Winding Down....

The days are winding down to the end of my stay here in Costa Rica... :(

I  can reflect on my time spent here and say without a doubt I have learned a lot about the world and myself while abroad. I will share a few of these thoughts with you!

1. I officially feel like I have grown up and am a college graduate now. I have lived in a different country by myself, made choices/decisions in a different country by myself and have traveled in a different country by myself! All of these things are significant for me because they are each things I have never done before. I am so lucky to have such a supportive family who is constantly there for me but in that respect I have had the luxury to depend on them for so many things. Doing this on my own was an accomplishment that I am most proud of. I feel like I am ready to do so much more and have so many options for my future and have confidence that I can face whatever challenge.

2. Listen. Some people may think talking is the most important part of communication but listening, really listening is by far the superior. My Spanish has improved quite a bit since my arrival but the true secret to making communication work in a foreign country is listening to everything people have to say. I have been able to understand and learn so much just by keeping my ears open all the time. I was often found listening to a conversation and then saying uno momento por favor while I looked up a word I didn't understand. Although not the smoothest of ways to talk to someone it made my vocabulary expand! In other aspects when I would be alone walking on the streets it is extremely important to listen for any movement! It keeps you safe. I also can proudly recognize when a bus will be coming down the street or approaching the house because of the familiar sounds now! 

3. Greeting everyone with a kiss on the cheek is the best form of hello!! I love saying hello to people and automatically leaning in for a cheek press. You don't necessarily kiss on the cheek but you always press the right cheek to one another in a greeting or departure. I feel like this will be one thing I will want to continue in the US, it makes everyone feel loved and happy to see each other. I can't explain it but it really is a nice way to say hello and I have come to appreciate the affection warmly.

4. Kids can be the best teachers. Not only for my Spanish was being around children beneficial but also for understanding their way of life. The kids in La Caripo have such a completely opposite life than I have it can be hard to relate but when you talk with them they simply tell it as it is. They know nothing different then what they have which makes their words even more meaningful. They are thankful for their food and clothes and they are ecstatic about the possibility to bring a coloring page home for the night. Its the simple things that they enjoy which is a lesson that is long gone in the US. 

5. Don't judge a book by its cover. Literally. I had the opportunity to read quite a bit while here in Costa Rica...I completed 11 books while here. Many people know I love to read back home as well but I can be quite picky and sometimes judge books by covers. In Costa Rica, English books are very expensive, nearly double the US price. After I finished the four books I brought along I borrowed books for people here at Maximo before I went out and purchased more. They were books I normally would have seen and passed right by but ended up being great reads!! I now really do feel that you have to give each book a fair chance before passing judgement. 

In case you were wondering or looking for reading suggestions I will list the books I read:

Fire by Kristin Cashore (So good! Read the series! #1 is called Gracling.)

Before the Strom by Diane Chamberlain

The Year of the Fog by Michelle Richmond (Sadly, I was disappointed with this one..)

Look Again by Lisa Scottline

Little Bee by Chris Cleave  (EXCELLENT)

Oh! Mexico by Lucy Neville (This one made me want to write about my time here in Costa Rica!)

Deep Strom by Lincoln Child (Good! Interesting!)

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (I am glad I read it, gives you a lot to think about)

Fallen by Lauren Kate

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larsson (I finally was able to get into the story and I loved it! I couldn't put it down!)

The Girl who Plays with Fire- Stieg Larsson

Anyways, thats a little about my thoughts right now. I am getting anxious to go home but really sad to leave my home here. 

Ninos

A typical "Tico" day

The days here in Costa Rica tend to go by pretty quickly for me. Here is the time table of a typical weekday for me!


6:50AM- Alarm goes off... promptly hit snooze
6:55AM- Snooze goes off...promptly groan about getting up, then remember breakfast is waiting downstairs! Roll out of bed and stumble downstairs.
7:03AM- Breakfast is served consisting of Gallo Pinto, eggs or tortillas con queso, fresh bread and homemade jam usually along side fresh melon or pineapple. Don't forget the coffee and fresh juice!
7:25AM- Say goodbye to Marina and receive Tupperware containing lunch. Head back upstairs to slowly get ready.
7:58AM-Start walking to the bus stop down the street. I usually already miss the 8 AM bus so end up waiting 10 minutes for the next bus.
8:10AM- Board bus and pay 210 colanes(.42cents) it usually is pretty full so I end up standing until people get off at the University along the way.
8:40AM- Get off bus at San Jose Central Ave and begin walking down the pedestrian only street.
9:00AM- Board bus to La Carpio and pay my fare....promptly sit down next to open window since I am usually warm from the long walk and hot sun.
9:40AM- Arrive in La Carpio and am greeted by excited kids!
10:00AM- The kids say prayer and receive their daily dose of vitamins. Kids are split up into age groups and then we head off to our corner of the church to start our English lesson. My class usually has four kids in it. Bryan, Jeffry, Susan, Tracy and sometimes Ariana. They love coloring so I often times try and incorporate drawing and coloring into my lessons. Today was a soup kitchen day so I asked them to draw their favorite foods and label them in English. 
11:00AM- English class is done for the day and now it is play time for the kiddies. Usually we color or jump rope....Slowly kids either come or go depending on their school schedule if they do go to school in the first place.
12:00PM- Heat up lunch and leave for bus stop.
1:00PM- Arrive back in San Jose, start walk back to Central Ave.
1:30PM- Board bus back to San Pedro to generally stop here at Maximo to use the computers, etc...
2:30PM- Walk to bus stop to board another bus to head back home!
3:00PM- Arrive home, usually I stop downstairs to return Tupperware and chit chat with Marina.
3:30PM- Shower and then debate a nap or not....usually a nap wins.
4:30PM- Go downstairs and help set the table or make dinner with Marina. (I have learned some of her secret recipes and am excited to repeat them when I return!)
5:30-7:00PM- Dinner is served, followed by family talking time and dishes. We all usually stay downstairs talking in Spanish for an hour and then we take turns with the dishes. This is one of my favorite times of the day.
7:30PM- Generally walk down to the corner market to by a sweet snack or ice cream.
8:00PM- Read my book....
8:30PM- .....getting tired reading my book.....get ready for bed.
9:00PM- In bed. Another day is over. Repeat tomorrow.

Manuel Antonio

This weekend I ventured out of the city solo to visit the famous beaches of Manuel Antonio. Its about 4 hours away from San Jose but the temperature difference is humongous. Slowly as the bus was getting further away you could feel the air getting more humid and hotter and hotter. Although it was beautiful I found the constant sweating and uncomfortable hotness made me miss the mountains around San Jose. 

Here are some pictures of the area:

Costa Rica- According to me.

This past week has been a week full of observation of Costa Rica from my stand point as an American girl visiting a foreign country for the first time by herself.

1. Upon my arrival back in the States I will be forever grateful to be able to throw away toilet paper in the actual toilet. Because of the small sewers and the water system here it isn't advised to throw paper in the actual toilet. I am finally getting used to this after 4 weeks but believe me this mundane task was a hard one to conquer.

2. Do not SLAM doors here. Although during orientation during my first week here we were warned not to slam doors of any kind in Costa Rica because locals find it extremely rude and inconsiderate, I hadn't actually seen a reaction until recently. At my host stay I have been helping each evening with dinner...setting the table, making the salad, preparing the fresh juice, etc. One evening this week I was chopping the tomatoes for the salad when Marina (Host Mom) started talking to me heatedly in Spanish. I only really understood snipits of her words but the 'UGHs' and 'EY' got the point across that she was upset. Gerison, Marina's son who speaks English quickly came to the rescue to explain that she wasn't mad at me but was just talking about one of the other house mates slammed the door today! How dare they! I explained that although slamming doors isn't exactly welcomed it isn't always on purpose...the wind could have gotten hold, some one was in a hurry, etc. Tico's take slamming doors as someone is insulting them. Good to know....

3. If traveling to Costa Rica buy your sunscreen at home prior to departure. I knew that the prices of sunscreen were higher here than at home but I didn't quite realize to what extent! Since I am at the beach this weekend I decided I may need more sun protection because my bottle was getting low. Prices in San Jose of Sunscreen is slightly higher than in the US but still worth the money if the trade off is a burn. I forgot to pick some up this week at the pharmacy so when I arrived in Manuel Antonio I quickly located a store and went straight for the sunscreen.....& it looks like I will either be sitting in the shade this weekend because a bottle of your average 30-45 spf sunscreen here is 15,000-25,000 colones. That means it is about $30-50. Seriously.

4. I have decided that the most rewarding part of this whole experience is living with the host family.I love them. Each member of the family has been so wonderful to me. I think Marina and Elilcer have taken me under their wings because I am most often the volunteer home most. I have spent countless hours hanging out in the kitchen with them and helping with dinner, learning the recipes (which I will make when I return home...), playing with their grandchildren, and just sitting in their room watching futbol at night with them. Marina has come to understand my daily schedule (Wake up 6:30, Eat, leave, come home, shower, help with dinner, nap, eat, hangout and then bed by 8:30), and what foods I don't eat (no bananas or tomatoes please...). She even can tell when I am lonely and missing my family which is when she promptly gives me a hug and a kiss. I came with the expectation that my volunteering with the children would far surpass anything  did here, and don't get me wrong, it is amazing and has been wonderful, but I have found I spend much more time in the company of my Costa Rican family than I ever imagined and I am so grateful for that.

5. The 2% milk here is amazing. Something about it is SOO good. Also, the ice cream is very delicious as well.

Just some thoughts I've had this week.

More to come tomorrow!

Beachy Pictures

 The view this morning from the hotel room...

 Playa Negra

 Puerto Viejo

 The wave took me by surprise!

Puerto Viejo

Sorry I haven't updated in a while! Not a whole lot to report thus far. Still getting into the routine of things around San Jose. This past weekend I stayed in town reading in the sun, walking around in the sun (you should see my sunburn...just from being outside for one hour at 8 in the morning I got FRIED) and just feeling out the city avoiding the buses! I tell you, everyone would be completely surprised by my knowledge of public transportation within this huge city of San Jose and how to get from one side to another! Honestly, I have already spent more  time on buses than I ever imagined. But what can you do when its the fastest and easiest way to get around!

A really nice aspect of volunteering with Maximo Nivel in Costa Rica is the the opportunity to travel. They are so encouraging to see the country outside of the city. So that is exactly what I am doing right now. This morning I left for the Caribbean Coast, Puerto Viejo, to relax on the beach. The beach is called "Playa Negra" which means black beach because the sand is black. It is a very nice location, quiet and very relaxed with Jamaican cool attitude and the "Pura Vida" (literally meaning pure life) saying in mind. Today I walked around the town center and looked at all the shops. Tomorrow I plan on sitting my butt in the sand and reading for a majority of the day. They do have dolphin watching and snorkeling available here too so who knows what will happen!

When I return to San Jose I may look into switching my volunteer project half way through to the turtle conservation project.  Costa Rica has a HUGE population of turtles that depend on the coasts to safely lay their eggs during the seasons and a volunteer project I could do is to help protect the eggs from poachers, animals and other hazards. It is in a more remote part of the country but I would be living on the beach and it would be something I never could probably see otherwise....So we will see!

Costa Rica is really proving to be a beautiful country and there is always something to see or look at. I have a lot more of the country to see but I also have more time to do it in!