Sabores with Muni, Jessica, Diego and Julian. That is something else I will miss about Monteverde: the awesome ice cream.
PURA VIDA
On the other hand I am feeling fine right now.
After class yesterday I accompanied a student to the pharmacy to get meds for her cough/sinus/allergy problems. It seems to me she cannot decide if she has a sinus infection or is simply suffering from decongestion due to the climate change??? after I got my miserable hotdog and watched a soccer game...I wasn't feeling up to playing.
Last night I went briefly to see my group at La Cascada, one of the few bar/restaurant I do not know in Monteverde. The majority of my group was there, and it was kareoke night. I left! My group followed me and danced the night away somewhere else. I walked home and dealt with that hotdog.
This morning my group went horseback riding...I am not a huge fan of horses, though I was in my younger years. Now the smell, and the hugeness of them put me off. Not to mention my sore bum after riding for two hours. Though I did get an adrenaline rush from cantering for a while, and my horse was very well behaved.
This evening my group will be watching the Lakers game. Not sure if I will join. I think I have a skype date with a few people.
In the next week I will be leaving for Heredia, and I will miss Monteverde. I have really enjoyed having Muni and Jessica around this week, just like old times. Hanging out with Leslie has been fun, like having Peter around.
Just walked to Sabores with Muni, Jessica, Diego and Julian. That is something else I will miss about Monteverde: the awesome ice cream.
PURA VIDA
in the clouds again
How is it already Wednesday? This week has gone too fast.
Last night Jessica and I chilled at the apartment and watched some a movie...I have been feeling really wiped out and was in bed by 10:30pm.
This morning I took my group on a canopy tour...This is the third time I have done this particular tour, and I admit the excitement is starting to wear off. I wish I could have gone upside down, but the weather did not permit it. High winds and cloudy views, which also meant that we went in pairs more often. I prefer going by myself...we were late getting back to school and having lunch. Right now I just really want a cookie!!!
Tonight we have a soccer game scheduled, and honestly I am NOT looking forward to it. I am no soccer player, and do not enjoy running around pretending to be uber competitive when I am awful at the game...I know that sounds really negative, but I know that soccer is not my strong suit. Thus being a swimmer!and not a runner...
I hope to skype with some people later tonight, and later in the week. I need to be working on keeping in touch with people better. E-mail me if you have a free block of time after 7/8pm Costa Rican time.
Pura Vida
Last night Jessica and I chilled at the apartment and watched some a movie...I have been feeling really wiped out and was in bed by 10:30pm.
This morning I took my group on a canopy tour...This is the third time I have done this particular tour, and I admit the excitement is starting to wear off. I wish I could have gone upside down, but the weather did not permit it. High winds and cloudy views, which also meant that we went in pairs more often. I prefer going by myself...we were late getting back to school and having lunch. Right now I just really want a cookie!!!
Tonight we have a soccer game scheduled, and honestly I am NOT looking forward to it. I am no soccer player, and do not enjoy running around pretending to be uber competitive when I am awful at the game...I know that sounds really negative, but I know that soccer is not my strong suit. Thus being a swimmer!and not a runner...
I hope to skype with some people later tonight, and later in the week. I need to be working on keeping in touch with people better. E-mail me if you have a free block of time after 7/8pm Costa Rican time.
Pura Vida
new week & new group
Buenos dias! I survived the weekend.
Friday night I had a great time with Selma, the guide who had been staying with me in Monteverde this last week with her group. We went to Bar Amigos and enjoyed some great live music by Calle *, a well known band. They played some great salsa and cumbia, and we danced and had fun people watching: there were a LOT of gringos! Apparently I do not dance like a gringa, which I was very pleased to hear. From now on I have a "Tia Selma," haha!
On Saturday morning I hiked with the Texas A&M group to San Luis waterfall, where we sat and swam a little in the ice cold water at the base of the waterfall. We hiked back and everyone left to have lunch: I went back to Casas del Toro and showered, then came to CPI and prepared to leave for Heredia to pick up my group. I was accompanied by Leslie, another chaperone who is in training: he is only 18! and this is his first summer working with CPI Groups (I felt like I was hanging out with Peter the whole time!). We arrived at CPI Heredia and went top get dinner with the other chaperones, Jessica and Sonia who had been prepping folders and group info in the office all day. We went with Don Carlos (my boss's husband) and Ronny our chofer to a Chinese place in San Joaquin for dinner, and then Leslie and I sat tight in the office until we went to get some students from my group at 10:30pm. We picked them up and dropped them off at the B&B and returned to CPI to be picked up by another chofer in a HUGE tour bus: and then we returned to the airport to pick up the rest of the group. We waited around checking the arrivals board constantly: the status of the flight had been delayed to 12:15am, but for 20 minutes the status read "confirmed." Then it changed to "delayed," without an updated time frame. THEN it was changed to "arrived," and the group filed out and we hopped on the bus and went to the B&B, around 1:30am. Unfortunately, I do not know this B&B, La Dehesa, as well as I thought I did. There was a massive wait until I discovered which wing my students were in, and then another wait for the keys to one room that had no door handle. I went to sleep around 2:30am.
The next morning we woke up around 7am in my room, and had breakfast at 8am. My chofer with the huge bus was right on time, and by 9:05am we were on the road to Monteverde, dropping Leslie off at CPI to pick up his own group: what a crash course for him! But I was very impressed with him, being patient and proactive: He will be a great chap! There are several new chaps I have not yet met, many of whom are in Heredia: I wonder if we will ever meet? Once groups get going I think the only contact we will have is passing each other on the highway, haha.
My group arrived safe and sound to Monteverde around 2pm and we were finally through with interviews, placement testing and orientation around 5:30pm. Thanks to Jessica for helping me with orientation! Afterwards we changed and went to dinner, and who should I see at the bar but my friend Gustavo Mora, who was a guide with me for a West Coast group last summer! We chatted and lamented that he would not be working with CPI this summer. It was good to catch up. Then Jess and I crashed at home. I slept well.
Today I am going on a walking tour of Santa Elena with my group, and we have a cooking class at noon, which means free lunch! Then I move them into classes and working on making their student IDs this afternoon...
Hasta pronto!
Friday night I had a great time with Selma, the guide who had been staying with me in Monteverde this last week with her group. We went to Bar Amigos and enjoyed some great live music by Calle *, a well known band. They played some great salsa and cumbia, and we danced and had fun people watching: there were a LOT of gringos! Apparently I do not dance like a gringa, which I was very pleased to hear. From now on I have a "Tia Selma," haha!
On Saturday morning I hiked with the Texas A&M group to San Luis waterfall, where we sat and swam a little in the ice cold water at the base of the waterfall. We hiked back and everyone left to have lunch: I went back to Casas del Toro and showered, then came to CPI and prepared to leave for Heredia to pick up my group. I was accompanied by Leslie, another chaperone who is in training: he is only 18! and this is his first summer working with CPI Groups (I felt like I was hanging out with Peter the whole time!). We arrived at CPI Heredia and went top get dinner with the other chaperones, Jessica and Sonia who had been prepping folders and group info in the office all day. We went with Don Carlos (my boss's husband) and Ronny our chofer to a Chinese place in San Joaquin for dinner, and then Leslie and I sat tight in the office until we went to get some students from my group at 10:30pm. We picked them up and dropped them off at the B&B and returned to CPI to be picked up by another chofer in a HUGE tour bus: and then we returned to the airport to pick up the rest of the group. We waited around checking the arrivals board constantly: the status of the flight had been delayed to 12:15am, but for 20 minutes the status read "confirmed." Then it changed to "delayed," without an updated time frame. THEN it was changed to "arrived," and the group filed out and we hopped on the bus and went to the B&B, around 1:30am. Unfortunately, I do not know this B&B, La Dehesa, as well as I thought I did. There was a massive wait until I discovered which wing my students were in, and then another wait for the keys to one room that had no door handle. I went to sleep around 2:30am.
The next morning we woke up around 7am in my room, and had breakfast at 8am. My chofer with the huge bus was right on time, and by 9:05am we were on the road to Monteverde, dropping Leslie off at CPI to pick up his own group: what a crash course for him! But I was very impressed with him, being patient and proactive: He will be a great chap! There are several new chaps I have not yet met, many of whom are in Heredia: I wonder if we will ever meet? Once groups get going I think the only contact we will have is passing each other on the highway, haha.
My group arrived safe and sound to Monteverde around 2pm and we were finally through with interviews, placement testing and orientation around 5:30pm. Thanks to Jessica for helping me with orientation! Afterwards we changed and went to dinner, and who should I see at the bar but my friend Gustavo Mora, who was a guide with me for a West Coast group last summer! We chatted and lamented that he would not be working with CPI this summer. It was good to catch up. Then Jess and I crashed at home. I slept well.
Today I am going on a walking tour of Santa Elena with my group, and we have a cooking class at noon, which means free lunch! Then I move them into classes and working on making their student IDs this afternoon...
Hasta pronto!
its been a month.
Today marks day 28 being away from home. It is also a Friday one of the craziest days in the office here at Grupos. Tomorrow we have (I think) 4 groups arriving. I can be found at Juansantamaria Intl Airport tomorrow evening at 11:55pm, waiting for my group to exit and climb onto a bus. 31 students, 2 chaperones, a chofer, and me. So the adventure begins! And this will be MY group: I feel like I will be back in my element.
We also have several chaperones who are just jumping in: also picking up their first group and heading out. I feel fortunate that I get to spend the next week here in Monteverde, which is feeling more and more like my hometown. I only have to pack for one night away and then I am back in #8 with Muni and Jessica. The following week however I will be out and about with my group at another school.
Tonight I plan to hit Bar Amigos for the last time with my group of Texas A&M kids, where there will be live salsa music. I have mentioned before and I'll say it again: I LOVE DANCING SALSA! Tomorrow morning I will be up early to go with my group to San Luis waterfall, before leaving to go to Heredia in the afternoon.
Today I got to speak with Lora Amora on Skype for a little while! I have been very bad about keeping in touch with a lot of people, but the hours I keep do not lend themselves to video chat: I am at work!! And on weekends I do not always have internet, or I am in transit like this weekend.
In the next hour I will be documenting my group's cooking class. We are making chimichangas and my stomach is growling...
Hasta pronto!
We also have several chaperones who are just jumping in: also picking up their first group and heading out. I feel fortunate that I get to spend the next week here in Monteverde, which is feeling more and more like my hometown. I only have to pack for one night away and then I am back in #8 with Muni and Jessica. The following week however I will be out and about with my group at another school.
Tonight I plan to hit Bar Amigos for the last time with my group of Texas A&M kids, where there will be live salsa music. I have mentioned before and I'll say it again: I LOVE DANCING SALSA! Tomorrow morning I will be up early to go with my group to San Luis waterfall, before leaving to go to Heredia in the afternoon.
Today I got to speak with Lora Amora on Skype for a little while! I have been very bad about keeping in touch with a lot of people, but the hours I keep do not lend themselves to video chat: I am at work!! And on weekends I do not always have internet, or I am in transit like this weekend.
In the next hour I will be documenting my group's cooking class. We are making chimichangas and my stomach is growling...
Hasta pronto!
back on my feet
After my post yesterday, I want to inform you that I am feeling myself again.
Today I accompanied the Texas kids to a primary school where they observed classrooms and taught an activity in English and Spanish. Afterwards we were (all! even me!) paired with one student to practice their English. I talked with Jeffery, who is 10, for a solid 25 minutes as we discussed family and words in English...it was very cool! Afterwards I worked on putting together info sheets for incoming/upcoming groups, and accompanied some of the Texas girls to lunch which took forever at Johnny's Pizzaria. My calzone was well worth it, in addition to the CPI discount. I am not hungry at all right now, and its almost 6:30pm.
I just caught the sunset with my group, and will shortly be going home to do laundry and snack, then meet with some of the Texas kids for a little going-away party for the son of a professor who is visiting. Tomorrow night there is live music at Bar Amigos, and I plan to go and work on my salsa dancing! I hope I can convince some of my kids to come with me, since I hate going by myself.
Jessica has arrived, and Diego is all aflutter. I pick up my group Saturday, and return to Monteverde Sunday night. Such is the life of a chaperona!! But I think I will have Jess to keep me company : )
Today I accompanied the Texas kids to a primary school where they observed classrooms and taught an activity in English and Spanish. Afterwards we were (all! even me!) paired with one student to practice their English. I talked with Jeffery, who is 10, for a solid 25 minutes as we discussed family and words in English...it was very cool! Afterwards I worked on putting together info sheets for incoming/upcoming groups, and accompanied some of the Texas girls to lunch which took forever at Johnny's Pizzaria. My calzone was well worth it, in addition to the CPI discount. I am not hungry at all right now, and its almost 6:30pm.
I just caught the sunset with my group, and will shortly be going home to do laundry and snack, then meet with some of the Texas kids for a little going-away party for the son of a professor who is visiting. Tomorrow night there is live music at Bar Amigos, and I plan to go and work on my salsa dancing! I hope I can convince some of my kids to come with me, since I hate going by myself.
Jessica has arrived, and Diego is all aflutter. I pick up my group Saturday, and return to Monteverde Sunday night. Such is the life of a chaperona!! But I think I will have Jess to keep me company : )
sombra
Sombra means shadow, and right now I am feeling a little down.
Today I took my Texas group to Selvatura, a tour on hanging bridges through the canopy. Another CPI group also went to Selvatura at the same time...when we arrived, the guides who were supposed to go with MY group started by accompanying the other group. We realized the error and were able to fix it, but I just felt really silly. For some reason I'm still not "getting it" like I thought I would be by now! This last summer gave me so much experience, things like this shouldn't be happening. Where is my game face? Its frustrating, knowing that I am not doing as well as I should be. One thing I know I struggle with is confidence...and I really have to step it up. This job does not allow for passivity. In that way, I am really being challenged.
On the other hand it is already Wednesday. I start with another group Sunday: Mount San Antonio College.
Time flies.
Today I took my Texas group to Selvatura, a tour on hanging bridges through the canopy. Another CPI group also went to Selvatura at the same time...when we arrived, the guides who were supposed to go with MY group started by accompanying the other group. We realized the error and were able to fix it, but I just felt really silly. For some reason I'm still not "getting it" like I thought I would be by now! This last summer gave me so much experience, things like this shouldn't be happening. Where is my game face? Its frustrating, knowing that I am not doing as well as I should be. One thing I know I struggle with is confidence...and I really have to step it up. This job does not allow for passivity. In that way, I am really being challenged.
On the other hand it is already Wednesday. I start with another group Sunday: Mount San Antonio College.
Time flies.
sol!!
What a beautiful sunny Monday morning...CPI is already buzzing! We have a new group that arrived last night, and there are several new students from Heredia who are here for the week. I also have a new room-mate, Selma, a guide/chaperona. Last night we went out with other chaperones from her group to celebrate her birthday at Chimera: a tapas bar, if you can believe it. I had never been, mostly because its a little more expensive. But it was fun to go out and to share different tapas with everyone.
This weekend was a calm one...Friday night I got sushi with some girls from my Texas A&M group and then we met with people at Mata Cana, and Saturday I slept in. Muni and Sonia also left Saturday, and I was lonely in the apartment for Saturday during the day. Sunday afternoon I met with a friend for "brunch" and watched some movies in the afternoon (before Selma arrived).
For the rest of the week I am still helping with the Texas group as far as I know...unsure about what I am doing next week.
Today I need some rice and beans...I didn't have any all weekend long! I think my system is confused.
Loving the sunshine right now...but that doesn't mean it won't rain later in the day. I almost wish I had been able to go to the beach with Muni and the UD kids...my tan is fading fast here! I am sure I will be back at the beach soon enough!
This weekend was a calm one...Friday night I got sushi with some girls from my Texas A&M group and then we met with people at Mata Cana, and Saturday I slept in. Muni and Sonia also left Saturday, and I was lonely in the apartment for Saturday during the day. Sunday afternoon I met with a friend for "brunch" and watched some movies in the afternoon (before Selma arrived).
For the rest of the week I am still helping with the Texas group as far as I know...unsure about what I am doing next week.
Today I need some rice and beans...I didn't have any all weekend long! I think my system is confused.
Loving the sunshine right now...but that doesn't mean it won't rain later in the day. I almost wish I had been able to go to the beach with Muni and the UD kids...my tan is fading fast here! I am sure I will be back at the beach soon enough!
Brete=Work
Has it really been 21 full days? That is three weeks.
Thursdays and Fridays are always the craziest days, when things are being prepared for the weekend and the following week. Groups come and go, leaving Saturday or arriving Sunday. Muni and Sonia are both going tomorrow morning with their groups, Sonia to Heredia and Muni to Flamingo. The group I have been helping with, Texas A&M, is going to Arenal for the weekend without me.
Tonight I plan to hang out with some of the UD students before they leave for the beach.
This week has gone by so fast! It's almost overwhelming to think how much faster it will all seem once groups start arriving in full force. Life will be non-stop then. Enjoy little calm moments while you can!
Thursdays and Fridays are always the craziest days, when things are being prepared for the weekend and the following week. Groups come and go, leaving Saturday or arriving Sunday. Muni and Sonia are both going tomorrow morning with their groups, Sonia to Heredia and Muni to Flamingo. The group I have been helping with, Texas A&M, is going to Arenal for the weekend without me.
Tonight I plan to hang out with some of the UD students before they leave for the beach.
This week has gone by so fast! It's almost overwhelming to think how much faster it will all seem once groups start arriving in full force. Life will be non-stop then. Enjoy little calm moments while you can!
sleepyhead
Not sure why but I am still feeling wiped out after going to bed early last night. It might be the walking, it might be the fruits and veggies, it might be staying out too late with friends: whatever it is, I definitely need to get more sleep. I think this weekend I will have the apartment to myself, so my pan to sleep will be possible.
This week I have not had a lot to do...more than anything it has been organizing documents and prepping binders for this upcoming insane period of West Coast groups, which start soon now in June. I know that I have a 28 day tour with a West Coast group! This is when it gets crazy, travelling constantly. Its both the best and the worst, the most challenging time in groups.
I have been helping with a Texas A&M University group visiting this week. My boss, Jonle, is officially the chaperone and I have been assisting her as needed with details. Today for instance I had to make sure their classroom was set up and collect lunch money for this afternoon.
While it has been a beautiful week, it looks like its bound to rain this afternoon. Luckily I have begun the habit of taking a raincoat with me every day, despite sun in the morning. Rain is a normal daily occurrence here. Super glad I sprung for TWO raincoats instead of one!
Yesterday I went to the Super Compro to pick up more breakfast food...its the meal I NEED to eat every day! Sonia has gotten me into "borrachos," pastries that resemble red donuts with jelly in between them. I also got more Corn Flakes and milk...Sonia and I opened a box of Muni's cereal and I had forgotten how much I like cereal.
Its funny too how many people you see in the Super Compro: I saw the bartender from Amigos, the guide from San Luis's Coffee Co-op, and a guy who told me he was coming to Costa Rica for 3 weeks who worked in the office next to Catering back home. I want to say that it is a truly small world, but I know too that its Monteverde: a small town.
Pura Vida : )
This week I have not had a lot to do...more than anything it has been organizing documents and prepping binders for this upcoming insane period of West Coast groups, which start soon now in June. I know that I have a 28 day tour with a West Coast group! This is when it gets crazy, travelling constantly. Its both the best and the worst, the most challenging time in groups.
I have been helping with a Texas A&M University group visiting this week. My boss, Jonle, is officially the chaperone and I have been assisting her as needed with details. Today for instance I had to make sure their classroom was set up and collect lunch money for this afternoon.
While it has been a beautiful week, it looks like its bound to rain this afternoon. Luckily I have begun the habit of taking a raincoat with me every day, despite sun in the morning. Rain is a normal daily occurrence here. Super glad I sprung for TWO raincoats instead of one!
Yesterday I went to the Super Compro to pick up more breakfast food...its the meal I NEED to eat every day! Sonia has gotten me into "borrachos," pastries that resemble red donuts with jelly in between them. I also got more Corn Flakes and milk...Sonia and I opened a box of Muni's cereal and I had forgotten how much I like cereal.
Its funny too how many people you see in the Super Compro: I saw the bartender from Amigos, the guide from San Luis's Coffee Co-op, and a guy who told me he was coming to Costa Rica for 3 weeks who worked in the office next to Catering back home. I want to say that it is a truly small world, but I know too that its Monteverde: a small town.
Pura Vida : )
images
1) Sonia and I on the Rock
2) streets of Cerro Plano
3) sunset on the gulf, view from the apartment
arroz y frijoles...lo tipico
There are some things I really love about this country: part of me is wondering how I ever survived without rice and beans in my diet, for example. Every day I find myself craving a casado right around lunch time. I wish I could have gallo pinto for breakfast every day! But that requires cooking, and I don't really have the time or resources right now.
I also love the fruits here. Having fresh fruit is awesome, healthy, DELISH!Going to restaurants I always ask for a "natural" drink in water, although they can also be made with milk. But the milk makes it very think, almost like a milkshake, and I end up being thirsty all over again! There is a little place nearby that makes their own fruit juice daily, and the process is pretty simple: chop up fruit and blend it until its juice! Really doesn't get much fresher.
Aside from the food, I love the music. Turning on the radio and listening to salsa and merengue really make my day! I have fond memories of travelling with the chofers and and listening to them sing along to the songs: last summer I learned how to tell the difference between all the different styles. Listening I find myself bobbing my head along to a given beat, closing my eyes and imagining the dance steps in my mind. Along with music I love how everyone here knows how to dance! Salsa is my favorite, and I LOVED dancing with Gerry (my co-worker) last summer. There could be definite improvements in my merengue and cumbia...actually I cannot dance cumbia at all!
Some things I do not like as much: the bugs, the rain. The bus system is pretty frustrating also, as it appears disorganized and can be pretty crowded. I will never forget Jessica's ordeal with buses last summer: I feel really spoiled having a chofer or transport always available to me. My driver's license doesn't matter too much here: its more for ID than anything else. The highways are annoying too. Because a highway is pretty much a two lane road!
At the same time though, I realize that these are things that are typical of many Latin American countries and are not exclusive to Costa Rica. Infrastructure is the keyword here: it could be improved. Complaining about it is futile. All the same, it is a contributor to my dislikes about this country...
Also how expensive things are here, like soap and shampoo and toothpaste. Its not cheap! I plan to buy when I am back in the USA, where its $2 for a family size bottle of Suave instead of $6 for only 12oz!! Lotion and soap could easily be very big drains. Now I am glad I got a brand new toothbrush before I left...(haha Mama!)
On the whole I admit that there is a part of me that is thinking about getting a cell phone here, a bank account, renting a house and living in the mountains eating rice and beans, sleeping in a hammock. But I think at the same time, that I would miss my bed, and the seasons, and Thanksgiving.
Its a funny inbetween place for me right now. Casi Tica, but still Americana. And still a gringa.
Maybe eventually I can be mistaken for Tica? After a year, I just might be.
More later.
PURA VIDA
I also love the fruits here. Having fresh fruit is awesome, healthy, DELISH!Going to restaurants I always ask for a "natural" drink in water, although they can also be made with milk. But the milk makes it very think, almost like a milkshake, and I end up being thirsty all over again! There is a little place nearby that makes their own fruit juice daily, and the process is pretty simple: chop up fruit and blend it until its juice! Really doesn't get much fresher.
Aside from the food, I love the music. Turning on the radio and listening to salsa and merengue really make my day! I have fond memories of travelling with the chofers and and listening to them sing along to the songs: last summer I learned how to tell the difference between all the different styles. Listening I find myself bobbing my head along to a given beat, closing my eyes and imagining the dance steps in my mind. Along with music I love how everyone here knows how to dance! Salsa is my favorite, and I LOVED dancing with Gerry (my co-worker) last summer. There could be definite improvements in my merengue and cumbia...actually I cannot dance cumbia at all!
Some things I do not like as much: the bugs, the rain. The bus system is pretty frustrating also, as it appears disorganized and can be pretty crowded. I will never forget Jessica's ordeal with buses last summer: I feel really spoiled having a chofer or transport always available to me. My driver's license doesn't matter too much here: its more for ID than anything else. The highways are annoying too. Because a highway is pretty much a two lane road!
At the same time though, I realize that these are things that are typical of many Latin American countries and are not exclusive to Costa Rica. Infrastructure is the keyword here: it could be improved. Complaining about it is futile. All the same, it is a contributor to my dislikes about this country...
Also how expensive things are here, like soap and shampoo and toothpaste. Its not cheap! I plan to buy when I am back in the USA, where its $2 for a family size bottle of Suave instead of $6 for only 12oz!! Lotion and soap could easily be very big drains. Now I am glad I got a brand new toothbrush before I left...(haha Mama!)
On the whole I admit that there is a part of me that is thinking about getting a cell phone here, a bank account, renting a house and living in the mountains eating rice and beans, sleeping in a hammock. But I think at the same time, that I would miss my bed, and the seasons, and Thanksgiving.
Its a funny inbetween place for me right now. Casi Tica, but still Americana. And still a gringa.
Maybe eventually I can be mistaken for Tica? After a year, I just might be.
More later.
PURA VIDA