Feb 29, 2008
good communication
My inability to communicate has produced interesting situations that I didn't really think about before my trip. For example, what are you supposed to do when someone cracks a joke in Spanish that you can't understand and that everyone around you knows you can't understand? Are you supposed to laugh? smile? stand there without even cracking a smile while everyone around you is cracking up? I usually smile but I always feel awkward when I do so. I think it would be weird if I laughed but I would feel cold if I didn't do anything. Another awkward moments have been when I know a couple of people are talking about me, right in front of me, and I have no idea what they are saying and they know that. The other day when Gloria dropped me off at La Tabla we passed a couple kids chatting amongst themselves. Gloria asked me if I knew who they were and when I said I did (they come into the church sometimes) she told me that they were talking about me. Other times I have not been quite as oblivious. I have heard people say my name while whoever they are talking to glances over at me so it is quite obvious. It is so weird! I just hope they are saying things that aren't mean. It would be humiliating if they were saying bad things about me right in front of me! Oh well. . . I can't really do anything about it, I'll just have to wait till I can understand Spanish better so people around me can't do it anymore.
On a different note, Bella Flor now has a granddaughter! It was so exciting. Her daughter in law was in labor a long, long time but finally this morning Abigail was born! Oh, I am just so happy for them. Bellita was getting really worried but then when we were in the grocery store she got a message from her brother saying that he was a dad. It is so great! I am really happy for them!
On a different note, Bella Flor now has a granddaughter! It was so exciting. Her daughter in law was in labor a long, long time but finally this morning Abigail was born! Oh, I am just so happy for them. Bellita was getting really worried but then when we were in the grocery store she got a message from her brother saying that he was a dad. It is so great! I am really happy for them!
Feb 28, 2008
this is a long one. . .
February 22
Today I went with Bellita into San Jose (I don't think I mentioned it before- I am actually living in Ajuelita which is just outside of San Jose) and we walked around looking at the different sights like the national theater and the Jade museum. It was really cool to see some of the history of Costa Rica. I see so much of the sadness and the hardships of this place I am glad I can see some its glory. When we stopped for lunch a guy (who was clearly American) came up to us and said something (I won't go into detail) that was really rude and disgusting and it really bothered me. I think the US has a displayed itself through its politics and media that doesn't always speak well of it's people and as an American in a foreign country I think I have an obligation, as well as the guy in the Taco Bell, to set a good example. It angers me because he is going to make the people that he meets more wary of Americans so when someone like me comes along who is trying to do good it is harder because some jerk was trying to give himself a laugh.
February 23
Right now, I am at the Base and in addition to the other volunteers, Gloria's Aunt and Uncle are staying for the week. They are really funny in their own senior citizen kind of way. They are extremely technology illiterate (they needed help to check their e-mail online, to take the memory card out of their camera, etc.) they are always cheerily ignorant of what is happening around them. I mean, they get the gist of it, just not the details. Glen, Gloria's uncle, is also a little deaf so I kept having to repeat myself when I was around him. Going into this trip, I don't think I thought I would meet anyone like them. It makes me wonder what other people I will meet on this trip!
February 24
Today was sweeeeeeeeeet! I went on a river tour and I got to see all kinds of different animals. I saw fruit bats (about three feet from my face- and really ugly!), white faced monkeys, howler monkeys, and even caymans (they aren't seen very often on the tour). The coolest animal though was the toucan! It was so cool and we didn't see just one. . . . we saw four! Gloria said she hadn't seen so many together before in her life! They were so graceful and happy just hanging out in the forest. It was so amazing to see in real life, in their natural habitats, animals that you normally only see on TV or in the zoo. THEY WERE SO COOL! It makes me excited just thinking about it.:)
oh and I got to see the Oscars and I am really happy that the writer of Juno won. WAY TO GO DIABLO CODY!
February 25
I had so much fun today, We all went to the beach (Jaco, on the Pacific ocean) and I just spent a bunch of time in the ocean because it was way to hot to be on the beach. At first I played with Carmalinda, Delynn and Gloria's daughter, but because she is 7 we couldn't go out very far but we had a lot of fun just playing. After lunch though I went out as far as I thought was safe and just swam and swam and swam. It was my second time at the Pacific ocean and the first time it was so cold I didn't even bring a swim suit (I did get my feet wet) so this time I really just spent as much time as I could in the water. I really like the ocean. I like to swim in general but I especially like going to the ocean. I remember when I went with my family to Florida for Christmas and we would always go to the beach. My sister and I would insist on getting in the water even though it was freezing. We would be so cold but we had so much fun we couldn't not swim. . . we couldn't help ourselves.
February 26
Today I came back to La Tabla. Gloria dropped me off at the church, not at Bella Flor's and Bella Flor wasn't there so I helped out with the task of the day. Through a section of La Tabla there isn't a road and there just is a creek where a road would be on a normal street so cars and trucks can't go to any of the buildings there. As part of the project for La Tabla (they are working on a wall to keep flood water out), a truck brought gravel but couldn't make it to the place where it was to be stored so it had to dump the gravel down the street. My job was to shovel gravel into wheelbarrows so it could be transported. It was really really hot and we were in the sun and I already had a sunburn from the beach and I was with only Spanish speakers but it turned out OK. I was so hot at the end of it I practically collapsed on my bed when I came home but I also felt accomplished (and hardcore. . I even have a blister on my thumb to show my hard work!). The whole time, I only took a break when someone else wanted to work (there were more people than shovels and wheelbarrows) and I worked hard. I feel like I really have to prove myself here. I don't have a history or communication skills so I am going to have to do it by working for it.
February 27
I hurt so bad. It addition to my sunburns (on my face, shoulders, back, arms, and the back of my knees) I now have muscular aches from shoveling yesterday. It's OK I just don't like moving (on the bright side though, if anyone around me is cold all they have to do is stand next to me. . . I have heat radiating from my body). I did take a nice cold shower which helped. Anyway, I went to the church and I had another landmark. I helped cook food. Actually, I just chopped up a couple things but this whole time I haven't helped with food prep at all because either I didn't know what to do, there were a lot of people in the kitchen or I was doing something else. It made me really happy. There is a older lady named Tia who works in the kitchen every day and we get along really well. She always pronounces things out for me and today she introduced me to achiote. I looked it up and the dictionary said it was annatto seed. Does anyone know what that is? I have no idea. Anyway, Bella Flor is using tires to help make the flood wall and so everyone had to get tires that had been dropped off and roll them across the bridge and down the street to the church. It was hard work! It was fun though and everyone was having fun trying to keep their tires going straight. I kind of freaked myself out because one of my trips back to get a new tire I didn't go with anyone and I was about half way there when I realized no adults or kids were close by. I was kind of scared but I just kept walking and no one bothered me and everything was fine. It was another really tiring day and it didn't really matter how much it hurt to lay down. . . I fell asleep so fast I hardly remember laying down.
February 28
Today was cool because a youth group from Montana came and helped out. We did the same thing we did with the gravel on tuesday except with dirt. I had fun talking with them. At about lunch time all the girls left to go to an orphanage and so the guys and I finished off the pile. They were all nice but there was one guy who was a Costa Rican translator for the group. He kept trying to push YWAM (the organization they were with) on me and then just kept talking and talking while the rest of us were working. I also got to know Tomas, a local guy, better. He has been helping the past couple days with the wall but he doesn't speak English and is really quiet anyway so I never talked to him before but today we kind of introduced ourselves. He even showed me a picture of his daughters- they are really cute. Johnny, one of the little kids whose mom helps out at the church really likes Tomas and has kind of stuck to his side. At the end of the day when everyone was really tired, Johnny got Tomas to haul him around in his wheelbarrow in addition to the load of dirt. All I can say is, there is no way that I would of done it but made Johnny really happy. He had a huge smile on his face. Overall, it was a really fun day. . .and I am really excited to go to bed.
Just a note. . . sorry if I worried anyone (my mom said she got some calls) I am fine I just have been really busy the past few days and the person whose laptap I would normally use over the weekend was away. Also, I got a few comments from Annonomus and I think someone told my mom it the site wasn't letting her put a name in so if you want me to know who you are (if you don't thats ok too) you should mention it somewhere in the message. Thanks!
Today I went with Bellita into San Jose (I don't think I mentioned it before- I am actually living in Ajuelita which is just outside of San Jose) and we walked around looking at the different sights like the national theater and the Jade museum. It was really cool to see some of the history of Costa Rica. I see so much of the sadness and the hardships of this place I am glad I can see some its glory. When we stopped for lunch a guy (who was clearly American) came up to us and said something (I won't go into detail) that was really rude and disgusting and it really bothered me. I think the US has a displayed itself through its politics and media that doesn't always speak well of it's people and as an American in a foreign country I think I have an obligation, as well as the guy in the Taco Bell, to set a good example. It angers me because he is going to make the people that he meets more wary of Americans so when someone like me comes along who is trying to do good it is harder because some jerk was trying to give himself a laugh.
February 23
Right now, I am at the Base and in addition to the other volunteers, Gloria's Aunt and Uncle are staying for the week. They are really funny in their own senior citizen kind of way. They are extremely technology illiterate (they needed help to check their e-mail online, to take the memory card out of their camera, etc.) they are always cheerily ignorant of what is happening around them. I mean, they get the gist of it, just not the details. Glen, Gloria's uncle, is also a little deaf so I kept having to repeat myself when I was around him. Going into this trip, I don't think I thought I would meet anyone like them. It makes me wonder what other people I will meet on this trip!
February 24
Today was sweeeeeeeeeet! I went on a river tour and I got to see all kinds of different animals. I saw fruit bats (about three feet from my face- and really ugly!), white faced monkeys, howler monkeys, and even caymans (they aren't seen very often on the tour). The coolest animal though was the toucan! It was so cool and we didn't see just one. . . . we saw four! Gloria said she hadn't seen so many together before in her life! They were so graceful and happy just hanging out in the forest. It was so amazing to see in real life, in their natural habitats, animals that you normally only see on TV or in the zoo. THEY WERE SO COOL! It makes me excited just thinking about it.:)
oh and I got to see the Oscars and I am really happy that the writer of Juno won. WAY TO GO DIABLO CODY!
February 25
I had so much fun today, We all went to the beach (Jaco, on the Pacific ocean) and I just spent a bunch of time in the ocean because it was way to hot to be on the beach. At first I played with Carmalinda, Delynn and Gloria's daughter, but because she is 7 we couldn't go out very far but we had a lot of fun just playing. After lunch though I went out as far as I thought was safe and just swam and swam and swam. It was my second time at the Pacific ocean and the first time it was so cold I didn't even bring a swim suit (I did get my feet wet) so this time I really just spent as much time as I could in the water. I really like the ocean. I like to swim in general but I especially like going to the ocean. I remember when I went with my family to Florida for Christmas and we would always go to the beach. My sister and I would insist on getting in the water even though it was freezing. We would be so cold but we had so much fun we couldn't not swim. . . we couldn't help ourselves.
February 26
Today I came back to La Tabla. Gloria dropped me off at the church, not at Bella Flor's and Bella Flor wasn't there so I helped out with the task of the day. Through a section of La Tabla there isn't a road and there just is a creek where a road would be on a normal street so cars and trucks can't go to any of the buildings there. As part of the project for La Tabla (they are working on a wall to keep flood water out), a truck brought gravel but couldn't make it to the place where it was to be stored so it had to dump the gravel down the street. My job was to shovel gravel into wheelbarrows so it could be transported. It was really really hot and we were in the sun and I already had a sunburn from the beach and I was with only Spanish speakers but it turned out OK. I was so hot at the end of it I practically collapsed on my bed when I came home but I also felt accomplished (and hardcore. . I even have a blister on my thumb to show my hard work!). The whole time, I only took a break when someone else wanted to work (there were more people than shovels and wheelbarrows) and I worked hard. I feel like I really have to prove myself here. I don't have a history or communication skills so I am going to have to do it by working for it.
February 27
I hurt so bad. It addition to my sunburns (on my face, shoulders, back, arms, and the back of my knees) I now have muscular aches from shoveling yesterday. It's OK I just don't like moving (on the bright side though, if anyone around me is cold all they have to do is stand next to me. . . I have heat radiating from my body). I did take a nice cold shower which helped. Anyway, I went to the church and I had another landmark. I helped cook food. Actually, I just chopped up a couple things but this whole time I haven't helped with food prep at all because either I didn't know what to do, there were a lot of people in the kitchen or I was doing something else. It made me really happy. There is a older lady named Tia who works in the kitchen every day and we get along really well. She always pronounces things out for me and today she introduced me to achiote. I looked it up and the dictionary said it was annatto seed. Does anyone know what that is? I have no idea. Anyway, Bella Flor is using tires to help make the flood wall and so everyone had to get tires that had been dropped off and roll them across the bridge and down the street to the church. It was hard work! It was fun though and everyone was having fun trying to keep their tires going straight. I kind of freaked myself out because one of my trips back to get a new tire I didn't go with anyone and I was about half way there when I realized no adults or kids were close by. I was kind of scared but I just kept walking and no one bothered me and everything was fine. It was another really tiring day and it didn't really matter how much it hurt to lay down. . . I fell asleep so fast I hardly remember laying down.
February 28
Today was cool because a youth group from Montana came and helped out. We did the same thing we did with the gravel on tuesday except with dirt. I had fun talking with them. At about lunch time all the girls left to go to an orphanage and so the guys and I finished off the pile. They were all nice but there was one guy who was a Costa Rican translator for the group. He kept trying to push YWAM (the organization they were with) on me and then just kept talking and talking while the rest of us were working. I also got to know Tomas, a local guy, better. He has been helping the past couple days with the wall but he doesn't speak English and is really quiet anyway so I never talked to him before but today we kind of introduced ourselves. He even showed me a picture of his daughters- they are really cute. Johnny, one of the little kids whose mom helps out at the church really likes Tomas and has kind of stuck to his side. At the end of the day when everyone was really tired, Johnny got Tomas to haul him around in his wheelbarrow in addition to the load of dirt. All I can say is, there is no way that I would of done it but made Johnny really happy. He had a huge smile on his face. Overall, it was a really fun day. . .and I am really excited to go to bed.
Just a note. . . sorry if I worried anyone (my mom said she got some calls) I am fine I just have been really busy the past few days and the person whose laptap I would normally use over the weekend was away. Also, I got a few comments from Annonomus and I think someone told my mom it the site wasn't letting her put a name in so if you want me to know who you are (if you don't thats ok too) you should mention it somewhere in the message. Thanks!
Feb 21, 2008
the muddy boot worker
Febuary 20
Last night was really rough. There was a bible study at the church and I was in charge of childcare. I was the only one in charge on these kids and it was really hard. There were a couple 4 yr old boys who were just really loud and mischievous. I tried to play Telephone and Simon says (which were both games that they knew) after the drawing failed but neither one lasted long. Another one of the kids went and got Bella Flor and she put the two 4yr olds in time out which was fine except then they started to cry and scream (which was not helping my quest for quiet). Eventually, one of the boys started to behave better but the other one was soooo mad and soooo upset, that I dont think there was anything I could do. What made it really difficult was my lack of Spanish skills. I know I wasn't saying things correctly which was really bad for communicating with kids that were really upset. After that I came home and was able to have a little comfort from home in the form of Greys anatomy. it is one of Bellita's favorite tv shows and I was able to follow along. I learned that there isn't a specific word for muffin in Spanish and that they are just called bread or little bread (at least in the show they did).
Febuary 21
Right now, I would just like to say that I am the dirty boot master. Today I cleaned nine pairs of disgusting, muddy boots. These rubber boots had mud on the outside of them but what made it really gross was the mud caked on the inside of them. I had to fill every boot up with water and stick my hand inside each one and scrape as much mud off as I could. this was bad enough but when I was about half way through a big black beetle came crawling out one of the boots. I was so scared to put my hands back down into the boot! I has to will myself to not flinch every time I felt a round, beatle shaped peice of dirt. I was really happy when one of the girls whose mom helps out at La Tabla came and helped me. It was actually kind of a bonding experience working together to finish. All I can say is that I am very proud of my accomplishment today because it is very difficult to put your bare hand where only feet have gone before.
Last night was really rough. There was a bible study at the church and I was in charge of childcare. I was the only one in charge on these kids and it was really hard. There were a couple 4 yr old boys who were just really loud and mischievous. I tried to play Telephone and Simon says (which were both games that they knew) after the drawing failed but neither one lasted long. Another one of the kids went and got Bella Flor and she put the two 4yr olds in time out which was fine except then they started to cry and scream (which was not helping my quest for quiet). Eventually, one of the boys started to behave better but the other one was soooo mad and soooo upset, that I dont think there was anything I could do. What made it really difficult was my lack of Spanish skills. I know I wasn't saying things correctly which was really bad for communicating with kids that were really upset. After that I came home and was able to have a little comfort from home in the form of Greys anatomy. it is one of Bellita's favorite tv shows and I was able to follow along. I learned that there isn't a specific word for muffin in Spanish and that they are just called bread or little bread (at least in the show they did).
Febuary 21
Right now, I would just like to say that I am the dirty boot master. Today I cleaned nine pairs of disgusting, muddy boots. These rubber boots had mud on the outside of them but what made it really gross was the mud caked on the inside of them. I had to fill every boot up with water and stick my hand inside each one and scrape as much mud off as I could. this was bad enough but when I was about half way through a big black beetle came crawling out one of the boots. I was so scared to put my hands back down into the boot! I has to will myself to not flinch every time I felt a round, beatle shaped peice of dirt. I was really happy when one of the girls whose mom helps out at La Tabla came and helped me. It was actually kind of a bonding experience working together to finish. All I can say is that I am very proud of my accomplishment today because it is very difficult to put your bare hand where only feet have gone before.
Feb 19, 2008
Bella Flor & Co.
As I am adjusting to Costa Rica, I have really started to appreciate Bella Flor and her family. They have been trying really hard to make me feel at home. Bella Flor always is trying to make me eat more and always comments on how little I eat (Sometime I don't eat because I dont like the food, but a lot of the time I am just not hungry- I guess the expectation that food will be bad helps take away your appetite) and tries to get me to eat more. Whenever I hear the word pocito (little bit) in a sentence I know they are probably talking about me because they always use that word to describe both my appetite and my Spanish. Bella Flor's husband is really nice too. He only speaks the occasional word of English so our communication is really limited. Bellita is the person in the family I have gotten to know the best. Its nice to be able to talk to her because in the afternoon and evening I am often home because I cant go out for a walk or anything by myself so its nice to have someone to kind of hang out with.
In other news, I had another good day though I am having trouble communicating with people making it a little awkward when people are talking and I have no idea what they are saying. I just got to continue trying to “Make it work”.
In other news, I had another good day though I am having trouble communicating with people making it a little awkward when people are talking and I have no idea what they are saying. I just got to continue trying to “Make it work”.
Feb 18, 2008
Finally!
Today I finally had a more normal day. At first it was a little boring because there wasn´t much for me to do because there was plenty of help in the kitchen (to make the food) and there wasn´t much help needed but then as it got closer to lunch time there was more things needed like setting the tables and when all the kids started coming in, I was busy! YIPPEE! I finally had something interesting to do! I got to play with the kids! I am so relieved!
On a sadder note, I met a woman and her daughter today who lived in La Tabla whose son has cancer and lives in the hospital. I am so sad for her and I am trying to think of something that I could do for her but I was to be careful because I don´t want it to come off like a wealthy American pity thing. Maybe a hug the next time I see her? That could get awkward. . . I don´t know, I´m going to work on it.
On a sadder note, I met a woman and her daughter today who lived in La Tabla whose son has cancer and lives in the hospital. I am so sad for her and I am trying to think of something that I could do for her but I was to be careful because I don´t want it to come off like a wealthy American pity thing. Maybe a hug the next time I see her? That could get awkward. . . I don´t know, I´m going to work on it.
Feb 17, 2008
talking
One thing that I have missed while I have been here is having a normal conversation. One that isn't a struggle to come up with things to say and is without awkward pauses. I haven't really been able to do that I in Spanish because I have to think through every word I say but I did have a fun conversation with Bellita. We went to this church thing last night (not at La Tabla but at another place) and we walked home together and because her English is really good we were able to just talk. We didn't talk about anything in particular but it just made me feel happy.
Feb 16, 2008
church
Right now I am kind of disappointed. I have not been doing anything that I thought I was going to do. I pictured La Tabla as this place where Bella Flor ran where kids would go during the day and she would feed them and teach them things. I have not seen any of that. The first 2 days I was here I went to two church services (they have them every Thursday and Friday). Right now, a bunch of people have been doing this three day fast and are basically living at the church praying, reading the bible, and sleeping. Today, I had to join them. I got there a little before seven and spent the next 11 hours reading the bible and praying and when no one was around I doodled and looked at this Polly pocket activity book they had lying around. To be fair, I did arrive at the end of the week and it is only my third day here, but I feel like a pastors daughter and not like a volunteer.
On the bright side, I had good food today, however, Bella served it to me in front of people who were fasting! I felt so guilty eating this big dish of pineapple and bananas when there are people who have hardly eaten anything are in the same room!
On the bright side, I had good food today, however, Bella served it to me in front of people who were fasting! I felt so guilty eating this big dish of pineapple and bananas when there are people who have hardly eaten anything are in the same room!
Feb 15, 2008
adjusting
I have adjusted a little bit since my last journal and La Tabla is not quite a scary as it was at first for me. I felt a lot better after the church service last night. The service started by people coming into the church and kneeling at their seats and praying out loud (bed time prayer style) I joined in once it got a little awkward for me not to but it was hard for me to focus. Then, once people were done with their kneeling prayer, they would stand up and continue praying. Every so often, people would break out in song (which was a little awkward for me because I was the only person not singing) After a while, Bella Flor came out of her office and went up to the front row and asked me to join her in the front row (I was in the back). Then, when this continued on for a while, Bella Flor started her sermon. Before she started though, she introduced me to the church and actually got then to say hi to me on the count of 3. Then, about half way through, Bella's husband had to go pick up their daughter and because earlier I had inadvertently agreed to go with him, Bella Flor stopped in the middle of her sermon, told me that It was time for me to go pick up Bellita, and as we were leaving, everyone said goodbye to us. It was so strange! It was really unlike anything I had ever experienced before. However, it did make me feel welcome and a lot less freaked out about La Tabla.
Another thing I am having trouble with is the food. I would guess that at home I liked about three things that I have eaten in the past 24 hours. I do not want to hurt their feelings because they are trying so hard to be hospitable. For example, when I was in La Tabla, a lady offered me a fruit that I had never seen before and she was eating one and seemed to think it was really good. It was disgusting. I did not know what to do. We were outside and there was not a trash can in sight. I had to eat it. Just in the couple days that I have been living with Bella Flor, I have come up with these simple tricks to eat gross food.
1. If something tastes bad, move it to the side of your mouth (like a hamster). That way you will not taste it as much.
2. Try to get a beverage you like so once you chew you food enough, you can swallow it like a horse pill
3. Make a deal with yourself: After ten big bites, you wont eat any more. It is easier to swallow when you know the end is near. (this is better with smaller servings)
4. Try not to make eye contact with people and look away from the table if possible. That way, if you gag a little, your hosts are not immediately aware of your lack of fondness for their food.
Just FYI for those who were worried about I post yesterday, I am feeling a lot better than I was yesterday.
Another thing I am having trouble with is the food. I would guess that at home I liked about three things that I have eaten in the past 24 hours. I do not want to hurt their feelings because they are trying so hard to be hospitable. For example, when I was in La Tabla, a lady offered me a fruit that I had never seen before and she was eating one and seemed to think it was really good. It was disgusting. I did not know what to do. We were outside and there was not a trash can in sight. I had to eat it. Just in the couple days that I have been living with Bella Flor, I have come up with these simple tricks to eat gross food.
1. If something tastes bad, move it to the side of your mouth (like a hamster). That way you will not taste it as much.
2. Try to get a beverage you like so once you chew you food enough, you can swallow it like a horse pill
3. Make a deal with yourself: After ten big bites, you wont eat any more. It is easier to swallow when you know the end is near. (this is better with smaller servings)
4. Try not to make eye contact with people and look away from the table if possible. That way, if you gag a little, your hosts are not immediately aware of your lack of fondness for their food.
Just FYI for those who were worried about I post yesterday, I am feeling a lot better than I was yesterday.
Feb 14, 2008
going to la Tabla
Today has been difficult, I am having my first moments of culture shock. However, it has to to more with where I am working and less to do with Coasta Rican culture. I went to La Tabla for the first time and it really is a very poor neighborhood. It is based on the side of a creek that is just full of trash and it smells bad. It's really run down. There is a lot of drugs and one of the first people I saw when I entered the neighborhood was the guard who who works for the drug dealer and keeps watch for cops. The first person I actually said hi to in La Tabla was this guy named Harrison who we ran into on the way to Bella Flor's Church. I am told that he always has a gun on him and that he might protect me. I am staying with Bella Flor, her husband, and her daughter. There house is pretty run down and is very different from US standards. I am struggling right now- I hope I have the strength to get through these first few weeks.
Feb 13, 2008
arrival & first day
2-12
So, February 12 finally came! I was so excited and nervous and happy. My flight out of Columbus sat on the runway for a really long time but then it eventually took off. It was actually a good thing (for me, not for the other people on the plane that missed their flights) that it took so long to get in the air because then I had less time in the Houston airport. Instead of a five hour layover, I had a three hour layover. The flight to Costa Rica was a little turbulent but overall it went well. However, there were these guys that were really loud and obnoxious at first, but then they settled down. I finally arrived in San Jose really late and arrived at the Pura Vida Missions "base" at about midnight and after briefly looking around, fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Today was a little overwhelming, I said goodbye to my family, traveled on 2 different planes, and entered a foreign country by myself. It was harder to say goodbye to my family than I anticipated, I mean, I knew it would be hard but there is a difference between knowing and feeling.
2-13
Waking up in a place other than your home is always interesting, but today was even more different because I really couldn't wait to just get up and explore. I really like Pura Vida missions- it kind of reminds me of a Costa Rican version of summer camp. This morning, I woke up and had a little time to myself before my mentor Gloria Hoover gave me a tour of the facility. I learned about the history of the place (fun fact- the building the Pura Vida is based in used to be a mushroom farm) and got to see where everything is. Then I sat down with Gloria and she kind of introduced me to the organization. It was also a chance for her to get to know me and she asked me a few questions about myself. Afterwards, Gloria, her husband Delynn, the three other volunteers that are there, and I had this kind of informal singing-praying worship time. It was really simple and an easy way to first interact with the other people there. Then I helped pick up Gloria's daughter so I could get off the base briefly. Gloria and Delynn's daughter is so cute. She is really outgoing and talkative. After we got back, we went to this property that PVM wants to buy so they can expand (they don't have enough space right now) and we had a intersessional prayer time. The property is up on the side of a mountain and it overlooks the whole central valley area and apparently on clear days you can see the Pacific ocean! It was so beautiful! everything about it was so amazing. I really love the mountains. Every time I am around them, they evoke a sense of awe is me.
Today was a good day but I really can't wait till tomorrow when I will go to Bella Flor, the woman who I will be staying with when I am not at PVM. It was an easy day and I am really looking forward to getting into the full swing of things.
So, February 12 finally came! I was so excited and nervous and happy. My flight out of Columbus sat on the runway for a really long time but then it eventually took off. It was actually a good thing (for me, not for the other people on the plane that missed their flights) that it took so long to get in the air because then I had less time in the Houston airport. Instead of a five hour layover, I had a three hour layover. The flight to Costa Rica was a little turbulent but overall it went well. However, there were these guys that were really loud and obnoxious at first, but then they settled down. I finally arrived in San Jose really late and arrived at the Pura Vida Missions "base" at about midnight and after briefly looking around, fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Today was a little overwhelming, I said goodbye to my family, traveled on 2 different planes, and entered a foreign country by myself. It was harder to say goodbye to my family than I anticipated, I mean, I knew it would be hard but there is a difference between knowing and feeling.
2-13
Waking up in a place other than your home is always interesting, but today was even more different because I really couldn't wait to just get up and explore. I really like Pura Vida missions- it kind of reminds me of a Costa Rican version of summer camp. This morning, I woke up and had a little time to myself before my mentor Gloria Hoover gave me a tour of the facility. I learned about the history of the place (fun fact- the building the Pura Vida is based in used to be a mushroom farm) and got to see where everything is. Then I sat down with Gloria and she kind of introduced me to the organization. It was also a chance for her to get to know me and she asked me a few questions about myself. Afterwards, Gloria, her husband Delynn, the three other volunteers that are there, and I had this kind of informal singing-praying worship time. It was really simple and an easy way to first interact with the other people there. Then I helped pick up Gloria's daughter so I could get off the base briefly. Gloria and Delynn's daughter is so cute. She is really outgoing and talkative. After we got back, we went to this property that PVM wants to buy so they can expand (they don't have enough space right now) and we had a intersessional prayer time. The property is up on the side of a mountain and it overlooks the whole central valley area and apparently on clear days you can see the Pacific ocean! It was so beautiful! everything about it was so amazing. I really love the mountains. Every time I am around them, they evoke a sense of awe is me.
Today was a good day but I really can't wait till tomorrow when I will go to Bella Flor, the woman who I will be staying with when I am not at PVM. It was an easy day and I am really looking forward to getting into the full swing of things.
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