I have learned some valuable life lessons during my time here in Costa Rica: among them are such things like...
-always double check and reconfirm
-be flexible
-don't be afraid of wearing a shirt twice
-put salt and oil in rice to prevent sticking and blandness
-always pack flip flops
-be humble
No need to continue, you get the idea.
In the course of paying student loans, rent, and food, I have come to appreciate what it means to really be poor. Let's face it: I have WAY more than I need. Losing my camera was an eye-opener in this way. After losing it I found that I didn't need it as much as I thought I did...in the same way, as long as I have a place to sleep and food to eat I am doing just fine. That said, I have been eating a lot of rice and beans lately, and drinking a lot of coffee. Tortillas too have become normal fare...that is, until payday Monday.
Honestly, I have a lot. Too much even. I have seen what its like to live in real, REAL poverty. To not know when you will shower next, to not know when your next meal will be. I am blessed. And I am full.
Learning to enjoy simple things and to slow down has been a challenge. But one that is a learning opportunity.
Simple is beautiful.
Pura Vida
smells like a cloud forest
Tuesday and I am back to the grind in good old Monteverde.
In the last weeks it seems like my sleeping schedule has undergone a few adjustments, and now I find myself waking up like clockwork at about 10 til 6 every morning. Really waking up that early is not a necessity, just coincidence. I am trying to go to bed a little later, to promote a deeper sleep. Though it seems like no matter how early I set my alarm Grettel still beats me to getting up in the morning!
The last few days I have been translating like crazy, and it makes me appreciate much more the ins and outs of language, and how difficult it is to express yourself. I can't imagine the job my mom has sometimes, the brainpower required to properly explain something that you comprehend in another language, using different vocabulary and expressions. All the same, I can't help but feel proud at how much I am able to do, and how well it turns out after pouring over thesaurus, dictionary and Google translate. But translating can be exhausting.
Today I was thinking about how different Monteverde and Heredia are...how I am feeling a little nostalgic for my host family there, and what makes each place unique.
Something that immediately came to mind was the sounds: here there are bellbirds, the wind, an occasional car rumbling by, and the trees rustling. In Heredia I heard traffic, airplanes coming in overhead, music blaring from shops, the radio and television. The smell is different too. The air here is heavier, moist, and it smells like earth: fresh, full of vitality. The air in Heredia is dry, with more dust, exhaust, and often trash.
Despite the seemingly negative smells and sounds I associate with Heredia, I find myself missing it. The sun is often out, its warmer, and San Joaquin is small enough that I feel at home walking the streets in the afternoon and evenings, not threatened or afraid.
On the whole, after much thought, I don't think I would enjoy living in Monteverde indefinitely. Which is to say, if I stay in Costa Rica I would settle somewhere else. Don't get me wrong, I love me some cloud forest! The environment here is unique, the community close knit, the town small and the people warm. But the weather can be pretty crappy, and travel is difficult, rent and cost of living are higher, and I look pale as, well...a gringa. If I had to choose a place to live, it would be a more central location. Not sure where that would be yet! But somewhere warmer, and easier to travel to.
Its funny to think that this time next week it will be February. Where did this month go?? If this is any indication of how fast 2011 will be, then I wish I could figure out how to hit rewind already... Life moves too fast for me sometimes. I have to run to keep up!!
Pura Vida
In the last weeks it seems like my sleeping schedule has undergone a few adjustments, and now I find myself waking up like clockwork at about 10 til 6 every morning. Really waking up that early is not a necessity, just coincidence. I am trying to go to bed a little later, to promote a deeper sleep. Though it seems like no matter how early I set my alarm Grettel still beats me to getting up in the morning!
The last few days I have been translating like crazy, and it makes me appreciate much more the ins and outs of language, and how difficult it is to express yourself. I can't imagine the job my mom has sometimes, the brainpower required to properly explain something that you comprehend in another language, using different vocabulary and expressions. All the same, I can't help but feel proud at how much I am able to do, and how well it turns out after pouring over thesaurus, dictionary and Google translate. But translating can be exhausting.
Today I was thinking about how different Monteverde and Heredia are...how I am feeling a little nostalgic for my host family there, and what makes each place unique.
Something that immediately came to mind was the sounds: here there are bellbirds, the wind, an occasional car rumbling by, and the trees rustling. In Heredia I heard traffic, airplanes coming in overhead, music blaring from shops, the radio and television. The smell is different too. The air here is heavier, moist, and it smells like earth: fresh, full of vitality. The air in Heredia is dry, with more dust, exhaust, and often trash.
Despite the seemingly negative smells and sounds I associate with Heredia, I find myself missing it. The sun is often out, its warmer, and San Joaquin is small enough that I feel at home walking the streets in the afternoon and evenings, not threatened or afraid.
On the whole, after much thought, I don't think I would enjoy living in Monteverde indefinitely. Which is to say, if I stay in Costa Rica I would settle somewhere else. Don't get me wrong, I love me some cloud forest! The environment here is unique, the community close knit, the town small and the people warm. But the weather can be pretty crappy, and travel is difficult, rent and cost of living are higher, and I look pale as, well...a gringa. If I had to choose a place to live, it would be a more central location. Not sure where that would be yet! But somewhere warmer, and easier to travel to.
Its funny to think that this time next week it will be February. Where did this month go?? If this is any indication of how fast 2011 will be, then I wish I could figure out how to hit rewind already... Life moves too fast for me sometimes. I have to run to keep up!!
Pura Vida
catch your breath
Saturday, and the day is easing into night.
Right now I am in San Joaquin de Flores, at a hostel with my group...tomorrow the guide picks them up and they go on to the Caribe. I have to try and catch a ride at the airport back to Monteverde.
I have been reading for a little while, and I am starting to wish I had brought a book with me! Magazines like Vanidades and People just don-t satisfy...but I left my current read back in my casita. In the next half hour or so we will be heading to the mall for dinner...I think I might hit a Pizza Hut, and give into my craving for typical American food, since there isnt one in Monteverde!
I slept really well last night, after watching an episode of "Say Yes to the Dress" with my house-mate. That brought back a lot of memories from senior year at UD, watching with my roomies. I love free episodes on iTunes.
You have to appreciate moments of calm like this, when you arent rushing around with a group or getting overwhelmed in the office. There are also moments of tranquility, when you have to hurry up and wait...or catch your breath.
Pura Vida
Right now I am in San Joaquin de Flores, at a hostel with my group...tomorrow the guide picks them up and they go on to the Caribe. I have to try and catch a ride at the airport back to Monteverde.
I have been reading for a little while, and I am starting to wish I had brought a book with me! Magazines like Vanidades and People just don-t satisfy...but I left my current read back in my casita. In the next half hour or so we will be heading to the mall for dinner...I think I might hit a Pizza Hut, and give into my craving for typical American food, since there isnt one in Monteverde!
I slept really well last night, after watching an episode of "Say Yes to the Dress" with my house-mate. That brought back a lot of memories from senior year at UD, watching with my roomies. I love free episodes on iTunes.
You have to appreciate moments of calm like this, when you arent rushing around with a group or getting overwhelmed in the office. There are also moments of tranquility, when you have to hurry up and wait...or catch your breath.
Pura Vida
ritmo
Its Friday already!!!!
This week has flown by on the Monteverde breeze...we have been very lucky with good weather this whole week, and I hope it continues tomorrow and all next week!
Today my group finished their volunteer project here in MOnteverde, setting up a septic tank and drainage for a poor family in La Cruz. On Wednesday the students dug a ditch next to the house where the bathroom will eventually be, and today filled it with the tank and tubes for draining.
Yesterday was pretty crazy! I was in the office all day, cleaning up the mess of the last two weeks when I wasn't here, and doing as much as I could to prep for this weekend and the coming week. It was also the monthly celebration of CPI--2011 is the school's 20th anniversary year, and every month each campus will offer a special activity. Last night it was a bar-b-q and dancing, and from there transportation to town if students wanted to go! It was cool to have so many people dancing, and of course the food was great. I even had a cup of wine! Total I was at school something like 13+ hours..and no, they don't pay overtime here.
Today my group finishes class, so I have a short presentation ready for them, and then I head home to pack for 2 days.
Tomorrow I will be with them on a Trapiche tour, and from there head down to the Central Valley (Heredia) to hand them off to a guide for the rest of their trip. They will be going to the Caribe, and I will be back in the office in Monteverde. Sunday I will be helping to drop off another group at the airport, since Muni (the chaperona) has to pick UP an incoming group the same day! Afterwards I come back up the mountain, and have to get ready for Monday. At the moment I am not sure how I am getting back up the mountain...if I will be going by public bus or have transportation available.
My mantra right now is "flexible, flexible..." things with groups are so last minute sometimes, you have to be ready for anything. And I like it.
Its been tough going between the office and groups, but in the interim while there are no groups I am glad to still be working. Looking forward to what the temporada will bring! Right now it looks like I will tentatively have a group again in February. Things really start to pick up in April, and then even more in May. And time flies...its wings are wide.
Pura Vida!
This week has flown by on the Monteverde breeze...we have been very lucky with good weather this whole week, and I hope it continues tomorrow and all next week!
Today my group finished their volunteer project here in MOnteverde, setting up a septic tank and drainage for a poor family in La Cruz. On Wednesday the students dug a ditch next to the house where the bathroom will eventually be, and today filled it with the tank and tubes for draining.
Yesterday was pretty crazy! I was in the office all day, cleaning up the mess of the last two weeks when I wasn't here, and doing as much as I could to prep for this weekend and the coming week. It was also the monthly celebration of CPI--2011 is the school's 20th anniversary year, and every month each campus will offer a special activity. Last night it was a bar-b-q and dancing, and from there transportation to town if students wanted to go! It was cool to have so many people dancing, and of course the food was great. I even had a cup of wine! Total I was at school something like 13+ hours..and no, they don't pay overtime here.
Today my group finishes class, so I have a short presentation ready for them, and then I head home to pack for 2 days.
Tomorrow I will be with them on a Trapiche tour, and from there head down to the Central Valley (Heredia) to hand them off to a guide for the rest of their trip. They will be going to the Caribe, and I will be back in the office in Monteverde. Sunday I will be helping to drop off another group at the airport, since Muni (the chaperona) has to pick UP an incoming group the same day! Afterwards I come back up the mountain, and have to get ready for Monday. At the moment I am not sure how I am getting back up the mountain...if I will be going by public bus or have transportation available.
My mantra right now is "flexible, flexible..." things with groups are so last minute sometimes, you have to be ready for anything. And I like it.
Its been tough going between the office and groups, but in the interim while there are no groups I am glad to still be working. Looking forward to what the temporada will bring! Right now it looks like I will tentatively have a group again in February. Things really start to pick up in April, and then even more in May. And time flies...its wings are wide.
Pura Vida!
Hola, Monteverde!
Well there is no place like home...Yesterday I took the bus up to Monteverde, three hours! I forgot how bumpy the road was. Apparently the last couple weeks have been very wet and rainy here, but I arrived to sun yesterday and walked all the way up the hill to my cabina, since the weather was so nice. Today too the sun is out! I hope it stays this nice, my group was complaining about having to leave the sunny weather in Heredia, and was hoping to make it out to Flamingo instead. Today we have a walk-about in Santa Elena, then cooking class, then they are all in class 2-5pm.
This weekend was a lot of fun! Saturday I visited Curu National Park and Wildlife Refuge, which is on the Nicoya Peninsula. That makes 5 National Parks I have visited here: Poas, Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Manuel Antonio and Curu. I stayed at the beach the whole time, getting as much sun as possible. There were a lot of pelicans, and there was even a crocodile out on the beach! Apparently they are known to come around, so its not recommended to swim, especially tourists. But it was a really beautiful beach, and I even caught a few winks under some trees by the shore. To get to Curu you have to take the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera, and from Paquera the bus for about 25- 30 minutes to reach the entrance. The park is really just a HUGE piece of property, a farm or "potrero," that the owners decided to make a National Park and Reserve. There are lots of monkeys, deer and birds. Elliott pointed out a boa constrictor too...! wow. In the afternoon we caught the 1pm ferry back to Puntarenas, and from there went to Esparza.
I loved being on the ferry! The only other time I have been on one was in NYC last year before New Years, its a really cool experience!! I love love LOVE the sea. I'm so glad that I am not one of those people who suffer from motion sickness in the car or on a boat. Travel would be much less enjoyable.
Time flies...thsi is my last week with Grupos until February, when more groups come! Back to the office next week...Though I did buy a really cute pair of wedges to wear in the office, they were on sale in Heredia for $10. That means I now own 2 pairs of heels...better practice that walk, haha!
Pura Vida :)
This weekend was a lot of fun! Saturday I visited Curu National Park and Wildlife Refuge, which is on the Nicoya Peninsula. That makes 5 National Parks I have visited here: Poas, Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Manuel Antonio and Curu. I stayed at the beach the whole time, getting as much sun as possible. There were a lot of pelicans, and there was even a crocodile out on the beach! Apparently they are known to come around, so its not recommended to swim, especially tourists. But it was a really beautiful beach, and I even caught a few winks under some trees by the shore. To get to Curu you have to take the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera, and from Paquera the bus for about 25- 30 minutes to reach the entrance. The park is really just a HUGE piece of property, a farm or "potrero," that the owners decided to make a National Park and Reserve. There are lots of monkeys, deer and birds. Elliott pointed out a boa constrictor too...! wow. In the afternoon we caught the 1pm ferry back to Puntarenas, and from there went to Esparza.
I loved being on the ferry! The only other time I have been on one was in NYC last year before New Years, its a really cool experience!! I love love LOVE the sea. I'm so glad that I am not one of those people who suffer from motion sickness in the car or on a boat. Travel would be much less enjoyable.
Time flies...thsi is my last week with Grupos until February, when more groups come! Back to the office next week...Though I did buy a really cute pair of wedges to wear in the office, they were on sale in Heredia for $10. That means I now own 2 pairs of heels...better practice that walk, haha!
Pura Vida :)
snapshot of my life....
-my hermanita, Maria
-rainbow outside the office window
-first soccer game in CR, Estadio Saprissa
Adios, Heredia!
This is the last day of my two week stay in San Joaquin de Flores, Heredia.
I am going to miss it a lot! The last two weeks have been great: getting to know my group, my new Familia Tica, the sunshine, going to La Carpio, riding the buses and going across the street to the mini-super.
I love Monteverde, but there is just somthing so comfy and familiar about being in San Joaquin. Its the people, and the place...I may not know it as well, but it also holds a special place in my heart.
One thing I have liked is accessibility. Being so close to the city, things are cheaper and much closer together. Walking to the big supermarket is not the trek it is in Monteverde: and the mall here is close, food is cheap, and right across the street I can get a coke or cookie after lunch. The actual town of San Joaquin is really nice too, a quiet little suburb of Heredia. Its no wonder there are so many families, kids, and quiet barrios around here. There aren't many bars, not too much traffic, and plenty of nice homes. This is the kind of place I could see myself settling down in...
Today my group did a final day of volunteering in La Carpio with the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation. We played all morning with kids in the Montessori school, which the group agreed has been the coolest thing they've done. They got to play with kids one-on-one and make friends...the games we focused on were all interactive and developmental, designed to help learn basic skills (tactile, counting, language). Tomorrow the group heads to Arenal Volcano, and I am free until I meet up with them again in Monteverde. Not sure yet what my weekend plans are, but I want to try and hit the beach...I have a great base tan now, might as well try and soak up some more sun before returning to the mountains and my indoor job! All I know for sure is that I will definitely be back in the mountains by Sunday night.
Vamos a ver!
Pura Vida : )
I am going to miss it a lot! The last two weeks have been great: getting to know my group, my new Familia Tica, the sunshine, going to La Carpio, riding the buses and going across the street to the mini-super.
I love Monteverde, but there is just somthing so comfy and familiar about being in San Joaquin. Its the people, and the place...I may not know it as well, but it also holds a special place in my heart.
One thing I have liked is accessibility. Being so close to the city, things are cheaper and much closer together. Walking to the big supermarket is not the trek it is in Monteverde: and the mall here is close, food is cheap, and right across the street I can get a coke or cookie after lunch. The actual town of San Joaquin is really nice too, a quiet little suburb of Heredia. Its no wonder there are so many families, kids, and quiet barrios around here. There aren't many bars, not too much traffic, and plenty of nice homes. This is the kind of place I could see myself settling down in...
Today my group did a final day of volunteering in La Carpio with the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation. We played all morning with kids in the Montessori school, which the group agreed has been the coolest thing they've done. They got to play with kids one-on-one and make friends...the games we focused on were all interactive and developmental, designed to help learn basic skills (tactile, counting, language). Tomorrow the group heads to Arenal Volcano, and I am free until I meet up with them again in Monteverde. Not sure yet what my weekend plans are, but I want to try and hit the beach...I have a great base tan now, might as well try and soak up some more sun before returning to the mountains and my indoor job! All I know for sure is that I will definitely be back in the mountains by Sunday night.
Vamos a ver!
Pura Vida : )
"puro verano" pure summer
The last couple days have been so stunningly beautiful that I am starting to wonder if Monteverde was just a dream! So far every morning I have woken up with sun, few clouds, and a clear view of Poas Volcano in the ring of mountains around me here in the Central Valley. The weather has really got to me! in more ways than one...I am now pretty sunburnt on my face, neck, and arms. Being outdoors for 3 hours during the last two days has left me looking red! I am not too bothered though, and figure I should enjoy the sun while I can! In Monteverde I will not have an opportunity like this to catch rays. But the bad part is the tan lines I have now, haha. It feels like summer.
My group is on tour this morning, so I will see them in the afternoon when they come to classes. This weekend they will be going to Manuel Antonio National Park (ah! lucky!). I wish I was going but I'm not...I will have some free time and I am not sure what to do with myself. Possibly go to the beach?? Take advantage of the ease of travel here in Heredia, in comparison to Monteverde.
This two weeks I am staying with a family here in San Joaquin. I have really grown to love my new Mama Tica and my sibs. We have good conversations, play lost of UNO, and watch lots of Disney channel movies. (I miss having a tv!) Part of this job that I love: meeting new people.
Pura Vida!
My group is on tour this morning, so I will see them in the afternoon when they come to classes. This weekend they will be going to Manuel Antonio National Park (ah! lucky!). I wish I was going but I'm not...I will have some free time and I am not sure what to do with myself. Possibly go to the beach?? Take advantage of the ease of travel here in Heredia, in comparison to Monteverde.
This two weeks I am staying with a family here in San Joaquin. I have really grown to love my new Mama Tica and my sibs. We have good conversations, play lost of UNO, and watch lots of Disney channel movies. (I miss having a tv!) Part of this job that I love: meeting new people.
Pura Vida!
by air or by ground...i travel around
Happy 2011! Its mind blowing that 2010 is over and gone. A year of so many changes, ups and downs. I am looking forward to what 2011 will bring. The 31st was a real whirlwind. I left Monteverde in the afternoon in a CPI bus, heading down the mountain with 2 other students. we arrived in Heredia around 6pm, and went to our respective destinations. I am with a new host family that I already love...the house is full of extended family members and the two kids are ADORABLE.
To celebrate New Years I was with my real Familia Tica, Nidia and Miguel. We went to Nidia's parents house, where lots of her siblings and extended family gathered to eat lots of gallos (meat like beef and sausage grilled in a tortilla and eaten with pico de gallo) and watch a great fireworks display by her nephew. He saves all year to do a backyard show for New Years, and the lights sounds and colors were fantastic...and CLOSE!! That kind of thing would never fly in the USA, much less Ohio, where fireworks displays are done with a licence by pros...but it was incredibly cool. Afterwards I went back to my new familia, and we played UNO until about 2:30am, at which point I was falling asleep over my cards. This morning I slept in until about 10 am, which was GREAT!
Right now I am at CPI Heredia, to drop off some things for the group and waiting to go pick my first student up at the airport. I should've brought my sunglasses, because the sun is bright and beautiful here...
A beautiful day and a great way to start 2011.
Pura Vida!
To celebrate New Years I was with my real Familia Tica, Nidia and Miguel. We went to Nidia's parents house, where lots of her siblings and extended family gathered to eat lots of gallos (meat like beef and sausage grilled in a tortilla and eaten with pico de gallo) and watch a great fireworks display by her nephew. He saves all year to do a backyard show for New Years, and the lights sounds and colors were fantastic...and CLOSE!! That kind of thing would never fly in the USA, much less Ohio, where fireworks displays are done with a licence by pros...but it was incredibly cool. Afterwards I went back to my new familia, and we played UNO until about 2:30am, at which point I was falling asleep over my cards. This morning I slept in until about 10 am, which was GREAT!
Right now I am at CPI Heredia, to drop off some things for the group and waiting to go pick my first student up at the airport. I should've brought my sunglasses, because the sun is bright and beautiful here...
A beautiful day and a great way to start 2011.
Pura Vida!