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

coffee is in my blood by now.

Today I am going with my group to Cafe Britt, a coffee tour of one of the better known coffee companies here in Costa Rica. A lot of what they produce and sell is gourmet quality...the tour itself is a little too much entertainment if you ask me, but its pretty cool and interactive. The best part is all the free samples in the gift shop (yeah I'm a cheapie.) and the buffet lunch is always a nice part of the tour...This is usually what I pick up for Uncle Dennis as a gift, since he is a coffee lover. It doesn't get much better than Cafe Britt here is Costa Rica!
After last summer I have grown to like coffee, when before it was not a beverage I particularly enjoyed. Now I like having cafe con leche in the morning, no sugar, thank you very much. Mocha still makes my taste buds go crazy though...coffee and chocolate haha! Typical Meggie.
I have found that I still have to master the art of brewing a good cup of coffee. Lora really has it mastered, but I don't know why I seem to make the crappiest coffee ever. Maybe I can get my Mama Tica to give me a tutorial? Its been great waking up to a fresh cup of coffee every morning here.
There are no Starbucks here, by the way. That is something else I will be looking forward too when I get home!

Yesterday it rained cats and dogs. Un aguacero, as we say. I walked over to visit my famlia Tica from last summer, and was soaked by the time I got there. My shoes are still drying! My Mama Tica lent me some shorts and a shirt, since my jeans were totally wet. I feel bad for my Mama Tica who has to wash all my stuff...I really prefer to do my own laundry! It was great to visit though, we talked about last summer and the other chaperones, who is doing what, there were lots of hugs and smiles. Its such a blessing that I have been able to keep in touch with so many amazing people I have met here!

More and more ready to go to the beach...feeling better now too. My throat is still bothering me a little, but only at the end of the day.
Right now its a beautiful day outside...but I know we will have rain by the end of the day. That is Costa Rica, and I love it.

Pura Vida : )

smiles from sunday night!

slow down kid

This weekend was great! Saturday I slept until almost 10am (which is a LOT considering I am usually up at 6am) and went to San Jose by bus to visit a friend. I went to the Mall San Pedro for the first time, which reminded me more of the malls back home than Paseo de las Flores in Heredia.
Sunday I changed familias, and am now back in San Joaquin with my Mama Tica from two weeks ago and her super cute son. In the afternoon I went with a friend back to San Jose and to the mall again and felt very accomplished at remembering how to get back! When I returned that evening there was a party going on at my familia's house, with family next door. We ate chicken and laughed and had Imperial and danced a lot! We took some fun pictures too, which I will post.
Today i walked with my co-worker to CPI, since we are neighbors on the same street! Tomorrow I go on a canopy tour with my group (YAY! and its a tour I have never been on) and Wednesday we have a tour of Cafe Britt.

Right now the weather is pretty nice, in contrast to the weekend. I cannot wait to go to the beach again!!! SOL!
My plans to go to Panama are coming together: it looks like I am leaving next Saturday night or Sunday, and will be gone at least 4 days. Looking forward to it!! When I get back I think I have a few more groups, but the season is slowing way down at last. Thought it would never end!

Pura Vida

finde/weekend

The rain outside my window looks very much like mist, its falling so fine. This is winter in Costa Rica; temps in the 70s or MAYBE high 60s, and rain. My tan is fading fast, and right now I find myself missing the sun and heat of the beach.

Yesterday I had a successful trip to the mall and picked up new flip flops: and they feel so good on my feet. In the evening I went with my group to downtown Heredia for a little while, and hung out. Good times! This group really has been fantastic! Today puttering around with my compas in the office, discovering music and bonding...we will not be together much longer!
On my schedule for today: waiting for a confirmation from the transportation company for my chofer, calling a restaurant about a dinner party, and collecting money for a canopy tour on Tuesday.

Love love love this country more I am here.

pura vida!

mania and mall crawling...

Its been a good day so far...I've had work to do here in the office, and had a good lunch earlier with my co-worker.
Yesterday night I went to the movies with some of the other chaperones and a few of the regular students. The mall was very crowded, since right now many students are on a 2 week vacation. Traffic was bad too. MOVIE MANIA! Although it might have to do with Wednesdays being discount days at the movies here: sounds like Tuesdays at the Danbarry back in Dayton. We got out around 9pm and I got home by 9:30pm, and crashed I was so tired. The last few days I have been fighting something, and have been going to bed fairly early trying to preserve energy.
Yesterday was also Jessica's last day in Grupos! It was good to see her in the afternoon, and all the chaperones had a little cozy moment together saying goodbye. She finishes with her West Coast group soon, and will enjoy time with her family here in the country. Dichosa! I will miss her.
Earlier my flip flops broke! I was so upset! Now I am wearing my Chacos, which are very comfy but also serve to be a banner screaming "TOURISTA" so I tend not to wear them unless I am hiking or rafting or something along those lines. People here just do not wear colorful all-terrain sandals around town! I need my flip flops!
For that reason I think Diana and I are going to the mall tonight, to do a quick bit of shopping. We had zero time yesterday before the movie.
My group is also planning an evening out in Heredia, and I am excited to accompany them later on. Tomorrow we will be celebrating a birthday and I already have the cake ordered and a birthday plan figured out for the evening. I think it will be fun!

Pura Vida

2 months later...

It has officially been 60 full days since I have arrived in Costa Rica. How time flies.

Today I helped a fellow chaperone with a walking tour of Heredia, and since have been hanging out and doing odd things at CPI. My group has been asking about bungee jumping, and today we found a way for them to go! Tomorrow morning bright and early...I will not be accompanying them, haha. I know they will have a great time.

Tonight I plan to have dinner with a fellow chaperone, and have some girl talk. I am looking forward to it! This week we have had five of us here in Grupos, and its been cozy. I am a little sad we haven't gotten to spend more time together.

My plans are coming together to go to Panama for a mandatory 72 hours when I am done with this group. I might have company travelling too, which I prefer.

Also think I will be teaching English at CPI after the temporada...never saw that coming! But a job is a job, and I can use some extra money.

la vida loca!

This morning CPI Heredia has been a hive of activity. We have groups arriving, individual students doing testing and interviews, and there are now four chaps in the tiny upstairs office!
Last night I spent the first of seven nights with my new Familia Tica in Mercedes Sur: I was moved due to an emergency housing change. All about the flexibility...I also have a co-worker staying in the same house, since he was also moved due to an emergency. We are stuck with each other for the week, haha.
I've already lost count of how many times I have had to run up and downstairs today, checking and double checking timing and making copies! Thats ok, its all good for me. By the end of the day I bet I've walked five miles through CPI.

This weekend was relaxing. Saturday I slept in and spent the whole day with my Mama Tica; we looked for flip flops since the dog ate mine earlier in the week, but I couldn't find what I was looking for. Nothing beats Old Navy's flip flops...Its ok too, since yesterday my other flip flops arrived from Monteverde. In the evening I visited with Jessica and her guide, who ended up eating dinner in San Joaquin very close to my house. I stopped to say hi and it was great to see her. She only has a week left with her group, and I imagine she is ready to finish up. On Sunday I moved familias and settled in for all of 10 minutes before going back to CPI to hep with an incoming group (and watch the World Cup final!! GO SPAIN!). I got home around 7pm and was in bed by 8:30pm, for some reason I was just wiped out.

But now starts another crazy week : )
(photos: my hermanito, Sebastian, and my Mama Tica, Fresia, from this last week)
PURA VIDA

-National Theater in San Jose...I feel like royalty in this chair!
-package that came all the way from Ohio! Thank you Sarah North for a little taste of home : )

un dia bien lindo

Its a beautiful day here in San Joaquin de Flores, Heredia, Costa Rica...I woke up to the sun shining through the thin curtain of my bedroom window, and in typical Meggie fashion had another hour of sleep left, so I pulled the covers over my head haha. Some clouds are starting to accumulate, which indicates rain later on. But that is only to be expected!

This week has been a much needed break and huge blessing: my Familia Tica is a single mom and her five-year-old son, who have both been absolutely amazing! My "mama" is only 28, so it feels more like a cousin or sister relationship. Her son is the cutest little guy! We have been playing Guitar Hero the last few nights ( I still can only play on easy), and he greets me with a running hug when I come home.
My group is only 17 students and they are all very easy going, with a wonderful sense of humor and adventure. There is only one girl who has been homesick, but I hope she will start to feel a little better over the weekend; the group is going to the Arenal Volcano with a guide, and I will be staying in Heredia for a free weekend! Right now I might be going to visit the Irazu Volcano with a friend of mine who is a guide, and Jessica ought to be here Sunday. I think we will try to visit our Familia Tica from last summer, who live very close to CPI.
I have started to look for places to live come next month: there is a high probability that I will have a room-mate, and that will cut down on costs. I am starting to think about where I could get another job too, to make a little more. We will see what is available in Monteverde! And sometimes its all about who you know...

The office has been fairly calm too. Right now there is just one other chaperone and I here, and my boss. We have been preparing for the groups that are arriving Sunday and Monday, so I have been doing lots of office work; printing itineraries, organizing folders, and generally being an office rat! Its been a change of pace.

The last few days I have been feeling a little funny: trying to drink more water and eat smaller portions, in an effort to work out whatever is in my system. Sleep also helps...Mom and Dad know better than anyone, that when I do not feel well I nap! Some things never change.

Pura Vida

peek of the last few days

-last night with Los Super Tuanis!
-Mama Tica in Flamingo, Angela!
-sno-cone in downtown Heredia. yum

looney lunes

Wow, I am still trying to catch up on sleep. This weekend has been a real whirlwind!

Summary:
Friday-snorkel cruise with 27 people. It was hit! Everyone loved it, and we saw a sea turtle! That night we had a farewell dinner: the dinner was good, but there was no kareoke, which was a problem. I visited two days previous, and thus did not call to confirm the dinner. Mad dash to get something organized: we end up at a bar nearby the homestays and everyone gets two free drinks. I take 5 of the students with ME to Tamarindo, where we salsa away at Monkey Bar! Arrive home and only sleep for about two hours, I feel so anxious.

Saturday-begin packing around 5am. Listen to music, collect things from the shower. Call chofer at 7am, confirm pick-up. Try to call hostel to confirm reservation, no answer. Eat breakfast (I LOVE FRESH PINEAPPLE!) and spend a little quality time with my Mama Tica before leaving to pick up my kids. Leave around 10am for the Central Valley. Lunch stop goes smooth. Arrive on time to San Joaquin, check into hostel. I go to CPI and prep to pickup my new group. Go to the airport with two other chaps, get group together and go to the SAME hostel!!

Sunday-Go nuts with two groups needing me!!! Go to bed at 12am,wake up at 3:30am to drop group off at airport. Drop off (no tears) and leave at 4:30am. Sleep in hostel 5-7am, wake up and get new group ready for walking tour of town and orientation to school. Make it to my new homestay around 5:30pm, relax, eat dinner, fall asleep planning for today, in bed by 10pm. (some 4th July! no fireworks. Best to Leah, my cousin who was married yesterday!)

Today-tour of Heredia, capital if the province of Heredia. Go to open market, check out cool fruit stands, main plaza, and eat typical lunch. (all by BUS!) Students in class, leaving in 15 to walk them back to their meeting point. Hope to go check out the mall today!!! I know some girls in my group want to go shopping.

Yes, that was nuts! I am still catching up on sleep. At least this group is not as busy as my last.

Tuanis.

morena

I now have sunburn in additionally awkward places. The backs of my arms, and my bum (where my bathing suit ends!) I forgot that area of my arms and I am glad that sitting down does not hurt right now.

We are already in July! I called home and spoke with Dad for a little while last night, it was good to hear his voice! Very reassuring. And typical Dad conversation...some things never change : ) Missing my cousin's wedding right now and seeing the rest of the family. Today feeling more homesick than I ever have this summer.

Yesterday evening went to a very nice dinner with the chaperone of my group and his wife. The place I suggested was much different from what I remember...they are having a pizza special and the place was packed! I ate Italian and we had a great conversation in Spanglish about our cultural backgrounds and how amazingly diverse the world is in terms of traditions and cultures! It was really cool. Afterwards they dropped me off at a nearby hotel and I had some gelato and visited with my Italian friend while waiting for Jessica. She ended up not going with me to Las Brisas, a breezy (hehe if you know Spanish you will get the pun) beach bar. I hung out with a few students from my group and our guide who was also in town. It was really cool! I missed Muni and Jess, kept thinking of fun times there last year!
This morning I got my group on hoof and they went horseback riding, though from what I gather it was not as enjoyable as it was in Monteverde.I stayed behind and tried to get a jump on things for this evening, and I am glad I did. The disco we had planned to go to tonight is CLOSED! I am still in the process of finding a replacement venue. 2pm is my go-time to make some phone calls!

Only two more days with this group, and I am actually ready fro them to go. Some of the students are getting tiresome. Tomorrow we have one of our COOLEST activities: a snorkel cruise. I hope we have good weather and that no gets sea-sick. (did I mention we had tow girls get sea-sick yesterday on the kayak tour? very pleasant...)
Yes, my tan is getting nice and deep!!

Pura vida and looking more Tica : )