No Promises

I am leaving for Jaco in the late morning. Maybe noonish. Ally was gonna spend the weekend with me but she has decided to go back home to Canada. Long story.
I will be traveling down with Mario- the student who needs very little help with english. He´s a tour guide and plans to take me zip lining and on a canopy tour. Not sure when I will have a chance to write again.... Have a good weekend!

Cont.

The view just two blocks from my current home. Just take the first ledt and then go down the street about 1 bock to the house. Taken yesterday evening.

You want pictures? I'll show you pictures.

Gatos con Platos- On the way to Simon Bolivar Zoo in San Jose.

I´m not sure if you can see it in this picture but there are plates tiled into this mural. One of my favorites!!!

Finicky internet!!!

Driving me crazy beacuse it is so hard to view my post as they are viewed by you all. Near impossible to see any comments. Not that there have been that many. Are my posts becoming dull?
Originally Ally and I were planning a trip to Montezuma this weekend but one of the students- One that speaks english very well (Mario)- is working near Jaco Beach in a hotel as a tour guide this weekend and he said he could get us a hookup!!! Ziplines here I come. He promised to hide all spiders and he is a wealth of knowledge in terms of what to see in the area. He works doing freelance tours. I told him to get a website and I would direct everyone I know to come down. I now have to talk Ally into going. If she doesnt want to I may go down with Mario and hang with her another weekend.
As I write, Doña Yolanda is making me a mango batido. - Fruit blended with water (or milk) and a little sugar.
Class was good today. The students have become a lot more comfortable with me. There were two new recipes tried out today. The first was a chicken salad with strawberries which was delicious and the second was for these God-awful biscuits that were as dense as .... I don´t even know.
I hid them in my purse and was planning on giving them to some dogs...
Although now that I think about it- Poor dogs. They may not recover.
As instructed by Tim, I have been taking pictures to share with you all. I need to set aside time to post them.
The showers that suddenly turn cold continue.
My Spanish learning curve has almost flatlined as I am no longer taking classes. Just practicing at home. The students learning new words gives me an opportunity to learn them in Spanish.
Tomorrow I have our first -How´s your volunteer project going/ home stay- meeting with Fio.
Until tomorrow.

Blogging Saves.

First I must apoligize for the shower post. I am told that it came across as being miserable here and I am not. It was a pathetic moment and I was tired. I would like to go on by saying that having blogging as an outlet has allowed me to appreciate challenging situations with a sense of humor. For example: This morning when we arrived at the university where I am teaching, I had to use the bathroom. Ready to leave the stall, I tried to unlock the door. No luck. I tried again and turned the lock several times. Trying one direction and then another. I thought to call Fio, the coordiantor who had taken me to my first day of class but realized there was little she could do from the outside. Knowing that I could write about my great escape that involved climbing up and over the toilet and into another stall made me crack up. Thank you readers!
The trip to Puntarenas was great. Josh and I caught the 11:30 bus and arrived an hour and a half later. It cost about $1.50. They have a great transportation system here. We could feel the weather getting warmer as we descended. We had platos casados (married plates -they have beans, rice, some sort of salad and a meat - at a soda. We then laid on the beach for a couple hours and took dips in the amazingly warm water. I can't describe the sense of freedom I felt driving into Puntarenas while listening to Offspring. Shut up, I like Offspring.
The most exciting thing I can say about the days is that I'm sure I got a sign from God. While Josh and I were in the water I noticed a single guy loking at our belongings. I was prepared to run out of the water and hunt him down if necessary. He left but came back with a friend. I didn't really notice until a big waved tried to wash me away and I had to get out to protect my ear. They were definitely shady.
The return trip was uneventful with the exception of an obnoxious family who had an uncle who kept singing songs really loud. Really off key.
This morning I woke up to a prepared breakfast waiting for me. Pinto Gallo. Yum. Fio came to pick me up and we met up with the wife of one of the UVolunteer people. She was in the class and she brought along another student for the walk.
After the bathroom incident I arrived in the classroom to stares and whispering. I was obviously the American Gringa. Ole!
The program is for free for all students and had the goal of placing them al in jobs. A trade school of sorts. They range from 18- 35 with most of them being about 22. They are all very interested and eager as they have chosen to be there. It is exactly what I wanted to be doing.
I spoke a bit about what it is like in California. While they may all be on the same level in terms of grammar, they are definitely some stand out students when it come to speaking in class. Like many classes, it has all the stereotypes. The quiet group of girls that all stick together, the flirty girl who gets attention by breaking boys pencils, the rambunctious boys who like to be the center of attention, the smarty boy who talks as much as possible and all the people who get by saying th minimum.
The topics today were fast food and tipping.
Everyone had to write a sentance about fast food. Almost everyone said,¨I think fast food is delicious but it is not very healthy.¨
The 'culture' of tipping freaked them out. Their book outlined what the standard percentages are. They were overwhelmed when they read that a haircut cost $30.00. When I asked thm how much they paid the answer was $2-6. I am sure they all think I must be a milionaire as I told them that my last haircut cost $60.00 not including tip.
I need help coming up with a menu to cook for my host family when I leave. Do I have any sort of specialty?

Dead Animals:2 Mangos: 2

Today I am going to take my first beach trip. Josh and I are heading of to Puntarenas. I am told it about an hour away. We are both eager to get some warm weather as it has been windy here. I should double check the weather before I leave...
Also- I need to remind myself to take a picture of the breakfast that is made for me each morning. I live like a quee in the morning. Tomorrow is my first day of school and I am sure I will have a lot to report.
Happy Sunday!

New Count- Dead animals lying in th street:2

So much to share I'm not sure where to begin...
I am living in a quiet neighborhood in San Ramon. The ride here was about an hour. Josh lives about 3 houses down from me across the street. I am destined to have hous envy as when we were in San Jose he lived with the larger group and had built in friends. Now he lives with an adorable older lady who is so small and cute she is almost pocket sized and very easy to talk to.
I, on the other hand, has a single woman with a dog and no friend and now I have a large family. 4 kids -although one has moved out. I share a bathroom with at least two others.
Make that three as another person just walked into the bathroom.

My arrival was akward. You know that generic scene usd in teen movies when the boy go to the girl's house to pick her up and the parents detain him in the livingroom and ask him questions? Imagine that but me in the livingroom, very akward silences and a language barrier.
The UVolunteer coordinator, Fio, called us to go to Palmares. The party town of Costa Rica. They are having their celebration of the year which is second only to Octoberfest- or so I was told. Everyone in the program (including the employees of UVolunteer and the volunteers) met at the mall and went to Palmares to watch the bullfights. Really it was more like rodeo, people running from the bulls and an excuse for everyone to drink beer. I almost died of boredom afer the first half hour. It was cold and uneventful. Oh well.
This morning I had my first official Gallo pinto. Beans and rice. The national dish of Costa Rica. Or Nicaragua depending on who you talk to. Also eggs, toast, orange juice and coffee.
Josh and I took a cab to downtown where we met up with Fio, Nadar- a jew traveling though Central America, and Ally- a Canadian who has been living in England for the past year who is here to volunteer in a orphanage.
This morning we had a meeting to get a tour of the town and learn more about the culture and what our job placement will be like.
Josh planned on going to a volcano with Nati and Evelyn next weekend but I have decided not to go as I am positive that Nati is not very fond of me and I don't want to be obsessing about it the whole time.
Instead I think Ally and I may plan a trip to the beach as I have yet to experience wearing a tank top and being warm enough. They also have a coffee tour nearby. So that will be a fun outing...
It's crazy walking around a town knowing that by the end of the month you will be very familiar with where eveything is. It's a cute town and a lot more friendly than the big city.
In the past two days I have thought of so many things to share with you al but they seem to be escaping me right now. Oh wait, the confession.

I must confess that I had my first mini breakdown last night. It was about 10 and I was a bit hungry. Doña Yolanda offered to make me some food but I figured it was best if I didn't eat right before bed. I just wanted to take a shower and go to sleep. The shower head looked VERY promising. When I turned on the water my jaw dropped open there was so much water. Hurray for a heavy shower!!!' I know, very American.
But it was not getting warm. I noticed a small button to push that said hot. OK. I can do this. mind you, it was late. I am standing there, naked in the shower and the water was, at best, luke warm. I started sniffeling. Why did God hate me? What did I do to deserve such punishment? -You can tell I haven't changed that much....
Finally I try and just turn thw water down to more of a dribble. Slowly the water got warmer. OK- this is better... Until suddenly the water switches to cold. I had used up all the hot water with the flow being too heavy and now it was gone and I was left rinsing my hair in freezing cold water. No more sniveling. I was full on crying. Oh how I missed hot showers. That got me thinking. If I could be anywhere back home taking a shower who's house would I be at? Well. Al you all have sucky showers so I then bcame even more depressed cause I couldn't even come up with a perfect alternative shower. I had to settle on the shower in my old aparatment. Which I gave up.......
Enough about showrs. I am boring you to tears.

Last thought for now: I swear there is more gravity here. I feel heavy. Even lying in bed I feel very heavy. Maybe it's all that muscle I am gaining by walking everywhere.

Pictures???

One day of school left...

This week seems to have passed quickly. There is so much to learn and I still feel very overwhelmed. I will just cover a couple interesting things I have come across the last couple days.
1: Clothing that doesn't pass inspection in the states is given to foundations that in turn sell the clothing to other countries. Here in Costa Rica, if clothing is poorly made, it is called ropa Americana- American clothing.
This explains why they call it the American Mall. It sucks. Only mildly insulting? You decide.
2: A guy in my class, Edwin- who is from China- says that snake, cat and dog all taste like chicken but a little bit sweeter. Isn't it funny how universal that saying is?
3: Went to see Valkyrie last night. Dull. Do not go to see it. Interesting history- bad movie.
4: Some of the manaquins at the mall has ginormous boobs. The stores that had those manequins were just normal clothing and shoe stores. I must take a picture for you. Scary.
Still working on hooking you up with pics. Really want to show you what my life here looks like.

Funny to think that I eally have no idea who is reading this other than Tim and mum. Thanks for the comments people!!
Sounds like there may be an outng to a zoo. Depressing but that's what everyone wants to do. Bowling as well. Apparently it is Evaline's BDay.

Day 2- but who´s counting?

We went to a RostiPollo for lunch. The group was
Evaline: from Switzerland, 25, birthday on Thursday, here for 6 months- still has three to go.
Josh: 27-8, Kansas City, UVolunteer like me but for construction.
Nati: From Japan, here for 2 years. Still has 20 months left. Volunteering here working with ex prostitutes.
Martin: Taiwan, worked as a trade negotiator, I forget for how long he will be here.
Martin said to me that it was surprising to meet such humble Americans. Usually they are very snobbish and self important. I tried to explain that there were plenty of Americans who wanted the best for the whole world and not just themselves. That those people had just lost the past two elections so their opinions and concerns were not reflected in the actions of the country very much.
After eating Josh decided to wealk back home as the rest of us were going to the mall to go shopping. Evaline said she was scared to shop with me. Being a ¨professional¨ and all. We tried some stuff on but Zara is expensive. I very basic sweatshirt was 35.00- on sale. Pass.
It was a long walk back to the other mall. It's called the American Outlet mall. It is neither very American or an outlet mall.
Rosemary got back from work and made me dinner. Then she tried to ply me with catalogs of makeup. Apparently she is a seller of Mary Kay like products.
I watcheda bit of ¨Stranger than Fiction¨and then went to bed. Not before studying my vocabulary.
So far my favorite part of the day is having my fruit breakfast, brushing my teeth and heading out the door into a warm morning with my headphones on and walking to school. It may be the anticipation of everything I will learn at schoolor it could be rocking out to my jams in a beautiful environment.
School was tedious today.I feel like I am learning in molasses- if you know what I mean.
I would probably be somewhere between beginning and intermediate but they have no such thing. My slow processing time is the culprit. Getting out of the second part of the class which is speaking and understanding I wanted to cry. It´s overwhelming but I know I just need to press ahead.
Josh and I took off looking for a place to eat. We settled on the corner meat cafe- loosely translated. He told me about having 7 siblings and his life in the Iowa, Missouri area.
We then explored the surrounding area.Walked through the University of Costa Rica and got a great view of some statues they have on campus. For example: a couple about to take it from making out to the next step. Awesome!- Also a true story.
He has convinced me to go to the gym and lift weights with him when really all I want to do is buy and then eat some oreos...
I'm not sure if I covered this already but I leave forSan Ramon on Friday around 1 pm.
You'll should let me knpow if I am leaving anything out.

1st Day of School

I just hadmy first day of school. 4 hours each day. It was good. the first two hours they placed me in the beginning class where we reviewed past tense and past tense irregulars. Apparently I rocked that so I was moved me up to intermediate conversation. Lots of games! Vocabulary was the focus but it is times like these that I wish I had a better memory.
I had a chance to reconnect with Josh. I will try and hang out with his crowd as they have been going dancing and riding horse while I have been losing myself in the neighborhood.
I will be joining them for lunch. The classes are helping me realize why I came on this trip.

I got an email from the woman who will be picking Josh and I up on Friday. So many new things!! I will write more tomorrow.
Until then, my sweets!

Still just 1 mango...

I am completely different here. I have so little to do that eveything has simplified. Instead of questioning the fate of our planet, I ask myself, 'how do you say- It smells delicious in here-'?
- I know the answer by the way.
Today was so beautiful! We got up early and went to the market. 7am. Probably as large as the market in San Rafael but only fruits and veggies. Many of which I was unfamiliar with.
Just lounging around today. Looking forward to classes tomorrow. Rosemary drove me to a market to get a calling card. About $6 for 20 min. They said it would be 50 min. Liars.
More fruit for breakfast.
Last night I was driven to Office Deopt by Rosemary´s brother and neice. Today I have walked and it feels go to get out and about.
Slowly learning my way around.
Rosemary is attending a party this evening but not before making me a salad and telling me to eat fruit if I got hungry before she got back to make me dinner.
I continue to struggle with the language but that is to be expected- no?
I will have so much more to report when I start classes.
Until then...

Mango Count: 1

I have exciting news! I now have a latin mama bear. I am not sure how I feel about her attending to my every need but now I know how it feels- Tato.
Upon my arrival yesterday she made me a plate of fresh fruit, poured me some orange juice, made me eggs, toasted bread and insisted I try her preserves. I have a feeling she is taking notes when she asks me what I like and what I dislike...
She lives alone. I assume her husband has died. She has a fat golden lab whose name is Spot. Haha.
She walked with me to the school where I watched part of Ice Age in spanish. The teachers were helping with vocabulary by pausing the movie every couple minutes. Rosemary was kind enough to wait for me while I checked my email and wrote that blog yesterday.
We then went to the super market and she got some milk and cookies.
When I got back to the house I decided to take a nap. That was awesome.
Her son came by in the evening. He is my age and he speaks English so it was nice to communicate easily for a bit. I think I have been feeling so tired because it takes a lot to try and understand every time some is talking to you. His wife was there as well. She is very... to the point.
Rosemary made me a dinner of chicken with a mystery sauce, beans, rice and Cas juice. Not sure what that is but it tastes like guava. They all sat at the table while I ate. I am worried that Rosemary thinks I do not like the food. I have told her repeatedly that I do but I seem to get full quickly. Maybe it´s all the juice I am drinking with dinner. It seems rude to say no and she makes it all from scratch. Well- frozen fruits and berries from her freezer anyway.
Upon their departure, Rosemary invited me to watch a movie with her. Under the Same Moon. In Spanish of course. I have never been so challenged in a movie.
This morning I woke up, got dressed and walked into the kitchen where she had my fruit plate and juice laid out. Bread, cheese and jam. Cereal.
She told me that we were going to take a trip into downtown. The bus ride costs 185. It is a very rough ride and there aren´t smog regulations, so as you can imagine...
-Side note: Exchange rate is $1=550. colones
I bought a dictionary- as I forgot mine at home- and we visited the National Theatre in the cultural center. Pictures to follow as I do not have the usb cord with me.
Knowing how much I like mangos she found a street vendor who was selling them and she helped me with the transaction. She carried my book for me and folded up the map to put in my purse. She must think that I am so retarded with the language that I need help in other areas...
Hilarious.
When we got home the first thing she did was peel my mango and put it on a plate for me.
She then made a latin fried rice dish but I was too full to eat.
Side note 2: I hope all this mundane day to day babble isn´t boring you all. Originally it was my hope to be funny and clever but that just isn´t happening.
I have been watching a bit of TV to help with lthe learning process. Rosemary is eager to help me learn but I feel so slow. I force myself to talk more than I would like to- just as practice.
I noticed something funny today. She keeps her PAM in the cabinent under the sink next to the cleaning products.
Silly yet exciting moment: When I told the dog to sit in spanish and he did. Totally made my day. Tomorrow I may tell him to take out the yellow books. Nicole- I hope you are reading cause you may be one of the few to get that. Oh! Sabrina too!
I am not sure what to do with my copius free time. I tried going for a walk and nearly lost myself in the barrio. I did get a picture of a banana tree with some bananas on it so I guess it was all worth it.
Side note 3: Mosy of the house have leathal looking barbed wire around the top of their fences. Very forboding.
My classes start on Monday. 8:30-5. I hope to learn a lot. They have internet access at the school so I will write something each day.
Tomorrow the plan is for me to go to the farmer´s market at 6:30 in the morning. There we will stock up on fruits. So much for eating a million mangos. I am told they aren´t really in season until March. In the meantime I will have to settle for delicious fruits I have never seen or heard of.
I had yuca pancakes with cheese filling today. Mmmmmm. You jealous?

I survived!!!!

No worries people! I made it. Even with the patience trying 12 hour layover.- That´s right, The plane was a hour late...
I have much to share about the first 6 hours but Doña Rosemarie- my host- is waiting for me cause we are about to go to the super mercado. I will say that getting off the plane was a relief. I was received in a waiting room that looked a lot like a nice hotel. It smelled on Cinnabon- for the obvious reason and there was some very loud elevator music playing which I realized as I walked toward customs was a sax player. The weather is cool. Still warmer than CA- with the exception of that heat flash we had. Jose David greeted me with a sign bearing my name. We waited for a guy named Josh to arrive. He was on the same plane. He´s about my age- From Kansas City.
I will continiue a bit later. Maybe tomorrow. Can´t keep Doña Rosemarie waiting. Did I mention she doesn´t speak English. Oh well- More practice for me!!!!
Love to you all!!!!

Real Time Begins

This is not a test, people. In real time, I present: Sara- Starting her trip totally freaked out and questioning what she has done.
Update: I have been sitting in the Denver airport for 5+ hours today and I still have 4 to go. And just to pile it all on- the flight has been delayed. Just another half hour but at this rate it may only take one extra half hour until I go mad.
For those of you I have spoken to- So sorry I sound like a drone. I feel like a drone. An excited one though- for those of you who are asking...
I have just today received info about my host family in San Jose that I will be living with while taking Spanish classes. Can't pull up the info on this computer so it will be a surprise anyway.
I crave veggies.
I will keep you posted on all new things as they arise.
Until Costa Rica-

Earthquake or no, Here we go!

The trip is still on!!! I have been informed that although the country has been in confusion, the program is still happening.
As planned I will leave on Thursday morning. And No- I haven't packed yet.