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
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