Yesterday my group went on a canopy tour--my favorite one here in Monteverde, Extremo. I must have done this tour eight or more times by now...
At the end of the tour a young man approached me and began speaking in Spanish, asking me about CPI. He studied at CPI Heredia for six months some years ago and is now doing a Peace Corps program here teaching English in San Rafael de Abangares. What a small world! He asked about coming to observe English and Spanish classes at CPI Monteverde, who he should contact, etc. I was impressed with his Spanish, and at first glance he looks Tico! He must have thought the same thing about me, because he asked where I was from and when I told him Ohio he was very taken aback... "De verdad??" he asked. "For real??" It made me smile.
During lunch time I was talking with co-workers about the chaperones we have working in Groups this summer, and joking about funny situations and the different personalities we have. Almost all of the chaps have studied at CPI, and have taken Spanish classes at some point. All of us have improved over time, all of us have differing levels and make different mistakes, have different areas to work on. I know I am still missing subjunctive and need to work on vocabulary building. On the whole, I have been told that out of all the chaps I am the one who has made the most improvements on my Spanish...and I think it has to do with my immersion and how much time I have spent here. With my co-workers too, it is really hard for me to speak in English. I have it all so programmed in my mind that when I speak with them I automatically, without thinking about it, speak in Spanish. I have also spent a lot of time with Ticos here in general, having a Tica room-mate and always, almost ALWAYS speaking to Elliott in Spanish. My level of Spanish and their level of English makes it much easier to communicate in Spanish versus English... I know that I still have a long way to go to achieve complete fluency. Learning a language is a life long process and I will never be able to say that I know everything.
But I am proud that at least, I can be mistaken for Tica with the Spanish I have now. Also that my Spanish is distinctly Costa Rican, in my intonation, vocabulary, sayings. Casi, casi, casi Tica...Almost Tica.
Pura vida.
Costa Rica--Top 10 Online
This website lists some of the top ten places to visit in Costa Rica... and note that Monteverde is on the list! Along with several other places I have yet to visit.
There is ALWAYS more to see in this beautiful country...
http://costa-rica-guide.com/top_ten.htm
Pura Vida : )
PS. At 6:16am today John Michael Taliaferro was born...felicidades to my very best friends, Katie and Ben Taliaferro! So excited for them!!!!!!!!!!!
There is ALWAYS more to see in this beautiful country...
http://costa-rica-guide.com/top_ten.htm
Pura Vida : )
PS. At 6:16am today John Michael Taliaferro was born...felicidades to my very best friends, Katie and Ben Taliaferro! So excited for them!!!!!!!!!!!
technology proves that it is a small world, afterall...
The internet is an amazing tool.
It allows me to post this blog to the world and share my experiences, pictures, ideas, observations.
I can also use Skype to call home and not spend minutes calling all the time.
Yesterday using the internet I connected my parents (in Dayton, Ohio, USA) and my boyfriend (in Jaco, Puntarenas, COSTA RICA) for the first time.
Elliott has only recently begun to use Skype, and is a very quick learner haha! We have been able to video chat in the evenings, as he has been on tour lately and has had internet access at hotels. My Mom and I usually have a Skype date at least once a week. Last night they were both on at the same time, and I hosted a three-way call. My mom and Elliott have spoken once before, when I called him in December from the USA. We talked for a while in Spanish...later we spoke with my Dad in English! For me it was really special that I was able to connect them, these people that I care about that are separated by incredible distances shrunken to the size of my computer screen thanks to modern technology. HOW EXCITING!!!!!!!!!
What a small world : )
Pura Vida
It allows me to post this blog to the world and share my experiences, pictures, ideas, observations.
I can also use Skype to call home and not spend minutes calling all the time.
Yesterday using the internet I connected my parents (in Dayton, Ohio, USA) and my boyfriend (in Jaco, Puntarenas, COSTA RICA) for the first time.
Elliott has only recently begun to use Skype, and is a very quick learner haha! We have been able to video chat in the evenings, as he has been on tour lately and has had internet access at hotels. My Mom and I usually have a Skype date at least once a week. Last night they were both on at the same time, and I hosted a three-way call. My mom and Elliott have spoken once before, when I called him in December from the USA. We talked for a while in Spanish...later we spoke with my Dad in English! For me it was really special that I was able to connect them, these people that I care about that are separated by incredible distances shrunken to the size of my computer screen thanks to modern technology. HOW EXCITING!!!!!!!!!
What a small world : )
Pura Vida
add this to my "dislikes"
In discussion with Muni I thought of something else to add to my list of dislikes in Costa Rica.
I do not like curtains here.
The style is similar to something you would expect to find in your grandma's house, sheers embroidered with floral or plant designs and odd cut-outs. They usually come in a variety of pastel colors that do not make for very functional curtains, as the lighter colors fade faster in the sun. They are also floor length, which means they need to be cleaned more often (but probably aren't). Bottom line: the curtains here remind me of some old lady's house and are not practical.
I think I prefer blinds. Or even shutters. Ok, done ranting about curtains.
Pura vida...
I do not like curtains here.
The style is similar to something you would expect to find in your grandma's house, sheers embroidered with floral or plant designs and odd cut-outs. They usually come in a variety of pastel colors that do not make for very functional curtains, as the lighter colors fade faster in the sun. They are also floor length, which means they need to be cleaned more often (but probably aren't). Bottom line: the curtains here remind me of some old lady's house and are not practical.
I think I prefer blinds. Or even shutters. Ok, done ranting about curtains.
Pura vida...
travel fever
Read these and you will want to start making travel plans.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/06/23/istanbul.travel.guide/index.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/06/17/top.floating.hotels/index.html
http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/play/10-great-cities-100-fantastic-free-attractions-442516
More to come!
Pura vida
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/06/23/istanbul.travel.guide/index.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/06/17/top.floating.hotels/index.html
http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/play/10-great-cities-100-fantastic-free-attractions-442516
More to come!
Pura vida
when in Costa Rica...
Some things you should do while visiting this amazing country:
Visit the tourist spots.
This means plan a trip to a well known destination like Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio, San Jose (the capital) and Puerto Viejo. These places a are famous for a reason! They are part of why CR is so well known for it's mystical natural beauty. You will want to be able to say you saw an active volcano, visited a pristine beach, saw the mix of Caribbean and Spanish cultures, and you will have some memorable photos.
Climb Chirripo!
Visit Rio Celeste!
Check out the Osa Peninsula!
Relax on Playa Conchal!
Visit a national park.
25% of this country is protected...thinking about how much biodiversity you can find in a country the size of West Virginia, it makes sense that so much of it is reserves and national parks! Taking care of the environment helps to ensure that what makes this country so unique, beautiful, wonderful is being preserved. It also reflects the Tico's love of nature. See a spider walking across your patio? Let it be. Ecotourism is also HUGE here, so preserving the natural environment is also making sure that the economy stays strong. Tourism provides a lot of jobs (tour guides, hotels, transportation, restaurants, etc.). Why does everyone want to come visit Costa Rica? Because it is a tropical paradise. And we want to keep it that way. Go look for a quetzal!
Try gallo pinto.
The diet here is rice and beans and...well, rice and beans. Being the staples you can find them at almost every meal in some shape or form...you have to be sure to try this typical plate! "Gallo pinto" literally means "painted rooster." It is a dish made from rice (typically leftover from the previous day), beans, sweet red pepper, onion, cilantro, and salsa lizano.
How to make this dish:
-Finely chop onion, red pepper, cilantro
-Sautee onion and red pepper in skillet
-Add beans to sautee'd onion and pepper (don't be afraid to put a little bit of the bean liquid in...it makes it moist and not so dry!)
-Once beans are good and hot, begin to add rice. Mix the rice in well.
-When rice is well mixed and hot, add salsa lizano to taste.
-Remove from heat and mix in cilantro.
Note that if you don't have salsa lizano at home, you can add cummin.
I LOVE gallo pinto, to the point that I would make it at home my senior year of college. Just ask my roomies about "not disturbing the beans," haha!
Be sure to give it a try : )
Eat some fresh fruit.
Everything tastes different! It is fresh, and it is good. You can taste the sunshine in every pineapple (maybe that sounds corny) and the sweetness of every papaya. Fruit is abundant, cheap, and seriously delicious.
Drink coffee.
Costa Rica is one of the most famous in the world for producing quality coffee. Try it and let your taste buds decide! (I have grown to love cafe con leche...)I wasn't a coffee drinker before I came here!
Take a public bus.
Its cheap and it gives you a new cultural perspective. Everyone takes the bus, from cleaning ladies to lawyers. It's a little slice of life that will only cost you 200 colones.
Stop and smell the hibiscus.
Pura vida...it sums up the lifestyle here, 100%. You see people on their front porches, relaxing in hammocks, just chilling out. It's a combination of Tico time and the more relaxed way of living. Ticos are some of the happiest people in the world. Why do you think that is?
Take a shot.
Imperial and guaro...typical, traditional. If a bar here has nothing else, it will have one of these two.
Play some soccer.
A soccer field is an essential part of any town or city here. There are local teams that play, kids after school, neighborhood folks. Don't be afraid to go kick the ball around! You might catch the fever that spread worldwide during the World Cup, and the Copa de Oro (going on right now! I watched Costa Rica v. Honduras with Elliott last weekend!). It's the national game, no contest, and I admit that even a five year old Tico here has more soccer skills than me.
Get a t-shirt.
Even the Ticos wear souvenir type t-shirts with "pura vida" or "Imperial" prints.
Learn some "pachuco."
Slang! It's what you hear on the streets, or in conversation with regular folks. Old folks too. Even if you arrive with zero Spanish, I can guarantee you leave with these words in your basic vocabulary: Pura vida. Tuanis. Mae. I am still learning slang all the time. It helps to make you not seem like such a ... tourist, haha!
Open your eyes!
This is a travel basic. Look around and notice the differences in the culture, ask questions, participate, engage in conversation. Be culturally sensitive. Remember, it's not better or worse...just different!
Pura Vida : )
Visit the tourist spots.
This means plan a trip to a well known destination like Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio, San Jose (the capital) and Puerto Viejo. These places a are famous for a reason! They are part of why CR is so well known for it's mystical natural beauty. You will want to be able to say you saw an active volcano, visited a pristine beach, saw the mix of Caribbean and Spanish cultures, and you will have some memorable photos.
Climb Chirripo!
Visit Rio Celeste!
Check out the Osa Peninsula!
Relax on Playa Conchal!
Visit a national park.
25% of this country is protected...thinking about how much biodiversity you can find in a country the size of West Virginia, it makes sense that so much of it is reserves and national parks! Taking care of the environment helps to ensure that what makes this country so unique, beautiful, wonderful is being preserved. It also reflects the Tico's love of nature. See a spider walking across your patio? Let it be. Ecotourism is also HUGE here, so preserving the natural environment is also making sure that the economy stays strong. Tourism provides a lot of jobs (tour guides, hotels, transportation, restaurants, etc.). Why does everyone want to come visit Costa Rica? Because it is a tropical paradise. And we want to keep it that way. Go look for a quetzal!
Try gallo pinto.
The diet here is rice and beans and...well, rice and beans. Being the staples you can find them at almost every meal in some shape or form...you have to be sure to try this typical plate! "Gallo pinto" literally means "painted rooster." It is a dish made from rice (typically leftover from the previous day), beans, sweet red pepper, onion, cilantro, and salsa lizano.
How to make this dish:
-Finely chop onion, red pepper, cilantro
-Sautee onion and red pepper in skillet
-Add beans to sautee'd onion and pepper (don't be afraid to put a little bit of the bean liquid in...it makes it moist and not so dry!)
-Once beans are good and hot, begin to add rice. Mix the rice in well.
-When rice is well mixed and hot, add salsa lizano to taste.
-Remove from heat and mix in cilantro.
Note that if you don't have salsa lizano at home, you can add cummin.
I LOVE gallo pinto, to the point that I would make it at home my senior year of college. Just ask my roomies about "not disturbing the beans," haha!
Be sure to give it a try : )
Eat some fresh fruit.
Everything tastes different! It is fresh, and it is good. You can taste the sunshine in every pineapple (maybe that sounds corny) and the sweetness of every papaya. Fruit is abundant, cheap, and seriously delicious.
Drink coffee.
Costa Rica is one of the most famous in the world for producing quality coffee. Try it and let your taste buds decide! (I have grown to love cafe con leche...)I wasn't a coffee drinker before I came here!
Take a public bus.
Its cheap and it gives you a new cultural perspective. Everyone takes the bus, from cleaning ladies to lawyers. It's a little slice of life that will only cost you 200 colones.
Stop and smell the hibiscus.
Pura vida...it sums up the lifestyle here, 100%. You see people on their front porches, relaxing in hammocks, just chilling out. It's a combination of Tico time and the more relaxed way of living. Ticos are some of the happiest people in the world. Why do you think that is?
Take a shot.
Imperial and guaro...typical, traditional. If a bar here has nothing else, it will have one of these two.
Play some soccer.
A soccer field is an essential part of any town or city here. There are local teams that play, kids after school, neighborhood folks. Don't be afraid to go kick the ball around! You might catch the fever that spread worldwide during the World Cup, and the Copa de Oro (going on right now! I watched Costa Rica v. Honduras with Elliott last weekend!). It's the national game, no contest, and I admit that even a five year old Tico here has more soccer skills than me.
Get a t-shirt.
Even the Ticos wear souvenir type t-shirts with "pura vida" or "Imperial" prints.
Learn some "pachuco."
Slang! It's what you hear on the streets, or in conversation with regular folks. Old folks too. Even if you arrive with zero Spanish, I can guarantee you leave with these words in your basic vocabulary: Pura vida. Tuanis. Mae. I am still learning slang all the time. It helps to make you not seem like such a ... tourist, haha!
Open your eyes!
This is a travel basic. Look around and notice the differences in the culture, ask questions, participate, engage in conversation. Be culturally sensitive. Remember, it's not better or worse...just different!
Pura Vida : )
reggae and old friends
Lately I have been in a very reggae mood. The mellowness is great! I have been looking for some new, good music online. Liking the rasta bit. Though I am not rasta at all! I prefer black/white/blue to red/yellow/green.
Today I am happy to welcome back an old friend from CPI Grupos...Pim, from Holland! He arrived today in Costa Rica and will be up in Monteverde tomorrow. I also found out that Gerry, who trained me three years ago as a chaperona, will be back working with CPI this summer. I am super excited to see these two friends! It will be like three years ago,the dream team : ))
PURA VIDA!
Today I am happy to welcome back an old friend from CPI Grupos...Pim, from Holland! He arrived today in Costa Rica and will be up in Monteverde tomorrow. I also found out that Gerry, who trained me three years ago as a chaperona, will be back working with CPI this summer. I am super excited to see these two friends! It will be like three years ago,the dream team : ))
PURA VIDA!
smells fresh ground...
**From June 20th**
You know what? Some people do not know how to function without their morning cup of brew. It may be Starbucks, or Boston Stoker, Dunkin' Donuts, etc. Whatever.
But I have to tell you, that the best coffee I have ever tasted is from Costa Rica. I love me some Cafe Britt! And Cafe Monteverde. Always with milk...never sugar.
Cafe con leche, porfa.
Its funny too, that a coffee machine is now a completely foreign object. I like the chorreador, the french press. (I think I will try to bring a chorreador home to my mom! No electricity required.)
When I was last in the USA I was overcome by the variety of coffee available. Here on the drinks menu you always see, put simply, "cafe con leche."
So when I went up to the counter at Starbucks I felt a little silly..."Cafe con leche?"
Coffee and a little milk, please, makes my day that much better.
Thank you Costa Rica for giving me a taste of the golden bean....
Pura Vida
You know what? Some people do not know how to function without their morning cup of brew. It may be Starbucks, or Boston Stoker, Dunkin' Donuts, etc. Whatever.
But I have to tell you, that the best coffee I have ever tasted is from Costa Rica. I love me some Cafe Britt! And Cafe Monteverde. Always with milk...never sugar.
Cafe con leche, porfa.
Its funny too, that a coffee machine is now a completely foreign object. I like the chorreador, the french press. (I think I will try to bring a chorreador home to my mom! No electricity required.)
When I was last in the USA I was overcome by the variety of coffee available. Here on the drinks menu you always see, put simply, "cafe con leche."
So when I went up to the counter at Starbucks I felt a little silly..."Cafe con leche?"
Coffee and a little milk, please, makes my day that much better.
Thank you Costa Rica for giving me a taste of the golden bean....
Pura Vida
back in the montes
So today I arrived back to Monteverde after two weeks away in la cuidad. And I have missed it! The air is so fresh, I feel like my lungs are getting a cleanse. The hard part is saying good-bye to Heredia and all the wonderful people there. I am really going to miss Nanou, Clara, the rest of the office staff, and the ease of getting around!
Looks like for the next two weeks I am in training mode again. I am rooming with a new chaperona here in Casas del Toro, and well...I hope her Spanish comes back to her! It's disconcerting to have a co-worker who speaks such elementary Spanish. She has been studying 8 years, apparently. I have been studying 9. But the difference is night and day!!!
Happy Father's Day to all the Papis out there, especially MY Dad! Un abrazo!!!
Pura vida
Looks like for the next two weeks I am in training mode again. I am rooming with a new chaperona here in Casas del Toro, and well...I hope her Spanish comes back to her! It's disconcerting to have a co-worker who speaks such elementary Spanish. She has been studying 8 years, apparently. I have been studying 9. But the difference is night and day!!!
Happy Father's Day to all the Papis out there, especially MY Dad! Un abrazo!!!
Pura vida
my bucket list detinations
After reading an article on CNN Travel, I am inspired to write down a few places I would like to travel too before it's too late.
1. Switzerland
Why Swizterland? Ever since reading "Bloomability" by Sharon Creech in 5th grade, I have dreamed about going to Switzerland. To see the mountains, try the cheese and chocolate, hear the different spoken languages there, and maybe give skiing another go.
2. France
I have family in Bordeaux! Enough said.
3. Chile
My mother was born and raised in Chile, and I would love to go and visit. To see the mountains, visit the coast, try some good wine. Santiago is a must.
4. India
I have quite a few Indian friends. To immerse myself in a completely different culture, and be surrounded by a completely different language would be pretty challenging...interesting...eye-opening. I wonder how I would handle curry?
5. Canada
Woods. I want to go camping in Canada!!!
6. China
*See India explanation. *
TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN!
And embrace the journey.
Pura Vida : )
1. Switzerland
Why Swizterland? Ever since reading "Bloomability" by Sharon Creech in 5th grade, I have dreamed about going to Switzerland. To see the mountains, try the cheese and chocolate, hear the different spoken languages there, and maybe give skiing another go.
2. France
I have family in Bordeaux! Enough said.
3. Chile
My mother was born and raised in Chile, and I would love to go and visit. To see the mountains, visit the coast, try some good wine. Santiago is a must.
4. India
I have quite a few Indian friends. To immerse myself in a completely different culture, and be surrounded by a completely different language would be pretty challenging...interesting...eye-opening. I wonder how I would handle curry?
5. Canada
Woods. I want to go camping in Canada!!!
6. China
*See India explanation. *
TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN!
And embrace the journey.
Pura Vida : )
sick season
It is not unusual for seasonal changes to affect our well-being.
Spring and summer can be tough for those suffering from allergies and hayfever, when fall begins some folks tend to get colds and sniffles. There is always some sort of flu or virus that goes around in winter, and people always try to avoid it by getting flu-shots. My Mom being a fan of natural remedies always encourages my sibs and I to take Vitamin C and echinacea, to help boost our immune system.
Its the same in Costa Rica!
When the season changes from summer to winter (summer is December through May, winter is June through November) many people get sick! There is often a virus, or just a bodily reaction to the change. Flu-like symptoms, sore throats and colds are all common.
This time of year is also when students come to visit us...and sometimes get sick with the whole between the seasons change, or have allergies, or with the high carb diet get upset stomachs. My last group, we all had some sort of stomach bug...even me. Today a couple of my students came to me in the morning not feeling their best, and I hope that this afternoon they start feeling better! This weekend is their tour to the Arenal Volcano, no time to be feeling poorly.
I admit that I have been a little under the weather the last few days, with a tickle in my throat and an afternoon headache in addition to just feeling agotada...tired.
It is sick season. So I am going to work on staying hydrated and taking Vitamin C.
Sleep is essential! Last night I went to bed around 8:40pm and it felt great.
Pura Vida...
Spring and summer can be tough for those suffering from allergies and hayfever, when fall begins some folks tend to get colds and sniffles. There is always some sort of flu or virus that goes around in winter, and people always try to avoid it by getting flu-shots. My Mom being a fan of natural remedies always encourages my sibs and I to take Vitamin C and echinacea, to help boost our immune system.
Its the same in Costa Rica!
When the season changes from summer to winter (summer is December through May, winter is June through November) many people get sick! There is often a virus, or just a bodily reaction to the change. Flu-like symptoms, sore throats and colds are all common.
This time of year is also when students come to visit us...and sometimes get sick with the whole between the seasons change, or have allergies, or with the high carb diet get upset stomachs. My last group, we all had some sort of stomach bug...even me. Today a couple of my students came to me in the morning not feeling their best, and I hope that this afternoon they start feeling better! This weekend is their tour to the Arenal Volcano, no time to be feeling poorly.
I admit that I have been a little under the weather the last few days, with a tickle in my throat and an afternoon headache in addition to just feeling agotada...tired.
It is sick season. So I am going to work on staying hydrated and taking Vitamin C.
Sleep is essential! Last night I went to bed around 8:40pm and it felt great.
Pura Vida...
sounds of Costa Rica
Topic: Music
One thing I always like to try and teach my groups is the difference between the popular types of music here. The top three are of course, salsa, merengue and cumbia. Other popular types are reggae, reggaeton and pop. You even hear some popular English songs on the radio. But no matter where you go, you can always find the rhythms of those top three.
It was a chofer from CPI who taught me to train my uneducated ear and catch the differences in the beat, the rhythm and bounce of these types of music. I can say to that I have some small talent in dancing to all of them, though my true love would have to be salsa. Merengue is the easiest to dance too, and pretty recognizable. Sometimes there is a fine difference between certain types of salsa and merengue, while any type of cumbia is immediately recognizable. Cumbia, being so unique, is a little harder to dance to. The little jump step always leaves me stumbling for the following step, throwing me off in a way that salsa doesn't. I just don't know what to do with my feet after the jump-step! Thus cumbia is great to watch...but dancing to it can be challenging.
Other types of popular music include: soca, bachata, swing.
I happen to like bachata a lot, though I am just now learning to dance to it. The style of dance involves a lot more personal contact and you really have to be able to move to it... Learning it well will be a challenge for me.
I love music!! There is always some background sound in my world.
Pura Vida
One thing I always like to try and teach my groups is the difference between the popular types of music here. The top three are of course, salsa, merengue and cumbia. Other popular types are reggae, reggaeton and pop. You even hear some popular English songs on the radio. But no matter where you go, you can always find the rhythms of those top three.
It was a chofer from CPI who taught me to train my uneducated ear and catch the differences in the beat, the rhythm and bounce of these types of music. I can say to that I have some small talent in dancing to all of them, though my true love would have to be salsa. Merengue is the easiest to dance too, and pretty recognizable. Sometimes there is a fine difference between certain types of salsa and merengue, while any type of cumbia is immediately recognizable. Cumbia, being so unique, is a little harder to dance to. The little jump step always leaves me stumbling for the following step, throwing me off in a way that salsa doesn't. I just don't know what to do with my feet after the jump-step! Thus cumbia is great to watch...but dancing to it can be challenging.
Other types of popular music include: soca, bachata, swing.
I happen to like bachata a lot, though I am just now learning to dance to it. The style of dance involves a lot more personal contact and you really have to be able to move to it... Learning it well will be a challenge for me.
I love music!! There is always some background sound in my world.
Pura Vida
be thankful, always.
Tuesdays aren't usually my favorite days (well almost any day besides Monday is good) but today was pretty good!
I got an e-mail from the one and only, my beloved Sarah North, and it really touched my heart. The way only Sarah can! A "sister-friend" as my Mom would say. I always end up laughing a lot when I read, much to the dismay of my co-workers, and every message leaves me feeling a little homesick and longing for the closeness that distance erases from our relationship. I love me some Sarah!
Office-wise there was quite a bit to do, prepping for groups arriving this weekend and coordinating the departure of my group's activity this afternoon as well as plans for them during the rest of the week. Right now I am also helping to coordinate the details of another group's program via e-mail, and taking some of the heat off my Jefa's inbox. I have a few projects going on, and I like to stay busy.
This afternoon my group spent time visiting La Carpio. As always, visiting this community is a special and rewarding experience for me.
(Just a reminder: La Carpio is a community of most Nicaraguan immigrants, very impoverished and subject to violence and crime in addition to the prejudices and daily difficulties that are present in the lives of it's inhabitants.)
My group spent the afternoon in the Montessori school, playing with the children and giving them time and attention. We played lost with puzzles, blocks, read books and playdough! I think some of the kids were a little taken aback, arriving at naptime and seeing the kids asleep on the concrete floor. One of my girls felt almost overwhelmed by the heat, and we had to make sure that she got some water and air. Talking with her I thought to myself, "what about these kids and teachers who are here all day?" The building has very little ventilation, and no AC. I was sweating quite a bit! But I wasn't extremely uncomfortable.
I spoke for a little while with Griselda, a Nicaraguan girl who has worked at the Montessori for almost two years about the education children in La Carpio receive. She explained that if parents can afford it, they send their children to schools outside La Carpio that have more comprehensive education programs (that include English, Phys Ed, Religion). The school in La Carpio has so many students that the schedule has been shortened to 7-10:30am, versus a regular schedule of 7-12:30pm in other schools. This change was made to attempt to accommodate the large number of kids in La Carpio, and does not allow for classes like English and Phys Ed. This makes sending your child to a school outside La Carpio a much better option, but also more expensive. Parents who send their kids to schools outside of La Carpio have to pay for transportation and meals in addition to school materials. Kids at the school in La Carpio can walk to school and eat lunch at home, making it a much more economical option but a less comprehensive education.
How grateful I am for my years of private, Catholic education which I know my parents struggled to give me and my siblings. And I loved my time at UD, although it broke me.
Visiting La Carpio always puts my life into perspective. And makes me ever more thankful for the life I am blessed to be living. I only hope that students take away from it a wider worldview, and a deeper appreciation for what they have in their lives. In many it fosters a desire to be a positive force in the lives of others, and makes people more socially aware. The impact a visit to La Carpio has on a person of course depends on the person...but I imagine it always sets off some small spark. I hope so.
Pura Vida.
I got an e-mail from the one and only, my beloved Sarah North, and it really touched my heart. The way only Sarah can! A "sister-friend" as my Mom would say. I always end up laughing a lot when I read, much to the dismay of my co-workers, and every message leaves me feeling a little homesick and longing for the closeness that distance erases from our relationship. I love me some Sarah!
Office-wise there was quite a bit to do, prepping for groups arriving this weekend and coordinating the departure of my group's activity this afternoon as well as plans for them during the rest of the week. Right now I am also helping to coordinate the details of another group's program via e-mail, and taking some of the heat off my Jefa's inbox. I have a few projects going on, and I like to stay busy.
This afternoon my group spent time visiting La Carpio. As always, visiting this community is a special and rewarding experience for me.
(Just a reminder: La Carpio is a community of most Nicaraguan immigrants, very impoverished and subject to violence and crime in addition to the prejudices and daily difficulties that are present in the lives of it's inhabitants.)
My group spent the afternoon in the Montessori school, playing with the children and giving them time and attention. We played lost with puzzles, blocks, read books and playdough! I think some of the kids were a little taken aback, arriving at naptime and seeing the kids asleep on the concrete floor. One of my girls felt almost overwhelmed by the heat, and we had to make sure that she got some water and air. Talking with her I thought to myself, "what about these kids and teachers who are here all day?" The building has very little ventilation, and no AC. I was sweating quite a bit! But I wasn't extremely uncomfortable.
I spoke for a little while with Griselda, a Nicaraguan girl who has worked at the Montessori for almost two years about the education children in La Carpio receive. She explained that if parents can afford it, they send their children to schools outside La Carpio that have more comprehensive education programs (that include English, Phys Ed, Religion). The school in La Carpio has so many students that the schedule has been shortened to 7-10:30am, versus a regular schedule of 7-12:30pm in other schools. This change was made to attempt to accommodate the large number of kids in La Carpio, and does not allow for classes like English and Phys Ed. This makes sending your child to a school outside La Carpio a much better option, but also more expensive. Parents who send their kids to schools outside of La Carpio have to pay for transportation and meals in addition to school materials. Kids at the school in La Carpio can walk to school and eat lunch at home, making it a much more economical option but a less comprehensive education.
How grateful I am for my years of private, Catholic education which I know my parents struggled to give me and my siblings. And I loved my time at UD, although it broke me.
Visiting La Carpio always puts my life into perspective. And makes me ever more thankful for the life I am blessed to be living. I only hope that students take away from it a wider worldview, and a deeper appreciation for what they have in their lives. In many it fosters a desire to be a positive force in the lives of others, and makes people more socially aware. The impact a visit to La Carpio has on a person of course depends on the person...but I imagine it always sets off some small spark. I hope so.
Pura Vida.
breathing room and tortillas
This week the Groups office is much less crowded...last Friday there were 6 of us in here, plus Arelys and La Jefa (though the jefa was next door). There was hardly air to breathe, but we had a great time bonding and I am really excited for the team we have this year.
Things have been going very smoothly with my group, thank goodness. They had a blast at Manuel Antonio this last weekend, and I took some time to visit with Elliott and sleep in. I spent Saturday in Esparza, making tortillas (which I do very well now!) and watching Elliott do laundry and get a haircut. We made a yummy dinner in the evening and watched tv. RELAX!
Next week and the next we will be in Monteverde...home sweet home.
I have been looking at jobs online again, so if you happen to hear of any openings with an emphasis on Spanish or customer service let me know!
Lately I have been drinking a LOT more water, and you can see the difference...my skin is much clearer. I need to work harder on staying hydrated. That is one thing I always emphasize to my students but never seem to do myself...
Still feeling very depressed by the idea of going back to Dayton. I am looking forward to seeing my family but I feel like I will be leaving my REAL life behind. I belong here. I am so torn! Half of me wants to try and get a refund, the other half is saying "damn girl go get your loans paid up so you can really live!"
My heart will stay here, that is for sure. Between Elliott and my understanding of PURA VIDA, I am changed forever. My tattoo could not be more appropriate... soy la pura vida chica, verdad?
Tuanis.
Things have been going very smoothly with my group, thank goodness. They had a blast at Manuel Antonio this last weekend, and I took some time to visit with Elliott and sleep in. I spent Saturday in Esparza, making tortillas (which I do very well now!) and watching Elliott do laundry and get a haircut. We made a yummy dinner in the evening and watched tv. RELAX!
Next week and the next we will be in Monteverde...home sweet home.
I have been looking at jobs online again, so if you happen to hear of any openings with an emphasis on Spanish or customer service let me know!
Lately I have been drinking a LOT more water, and you can see the difference...my skin is much clearer. I need to work harder on staying hydrated. That is one thing I always emphasize to my students but never seem to do myself...
Still feeling very depressed by the idea of going back to Dayton. I am looking forward to seeing my family but I feel like I will be leaving my REAL life behind. I belong here. I am so torn! Half of me wants to try and get a refund, the other half is saying "damn girl go get your loans paid up so you can really live!"
My heart will stay here, that is for sure. Between Elliott and my understanding of PURA VIDA, I am changed forever. My tattoo could not be more appropriate... soy la pura vida chica, verdad?
Tuanis.
smells like danger
Today was an exhausting day. And I imagine that my jefas are even more tired than I am.
I learned the procedures of what to do in case a student goes missing...a 29-year-old student left his homestay last night and did not return, at all. This morning after he did not arrive to go to class I called his Familia Tica and...well, the situation blew up. Step one when a student goes missing:
1. Call the professor of the group or representative of the school.
2. Try and get in touch with the student.
3. Communicate with the family to determine where the student went.
4. Advise local police and province security.
5. Notify the consulate.
6. Consult locals to see if the student was seen, try to speak with witnesses. (I went to a local bar with Alexis, a school chofer, to try and re-trace the student's steps. The bar owner recognized his picture and recounted what time and where the students went after leaving the bar.)
7. Check with taxistas or other modes of transportation to see if the student was seen on bus, in taxi, or on foot.
8. Find a photo of the student and print it, post it.
9. Be in touch with the university, and with the consulate.
Thank goodness the student showed up to the school in the afternoon, still smelling like the bar and without shoes! His story is that he left his homestay and went to a nearby bar, where he only had four beers, and trued to return home in a taxi that ended up taking him to a hotel/casino in San Jose, that he walked all the way from San Jose to Heredia, and got a taxi to CPI. All with twenty thousand colones, or $40. NO WAY! The Provost made it mandatory for him to return to the USA, and he was removed from the program and sent home the following day. 24 hours in Costa Rica and he got lost...48 hours and he was already on his way home. I think it is in his and the group's best interest, really. He seemed likely to repeat this kind of incident, and the professor who came with the group was already a little leery about him coming at all...seems he is a special case. I am just glad he is alive and well. And better off in the USA. How stressful!
Today my group is off to Manuel Antonio, and I have the weekend free. Looks like I will be heading to Esparza at some point and visiting Elliott.
Yesterday evening I went to the mall and found some shoes for $6! And got some gelato. Yum! I took some students and they learned how take the public bus.
I like to think that I am kind of an expert at taking the public bus...it's not so bad! And its really cheap. That is something I LOVE about Costa Rica!
The other day I had dinner with a friend who asked me: what do I NOT like about Costa Rica? And I had trouble answering. Because I love it here. There are a few things that have occurred to me since our conversation:
-The roads are not much good...messy, twisty, sometimes unpaved.
-How many stray dogs and cats are living in the streets. It makes students upset, and it can be very sad to see.
-Tico time. It kills me! I am still sooooooo gringa in my emphasis on arriving on time and being punctual.
-Bureaucratic process. To do anything here it takes forever, legal processing is incredibly slow. Sometimes the laws aren't enforced, and when they are it's almost exaggerated. (A perfect example...two years ago the director of transportation said that a passage for pedestrians would be established on a man highway within the next two months...two years later, people are still crossing the highway on foot and risking their lives. The highway passes by Caldera, just for reference.)
-How things close on the weekends. Banks, stores, official buildings have NO weekend hours.
-Machismo.
That's all I have for now.
PURA VIDA, COSTA RICA
I learned the procedures of what to do in case a student goes missing...a 29-year-old student left his homestay last night and did not return, at all. This morning after he did not arrive to go to class I called his Familia Tica and...well, the situation blew up. Step one when a student goes missing:
1. Call the professor of the group or representative of the school.
2. Try and get in touch with the student.
3. Communicate with the family to determine where the student went.
4. Advise local police and province security.
5. Notify the consulate.
6. Consult locals to see if the student was seen, try to speak with witnesses. (I went to a local bar with Alexis, a school chofer, to try and re-trace the student's steps. The bar owner recognized his picture and recounted what time and where the students went after leaving the bar.)
7. Check with taxistas or other modes of transportation to see if the student was seen on bus, in taxi, or on foot.
8. Find a photo of the student and print it, post it.
9. Be in touch with the university, and with the consulate.
Thank goodness the student showed up to the school in the afternoon, still smelling like the bar and without shoes! His story is that he left his homestay and went to a nearby bar, where he only had four beers, and trued to return home in a taxi that ended up taking him to a hotel/casino in San Jose, that he walked all the way from San Jose to Heredia, and got a taxi to CPI. All with twenty thousand colones, or $40. NO WAY! The Provost made it mandatory for him to return to the USA, and he was removed from the program and sent home the following day. 24 hours in Costa Rica and he got lost...48 hours and he was already on his way home. I think it is in his and the group's best interest, really. He seemed likely to repeat this kind of incident, and the professor who came with the group was already a little leery about him coming at all...seems he is a special case. I am just glad he is alive and well. And better off in the USA. How stressful!
Today my group is off to Manuel Antonio, and I have the weekend free. Looks like I will be heading to Esparza at some point and visiting Elliott.
Yesterday evening I went to the mall and found some shoes for $6! And got some gelato. Yum! I took some students and they learned how take the public bus.
I like to think that I am kind of an expert at taking the public bus...it's not so bad! And its really cheap. That is something I LOVE about Costa Rica!
The other day I had dinner with a friend who asked me: what do I NOT like about Costa Rica? And I had trouble answering. Because I love it here. There are a few things that have occurred to me since our conversation:
-The roads are not much good...messy, twisty, sometimes unpaved.
-How many stray dogs and cats are living in the streets. It makes students upset, and it can be very sad to see.
-Tico time. It kills me! I am still sooooooo gringa in my emphasis on arriving on time and being punctual.
-Bureaucratic process. To do anything here it takes forever, legal processing is incredibly slow. Sometimes the laws aren't enforced, and when they are it's almost exaggerated. (A perfect example...two years ago the director of transportation said that a passage for pedestrians would be established on a man highway within the next two months...two years later, people are still crossing the highway on foot and risking their lives. The highway passes by Caldera, just for reference.)
-How things close on the weekends. Banks, stores, official buildings have NO weekend hours.
-Machismo.
That's all I have for now.
PURA VIDA, COSTA RICA
party in the air
Today is CPI's 20th anniversary, and that means...PARTY! Or if you want to be really Tico, "una pachanga." CPI takes any sort of party or festivity very seriously, as I just finished explaining to my co-workers. People dress up, there are various committees, food, music, presentations, it gets BIG! All of the staff received a t-shirt, but I would much prefer dressing up a little instead of just putting on a t-shirt! I think I will go straighten my hair later. The party tonight will consist of mostly free drinks and live music. All of the students and their Familia Ticas are invited, as well as the staff and some special guests. I am not a huge fan of the live band and drinks idea, as it would be inappropriate to drink in front of my boss. And not necessarily drinking heavily, but drinking at all in front of my bosses is uncomfortable. This really could be a pretty interesting subject...behavior at a work party. In any case I am sure there will be an after-party.
Last night I danced a LOT! So I am all warmed up for this evening, salsa, merengue, maybe even a little cumbia. But my favorite is salsa! I went with Royner and Clara, to celebrate Clara's last night in Monteverde. It looks like she will be spending the rest of the season (or at least most of it) in Heredia. What better way to bid farewell to Monteverde than to dance the night away together? And now we are all warmed up for the fiesta today...
This weekend I say adios to one group on Saturday and pick up another group on Sunday. I have really enjoyed my UNC Wilmington group, they have grown on me a lot and I will miss them. It was also really cool having an inside look at their education program. While I am glad that I did not become a teacher (my experience has confirmed that it was a good decision, switching to Spanish and not staying with Education), it has been really eye opening going with this group into local schools and seeing students communicate and learn in Spanish and English. I know that all of these students will be wonderful teachers...they all have it in them.
It looks like I will be spending the next week or two in Heredia with my new group. This means heading back to the big city...well, a big city in comparison to Monteverde! I hope that I will be with a familia I already know.
In the next week I hope to purchase my ticket home. I feel that buying this ticket is like signing a death warrant...that returning to the USA I face the possibility of not coming back. The real challenge will be to find a good price on the ticket. I could spend $200 with Spirit, but I would only get to Chicago. And airfare to make it the rest of the way is ridiculously expensive. Too bad Dayton's International Airport really isn't "international." The majority of flights connect to larger airports before arriving to Dayton. It would be nice if I could just teleport...I would save a lot of money on pasajes. That would be in a Harry Potter sort of world, though. I will be communicating with my parents to see what airports are options.
Tuanis....
Last night I danced a LOT! So I am all warmed up for this evening, salsa, merengue, maybe even a little cumbia. But my favorite is salsa! I went with Royner and Clara, to celebrate Clara's last night in Monteverde. It looks like she will be spending the rest of the season (or at least most of it) in Heredia. What better way to bid farewell to Monteverde than to dance the night away together? And now we are all warmed up for the fiesta today...
This weekend I say adios to one group on Saturday and pick up another group on Sunday. I have really enjoyed my UNC Wilmington group, they have grown on me a lot and I will miss them. It was also really cool having an inside look at their education program. While I am glad that I did not become a teacher (my experience has confirmed that it was a good decision, switching to Spanish and not staying with Education), it has been really eye opening going with this group into local schools and seeing students communicate and learn in Spanish and English. I know that all of these students will be wonderful teachers...they all have it in them.
It looks like I will be spending the next week or two in Heredia with my new group. This means heading back to the big city...well, a big city in comparison to Monteverde! I hope that I will be with a familia I already know.
In the next week I hope to purchase my ticket home. I feel that buying this ticket is like signing a death warrant...that returning to the USA I face the possibility of not coming back. The real challenge will be to find a good price on the ticket. I could spend $200 with Spirit, but I would only get to Chicago. And airfare to make it the rest of the way is ridiculously expensive. Too bad Dayton's International Airport really isn't "international." The majority of flights connect to larger airports before arriving to Dayton. It would be nice if I could just teleport...I would save a lot of money on pasajes. That would be in a Harry Potter sort of world, though. I will be communicating with my parents to see what airports are options.
Tuanis....