Today I woke up around 7:45. I wasn’t sure what to do, and my brain was not in Spanish mode. My host mom, Gina, asked if I wanted to eat breakfast or shower. So I decided to shower. Apparently everyone in Costa Rica showers in the morning. I guess it is weird to shower at night, which is what I usually do. But it’s so humid here, I guess you want to shower all the time. The shower head is literally right above your head, which is kind of cool. There is only one knob, so at first I turned it quite a ways. The water was ice cold, but I didn’t want to waste it, so I endured the ice cold water. I thought to myself, oh my gosh, it’s going to be a long 3 months if this is what showers are going to be like. But I tried turning the knob back toward off, and the water got hot! Such a relief!

            For breakfast Gina made me bread with a butter type substance and jelly. She also cut up fruit for me. I had watermelon, cantaloupe, and I think papaya. It was kind of slimy and was a deep orange. It tasted… interesting. It was so different, I couldn’t decide if I liked it. But I think I figured out that it is not my favorite.

Gina walked me to the museum where we have class and where our class was meeting. The building is named after an important past president of Costa Rica. I learned about how he helped abolish the military use the money to better education. The literacy rate in Costa Rica is actually higher than it is in the US.

I walked home for lunch with Chandler and her host mom. We picked up her granddaughter from school. She was so adorable. Her name was Valentina. She made fart noises with her hands on the walk home trying to make Chandler and me laugh, and it worked. But I don’t think her grandma was too pleased with her. Chandler’s host mom taught me how to get home from her house and I soon saw Gina waving to me from the gate. I’m not sure if she was worried that I got lost because it took me a while to get home. I felt bad. But I think she was just happy I made it. We had beans, rice, and this yellowish food I can’t remember what the name was, but I liked it, and chicken and salad for lunch. In Costa Rica lunch is the biggest meal of the day and many people take a siesta or nap after eating and returning to work or whatever they have to do. I served myself, taking a little of everything so that I could try it and see if I liked it and I didn’t want to waste the food. But my family keeps telling me my plate is so little and I don’t eat that much. Which is a surprise for me haha. For those of you who know me well, you know I am not one to eat “a little”. I watched how Gina and Guillermo washed their dishes and things after eating and tried to emulate them as best I could. I hope I’m doing it right!

After class in the afternoon, Chandler and I walked with Mariah back to her house because we thought we lived somewhat close. We were pretty confused when we dropped her off. We had some idea about where we were, but everything sort of looks similar. We literally walked for an hour from house to house, so completely confused. We kept ending up on the same street that looked so familiar. We tried turning left, right, and going back from the street but we could NOT find our houses! We kept contemplating going back to the church to start over. But when we got back to this street, we still wouldn’t have known where to go. Finally, I said this is familiar! Let’s just keep going straight. So we did, and guess what we found? There was Chandler’s house. Pretty sure we had passed it… We got to Chandler’s house and they let us un. Her mom let me call my mom on their house phone. It was nice to hear her voice, but I think she was very surprised when it was me. Haha. Then I walked home and saw Gina and my host grandma, Tita, sitting on the porch. It was a little embarrassing to have to explain to them how I got lost within a 2 block radius of the house. What is even more embarrassing is the fact that Chandler’s host sister saw us about a block away from the house and started calling her name and waving. But we were so focused on finding our way and thinking that we did not hear or see a thing. It was so embarrassing.

After the long walk, I was sweating up a storm. It’s terrible how much you sweat when you stop walking! It’s not even that hot temperature wise here, but it is so humid that you can’t help but sweat all the time! Well I can’t at least. I decided I should probably unpack and not live out of my suitcase. Are you proud of me mom? So I started to unpack and put away my things. I have a wardrobe type closet in my room with two drawers and a place to hang clothes and then an area to stack clothes. When I opened the closet and found 5 hangers, I was a little concerned. What am a going to do with the shit ton (excuse my language) of clothes that I brought?! But I found a way to be resourceful. I put all my dresses on two hangers, my short sleeve shirts on another, tanks on another, long sleeves on another, and skirts on another. It was perfect.

            While I was unpacking I realized I have a TV! I turned it on and started flipping channels. I found out we get a bunch of American channels! I was so incredibly excited. I direct line to my world! Some of the channels from the states are in English with Spanish subtitles but others are voiced over with Spanish. I even found Pretty Little Liars on TV! I’m sure you can imagine my excitement and enthusiasm. But it was in SPANISH! I guess that will be a good way for me to learn though!

As I was unpacking I heard a knock on the door. I opened it and found two little girls, probably between 4 an 6. The older one started talking a hundred miles an our. She told me her whole (very long) name and the name of her sister. Their names are Amanda and Paula. They were adorable. But I don’t think they know how to speak slowly. They were very hard to understand haha. I’ve noticed when people don’t know how to speak slower they speak louder. That’s probably what we do in the US too now that I think about it. She asked me if I was from Los Estados Unidos, and I told her yes. I think she may have told me that they love gringas… but I’m not sure haha. I followed them out onto the porch and Tita patted the ground for me to sit by her. It was very interesting seeing the interaction between the family and the kids as well as the two neighbor kids who came over shortly. I met Gina’s Aunt, and I think those girls were her granddaughters and they live next to us. Then a little boy came over, probably about 6 years old. Tita kept yelling cuidado! Cuidado! (Careful) Because the drivers in Costa Rica are CRAZY. They do not stop. Doña Mayra told us that in Costa Rica pedestrians NEVER have the right of way. I think my dad may have a difficult time coping with the cars and driving when he comes to visit haha. The boy’s name was Andres and he was soooo cute. All of his words slurred together but I couldn’t stop watching him and how similar he was to kids back in the US that I know. He asked me how to say words in English. Some I knew and some I did not, which is kind of embarrassing. Haha. Then his sister Krystal came over and she was a few years older. They were quite the pair. She asked my lots of question but I couldn’t understand a word she was saying. I felt so bad. Eventually I just looked at her sadly and said in English, I have no idea what you are saying. She gave me a blank stare haha.

            For dinner we eat left overs whenever we get hungry. In Costa Rica no one really eats dinner. It is not a formal meal. People just eat a little something when they are hungry I think. So I had food heated up from lunch. I watched a few Telenovelas with Gina and Guillermo asked me if I liked them.  I said yes, and he laughed and rolled his eyes haha. Lo siento Guillermo.

            So far there have been two very different thing here than in the US. Apparently you don’t flush you toilet paper here? Wish someone would have told me that sooner so I could have been prepared! Haha I had to find out from other people at school. There is a small trash can by the toilet that you put the paper in. I’m not sure how that works in certain situations… but I guess I will have to get used to it. The other thing that is so different is all the stray dogs. It is literally breaking my heart. All I can see is my dog, Catcher, everywhere I go. They walk by you and look up at you with these sad eyes and I desperately want to bend down and pet and love them and take them home and save them but I know not to touch them. But really, it is killing me. Doña Mayra says people can’t decide on whether to kill them or leave them alone. I guess we take them to the pound and if people don’t want them we kill them in the US. But I don’t know what is worse. Because it is so hard to watch! I wish I could help the little perritos :(

            Well that is all I have for now! More to come later.

¡Hasta Luego!

Kristin 

Now that I have finally sat down to write I am exhausted. It is so humid here. I think it makes me ten times sweatier than normal and I sweat quite a bit as some of you may know. So, naturally, unpacking was quite the task. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me start with Monday.

            Saying goodbye to my parents at the airport at 5:30 in the morning was difficult, but seeing everyone else going through the same thing really helped. Having two giant roller suitcases, a duffle carry on, a jam packed backpack and giant tube (thanks Hannah Muller :P) made maneuvering through the airport a rather difficult task. The school wanted us all to check in together. I’m not sure if that meant at the same time or at the same kiosk. Unfortunately, we interpreted it as the kiosk. Therefore, checking in took much longer than it probably should have. Not to mention there were 15 of us clogging up the check in area and several people let us know (very rudely) that we were in their way. After check in we had a little less than 3 hrs to spare. Of course, that early in the morning I wasn’t in the mood for breakfast food. So I decided to have my “last” fastfood meal. Even though I am sure I will cave and visit one in Costa Rica. So I had Wendy’s chicken nuggets. The worker ladies were super nice and gave me extra nuggets. Don’t know why but I was so happy after! As we were waiting to board the plane, I was feeling prettttty darn good. I got that weird confidence you get when something goes wrong. Unfortunately it was short lived.

            Up until we landed in Costa Rica, the most exhilarating part of our trip was a girl in our group tracking down the guys that drive elderly people on carts through the airport and asked him to drive us to our gate since it had just been changed. The guy was a crazy driver and clipped a few people on the way. But it was great not to have to walk with all of our stuff.

            It felt so weird when we were taking off from Texas. It was surreal knowing we were leaving the US, especially when the only place I have been outside the country is Canada. I hadn’t flown over the ocean I don’t think since I was 8 years old. It was so strange. Miles and miles of water and nothing else. It’s amazing how dark it really is when it’s only the moon shining in the sky and no lights. Watching to sun go down was so beautiful and the clouds were amazing. So immense and with colors I have never seen. I’m pretty sure we saw lightening on the way down into Costa Rica. That was a little scary, but not really a big deal. As we were approaching San Jose, the nerves started to set in. But I was still excited!

            After we got off the plane, we walked to immigration. A few girls and I somehow got behind the group. I think people must have been super anxious or something because they were speed walking. For some reason I was super nervous for this part. I wasn’t sure if they would speak to me in Spanish or English, and my brain definitely was not ready for Spanish. I got up to the glass and the man asked me if I spoke Spanish (en español). I told him a little, not wanting him to talk too fast or expect me to really understand. Then he says something a hundred miles an hour and I just stare at him, eyes wide, like a bush baby. I didn’t catch any of it. He gave me a snide look, probably tired and annoyed, or hating his job, who knows, and asked me how many days in English. So, I answered 3 and a half months, in English. He looked at me, annoyed again, and started saying other things in Spanish but I didn’t understand. I started to get realllllly hot and overwhelmed. He told me tres meses! But I was confused because I knew we were staying for 3 and half. So then I said 4 months? And he said no, solo 3 meses! (Only 3 months). So I said ok, and he said se habla español, huh? (you speak Spanish huh?) I was so mortified. When I got to my group I think they could see in my face that I was freaking out. I was so traumatized. I looked at my friend Chandler and my eyes were watering and my heart was pounding and I was sweating bullets, and I told her I don’t think I can do this, I couldn’t understand anything he said! Haha Then I was informed that you can only stay as a tourist for 90 days… or 3 months. And that we are going to Nicaragua for a week and then we can come back or something. So I really wished someone had told me, or reminded me I guess. But It was too late by then. From then on things were rough.

Grabbing our luggage and going through customs only made things worse. I was scooting along with all my bags going sooo slow. Fell behind the group (again) but Chandler waited for me. I managed to drop my passport putting us even farther behind. Luckily someone picked it up for me other wise I probably would have collapsed onto the ground when I bent over and just given up and stayed there. When we got outside and finally found the group waiting for our bus with Doña Mayra, my senses were going crazy. There were so many different people, all speaking a different language and waving signs with names and trying to help you get a taxi. Plus the air was so humid and there were all sorts of new smells. There was wayyyy too much stimulation. It was overwhelming.

            By the time the bus arrived I was almost in full panic mode. The bus was big enough for all of us with a few extra rows of seats. As we started to drive Doña Mayra was talking and explaining many things. I was in the back and couldn’t hear let alone understand anything that was coming out of her mouth. I just kept looking around at everyone with the look of “do you have any idea what is going on? I’m so lost.” I tried to listen as best I could, but I kept looking at the surroundings. There was tons of construction going on and it all looked really dangerous. There wasn’t much between the cars on the road and the workers on the street. Not to mention the roads were soooo bumpy. As in it was the bumpiest  bus ride of my life. Then there was on coming traffic flashing by us super fast and I don’t even know if I remember seeing much of any lane divisions, but we were definitely driving in two. I’m pretty sure our headlights only shined about 3 feet in front of us. So that was exciting. I just tried to pretend it was a ride. But as my nerves got worse and Doña Mayra continued to talk, I seriously thought to myself, oh my gosh, what have I done? I can’t do this. I can’t understand anything. I’m going to throw up. Not sure if it was the bumpy ride or the nerves or both.

            As we approached San Ramón, I was still freaking out. We pulled up at a house and my heart was in my throat. I recognized it from a photo and instantly knew it was mine. My first thought was oh shoot! (replace a few letters). This is my house!  I’m getting off first. All alone. I’m going to throw up. I’m going to throw up and then I’m going to die. But luckily, we were all just meeting at my house. Everyone got off the bus and all of our families were waiting anxiously. I recognized my host brother, Guillermo, in the doorway and he waved which instantly made me feel a little better. Few. A somewhat familiar face. As I walked toward the house, my host mom came right up and hugged me and said yo soy Gina. Who knows why, if it was just the hug or a mother’s touch that made everything feel ok. Thank God for that. I got my bags and my family helped me carry them inside. I hugged my friend Chandler goodbye and told her that we were only two blocks away from each other. I met my host dad and he gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek and asked how I was. By that time I was feeling much better and couldn’t stop smiling.

My host mom, Gina, showed me the house, by room, how to use the shower etc. She asked if I was hungry, and my instinct was to say no, but I really was hungry, so I said yes. My other host brother, Dário, was already in bed because he had school at 7 the next morning. (WOW that’s early!)She made me a sandwich and Guillermo, Gina, and Guillermo Jr. and I sat in the kitchen and talked. Yes, finally I can somewhat understand people. Ok, so I HAVE actually been learning Spanish, good. They were so incredibly friendly and nice and funny. They told me to treat the house like it was my own, it made me feel so welcome.

            We talked for a while about family and jobs and what kinds of food I don’t like. It was hard being put on the spot, so I’m sure I forgot a few things. (Since I’m such a picky eater) It was nice having Guillermo there to ask how to say words I didn’t know. My host parents speak little English but Guillermo is very good. My host dad told me that everyday is a fiesta (party) in Costa Rica. If you lose a game, you celebrate, if you finish your hw, you celebrate, if you don’t have hw, you celebrate. Haha! They were all so funny and understanding.

            I tried this stuff, I can’t remember what it is called, I think its is natilla. But it looked kind of like mayo which kind of grossed me out. I guess its like milk/cheese or something. It looks like mayo and butter to me, texture wise. Gina put some on a plate for me to try. I think you put it on bread and what not. So I dipped my finger in it and tried it. Guillermo made a grossed out face, and soon so did I. It’s not really something you want to just eat on its own. Haha.

The house is so adorable. There is a big black gate that goes around in front and a small porch. Inside there is a living/tv room, kitchen/dining area, bathroom, and bedrooms. My bedroom is at the very end of the hall and it is very cute. I have a wardrobe, shelves, desk, and even a TV! Oh and while flipping through channels I managed to find an episode of Pretty Little Liars on. IN SPANISH. So weird. But I could really learn from watching TV now haha. I emailed my family and then it was off to bed. It was hard to fall asleep with all the commotion, but it was late and I had to be with the group at 9 the next morning. 

More to come later! 

Kristin 

Going Away Dinner Send Off

I've decided to start a blog for Costa Rica! I'm going to try and keep it updated... but we will see if I can manage with being so busy with class and enjoying the scenery :) This way I can write about what I did that week or day and everyone who is interested can see what I'm up to (or what they are missing out on).

So yesterday my parents hosted a little going away dinner party for me before I leave for Costa Rica. It was so great to get to see family and friends for the last time. But at the same time it was bitter sweet. It shouldn't be any different than going back to school really, but it is! I won't be able to make the 4 hour drive home if I need to. Luckily everyone will be just a skype call away! I'm going to be staying with an awesome host family in San Ramón. I've got a host mom and dad and two host brothers who I can't wait to meet in person! Oh and a host dog too :) But it will probably make me miss my "Poopy", Catcher, even more. 

         I had such a great time at my dinner :) Mom's spaghetti was bomb, I got to see everyone one last time, and got great going away gifts. Even 10.000 Colones :) It was hard to say goodbye to so many special people in my life. How do you say goodbye to these faces?