Starting to think about things I will miss when I go back to the USA: at the stop of the list is fresh fruit and veggies. There won't be a farmer's market I can walk to every Friday afternoon to buy a kilo of pejibayes or tomatoes, mamonchinos or yuca. The pineapple won't be as sweet.
The salads will have lots of funny dressings.
Things just aren't as fresh...we in the USA do have produce readily available, but it is often at higher prices and it is not locally grown. Our bananas come from Hondouras, Guatemala...Costa Rica. Kiwis come from New Zealand. Apples from Chile. It's great that we have these things available, but not so great that their freshness is often lost or compromised on the trip to get to our grocery store.
In addition, I will miss taking the bus.
Maybe that seems silly...but I will miss the stress-free feeling of hopping on the bus and not worrying about traffic, if I have gas in my tank, is my seatbelt buckled. The bus is so cheap (less than 50 cents for a ride) and goes everywhere. Cars give you more freedom, but with this freedom comes extra stress...like where to park, paying gas/insurance/tickets, and watching out for crazies on the road. the Dayton bus system is just pitiful by comparison. And I have no idea if I am even still on my parents' car insurance.
Costa Rica is just amazing in these areas...the USA is no comparison.
(Let me clarify though, that I am looking forward to crisp fall weather, pumpkin ice cream, and snow. You can't get that here!!)
It's just too bad I can't have the best of both worlds.
Pura Vida
Rio Celeste
This weekend was absolutely amazing!
I left from work promptly at 5pm to get the bus to Upala...Elliott has been there this week visiting with his mom. I got there late, around 11pm. Thankfully I got a ride from downtown to San Jorge with some nieghbors, and I went right to sleep when I got to the house.
Since last year Elliott has been saying that we will go visit Rio Celeste, but it has never worked out having enough time and our schedules. But yesterday we borrowed a car and went with two of his sisters and his son, and had an amazing time. The weather was perfect...I passed for Tica, which is amazing since I was with all the Bolivars who are very dark. We walked about 5 kilometers total, up and down. The trail was pretty rough in some areas, but it was worth it.
The waterfall is gorgeous, white and foaming, below the water turns a beautiful turquoise blue, and flows down. The rocks all around the waterfall are very slippery and swimming is not allowed...because of the chemicals many of them have turned green. WE walked all the way to the mirador, to see the Tenorrio Volcano National Park, where we saw the volcano. Afterwards we walked down to the laguna,where the water was again beautiful turquoise blue. We walked all the way down and around to the hot springs, that are naturally formed being so close for the Tenorrio volcano. Elliott and his sister went in, but I didn't bring my swim suit. It was a good hike too, I was sweating a ton!! Up and down, and thankfully it didn't rain because there were some pretty muddy spots on the trail. We had lunch by the waterfall, and arrived home tired but happy. It was the best day, a dream come true to finally visit!!
What an amazing weekend...
Upala was nice too. There are lots of pineapple, and I was busy making atol with my sister-in-law...a tradiational dessert made with corn and milk, then strained and boiled and poured into dishes until it sets. It reminds me a lot of pudding and cornbread! Elliott loves it, and it was a fun thing to learn...it takes quite a bit of work, but it is delicious.
This afternoon Elliott and I rode a dirt bike all the way to Upala downtown so I could catch the bus for San Jose at 2pm. We arrived just in time and I got a seat...It was quite the bumpy ride, and exhilarating, but I think I like the ride in a car better. But that is only the fourth time I have ever ridden on dirt bike, and it was fun!!!!!! Apparently next time I have to learn, when I go to San Jorge again.
It just started to rain as I got home, and now I will go to bed...tired after the hike, after travel. Buenas noches!
Pura Vida : )
I left from work promptly at 5pm to get the bus to Upala...Elliott has been there this week visiting with his mom. I got there late, around 11pm. Thankfully I got a ride from downtown to San Jorge with some nieghbors, and I went right to sleep when I got to the house.
Since last year Elliott has been saying that we will go visit Rio Celeste, but it has never worked out having enough time and our schedules. But yesterday we borrowed a car and went with two of his sisters and his son, and had an amazing time. The weather was perfect...I passed for Tica, which is amazing since I was with all the Bolivars who are very dark. We walked about 5 kilometers total, up and down. The trail was pretty rough in some areas, but it was worth it.
The waterfall is gorgeous, white and foaming, below the water turns a beautiful turquoise blue, and flows down. The rocks all around the waterfall are very slippery and swimming is not allowed...because of the chemicals many of them have turned green. WE walked all the way to the mirador, to see the Tenorrio Volcano National Park, where we saw the volcano. Afterwards we walked down to the laguna,where the water was again beautiful turquoise blue. We walked all the way down and around to the hot springs, that are naturally formed being so close for the Tenorrio volcano. Elliott and his sister went in, but I didn't bring my swim suit. It was a good hike too, I was sweating a ton!! Up and down, and thankfully it didn't rain because there were some pretty muddy spots on the trail. We had lunch by the waterfall, and arrived home tired but happy. It was the best day, a dream come true to finally visit!!
What an amazing weekend...
Upala was nice too. There are lots of pineapple, and I was busy making atol with my sister-in-law...a tradiational dessert made with corn and milk, then strained and boiled and poured into dishes until it sets. It reminds me a lot of pudding and cornbread! Elliott loves it, and it was a fun thing to learn...it takes quite a bit of work, but it is delicious.
This afternoon Elliott and I rode a dirt bike all the way to Upala downtown so I could catch the bus for San Jose at 2pm. We arrived just in time and I got a seat...It was quite the bumpy ride, and exhilarating, but I think I like the ride in a car better. But that is only the fourth time I have ever ridden on dirt bike, and it was fun!!!!!! Apparently next time I have to learn, when I go to San Jorge again.
It just started to rain as I got home, and now I will go to bed...tired after the hike, after travel. Buenas noches!
Pura Vida : )
love the french press
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000KEM4TQ/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1314390438&sr=8-1&condition=new
one more month! and notes on learning a new language.
One month from today I will rise early to go to the airport, with my bags packed and my passport at the ready, enter the airport and go to the check-in counter to start my journey back to the USA. THis is utterly depressing, stressful and makes my stomach turn. My instincts tell me that leaving this country is WRONG! There is so much I am leaving behind, I feel sick.
I realize that maybe this sounds funny, as I left the USA and and so many more things and peaople behind 15 months ago. Wasn't that hard too? The answer is thta yes it was, but that I was looking forward to being here, and while I love my family and my home, I have made a home here.
People have asked me if it was hard to adjust to life here. I close my eyes for a moment and things come to me: the feeling of homesickness during THanksgiving, Christmas, the longing to go to Trout Lake, missing giving my Mom and Dad a hug, being greeted by people as I drive through the streets of Dayton. Yes, there are things I miss. Was it hard to adjust? No. But why is that? I have seen students come and retuyrn home after only 2 days, and people be miserable because they are homesick. IN my case I suspect the influence of my Mom's family, and especially my Avia, resulted in my open-mindedness and interest in travel and other cultures. Look at the examples: My Avis, who left Spain young and moved to Chile to begin a new life. My Avi, bringing his family to the USA from Chile. My Tieta Angelica, a world traveler, my Tieta Ana and cousin MOnica, who have explored the world and still have the travel bug. I have become adaptable, flexible, and am now accustomed to another kind of life, so much so that going back to the USA will be tough. I can't even speak in English for long periods of time with co-workers or Elliott...my brain starts to switch back to Spanish. I am at home here. This is where I belong, no doubt about it.
Let's go back a moment to the part about me speaking Spanish. I am by no means fluent...I learn new words and phrases all the time, and still find myself struggling sometimes with comprehension and expression when I am stressed. Some days I speak fluently, but make grammar mistakes. Some days I speak hardly at all, but every sentance comes out correct. There are still areas I need to work on : conditional and subjunctive, and if I wcould I would take private classes. Right now I am actually doing some worksheets on subjunctive, to try and get it down a little better. I never seem to grasp which tense to use, or how to conjugate. No, I am not fluent by any means.
How far a student gets in a language journey depends on the person. THere have been many times when students have asked me, "how much will I learn in one week? two weeks? a month?" and there is no exact answer. THere are many factors to consider, like the student's experience with other languages, previous areas of study (having studied French, Latin, other romance languages helps), how much they study (if the students goes home and looks at homework and does it well, and practices), how much you want to learn! Because if you are taking classes just to pass the time, fill the credits, or get out of your country then you shouldn't be in the classroom at all. How much you learn depends on your own motivation and dedication.
Which is why I feel like such a fish out of water studying subjunctive...I know that with the Spanish I have now, I can get along just fine. But if I want to IMPROVE, then I have to push myself. And that is what I am doing. I have to rededicate myself, my efforts. I love Spanish...I will never stop learning.
I have decided too that when I return to the USA my conversations with my Mom will be exclusively in Spanish...I couldn't bear to lose all the language experience and fluency I have gained. That is another area where I will have to work hard. To keep the Spanish I have now.
Life is journey in many things...you live, love, learn. And it's painfully beautiful at times.
Pura Vida.
I realize that maybe this sounds funny, as I left the USA and and so many more things and peaople behind 15 months ago. Wasn't that hard too? The answer is thta yes it was, but that I was looking forward to being here, and while I love my family and my home, I have made a home here.
People have asked me if it was hard to adjust to life here. I close my eyes for a moment and things come to me: the feeling of homesickness during THanksgiving, Christmas, the longing to go to Trout Lake, missing giving my Mom and Dad a hug, being greeted by people as I drive through the streets of Dayton. Yes, there are things I miss. Was it hard to adjust? No. But why is that? I have seen students come and retuyrn home after only 2 days, and people be miserable because they are homesick. IN my case I suspect the influence of my Mom's family, and especially my Avia, resulted in my open-mindedness and interest in travel and other cultures. Look at the examples: My Avis, who left Spain young and moved to Chile to begin a new life. My Avi, bringing his family to the USA from Chile. My Tieta Angelica, a world traveler, my Tieta Ana and cousin MOnica, who have explored the world and still have the travel bug. I have become adaptable, flexible, and am now accustomed to another kind of life, so much so that going back to the USA will be tough. I can't even speak in English for long periods of time with co-workers or Elliott...my brain starts to switch back to Spanish. I am at home here. This is where I belong, no doubt about it.
Let's go back a moment to the part about me speaking Spanish. I am by no means fluent...I learn new words and phrases all the time, and still find myself struggling sometimes with comprehension and expression when I am stressed. Some days I speak fluently, but make grammar mistakes. Some days I speak hardly at all, but every sentance comes out correct. There are still areas I need to work on : conditional and subjunctive, and if I wcould I would take private classes. Right now I am actually doing some worksheets on subjunctive, to try and get it down a little better. I never seem to grasp which tense to use, or how to conjugate. No, I am not fluent by any means.
How far a student gets in a language journey depends on the person. THere have been many times when students have asked me, "how much will I learn in one week? two weeks? a month?" and there is no exact answer. THere are many factors to consider, like the student's experience with other languages, previous areas of study (having studied French, Latin, other romance languages helps), how much they study (if the students goes home and looks at homework and does it well, and practices), how much you want to learn! Because if you are taking classes just to pass the time, fill the credits, or get out of your country then you shouldn't be in the classroom at all. How much you learn depends on your own motivation and dedication.
Which is why I feel like such a fish out of water studying subjunctive...I know that with the Spanish I have now, I can get along just fine. But if I want to IMPROVE, then I have to push myself. And that is what I am doing. I have to rededicate myself, my efforts. I love Spanish...I will never stop learning.
I have decided too that when I return to the USA my conversations with my Mom will be exclusively in Spanish...I couldn't bear to lose all the language experience and fluency I have gained. That is another area where I will have to work hard. To keep the Spanish I have now.
Life is journey in many things...you live, love, learn. And it's painfully beautiful at times.
Pura Vida.
tickets and anxious hunger
For the last two weeks I have been eye-balling tickets for December on Kayak and Priceline from DAY to SJO (for those of you who do not frequently travel by air, those are the codes for Dayton International and Juan Santamaria). My mom made the error last year of waiting for "prices to go down" getting closer and closer to the date of Christmas. No way am I paying $1000 on a one-way ticket! The sooner the better...
So far prices seem to be hovering right around $480. I'll take that. It's a pretty good price for December, when people are trying to make a getaway to a tropical paradise like Costa Rica.
Looking forward to payday, to make that big purchase. The sooner the better! I will feel better once I know for sure when I am coming back.
I am starting to wonder if I am an anxious eater. I have a good lunch every day, and do not like eating in the evening and taking in calories I don't need. But the last few days I have come home and...I am not hungry, but I feel like I should be eating something!! I really miss my crocheting, it was something to keep my hands busy while I sat or watched tv. Here my co-workers and friends have made fun of me for twirling my hair.
In any case, I am hitting the gym EVERY DAY when I get back! I got to fix myself up!
Speaking of fixing, I definitely need to get my hair trimmed. It has been quite a while. My last haircut was in March!! I bet I have split ends.
I have no idea what to do for our wedding registry. Looking at all the details of the wedding this one sticks out, WAY out, because we will not be living in the USA. Keeping that in mind, it doesn't make sense to have people give us gifts here and then try to figure out how to take everything home. At the same time I feel bad just asking for money. I like the idea of honeyfund.com, but we will need more than just a honeymoon. There will be lots of things for our house/apartment/HOME that we will need! How to tastefully let people know that it would be easiest to just give us cash...? A bank account is another option, but then you have to have banking info and pay for the international transaction etc., and it could get a little messy.
If you have any suggestions, I am listening...
Pura Vida...and buenas noches.
So far prices seem to be hovering right around $480. I'll take that. It's a pretty good price for December, when people are trying to make a getaway to a tropical paradise like Costa Rica.
Looking forward to payday, to make that big purchase. The sooner the better! I will feel better once I know for sure when I am coming back.
I am starting to wonder if I am an anxious eater. I have a good lunch every day, and do not like eating in the evening and taking in calories I don't need. But the last few days I have come home and...I am not hungry, but I feel like I should be eating something!! I really miss my crocheting, it was something to keep my hands busy while I sat or watched tv. Here my co-workers and friends have made fun of me for twirling my hair.
In any case, I am hitting the gym EVERY DAY when I get back! I got to fix myself up!
Speaking of fixing, I definitely need to get my hair trimmed. It has been quite a while. My last haircut was in March!! I bet I have split ends.
I have no idea what to do for our wedding registry. Looking at all the details of the wedding this one sticks out, WAY out, because we will not be living in the USA. Keeping that in mind, it doesn't make sense to have people give us gifts here and then try to figure out how to take everything home. At the same time I feel bad just asking for money. I like the idea of honeyfund.com, but we will need more than just a honeymoon. There will be lots of things for our house/apartment/HOME that we will need! How to tastefully let people know that it would be easiest to just give us cash...? A bank account is another option, but then you have to have banking info and pay for the international transaction etc., and it could get a little messy.
If you have any suggestions, I am listening...
Pura Vida...and buenas noches.
strawberry pancakes
This morning my Mama Tica and I made strawberry pancakes, from scratch. We made them one other time I stayed, and they were a hit!
Usually in the USA we make pancakes from a box, but it really is very easy to make them from scratch. You just need a little flour, baking powder, milk, water, and an egg or two (depending on how much you want to make). Already thinking about making this for my padres when I am home! It's so easy!
I had a little trouble getting the pancakes to flip... the first two ended up being a little folded over. IN the end they were just right, made with a little butter in the pàn and fresas (strawberry) in the middle. There is even some batter left, so I think I will make some tomorrow morning too! Nidia and I each ate three. This next week we have to make oatmeal brownies with the recipe my Mom sent!
Whoever thought that pancakes would be so easy in Costa Rica...? YUM!
Pura Vida :)
Usually in the USA we make pancakes from a box, but it really is very easy to make them from scratch. You just need a little flour, baking powder, milk, water, and an egg or two (depending on how much you want to make). Already thinking about making this for my padres when I am home! It's so easy!
I had a little trouble getting the pancakes to flip... the first two ended up being a little folded over. IN the end they were just right, made with a little butter in the pàn and fresas (strawberry) in the middle. There is even some batter left, so I think I will make some tomorrow morning too! Nidia and I each ate three. This next week we have to make oatmeal brownies with the recipe my Mom sent!
Whoever thought that pancakes would be so easy in Costa Rica...? YUM!
Pura Vida :)
invitations
My Mama Tica and I have had a fun evening tonight...we are in the process of planning a baby shower for Muni in September, and today we spent time browsing online for photos to get ideas of fun and simple centerpieces, colors, etc.
I will be making the invitations for the event! The colors are white and green, and I am thinking of sloths and monkeys for the images...I love doing this kind of thing, haha!
Lately I have been going crazy with details...after marrying legally in Costa Rica, we are getting married in the USA next year and my Mom and I had a good talk today about some ideas, what we will work on when we are together in September. So many details...
Meanwhile, working on invitations : )
Pura Vida
I will be making the invitations for the event! The colors are white and green, and I am thinking of sloths and monkeys for the images...I love doing this kind of thing, haha!
Lately I have been going crazy with details...after marrying legally in Costa Rica, we are getting married in the USA next year and my Mom and I had a good talk today about some ideas, what we will work on when we are together in September. So many details...
Meanwhile, working on invitations : )
Pura Vida
"matando fiebre"
Elliott explained to me what "matando fiebre" means..killing the fever. I'll explain in a bit.
This past weekend I went to Upala to meet my father-in-law and some of Elliott's extended family.
I left Friday afternoon from work a little early, anticipating Friday traffic and Tico time for the bus. By 6pm I was on the bus to Upala, Elliott getting on in Esparza. We napped a bit and then I ate ravenously at our 15 minute bus stop (the trip from San Jose to Upala is around 5 hours). Around 10pm we arrived to downtown Upala and hopped in a taxi for the bumpy 30 minute ride to San Jorge, the tiny town where Elliott is from. We got there around 10:30pm and greeted Elliott's mom and younger sister, who were still up. By 11pm we were sleeping, exhausted. Travel takes it out of you!
On Saturday I got up late (8:30am...not that late you think, but consider I usually get up between 6 and 6:30am!) and had a great big breakfast with the family. Elliott's son lives with his grandma, and two of his nieces were there while their mom was at classes in downtown. Tortillas, gallo pinto, scrambled eggs, cheese, coffee. Elliott still forgets that I don't drink sugar with my coffee, haha! Elliott spent the morning and early afternoon doing house chores and I played with the nieces. Later I helped make a refresco for lunch, with the starfruit Kendall collected from the yard (imagine having a starfruit tree next to your house! YUM). We all ate and afterwards Elliott, Kendall and I went on a trip to visit Don Lupe, Elliott's dad (my father-in-law) who I had never met. We drove about 10 minutes to the farm where he works as the manager, and then to his house were we had some coffee and met his wife and extended family (Elliott's step-mom and some half siblings. His father has re-married, while his mother is single and lives with Kendall in her own house). He is a very tall, serious man and Elliott takes after him a LOT. He was very sweet and welcoming, and made sure to speak to me slowly and clearly. We hugged at our goodbye. Afterwards we drove to Veracruz, where some of his aunts and cousins live, another 15 minutes. I met some more aunts and cousins, got lots of hugs and shook many hands, and felt extremely welcome. Then we headed back to San Jorge to get ready to leave...Elliott got a call to work on Sunday.
(By the way, the whole time I GOT TO DRIVE!
"Mataste el fiebre, eh?"/ "You killed the fever, huh?" Elliott told me.
"Yeah, I haven't driven in months!" I loved every minute behind the wheel, even when I had to go over some really sketchy bridges. I killed the fever, haha!)
Saturday afternoon we rushed to the bus station to catch the bus to Canas, and from there we caught a bus to Esparza. It was raining when we walked to Elliott's house, and we were both tired.
Sunday we got up at 4am to catch the bus for Jaco, where Elliott picked up some tourists to go to Arenal Volcano for the day. I stayed on the beach and...burned. It was overcast when I arrived and set up between two palm trees, and then promptly fell asleep. When I woke, I was roasting. When will I learn???
I got mistaken for gringa at every turn too, with my backpack. I hate that. In the afternoon I took the bus back to San Jose, and from there I got a ride back to San Joaquin with a chofer from CPI (how random to run into him at a gas station in the capital!!!!! he was so nice, we chatted and he dropped me off at my Familia).
I slept early, watching 13 Going on 30 with Nidia.
Jam-packed weekend! But it was really fulfilling, meeting my new family and getting to spend time with Elliott. I like Upala and how simple it is, despite how hot it can be. I think we will go back one more time before I leave! I hope so anyway, if Elliott isn't to busy.
Pura vidaaaaaaaaaaa!
This past weekend I went to Upala to meet my father-in-law and some of Elliott's extended family.
I left Friday afternoon from work a little early, anticipating Friday traffic and Tico time for the bus. By 6pm I was on the bus to Upala, Elliott getting on in Esparza. We napped a bit and then I ate ravenously at our 15 minute bus stop (the trip from San Jose to Upala is around 5 hours). Around 10pm we arrived to downtown Upala and hopped in a taxi for the bumpy 30 minute ride to San Jorge, the tiny town where Elliott is from. We got there around 10:30pm and greeted Elliott's mom and younger sister, who were still up. By 11pm we were sleeping, exhausted. Travel takes it out of you!
On Saturday I got up late (8:30am...not that late you think, but consider I usually get up between 6 and 6:30am!) and had a great big breakfast with the family. Elliott's son lives with his grandma, and two of his nieces were there while their mom was at classes in downtown. Tortillas, gallo pinto, scrambled eggs, cheese, coffee. Elliott still forgets that I don't drink sugar with my coffee, haha! Elliott spent the morning and early afternoon doing house chores and I played with the nieces. Later I helped make a refresco for lunch, with the starfruit Kendall collected from the yard (imagine having a starfruit tree next to your house! YUM). We all ate and afterwards Elliott, Kendall and I went on a trip to visit Don Lupe, Elliott's dad (my father-in-law) who I had never met. We drove about 10 minutes to the farm where he works as the manager, and then to his house were we had some coffee and met his wife and extended family (Elliott's step-mom and some half siblings. His father has re-married, while his mother is single and lives with Kendall in her own house). He is a very tall, serious man and Elliott takes after him a LOT. He was very sweet and welcoming, and made sure to speak to me slowly and clearly. We hugged at our goodbye. Afterwards we drove to Veracruz, where some of his aunts and cousins live, another 15 minutes. I met some more aunts and cousins, got lots of hugs and shook many hands, and felt extremely welcome. Then we headed back to San Jorge to get ready to leave...Elliott got a call to work on Sunday.
(By the way, the whole time I GOT TO DRIVE!
"Mataste el fiebre, eh?"/ "You killed the fever, huh?" Elliott told me.
"Yeah, I haven't driven in months!" I loved every minute behind the wheel, even when I had to go over some really sketchy bridges. I killed the fever, haha!)
Saturday afternoon we rushed to the bus station to catch the bus to Canas, and from there we caught a bus to Esparza. It was raining when we walked to Elliott's house, and we were both tired.
Sunday we got up at 4am to catch the bus for Jaco, where Elliott picked up some tourists to go to Arenal Volcano for the day. I stayed on the beach and...burned. It was overcast when I arrived and set up between two palm trees, and then promptly fell asleep. When I woke, I was roasting. When will I learn???
I got mistaken for gringa at every turn too, with my backpack. I hate that. In the afternoon I took the bus back to San Jose, and from there I got a ride back to San Joaquin with a chofer from CPI (how random to run into him at a gas station in the capital!!!!! he was so nice, we chatted and he dropped me off at my Familia).
I slept early, watching 13 Going on 30 with Nidia.
Jam-packed weekend! But it was really fulfilling, meeting my new family and getting to spend time with Elliott. I like Upala and how simple it is, despite how hot it can be. I think we will go back one more time before I leave! I hope so anyway, if Elliott isn't to busy.
Pura vidaaaaaaaaaaa!
pretty big announcement
I want to go ahead and share with you all some very big news.
On Sunday August 14th, 2011, Elliott and I were married in a simple civil ceremony in San Vito de Coto Brus in Puntarenas.
The witnesses were Jimmy and Kathleen, two of Elliott's close friends. The ceremony was at their B&B, Casa Botania. It was very intimate and simple, with ourselves, the witnesses and the lawyer and her daughter there. We listened to the lawyer's words about marriage and how honored she felt to be part of the event. Jimmy spoke about how important it is to be there for your spouse in the good and bad.
(On a side note, I want to tell you a little about Jimmy and Kathleen.
He is Tico and she is Belgian. They met five years ago, he a tour guide and she a tour director for a group. They got along very well and eventually fell in love (sound familiar?), marrying three years ago in a similar ceremony and later again in Belgium with Kathleen's family. Elliott attended the wedding in Belgium, and he is very close with both of them. They were extremely honored to witness the event, very happy and touched. They are wonderful people, and I am so glad that they were present.)
Afterwards we toasted with sparkling wine and all had a piece of cake.
Right now we are waiting for the rings to be finished, to make a formal announcement. Our close friends and family already know. In August of 2012 we will have a ceremony in the Catholic Church with my family in the USA.
So, I am a married woman!! I am still getting used to referring to Elliott as my husband! I know that my choice is hardly traditional, but let's face it...my life is hardly traditional. And that doesn't bother me at all. I love Elliott and I know that while things will not always be easy, this man is the one for me, no question about it : )
Pura vida
On Sunday August 14th, 2011, Elliott and I were married in a simple civil ceremony in San Vito de Coto Brus in Puntarenas.
The witnesses were Jimmy and Kathleen, two of Elliott's close friends. The ceremony was at their B&B, Casa Botania. It was very intimate and simple, with ourselves, the witnesses and the lawyer and her daughter there. We listened to the lawyer's words about marriage and how honored she felt to be part of the event. Jimmy spoke about how important it is to be there for your spouse in the good and bad.
(On a side note, I want to tell you a little about Jimmy and Kathleen.
He is Tico and she is Belgian. They met five years ago, he a tour guide and she a tour director for a group. They got along very well and eventually fell in love (sound familiar?), marrying three years ago in a similar ceremony and later again in Belgium with Kathleen's family. Elliott attended the wedding in Belgium, and he is very close with both of them. They were extremely honored to witness the event, very happy and touched. They are wonderful people, and I am so glad that they were present.)
Afterwards we toasted with sparkling wine and all had a piece of cake.
Right now we are waiting for the rings to be finished, to make a formal announcement. Our close friends and family already know. In August of 2012 we will have a ceremony in the Catholic Church with my family in the USA.
So, I am a married woman!! I am still getting used to referring to Elliott as my husband! I know that my choice is hardly traditional, but let's face it...my life is hardly traditional. And that doesn't bother me at all. I love Elliott and I know that while things will not always be easy, this man is the one for me, no question about it : )
Pura vida
slow down and breathe
So much has changed in the last week.
My favorite group of the summer is long gone, everyone is back home and my days are so quiet without them!!
Gerry flew back to the USA today. Pim flies back to Holland tomorrow. Clara is on tour with her Dad in Costa Rica, and leaves soon. I am the only chaperona left!
Today I started work in the Admissions Office. It is not a difficult job, but it requires a lot of attention to detail and I am getting more experience. (Seems like in my last couple jobs I have been cross-trained to the point of being over-qualified!)
For the rest of my time here I will be with my Mama Tica, even though she wasn't accepting students she made an exception for me! and I am sooooooooooo happy!
My cold is gone! I can breathe, and I still have a bit of a cough but I am taking something for it. I was just telling a co-worker today that I feel 100 times better than I did a week ago.
My days off I spent running errands (Wednesday), in Manuel Antonio (Thursday), and in San Vito (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and traveling back (Monday) to the Central Valley.
During my free time it was great to visit with Elliott too. I am more sure than ever that he is the guy for me...and I am so lucky to have him.
It will be nice to have a slower schedule for a while. I know that my time here will fly, I only have about a month left! What I have to do is slow down and breathe...appreciate where I am, what I am doing.
Pura Vida!
My favorite group of the summer is long gone, everyone is back home and my days are so quiet without them!!
Gerry flew back to the USA today. Pim flies back to Holland tomorrow. Clara is on tour with her Dad in Costa Rica, and leaves soon. I am the only chaperona left!
Today I started work in the Admissions Office. It is not a difficult job, but it requires a lot of attention to detail and I am getting more experience. (Seems like in my last couple jobs I have been cross-trained to the point of being over-qualified!)
For the rest of my time here I will be with my Mama Tica, even though she wasn't accepting students she made an exception for me! and I am sooooooooooo happy!
My cold is gone! I can breathe, and I still have a bit of a cough but I am taking something for it. I was just telling a co-worker today that I feel 100 times better than I did a week ago.
My days off I spent running errands (Wednesday), in Manuel Antonio (Thursday), and in San Vito (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and traveling back (Monday) to the Central Valley.
During my free time it was great to visit with Elliott too. I am more sure than ever that he is the guy for me...and I am so lucky to have him.
It will be nice to have a slower schedule for a while. I know that my time here will fly, I only have about a month left! What I have to do is slow down and breathe...appreciate where I am, what I am doing.
Pura Vida!
tips for travelers
I love this blog! Check out this cool post about travel: Leo has some great points.
Enjoy your journeys!
http://zenhabits.net/travel/
Pura Vida!
Enjoy your journeys!
http://zenhabits.net/travel/
Pura Vida!
day twenty-one
It is currently 5:01am and I just dropped my group off at the airport. They all stayed up last night, since our departure time from the hotel was 4am. I got up at 3am after going to bed around 1am, hanging out and packing and enjoying my last moments with the group. I miss them already, and while I shed no tears, there were some kids who got emotional at the airport drop off. Frankly, I am going to feel very alone all day today without my group. Did I mention that I miss them already...?
Yesterday we bid an early farewell to one group member, who headed home to California. We went white water rafting, and even sang her the morning song (the song we start everyday with, our theme music: "Walking on Sunshine") in the bus on the way. We spent a great day on the river, and only two kids fell out (on the first rapid too!) during the whole tour.
On a more disappointing note we had one cell phone and two cameras go missing yesterday, and after calling the rafting company twice and the transportation company twice with nothing being found on the bus, I am afraid to say that we face the possibility of these items having been stolen, which is a very serious accusation. After having the kids search all bags, belongings and hotel rooms with no results, it seems to be the most likely option. All of them remember putting the item in their backpack before leaving, but did not at any point remove it...and we left our bags the whole morning in the bus. Which throws the safety of our things into doubt.
I also discovered that I left my sweatshirt and jacket at the last hotel, hanging in the closet. I did not realize it until two days ago, as I haven't needed either item. I put them in the closet with the idea of keeping them dry and separate from my raincoat, and in the end they got left behind. I called the hotel FIVE TIMES yesterday and left my number with two different people, but still have not heard anything. I am very, very disappointed and frustrated, and now will need to replace those items. If only the hotel would call me back!!! I plan to call again around 8am today and be more insistent. Maybe even a little demanding. Definitely aggressive!
These next few days I have off, so I will be in full relax mode, travelling a bit and just taking it easy. Today I plan to run errands, first stop being the doctor.
Hopefully I will see Elliott later today, as he finishes a tour in San Jose this afternoon which isn't to far from CPI Heredia. I also want to visit with my Familia Tica!
After my couple days off I will be working here in the Admissions Office of CPI Heredia until my final (THE final) group of the season arrives the first week of September.
It is so strange to think that 21 days ago I was just beginning with my West Coast group. Already it seems like a whole lifetime has passed, but in just the blink of an eye. Now that all of them are gone, I am left with a cd of trip songs, a cute card signed by the kids, and some really great memories. I am so blessed to have had such a FANTASTIC group! No other group compares. I hope to see them again, somehow, someday.
Pura Vida.
Yesterday we bid an early farewell to one group member, who headed home to California. We went white water rafting, and even sang her the morning song (the song we start everyday with, our theme music: "Walking on Sunshine") in the bus on the way. We spent a great day on the river, and only two kids fell out (on the first rapid too!) during the whole tour.
On a more disappointing note we had one cell phone and two cameras go missing yesterday, and after calling the rafting company twice and the transportation company twice with nothing being found on the bus, I am afraid to say that we face the possibility of these items having been stolen, which is a very serious accusation. After having the kids search all bags, belongings and hotel rooms with no results, it seems to be the most likely option. All of them remember putting the item in their backpack before leaving, but did not at any point remove it...and we left our bags the whole morning in the bus. Which throws the safety of our things into doubt.
I also discovered that I left my sweatshirt and jacket at the last hotel, hanging in the closet. I did not realize it until two days ago, as I haven't needed either item. I put them in the closet with the idea of keeping them dry and separate from my raincoat, and in the end they got left behind. I called the hotel FIVE TIMES yesterday and left my number with two different people, but still have not heard anything. I am very, very disappointed and frustrated, and now will need to replace those items. If only the hotel would call me back!!! I plan to call again around 8am today and be more insistent. Maybe even a little demanding. Definitely aggressive!
These next few days I have off, so I will be in full relax mode, travelling a bit and just taking it easy. Today I plan to run errands, first stop being the doctor.
Hopefully I will see Elliott later today, as he finishes a tour in San Jose this afternoon which isn't to far from CPI Heredia. I also want to visit with my Familia Tica!
After my couple days off I will be working here in the Admissions Office of CPI Heredia until my final (THE final) group of the season arrives the first week of September.
It is so strange to think that 21 days ago I was just beginning with my West Coast group. Already it seems like a whole lifetime has passed, but in just the blink of an eye. Now that all of them are gone, I am left with a cd of trip songs, a cute card signed by the kids, and some really great memories. I am so blessed to have had such a FANTASTIC group! No other group compares. I hope to see them again, somehow, someday.
Pura Vida.
in case you visit and are baffled by...
There are some funny differences between the USA and Costa Rica that do not even register with me after so much time being here. I have accepted these small things as normal, expected, matter of fact differences that do not warrant any explanation. Small and simple as they may seem, they are for the visiting tourist baffling.
Water fountains.
There aren't any water fountains in Costa Rica. I have never seen one. This can be frustrating when you just want a quick drink of water, at a side-of-the-road stop, at a grocery store, even at Walmart. But you will not find them anywhere. In schools and public places you do not have water fountains located throughout the building, free for all. Instead you may have a little snack bar, or someone selling food and drink from a cart that wanders the hallways. But you want a water fountain? Well, amigo, you are just out of luck!
Bathrooms.
With this group I have had to make various, unexpected bathroom stops. I don't think I ever mentioned that we even stopped at a house on the side of the road, and that one of my girls went to the bathroom in a pit toilet in someone's backyard. She just had to go! I think living in the USA we do not appreciate our highway system, our rest areas and information centers that are pit stops for bursting bladders. Generally if you have to go while in the middle of nowhere, you can stop at:
a) a gas station, and hope that the bathrooms aren't gross and that the toilets have seats
b)a restaurant, and hope that they have tp!
For bathrooms you also may have to pay a small fee to use the restroom if you are NOT a customer. This may be something like 200 colones (50 cents!), which could be just for the bathroom or for a few precious squares of tp to take with you. Some places, like McDonald's, you can go in and use the facilities free of charge. But you can't always count on finding a place like that! In the USA it is almost always posted, plain and politely, that "bathrooms are for customers ONLY." But wouldn't it be smarted to charge and use the bathrooms? Just saying...even 50 cents per person would pay for the tp (although here in Costa Rica you can buy individual rolls of tp and not a pack of 4, so it's cheaper).
Also remember that tp goes in the trashcan, never in the toilet. That is one of the hardest adjustments! But you better get used to it quick, because it is the rule EVERYWHERE you go.
Anyway, just a few things to keep in mind when you come visit me here. Don't be too surprised.
Pura vida : )
Water fountains.
There aren't any water fountains in Costa Rica. I have never seen one. This can be frustrating when you just want a quick drink of water, at a side-of-the-road stop, at a grocery store, even at Walmart. But you will not find them anywhere. In schools and public places you do not have water fountains located throughout the building, free for all. Instead you may have a little snack bar, or someone selling food and drink from a cart that wanders the hallways. But you want a water fountain? Well, amigo, you are just out of luck!
Bathrooms.
With this group I have had to make various, unexpected bathroom stops. I don't think I ever mentioned that we even stopped at a house on the side of the road, and that one of my girls went to the bathroom in a pit toilet in someone's backyard. She just had to go! I think living in the USA we do not appreciate our highway system, our rest areas and information centers that are pit stops for bursting bladders. Generally if you have to go while in the middle of nowhere, you can stop at:
a) a gas station, and hope that the bathrooms aren't gross and that the toilets have seats
b)a restaurant, and hope that they have tp!
For bathrooms you also may have to pay a small fee to use the restroom if you are NOT a customer. This may be something like 200 colones (50 cents!), which could be just for the bathroom or for a few precious squares of tp to take with you. Some places, like McDonald's, you can go in and use the facilities free of charge. But you can't always count on finding a place like that! In the USA it is almost always posted, plain and politely, that "bathrooms are for customers ONLY." But wouldn't it be smarted to charge and use the bathrooms? Just saying...even 50 cents per person would pay for the tp (although here in Costa Rica you can buy individual rolls of tp and not a pack of 4, so it's cheaper).
Also remember that tp goes in the trashcan, never in the toilet. That is one of the hardest adjustments! But you better get used to it quick, because it is the rule EVERYWHERE you go.
Anyway, just a few things to keep in mind when you come visit me here. Don't be too surprised.
Pura vida : )
summer has wings
How are we already in August?? I remember when July began...and now it is already gone.
This summer has gone so quickly. Already the chaperones I have grown to know and love over the summer are leaving and going away...Jessica is back in the USA, Jesus has left for Spain, Pim is touring with his parents in Costa Rica, and Gerry will be gone before I know it. I will be lost without Clara in my life! It is hard making so many good friends and then having to say good bye. I have met so many memorable and wonderful people here.
I have to say that on the whole, this group has been my absolute favorite this season. I was nervous about West Coast, but this group has been an absolute pleasure and these kids have beyond impressed me! And I am going to miss them a lot.
The vegetarian fare at this hotel has been great so far. Maybe I can go meatless after all!
Pura vida...
This summer has gone so quickly. Already the chaperones I have grown to know and love over the summer are leaving and going away...Jessica is back in the USA, Jesus has left for Spain, Pim is touring with his parents in Costa Rica, and Gerry will be gone before I know it. I will be lost without Clara in my life! It is hard making so many good friends and then having to say good bye. I have met so many memorable and wonderful people here.
I have to say that on the whole, this group has been my absolute favorite this season. I was nervous about West Coast, but this group has been an absolute pleasure and these kids have beyond impressed me! And I am going to miss them a lot.
The vegetarian fare at this hotel has been great so far. Maybe I can go meatless after all!
Pura vida...
volcanoes, surf, mud and going meatless
Day 13 of my West Coast tour and doing great. I haven't had any disasters or hospital visits, but i should bite my tongue. You never know.
We already visited Monteverde: planting tress and making terraces at a local farm, Life Monteverde. Service work was followed by a zipline tour, which my kids loved, and disco night at Bar Amigos where I caught up with Muni and Adrian, Gerry, Arelys, Royner and Clara. Too bad the change of climate made me feel miserable!!!!!!!! In Monteverde we also bid farewell to Don Mario, who had been our chofer for the first week. He was replaced by a STV chofer who I know, and the kids like him but don't love him the way they did Don Mario. I however, have gotten fond of him and his antics. If a good piece of salsa comes on, he glances over his shoulder to ask if I am busy...if I want to stop and dance!! Haha, he is a good guy.
After Monteverde we went to Arenal Volcano, where we arrived to clear weather and a great view. Our one night stay was highlighted by a trip to the hot springs, where the kids had fun running up and down to different pools and the chaps and I relaxed and bonded. I think I boiled my feet in one particularly hot pool, so I stuck to the pools close to the bar, which are more pleasantly warm. We left the next day in rainy weather, and the volcano hidden by clouds.
The long leg of the trip was leaving Arenal and going to Playa Flamingo. Four hours in bus, going around Lake Arenal and then past the airport in Liberia, all the way to Tamarindo. We had surf lessons and free time to explore and do some souvenir shopping. Beautiful beach day, even though the skies were overcast. The next day we did service work at a local grade school, painting the inside. The compliment of the day was that we were by far the most organized West Coast group who had worked there, and we got done in good time. The rest of the afternoon was spent at Playa Penca, playing frisbee and tanning, enjoying the waves. I got a little color! In the evening we went to dinner and afterwards back to Tamarindo for disco night. We ended up at Club Aqua, and I was recognized by some Georgia Southern University boys (who were part of Jessica's group). Funny! What a small town. We had fun dancing and got back around 11pm.
Leaving beautiful Playa Flamingo we had some quality relax time at Hacienda Guachepelin, right by the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. We arrived in the early afternoon and lunched, then went on horseback to a beautiful waterfall! and afterwards a mudbath. Well, it was more of a paint-the-mud-on-and-wash-it-off type of thing, but it was funny and an interesting spa like experience. The following day we did river tubing, which was GREAT!! I would do it again, it was so much fun! And in the afternoon caught some rays by the pool and then as it clouded over opted to go to Liberia for a movie (Charlie St. Cloud).
This morning we had a sleep-in and left for another long trip, this time to Alajuela where we will be doing service with Habiitat for Humanity. Our hotel in Lands in Love, which is remote, to say the least. The road here made me a little dizzy, and I have never been bother by twists and turns (especially not after living in Monteverde!). It is secluded but beautiful...and reminds me a lot of San Vito. The staff are a mix of Tico and Israeli, and my kids think they look like zombies. The hotel is cute...and everything is vegetarian. On the way here I saw signs every 100 meters advertising animal friendly food, soy burgers, vegetarian fare. So it will be a meatless diet for a while (luckily I am not a huge fan of red meat to begin with). My chofer bought himself cereal before we arrived. The place is...a little wierd, to say the least. Oh, did I mention there is absolutely no cell phone service? But at least there is internet. Thus my lengthy post. Feel free to skype me the next couple evenings.
I am still feeling like crap. Even after taking antibiotics, my cold hasn't left me. But I think it has gone from a cold to a virus...I cough phlem and have to blow my nose regularly. I need to see a doctor, but do not have an opportunity. I have been taking pills to get by, but what I really need is some good rest. It's not any easier going to and from, in and around so many different environments. Mountain to beach to valley, it keeps messing up my system. I finish every day exhausted, and feel like taking a nap every day around 2pm. Very much looking forward to finishing this tour, and taking it easy. My first stop is a doctor's office. I am sick of being...sick!
I need to recover.
Bueno...pura vida.
We already visited Monteverde: planting tress and making terraces at a local farm, Life Monteverde. Service work was followed by a zipline tour, which my kids loved, and disco night at Bar Amigos where I caught up with Muni and Adrian, Gerry, Arelys, Royner and Clara. Too bad the change of climate made me feel miserable!!!!!!!! In Monteverde we also bid farewell to Don Mario, who had been our chofer for the first week. He was replaced by a STV chofer who I know, and the kids like him but don't love him the way they did Don Mario. I however, have gotten fond of him and his antics. If a good piece of salsa comes on, he glances over his shoulder to ask if I am busy...if I want to stop and dance!! Haha, he is a good guy.
After Monteverde we went to Arenal Volcano, where we arrived to clear weather and a great view. Our one night stay was highlighted by a trip to the hot springs, where the kids had fun running up and down to different pools and the chaps and I relaxed and bonded. I think I boiled my feet in one particularly hot pool, so I stuck to the pools close to the bar, which are more pleasantly warm. We left the next day in rainy weather, and the volcano hidden by clouds.
The long leg of the trip was leaving Arenal and going to Playa Flamingo. Four hours in bus, going around Lake Arenal and then past the airport in Liberia, all the way to Tamarindo. We had surf lessons and free time to explore and do some souvenir shopping. Beautiful beach day, even though the skies were overcast. The next day we did service work at a local grade school, painting the inside. The compliment of the day was that we were by far the most organized West Coast group who had worked there, and we got done in good time. The rest of the afternoon was spent at Playa Penca, playing frisbee and tanning, enjoying the waves. I got a little color! In the evening we went to dinner and afterwards back to Tamarindo for disco night. We ended up at Club Aqua, and I was recognized by some Georgia Southern University boys (who were part of Jessica's group). Funny! What a small town. We had fun dancing and got back around 11pm.
Leaving beautiful Playa Flamingo we had some quality relax time at Hacienda Guachepelin, right by the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. We arrived in the early afternoon and lunched, then went on horseback to a beautiful waterfall! and afterwards a mudbath. Well, it was more of a paint-the-mud-on-and-wash-it-off type of thing, but it was funny and an interesting spa like experience. The following day we did river tubing, which was GREAT!! I would do it again, it was so much fun! And in the afternoon caught some rays by the pool and then as it clouded over opted to go to Liberia for a movie (Charlie St. Cloud).
This morning we had a sleep-in and left for another long trip, this time to Alajuela where we will be doing service with Habiitat for Humanity. Our hotel in Lands in Love, which is remote, to say the least. The road here made me a little dizzy, and I have never been bother by twists and turns (especially not after living in Monteverde!). It is secluded but beautiful...and reminds me a lot of San Vito. The staff are a mix of Tico and Israeli, and my kids think they look like zombies. The hotel is cute...and everything is vegetarian. On the way here I saw signs every 100 meters advertising animal friendly food, soy burgers, vegetarian fare. So it will be a meatless diet for a while (luckily I am not a huge fan of red meat to begin with). My chofer bought himself cereal before we arrived. The place is...a little wierd, to say the least. Oh, did I mention there is absolutely no cell phone service? But at least there is internet. Thus my lengthy post. Feel free to skype me the next couple evenings.
I am still feeling like crap. Even after taking antibiotics, my cold hasn't left me. But I think it has gone from a cold to a virus...I cough phlem and have to blow my nose regularly. I need to see a doctor, but do not have an opportunity. I have been taking pills to get by, but what I really need is some good rest. It's not any easier going to and from, in and around so many different environments. Mountain to beach to valley, it keeps messing up my system. I finish every day exhausted, and feel like taking a nap every day around 2pm. Very much looking forward to finishing this tour, and taking it easy. My first stop is a doctor's office. I am sick of being...sick!
I need to recover.
Bueno...pura vida.