So my final weekend in Costa Rica is over and I have to say, it's been one of the most memorable. I had some people invite me to the beach, but my favorite place in the whole country is at the Tobogan, so I opted to stay in San Jose and dance the night away with Dougie, Robert, Mandy, Alex, Jason and Jayme. I have to say, there's something about salsa dancing that's so much more rewarding than any other Friday night activity. I think it's the fact that you're connecting with your dance partner, you're accomplishing something together. You just get this high off physically exerting yourself, learning new moves, having that "perfect" dance with someone. Freesyle dancing is great too, but it doesn't take the effort, practice and dedication that salsa does. Maybe that's it, it's an effort to be good, so it means more.
Saturday morning was spent loafing around until four or so. I tried to bake brownies for the barbeque at Doug's but my oven here sucks so they didn't quite bake. Ok, so it was more like they were cooked around the edges but the center was liquid, but they were still good. Chocolate is chocolate. Doug, ever the chauffer, picked Rachel, Jason, Robert and I up and then we went to his house in the mountains. This man has the most amazing home I've ever been to. The view from his place is incredible and there are all these windows everywhere to take full advantage of it. You can see San Jose, all the way down to the ocean. This house just had the most peaceful vibe I've ever encountered, chimes tinkling and fairy lights everywhere. We caught a gorgeous sunset and just fooled around taking pictures, learning new dance moves, playing the guitar, singing and talking.
Later we built a huge hot air balloon out of tissue paper and let it fly off into the mountains. Well, it actually caught on fire and landed in a tree. Luckily no damage was done. JuanRo and Alex joined us in time for burgers but left pretty soon after. Game junkies that we all are, we played crazy Uno for like three hours. Let it be known that I kick ass at Uno :). We finally left at about 2AM. You'd think that 10 hours with each other would be enough, but oh no. We stopped at Denny's and didn't get home until 4:30 in the morning.
The best thing about this night was that it was the first time I've felt at home here. I mean, that is exactly my favorite kind of night, one where people just chill and enjoy themselves without having to impress each other or get crazy drunk or try to hook up with everything in sight. It was just people relating to each other.
Sunday, March 21, 2004
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Last week in Costa Rica
Well, I'd say my time here passed like a gimpy bird: it flew, but dragged at the same time.
All my slacking is catching up with me and I have to try to get some papers written using the ridiculous educational system in Costa Rica. The NATIONAL library does let you check out books, you have to read in their AC-less dungeon. Apparently the book theft here was sky high. Well, then you make copies right? Wrong. You copy things by hand. Tomorrow will be spent in the dungeon with note cards and a pen. Man, to have DSL again...sigh.
On the upside, the concert sleezy Ramiro sprung on us last night at 6PM was a success. I made some fliers and did some last minute promoting, and the whole thing went really well. This amazing steel pan player had a mini-concert in the middle of the school and he played souka, reggae, calypso and some hip hop. Outcast and Nellie sound better on the steelpan than on the radio!
I finally found a job I really want, problem is that I may be underqualified. But I've never let that stop me before, so perhaps, just perhaps I can finagle my way into the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Doesn't that sound like the perfect organization? So, everyone wish me luck, and if you happen to know anyone at MALDEF, let me know!
All my slacking is catching up with me and I have to try to get some papers written using the ridiculous educational system in Costa Rica. The NATIONAL library does let you check out books, you have to read in their AC-less dungeon. Apparently the book theft here was sky high. Well, then you make copies right? Wrong. You copy things by hand. Tomorrow will be spent in the dungeon with note cards and a pen. Man, to have DSL again...sigh.
On the upside, the concert sleezy Ramiro sprung on us last night at 6PM was a success. I made some fliers and did some last minute promoting, and the whole thing went really well. This amazing steel pan player had a mini-concert in the middle of the school and he played souka, reggae, calypso and some hip hop. Outcast and Nellie sound better on the steelpan than on the radio!
I finally found a job I really want, problem is that I may be underqualified. But I've never let that stop me before, so perhaps, just perhaps I can finagle my way into the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Doesn't that sound like the perfect organization? So, everyone wish me luck, and if you happen to know anyone at MALDEF, let me know!
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
It's been a while
I think my last post was something like a month ago, so I have a lot to catch up on. My favorite people on earth (minus the little Indian) came to Costa Rica to visit. Now, I know that I'm not exactly in Siberia and Costa Rica is an amazing place to visit but it meant a lot to me that my loved ones would come all the way down here to see me. That just goes to show what amazing people I have in my life.
All in all the vacation was great, everyone played nice, and aside from the 32 hours on the bus, I enjoyed every minute of it. We went to Manuel Antonio Beach where we rented a villa that we thought was really overpriced. That is, until we checked out the balcony where we could see all the stars in Costa Rica's sky. We lugged the mattress up there and spent the night outside and woke up to this breathtaking view of the ocean. The day was spent on the beach getting a little too much sun, then we headed to Monteverde to hike in the cloud forest and chill. We got really lucky and rented little cabin in the woods where we got to watch a fantastic sunset and play with a really friendly monkey. He peed on Tara's head though. Sorry, that still cracks me up.
Tara headed out at the same time that Tracy arrived, then Tara came back due to flight trouble. We rented another overpriced hotel, this time in San Jose. The redeeming factor was supposed to be that they had a jacuzzi. Well, they did have one, and it was cute, problem was it was FREEZING! We all stood outside in our swimsuits taking turns sticking our toes in and pronouncing, "it's definitely getting warmer." After half an hour of this we came to the conclusion that it was "solar-heated". I tried to get the concierge to get us into the Holiday Inn next door to use their heated hot tub but all my effort was for naught.
After Alex left Tracy and I went white water rafting on the Rio Pacuare, which has class 3 and 4 rapids. The excursion was really fun, but four hours in the rain and icy river gets to be a little much and we got a case of raft butt, which is just bruising and numbness but it's much more fun to say "raft butt". The Caribbean was next on our list but we got rained out and I got a rash from the banana plant so that leg of the trip wasn't the greatest. We did, however, spend lots of quality time talking and catching up and looking forward which was priceless.
Eventually my friends had to go home, and here I stay in San Jose. My money is running out, papers are coming due and I'm getting ready to head back to Houston. Only 9 days folks.
All in all the vacation was great, everyone played nice, and aside from the 32 hours on the bus, I enjoyed every minute of it. We went to Manuel Antonio Beach where we rented a villa that we thought was really overpriced. That is, until we checked out the balcony where we could see all the stars in Costa Rica's sky. We lugged the mattress up there and spent the night outside and woke up to this breathtaking view of the ocean. The day was spent on the beach getting a little too much sun, then we headed to Monteverde to hike in the cloud forest and chill. We got really lucky and rented little cabin in the woods where we got to watch a fantastic sunset and play with a really friendly monkey. He peed on Tara's head though. Sorry, that still cracks me up.
Tara headed out at the same time that Tracy arrived, then Tara came back due to flight trouble. We rented another overpriced hotel, this time in San Jose. The redeeming factor was supposed to be that they had a jacuzzi. Well, they did have one, and it was cute, problem was it was FREEZING! We all stood outside in our swimsuits taking turns sticking our toes in and pronouncing, "it's definitely getting warmer." After half an hour of this we came to the conclusion that it was "solar-heated". I tried to get the concierge to get us into the Holiday Inn next door to use their heated hot tub but all my effort was for naught.
After Alex left Tracy and I went white water rafting on the Rio Pacuare, which has class 3 and 4 rapids. The excursion was really fun, but four hours in the rain and icy river gets to be a little much and we got a case of raft butt, which is just bruising and numbness but it's much more fun to say "raft butt". The Caribbean was next on our list but we got rained out and I got a rash from the banana plant so that leg of the trip wasn't the greatest. We did, however, spend lots of quality time talking and catching up and looking forward which was priceless.
Eventually my friends had to go home, and here I stay in San Jose. My money is running out, papers are coming due and I'm getting ready to head back to Houston. Only 9 days folks.
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Everyday life in San Jose
I've been taking it pretty easy lately trying to spend as little money as possible since my friends are getting here in a few hours and we're gonna be vacationing for about 11 days. Yesterday I went to Cafe Expresivo with Stacy, and amazing 32 girl who's pretty chill for the most part. I love talking with older people because they have so much perspective, they've just done so much more than I have and have great stories to tell. We discussed a ton of stuff and I've been reflecting a lot on my attitude. Generally I'm a pretty uptight, bossy kind of person. In fact I've been told that I'm the bossiest person that certain people have ever met. Now, since I'm in such a tranquilo country I figured I could make use of the time to let the little things go and relax more. Generally there is no need to let so many things upset you, they just aren't worth it in the long run. That and I'm trying to change my attitude as far as hearing other people out. To all those people that I've had this issue with, I'm sorry and I'm trying, don't give up hope for me yet.
Anyhow, the Stracy and I hung out and talked for about 4 hours straight which was a nice change from the usual, come home, eat dinner, watch TV go to bed routine I've been in. The past couple of nights I haven't been sleeping well at all, I've been having stressful dreams and I'm just generally a little anxious. I know that things will resolve themselves once people get here. My new mantra in life is "Peace of heart and clarity of mind."
This past weekend I went to the Tobogan (as usual) on Friday. Saturday was spent chilling with my tica family and I took Pamela and Nicol rollerskating. Man, I've talked about this before with some people, but don't you wish you could re-create the fearlessness of childhood? I mean, I got into my skates and it took me an hour to get around the stupid rink once because I kept stopping for fear of falling on my ass. I mean here I am, a virtual giant compared to all these children whizzing by and I won't let go of the railing while 7 year old Nicol just skates off like nothing. Maybe it's because they are closer to the ground so they don't have as far to fall or something but little kids just throw fear to the wind and have fun. Lesson anyone?
Saturday night Cinea my tica aunt invited Ligia and I to a single/divoreced/widowed over thirty party. At first I was kinda skeptical but I didn't have any plans so I said why not. I have to give it to Latinos, they know how to party. It wasn't one of these drink till you are sloshed, hook up with some random person kinda party. People were friendly and open. They drank, but only a little and boy, people didn't stop dancing. Basically it was hours of people just enjoying themselves and talking, joking, and having a great time.
Sunday the four of us, plus Cinea and my abuela-tica went to the park for a picnic. Overall everyone just chilled and drank in the sun. All this time with the psuedo-familia really makes me miss my own though. However, my parents did call me to let me know that they were heading to the Spurs/Houston game that I bought them tickets to. Unfortunately for my father, the Spurs wiped the floor with the Rockets. It made me miss home less to just chill and watch the game on tv. Technically soccer is the national sport of Costa Rica but I only have enough room in my heart for one team.
Anyhow, the Stracy and I hung out and talked for about 4 hours straight which was a nice change from the usual, come home, eat dinner, watch TV go to bed routine I've been in. The past couple of nights I haven't been sleeping well at all, I've been having stressful dreams and I'm just generally a little anxious. I know that things will resolve themselves once people get here. My new mantra in life is "Peace of heart and clarity of mind."
This past weekend I went to the Tobogan (as usual) on Friday. Saturday was spent chilling with my tica family and I took Pamela and Nicol rollerskating. Man, I've talked about this before with some people, but don't you wish you could re-create the fearlessness of childhood? I mean, I got into my skates and it took me an hour to get around the stupid rink once because I kept stopping for fear of falling on my ass. I mean here I am, a virtual giant compared to all these children whizzing by and I won't let go of the railing while 7 year old Nicol just skates off like nothing. Maybe it's because they are closer to the ground so they don't have as far to fall or something but little kids just throw fear to the wind and have fun. Lesson anyone?
Saturday night Cinea my tica aunt invited Ligia and I to a single/divoreced/widowed over thirty party. At first I was kinda skeptical but I didn't have any plans so I said why not. I have to give it to Latinos, they know how to party. It wasn't one of these drink till you are sloshed, hook up with some random person kinda party. People were friendly and open. They drank, but only a little and boy, people didn't stop dancing. Basically it was hours of people just enjoying themselves and talking, joking, and having a great time.
Sunday the four of us, plus Cinea and my abuela-tica went to the park for a picnic. Overall everyone just chilled and drank in the sun. All this time with the psuedo-familia really makes me miss my own though. However, my parents did call me to let me know that they were heading to the Spurs/Houston game that I bought them tickets to. Unfortunately for my father, the Spurs wiped the floor with the Rockets. It made me miss home less to just chill and watch the game on tv. Technically soccer is the national sport of Costa Rica but I only have enough room in my heart for one team.
Thursday, February 19, 2004
And I thought they were gone for good
Oh no, they're back. That's right, the knots in my shoulder had gone fishin but now they've returned to set up shop. God, in spite of all my drama, I really didn't have much stress here but now I have a huge headache and I wish I had my loveseat, a bottle of wine, some chill music and some candles.
Ok, I do not have control of other people or they're actions. Or for that matter what kind of time they have when they come visit me in Costa Rica, what they're doing at home, what happens if I'm not there to help them in their flower shop over Valentine's Day, what's gonna happen to them if they get caught one more time by the cops, what kind of state their marriage is in, NADA. I only have to worry about my budget here in Costa Rica, not missing too many classes, and remembering to slather the sunscreen on. That is it. In the long run, everything is trivial and trivial things do not merit stress. Ok, feel better already.
Ok, I do not have control of other people or they're actions. Or for that matter what kind of time they have when they come visit me in Costa Rica, what they're doing at home, what happens if I'm not there to help them in their flower shop over Valentine's Day, what's gonna happen to them if they get caught one more time by the cops, what kind of state their marriage is in, NADA. I only have to worry about my budget here in Costa Rica, not missing too many classes, and remembering to slather the sunscreen on. That is it. In the long run, everything is trivial and trivial things do not merit stress. Ok, feel better already.
Tico Culture
Ligia invited me to a little get together with some friends and I thought that quality time without any Americans would be great, and it was, sort of. First of all, ticos are really sweet, friendly people if you meet them in the right situations. For example, the kids I go to school with want nothing to do with us gringos. I finally asked some random guy in line next to me what the story was and he said that ticos thought that gringo students were stuck up and thought they were better than the costa ricans. Not true at all, but that's how the ticos see it. Tica girls HATE American girls, they're super rude to us. And customer service here is non-existant. Maybe it's that they're on their own time, maybe it's that they don't like Americans but do not expect courtesy from people around here who don't know you.
However, if you're lucky enough to meet some ticos through other ticos, they're super friendly. Back to the party, everyone was really friendly and very welcoming, which is very characteristic of Latinos. Unfortunately also very characteristic of Latinos is closemindedness. In the span of three hours I heard a woman tell a story of how she was outraged that her hospital let someone with AIDS work the ultrasound machine. Mind you this person had virtually no contact with the patient and definately wasn't working with blood, but she was still furious. Then I had people talk about how wasteful the United States were, how we threw away perfectly good things when there were people here who were so needy. Then I heard about how the people in the United States had no idea what hard work was, that's why they were all in therapy, when Latinos just knew how to cope with a tough life. Next in line was gay bashing, insulting immigrants to Costa Rica and finally ended with the men talking about how they all lied to their girlfriends and wives.
Damn. I had to try really hard to remember that I was in a very conservative country that didn't have as many civil rights movements as in the US, nor was it as aware about equality. Still, as many times as I've regretted being an American due to our foriegn policy, I was so excited that in a few weeks I get to go home to a country where I can be seen for a person, not a disease, my race, my gender, and where I can expect a lot of respect if I'm willing to earn it.
However, if you're lucky enough to meet some ticos through other ticos, they're super friendly. Back to the party, everyone was really friendly and very welcoming, which is very characteristic of Latinos. Unfortunately also very characteristic of Latinos is closemindedness. In the span of three hours I heard a woman tell a story of how she was outraged that her hospital let someone with AIDS work the ultrasound machine. Mind you this person had virtually no contact with the patient and definately wasn't working with blood, but she was still furious. Then I had people talk about how wasteful the United States were, how we threw away perfectly good things when there were people here who were so needy. Then I heard about how the people in the United States had no idea what hard work was, that's why they were all in therapy, when Latinos just knew how to cope with a tough life. Next in line was gay bashing, insulting immigrants to Costa Rica and finally ended with the men talking about how they all lied to their girlfriends and wives.
Damn. I had to try really hard to remember that I was in a very conservative country that didn't have as many civil rights movements as in the US, nor was it as aware about equality. Still, as many times as I've regretted being an American due to our foriegn policy, I was so excited that in a few weeks I get to go home to a country where I can be seen for a person, not a disease, my race, my gender, and where I can expect a lot of respect if I'm willing to earn it.
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Poetry
Soy, tacitos amigos, el que sabe
que no hay otra venganza que el olvido
ni otro perdon.
I am, unspoken friends, the one that knows
that there is no other revenge than to forget,
nor any other forgiveness.
-Borges
El tiempo, como la vida, es laberinto
somos todo, y somos nada a la vez
Time, like life, is a labyrinth
we are everything, and nothing at once.
que no hay otra venganza que el olvido
ni otro perdon.
I am, unspoken friends, the one that knows
that there is no other revenge than to forget,
nor any other forgiveness.
-Borges
El tiempo, como la vida, es laberinto
somos todo, y somos nada a la vez
Time, like life, is a labyrinth
we are everything, and nothing at once.
Sunday, February 15, 2004
Just keep swimming
I constantly go from having moments of calm, to being really frustrated and upset. I am trying to hard to have faith that there is a plan for me and that where I am right now is part of that plan. It's tough though. I need words of wisdom and peace and I'm not getting that at all. It might sound kind of high school-y but I've always loved music because there's someone who's singing about what you're going through, no matter what that is. Right now I don't have music and I don't have books and I don't have friends and I'm just ugh.
Blogs are public so I try my best to be positive in them, and think about the good side of things, but sometimes it doesn't feel like there's a good side. You know what it feel like right now? It feels like I'm swimming this huge stretch of white sandy beach where the water is crystal clear and the day is beauiful. I know I should be enjoying it, but I also know that if I stop swimming (i.e. trying to keep a positive mentality) that I'm gonna drown. No problem you say, just keep swimming. Well, the effor of swimming that long is exhuasting sometimes and if you pause to catch your breathe, you start to sink.
Blogs are public so I try my best to be positive in them, and think about the good side of things, but sometimes it doesn't feel like there's a good side. You know what it feel like right now? It feels like I'm swimming this huge stretch of white sandy beach where the water is crystal clear and the day is beauiful. I know I should be enjoying it, but I also know that if I stop swimming (i.e. trying to keep a positive mentality) that I'm gonna drown. No problem you say, just keep swimming. Well, the effor of swimming that long is exhuasting sometimes and if you pause to catch your breathe, you start to sink.
Saturday, February 14, 2004
No Day But Today
No time but right now. I've been doing a lot of contemplating lately. I had been tearing my hair out because it felt like everything at home was just crumbling in my absence. I don't have a job, or means to get one yet. I only get to talk to my friends in snatches, because they are all busy with their own lives. I know it's hard to communicate over IM and emails but it feels like I've lost touch with everyone. I've only heard two voices from home, my mom's and Alex's. I don't get to talk to my family but once a week and when I do talk to them, they're so afraid that if I'm not enjoying myself, I'm just going to fall into a depression. Even if things are tough for me at that moment, I just smile and say I'm having a great time because that's all they let me say. If I try to explain that I'm homesick, or that I'm having a problem, They just say, "No, don't worry about, have a good time, don't get yourself sick." It's frustrating.
My apartment isn't mine anymore, and though it feels like Houston is more my home than anywhere else in the world, what will it be without the people I love? It feels like everything that was important to me is being slowly dissolved until there's nothing left.
"I wish I could count to ten
Make everything be wonderful again."
I think that God talks to you in the only way he can, through other people. Everyone's been telling me how I need to enjoy my time here. I'd been ignoring it, thinking that people didn't understand what I was going through. Then it finally really hit me. I do not have the power to change what is going on at home. I am in a different country, and if I spend all my time agonizing about what's going on somewhere else and things I have no control over right now, I was going to miss out on my time here. I will never have this time to live over again, I have to try to get the most out of it. And so I'm trying to.
Last night I went to the Tobogan with a huge group of friends and danced and danced. At 1 AM we squeezed 8 people into a Corolla and went to Denny's. It cracked me up, because it felt like being like I was at home again, meaning I was happy. I was having one of the best nights since I've gotten here.
But today it's Valentine's Day. Now, as strong and independent as you are, it is still tough to be alone on Valentine's Day, without so much as friends to bake cupcakes with and eat frosting and bitch about how we're alone on Valentine's Day. I remember last year when I got the most special day of my life and it's hard not to be sad and a little lonely. But this is my reality and what can I do?
Ok. Etta James' "At Last" just came on the radio. That's just a little much. But rather than be bitter that I don't have what I had before, I can be grateful that I had it, and have faith that life has special days in store for me again. As far as my pessimistic last blog, trust and faith may be the hardest things to keep, but what is life without them? Not something I want to know.
My apartment isn't mine anymore, and though it feels like Houston is more my home than anywhere else in the world, what will it be without the people I love? It feels like everything that was important to me is being slowly dissolved until there's nothing left.
"I wish I could count to ten
Make everything be wonderful again."
I think that God talks to you in the only way he can, through other people. Everyone's been telling me how I need to enjoy my time here. I'd been ignoring it, thinking that people didn't understand what I was going through. Then it finally really hit me. I do not have the power to change what is going on at home. I am in a different country, and if I spend all my time agonizing about what's going on somewhere else and things I have no control over right now, I was going to miss out on my time here. I will never have this time to live over again, I have to try to get the most out of it. And so I'm trying to.
Last night I went to the Tobogan with a huge group of friends and danced and danced. At 1 AM we squeezed 8 people into a Corolla and went to Denny's. It cracked me up, because it felt like being like I was at home again, meaning I was happy. I was having one of the best nights since I've gotten here.
But today it's Valentine's Day. Now, as strong and independent as you are, it is still tough to be alone on Valentine's Day, without so much as friends to bake cupcakes with and eat frosting and bitch about how we're alone on Valentine's Day. I remember last year when I got the most special day of my life and it's hard not to be sad and a little lonely. But this is my reality and what can I do?
Ok. Etta James' "At Last" just came on the radio. That's just a little much. But rather than be bitter that I don't have what I had before, I can be grateful that I had it, and have faith that life has special days in store for me again. As far as my pessimistic last blog, trust and faith may be the hardest things to keep, but what is life without them? Not something I want to know.
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Perceptions
I've been thinking about so much stuff lately that there is literally a constant pressure in my head. How people perceive the world boggles me. I mean, perception in general shapes what you believe, how you act, and what you think. We make all these judgments on people based on five minutes of what we see in front of us, never knowing what is going on underneath what they've shown us. We don't know people's pasts, or who they are when they're alone or with different people. Everything we see is based on us, on who we are and what's going on in our lives which means we could be wrong about so many things that we've perceived in the past.
Another thing that I'm confused by right now is trust, faith and belief. I mean, the idea that to trust someone, you have to believe that they are telling you the truth when you have NO idea what is really going on. I mean, it's almost like closing your eyes and jumping off a bridge because someone tells you there is a net under you. I mean, it makes no sense. People could be doing anything, and telling you something else. Yet, a life without faith or trust is so empty. God, how do you just not go crazy thinking of all the things someone could be doing while you aren't with them.
Another thing that I'm confused by right now is trust, faith and belief. I mean, the idea that to trust someone, you have to believe that they are telling you the truth when you have NO idea what is really going on. I mean, it's almost like closing your eyes and jumping off a bridge because someone tells you there is a net under you. I mean, it makes no sense. People could be doing anything, and telling you something else. Yet, a life without faith or trust is so empty. God, how do you just not go crazy thinking of all the things someone could be doing while you aren't with them.
Monday, February 09, 2004
Panama, cont.
After I met up with the group we went for another boat ride, this time to Dolphin's Bay. Oh man, the dolphins there were awesome, they kept popping up and flipping around. Did you know dolphins eat jellyfish? I need a dolphin buddy to come keep me company in the water because some of these beaches are a little sketch. After hanging out with Flipper and co., and wasting my battery trying to capture a picture of one, we went to go scuba diving around the coral reef, then catch some lunch. The coral reef was cool since I'd never been scuba diving before, but it wasn't as spectacular as I thought it would be. It made me realize how humans can affect nature with all their boats and souvenier taking.
The rest of the day and night was my own so I rented a bike and went exploring. There was a nice beach with a great bar that had excellent watermelon daquiries where I journaled for a while. I found an Indian restuarant so I skipped group dinner and went to have some curry alone. It was cool because this was a tiny little cafe where this traveling musician started playing all this cuban music.
I realized that that was the first time I'd really had privacy in a while. Before, going to dinner alone would have bothered me but now I'm finding a lot of peace in getting away from everyone else and just taking time for me. It's not always deep and pensive but it's still nice to just have time to relax and reflect.
Sunday was basically a travel day that lasted 10 hours in a boat, taxi or bus. I think that I am done with packaged tours though. I enjoy traveling when I have the ability to choose what I do, when I do it, and whom I do it with. I'm really excited for my friends who are coming up in 18 days. We are going to have such a good time!
The rest of the day and night was my own so I rented a bike and went exploring. There was a nice beach with a great bar that had excellent watermelon daquiries where I journaled for a while. I found an Indian restuarant so I skipped group dinner and went to have some curry alone. It was cool because this was a tiny little cafe where this traveling musician started playing all this cuban music.
I realized that that was the first time I'd really had privacy in a while. Before, going to dinner alone would have bothered me but now I'm finding a lot of peace in getting away from everyone else and just taking time for me. It's not always deep and pensive but it's still nice to just have time to relax and reflect.
Sunday was basically a travel day that lasted 10 hours in a boat, taxi or bus. I think that I am done with packaged tours though. I enjoy traveling when I have the ability to choose what I do, when I do it, and whom I do it with. I'm really excited for my friends who are coming up in 18 days. We are going to have such a good time!
Saturday, February 07, 2004
Panema
First a recap on the rest of my birthday activities. At night my tica family had this huge party for me with tons of food, music, presents and dancing. I got to meet all their friends and relatives and it made me feel like a part of the family. I must say that I have mixed emotions about the homestay. On one hand, I value my independence almost as much as anything in my life, so not having any privacy is tough. On the other hand, being with people is really nice sometimes. This family has totally taken me in, listened to my problems, nursed me when I was sick, and been really supportive whenever I need it. They are really wonderful and it's amazing to know how many really good people are in this world. I do know that I am glad I didn't get an apartment with another American because I wouldn't have had half the experiece I've had so far if I'd been around that many gringos. There will be a later blog on the use of the word gringo and the Costa Rican national identity.
Yesterday I woke up at the crack of dawn to get on a mini-bus to head to Panama. This trip has taught me several things: Pay attention to what is going on a around you. I am such a flake sometimes, this is how I managed to go to California instead of Costa Rica. On this particular trip I managed to forget my passport at home (luckily we were only five minutes away from home at the time) then wander away when I was supposed to be getting my entrance visa to Panama. On both occasions I wasn't totally at fault. They drill it into your head NEVER to carry your passport around so I had a notorized copy with me, but I didn't snap that I was going into another country and that wouldn't fly. On the second occasion, no one told me I would need a Panamanian entrance visa, however, I've learned that in the long run, it doesn't matter who is at fault if you have to pay the consequences. So, I'll be paying a lot more attention to what goes on around me from this point.
I've had a lot of time for introspection lately. The four to eight hour bus rides are really good for that kind of thing. My tica mom tells me "No dejas que te roben la paz" which means "Don't let other people steal your peace." I'm trying to live by these words. In Panama I'm staying with a girl who is so uptight about everything, getting dirty, not having a hot shower, insects, the food, the weather and what other people look like. On one hand everything she complains about makes me realize how trivial those things are and makes me happy that I've loosed up somewhat over the years, beacuse those things would have bothered me too at some other point in my life. On the other hand, she's really pissing me off. However, I'm attempting to not let other people affect what this trip will mean to me, I should just chill and take in the positive stuff. I've learned that if you try hard enough, you can turn any bad experience into a lesson, if you're in the right frame of mind.
I'm learning a lot from the people who surround me. On the way to our island, (we're staying on an archipelago near the mainland) we had to take a boat through all these marshy lands and there were a lot of Panamanians in canoes, fishing and washing their clothes and basically just living their lives. These tourists kept waving at them and snapping pictures of every person they saw, as though these people's poverty was quaint or something. Personally I have no problem taking pictures of the beaches, animals, plants, whatever, but taking these people's pictures while they're going throught their daily routine seems, I don't know, wrong. It's like you're making the point that your life is so drastically different from theirs that you have to take their picture because you want to show people back home that there really are folks like that here. It makes it hard for me to enjoy being a traveler sometimes because I want to see the world but I hate being grouped in with so many people who have no regard for the natural state of these people's lives. It's tough because like it or not, I'm a tourist too.
Time to meet up with the group again. Did I mention I was here with a class? Our Afro-latin studies prof brought a couple of us from class with a tourist group because he's a tour guide on the side. I swear, this man is seriously bothering me. He hits on all the girls in class and keeps flirting with everyone and telling me how pretty my eyes are and all this other crap. If he touches me one more time, I'm gonna hit him.
Yesterday I woke up at the crack of dawn to get on a mini-bus to head to Panama. This trip has taught me several things: Pay attention to what is going on a around you. I am such a flake sometimes, this is how I managed to go to California instead of Costa Rica. On this particular trip I managed to forget my passport at home (luckily we were only five minutes away from home at the time) then wander away when I was supposed to be getting my entrance visa to Panama. On both occasions I wasn't totally at fault. They drill it into your head NEVER to carry your passport around so I had a notorized copy with me, but I didn't snap that I was going into another country and that wouldn't fly. On the second occasion, no one told me I would need a Panamanian entrance visa, however, I've learned that in the long run, it doesn't matter who is at fault if you have to pay the consequences. So, I'll be paying a lot more attention to what goes on around me from this point.
I've had a lot of time for introspection lately. The four to eight hour bus rides are really good for that kind of thing. My tica mom tells me "No dejas que te roben la paz" which means "Don't let other people steal your peace." I'm trying to live by these words. In Panama I'm staying with a girl who is so uptight about everything, getting dirty, not having a hot shower, insects, the food, the weather and what other people look like. On one hand everything she complains about makes me realize how trivial those things are and makes me happy that I've loosed up somewhat over the years, beacuse those things would have bothered me too at some other point in my life. On the other hand, she's really pissing me off. However, I'm attempting to not let other people affect what this trip will mean to me, I should just chill and take in the positive stuff. I've learned that if you try hard enough, you can turn any bad experience into a lesson, if you're in the right frame of mind.
I'm learning a lot from the people who surround me. On the way to our island, (we're staying on an archipelago near the mainland) we had to take a boat through all these marshy lands and there were a lot of Panamanians in canoes, fishing and washing their clothes and basically just living their lives. These tourists kept waving at them and snapping pictures of every person they saw, as though these people's poverty was quaint or something. Personally I have no problem taking pictures of the beaches, animals, plants, whatever, but taking these people's pictures while they're going throught their daily routine seems, I don't know, wrong. It's like you're making the point that your life is so drastically different from theirs that you have to take their picture because you want to show people back home that there really are folks like that here. It makes it hard for me to enjoy being a traveler sometimes because I want to see the world but I hate being grouped in with so many people who have no regard for the natural state of these people's lives. It's tough because like it or not, I'm a tourist too.
Time to meet up with the group again. Did I mention I was here with a class? Our Afro-latin studies prof brought a couple of us from class with a tourist group because he's a tour guide on the side. I swear, this man is seriously bothering me. He hits on all the girls in class and keeps flirting with everyone and telling me how pretty my eyes are and all this other crap. If he touches me one more time, I'm gonna hit him.
Thursday, February 05, 2004
22!
Rang in my birthday with a bunch of people I didn't know, drinking waaay too much. I hate to be a sad drunk but it made me realize how special my other birthdays were. I mean, sure I'm in exotic Costa Rica, but those birthdays I spent at home being woken up in the morning by my family singing and bearing a cake, or when my friends and loved ones gave me a champagne toast at midnight, those were special birthdays. Goes to show though, you have to make your own way sometimes. Thanks to everyone for all the e-cards, phone calls and emails, it made being away from home a little easier.
As the blog is evidence, I survived my bungee jump. Ok, that was the most horrible thing I've ever done that I never want to do again, yet am glad I did. First the specs. I was driven to a bridge 350 feet in the air where there is a bungee station. There were five of us total, me and Joe and three random but very nice Aussies. I went third after watching the other guys go first. I managed to stay calm for most of it but when you walk up to the little platform, oh man. It's at that point you realize that you are not strapped into anything and you really are about to free fall. I asked for a minute but the guy behind the camera (yes I have a video!) said the longer you wait the worse it is, so I had them go straight into the count down. I wanted to swan dive off the platform and just fly, but me and grace have never been very close so what I ended up doing was kind of frog leaping off. At the count of 1 I squatted down to jump off but my legs froze and wouldn't extend so I just fell foward. The whole way down I had my eyes shut because my brain was so pissed that I threw my self off a bridge that it refused to co-operate with my will. The snap of it kind of hurt my shoulder, but the rest of it was ok. That is until you bouce back up, then have to fall some more. I think I waved my hands around, which was to shake out the nerves but apparently looked like I was trying to fly. The middle part where you're just swinging around was fun, but then you have to stay upside down a while, which was not so fun.
I tried to make the jump symbolic, kind of like letting go of all the stupid little things, trying to let go of all the negativity in my life. Trust me, nothing can ever be as scary as jumping off a bridge, not taking a new job, not breaking up with someone, not the first time someone sees you naked, NOTHING! So, if I've jumped off a bridge, I can do anything right?
Now I'm back in San Jose, skipping class cause I'm still nauseated. I will never ever do that again, however, if anyone wants to go skydiving, I'm there.
Rang in my birthday with a bunch of people I didn't know, drinking waaay too much. I hate to be a sad drunk but it made me realize how special my other birthdays were. I mean, sure I'm in exotic Costa Rica, but those birthdays I spent at home being woken up in the morning by my family singing and bearing a cake, or when my friends and loved ones gave me a champagne toast at midnight, those were special birthdays. Goes to show though, you have to make your own way sometimes. Thanks to everyone for all the e-cards, phone calls and emails, it made being away from home a little easier.
As the blog is evidence, I survived my bungee jump. Ok, that was the most horrible thing I've ever done that I never want to do again, yet am glad I did. First the specs. I was driven to a bridge 350 feet in the air where there is a bungee station. There were five of us total, me and Joe and three random but very nice Aussies. I went third after watching the other guys go first. I managed to stay calm for most of it but when you walk up to the little platform, oh man. It's at that point you realize that you are not strapped into anything and you really are about to free fall. I asked for a minute but the guy behind the camera (yes I have a video!) said the longer you wait the worse it is, so I had them go straight into the count down. I wanted to swan dive off the platform and just fly, but me and grace have never been very close so what I ended up doing was kind of frog leaping off. At the count of 1 I squatted down to jump off but my legs froze and wouldn't extend so I just fell foward. The whole way down I had my eyes shut because my brain was so pissed that I threw my self off a bridge that it refused to co-operate with my will. The snap of it kind of hurt my shoulder, but the rest of it was ok. That is until you bouce back up, then have to fall some more. I think I waved my hands around, which was to shake out the nerves but apparently looked like I was trying to fly. The middle part where you're just swinging around was fun, but then you have to stay upside down a while, which was not so fun.
I tried to make the jump symbolic, kind of like letting go of all the stupid little things, trying to let go of all the negativity in my life. Trust me, nothing can ever be as scary as jumping off a bridge, not taking a new job, not breaking up with someone, not the first time someone sees you naked, NOTHING! So, if I've jumped off a bridge, I can do anything right?
Now I'm back in San Jose, skipping class cause I'm still nauseated. I will never ever do that again, however, if anyone wants to go skydiving, I'm there.
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
I thought that this weekend was going to be spent relaxing and hanging out in San Jose but life had other plans for me. Friday night I met up with Halima and we went to Cafe Expresivo, my new favorite spot. We watched a theatrical Bolero group perform a highly entertaining mix of music/theater. After the show I met up with a huge group of students (and one very sexy un-student) and we went dancing. San Jose is home of this amazing salsa club called El Tobogan, if you can call it a club. It's really more of a HUGE hut with a live orchestra and the most expansive dance floor you've ever seen.
We stayed and danced the night away.
At 8AM Shari called me to ask if I wanted to go to the beach, so I got my lazy butt out of bed and packed. We were originally going to go with a group of guys to Cahuita on the Carribean coast but ended up going to the Pacific coast with Shari's tico brother, who was going on business. This guy is a business man but he could be a politician for all the people he knew. We stopped by someone's house and had lunch, then cruised around in his AVT. The guy knew everyone, everywhere.
In the morning we went to the beach where we met these cool surfer guys. They lent us their boards and gave us a mini lesson in return for Jorge lending them his cell phone. I only went out once and ended up nose diving into the water but hey, the waves were bad. lol. Surfing is very hard but very fun. After a morning of beach we headed back. I noticed I was a little burnt but thought nothing of it. Holy hell, on the way home I realized I was cooked. Jorge, like all Costa Ricans, is very nice and friendly on dry land but put him behind the wheel and he becomes a cursing, finger throwing, tailgatting punk. It's a national condition.
Anyhow somewhere along the bumpy dirt roads and the curves he was taking at 50 miles an hour, I realized I was pretty damaged. We finally got home at midnight and I spent all of yesterday trying to move as little as possible and slathering aloe vera on my shoulders.
We stayed and danced the night away.
At 8AM Shari called me to ask if I wanted to go to the beach, so I got my lazy butt out of bed and packed. We were originally going to go with a group of guys to Cahuita on the Carribean coast but ended up going to the Pacific coast with Shari's tico brother, who was going on business. This guy is a business man but he could be a politician for all the people he knew. We stopped by someone's house and had lunch, then cruised around in his AVT. The guy knew everyone, everywhere.
In the morning we went to the beach where we met these cool surfer guys. They lent us their boards and gave us a mini lesson in return for Jorge lending them his cell phone. I only went out once and ended up nose diving into the water but hey, the waves were bad. lol. Surfing is very hard but very fun. After a morning of beach we headed back. I noticed I was a little burnt but thought nothing of it. Holy hell, on the way home I realized I was cooked. Jorge, like all Costa Ricans, is very nice and friendly on dry land but put him behind the wheel and he becomes a cursing, finger throwing, tailgatting punk. It's a national condition.
Anyhow somewhere along the bumpy dirt roads and the curves he was taking at 50 miles an hour, I realized I was pretty damaged. We finally got home at midnight and I spent all of yesterday trying to move as little as possible and slathering aloe vera on my shoulders.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Arenal
Well, last weekend all the ISA kids packed on to two buses and headed off to the Volcanan Arenal. We hiked down to the Fortuna Waterfalls which were beautiful but FRIGID. In order to swim in them you had to climb over all these boulders then just jump into icy water and try not to get sucked under by the pressure of falling water. After that pleasant experience, we went to these hotsprings which are essentially shallow pools filled with water heated from the volcano. There was one spring that was 165 degrees F. You couldn't even walk into to that bad boy because the pain receptors in your feet started screaming bloddy murder. So we scooted into the pool, butt first. Obviously a good time was had by all.
The volcano stayed cloudy all weekend until the hour before we left, at which point it cleared up. I took some excellent pics, which I shall post as soon as I can figure out how to upload them without it taking FOREVER.
On Monday morning my Tica mother gave me food poisoning, which made for another pleasant experience. To the really nice Tico people who gave me a ride home (who probably are not reading my blog), thank you. And thank God that I didn't get sick in the nice tico's car.
Essentially it has been a trip of extremes. I don't know, I'm starting to think that three months here was a little excessive. By the way, the food here, not so much.
Well, last weekend all the ISA kids packed on to two buses and headed off to the Volcanan Arenal. We hiked down to the Fortuna Waterfalls which were beautiful but FRIGID. In order to swim in them you had to climb over all these boulders then just jump into icy water and try not to get sucked under by the pressure of falling water. After that pleasant experience, we went to these hotsprings which are essentially shallow pools filled with water heated from the volcano. There was one spring that was 165 degrees F. You couldn't even walk into to that bad boy because the pain receptors in your feet started screaming bloddy murder. So we scooted into the pool, butt first. Obviously a good time was had by all.
The volcano stayed cloudy all weekend until the hour before we left, at which point it cleared up. I took some excellent pics, which I shall post as soon as I can figure out how to upload them without it taking FOREVER.
On Monday morning my Tica mother gave me food poisoning, which made for another pleasant experience. To the really nice Tico people who gave me a ride home (who probably are not reading my blog), thank you. And thank God that I didn't get sick in the nice tico's car.
Essentially it has been a trip of extremes. I don't know, I'm starting to think that three months here was a little excessive. By the way, the food here, not so much.
Friday, January 23, 2004
It's not all climbing volcanoes and salsa dancing
Well, ok, so this weekend it is. Last night I had my salsa lesson at school, then Robert and I went salsa dancing at this place called Castro's Bar. It amuses me that Castro's is locatated in Barrio Mexico. Anyhow, on our way in we saw Douglas, an older but excellent dancer (ex-Veritas student) that comes to our lessons. We chilled with him, his friends and their dates. The place was really fun, with a decent sized dance floor and a good mix of music. As fun as it was, I had to leave at midnight, not because I would turn into a pumpkin, but because....I'm going volcano climbing this weekend!
Well, ok, so this weekend it is. Last night I had my salsa lesson at school, then Robert and I went salsa dancing at this place called Castro's Bar. It amuses me that Castro's is locatated in Barrio Mexico. Anyhow, on our way in we saw Douglas, an older but excellent dancer (ex-Veritas student) that comes to our lessons. We chilled with him, his friends and their dates. The place was really fun, with a decent sized dance floor and a good mix of music. As fun as it was, I had to leave at midnight, not because I would turn into a pumpkin, but because....I'm going volcano climbing this weekend!
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Monteverde
This weekend was amazing. All the International Studies Abroad (ISA) kids got together after classes on Friday and headed off to the rain forest. The trip took five and a half hours, which really wouldn't have been so bad but for the fact that we were perilously winding around the side of a mountain on a narrow, BUMPY dirt road. Most of the time you couldn't see around the corner so when another car comes zooming around, well, you can imagine. A note on the streets here, they are full of pot holes, which they call huecos. In other Latin American countries hueco is slang for a gay person. Imagine my friend's confusion when he kept telling everyone that the streets in San Jose were full of huecos and all the Argentinians kept laughing at him.
We finally arrived at Villa Verde, this awesome lodge, where we ate dinner and everyone proceeded to get drunk and dance to the DJ they had. There's a guy from Rice here named Robert who is at a different university but comes on our excursions. Anyhow, he's a great salsa dancer so I got lots of practice with him. It seems like white guys who can dance usually learned through classes so they're really technical and use terms like "cross body lead" and such and have a different sense of rhythm. Of course, I'm still learning but I think I dance better with latinos.
The next morning I woke up at 7AM and went for a walk in the rain forest. We were with a group of girls who kept whining about the mud and complaining that they hated nature. Do not ask me why you would come to Costa Rica if you hate nature. Or why you would bring your curling iron. Or your J-Lo sweatsuit. Anyhow, after ditching the fresitas, I proceeded to spend three hours hiking through the most amazing biological reserve. I took about 100 pictures, which I'll post on the internet as soon as some kind soul will tell me how. At one point it started to rain and you couldn't hear a thing except the drops landing on the leaves, and every once in a while, a monkey. I haven't felt so at peace in ages.
We headed back to the lodge, had lunch and then left for our canopy tour. A canopy tour, for those of you out of the loop, is where they strap a harness around your thighs and attach a strap to your waist with a carribeaner at the end. You hike up a ways into the forest and then climb up onto a little metal station that leads up to the top of a tree. They have a series of 16 wires connecting tree to tree. You get hooked on to the wire and then jump off the platform and zip down to the next station. Can you say adrenaline rush?
On station three I didn't stop in time and crashed into a tree, but other than that, I was a pro. At one station you have the option to do the Tarzan swing, which is just what it sounds like. That was exhilarating. The last line was the best, it ran 2,000 feet and was 260 feet up in the air. You get this bird's eye view of the rain forest and you feel like you're flying. It's different than skydiving because you actually have time to observe things, see the different colors of the greenery and the clouds meeting the hills.
Sunday morning was spent reading the sun and generally just lounging and enjoying the clean air. If anyone comes to visit, Monteverde is definitely on the itinerary.
Since a few of you aren't emailing me, I set up a comments section and you lazy asses can send some love that way. Remember, I'm all alone here and I miss everyone. (maybe the pity angle will work)
This weekend was amazing. All the International Studies Abroad (ISA) kids got together after classes on Friday and headed off to the rain forest. The trip took five and a half hours, which really wouldn't have been so bad but for the fact that we were perilously winding around the side of a mountain on a narrow, BUMPY dirt road. Most of the time you couldn't see around the corner so when another car comes zooming around, well, you can imagine. A note on the streets here, they are full of pot holes, which they call huecos. In other Latin American countries hueco is slang for a gay person. Imagine my friend's confusion when he kept telling everyone that the streets in San Jose were full of huecos and all the Argentinians kept laughing at him.
We finally arrived at Villa Verde, this awesome lodge, where we ate dinner and everyone proceeded to get drunk and dance to the DJ they had. There's a guy from Rice here named Robert who is at a different university but comes on our excursions. Anyhow, he's a great salsa dancer so I got lots of practice with him. It seems like white guys who can dance usually learned through classes so they're really technical and use terms like "cross body lead" and such and have a different sense of rhythm. Of course, I'm still learning but I think I dance better with latinos.
The next morning I woke up at 7AM and went for a walk in the rain forest. We were with a group of girls who kept whining about the mud and complaining that they hated nature. Do not ask me why you would come to Costa Rica if you hate nature. Or why you would bring your curling iron. Or your J-Lo sweatsuit. Anyhow, after ditching the fresitas, I proceeded to spend three hours hiking through the most amazing biological reserve. I took about 100 pictures, which I'll post on the internet as soon as some kind soul will tell me how. At one point it started to rain and you couldn't hear a thing except the drops landing on the leaves, and every once in a while, a monkey. I haven't felt so at peace in ages.
We headed back to the lodge, had lunch and then left for our canopy tour. A canopy tour, for those of you out of the loop, is where they strap a harness around your thighs and attach a strap to your waist with a carribeaner at the end. You hike up a ways into the forest and then climb up onto a little metal station that leads up to the top of a tree. They have a series of 16 wires connecting tree to tree. You get hooked on to the wire and then jump off the platform and zip down to the next station. Can you say adrenaline rush?
On station three I didn't stop in time and crashed into a tree, but other than that, I was a pro. At one station you have the option to do the Tarzan swing, which is just what it sounds like. That was exhilarating. The last line was the best, it ran 2,000 feet and was 260 feet up in the air. You get this bird's eye view of the rain forest and you feel like you're flying. It's different than skydiving because you actually have time to observe things, see the different colors of the greenery and the clouds meeting the hills.
Sunday morning was spent reading the sun and generally just lounging and enjoying the clean air. If anyone comes to visit, Monteverde is definitely on the itinerary.
Since a few of you aren't emailing me, I set up a comments section and you lazy asses can send some love that way. Remember, I'm all alone here and I miss everyone. (maybe the pity angle will work)
Thursday, January 15, 2004
Thursday 1/16/04
Yesterday after classes we headed to the San Pedro Mall to get some dinner and catch a two-for-one deal at the movies. On the way there our taxi driver seemed to think he was playing Crazy Cab. Seriously, the drivers here are so insane. The guy actually hit another car en route but just yelled that he didn't cause any damage and drove away. I wouldn't be suprised if someone died in a car accident or crossing the street. Apparently the half the patrol cars here are out of comission because their registration stickers are out-dated. They don't even ahve the money to rerair the police cars. It's muy peligroso.
At night we went to a great Reggae club last night called Raices. Everyone from school was there and the place was packed and the music was tight. It was a cool setting to be in because although it was a reggae club, there were more white and tico people there than black. Costa Rica has a pretty big rasta community, which shouldn't have suprised me but still did. There still seems to be a lot of racism here, though people won't admit to it. It's strange to me how people can still think that way, but blacks and ticos just don't mix here. I don't think it is the matter of hate, the way it is in America. It seriously seems to be more a matter of ignorance. The black community is somewhat united but not nearly as in your face, anti-white as some aspects of the black community in America. Still, they don't really attempt to integrate with other communities as much.
Ok, must go study for my first test tomorrow. After classes though we are heading out on our first weekend excursion. ISA is taking us to Monteverde, the rain forest about five hours from San Jose. aside from the fact that out director said there might be tarantulas, scorpions and snakes in the rooms, I'm really emocionada to be going.
Yesterday after classes we headed to the San Pedro Mall to get some dinner and catch a two-for-one deal at the movies. On the way there our taxi driver seemed to think he was playing Crazy Cab. Seriously, the drivers here are so insane. The guy actually hit another car en route but just yelled that he didn't cause any damage and drove away. I wouldn't be suprised if someone died in a car accident or crossing the street. Apparently the half the patrol cars here are out of comission because their registration stickers are out-dated. They don't even ahve the money to rerair the police cars. It's muy peligroso.
At night we went to a great Reggae club last night called Raices. Everyone from school was there and the place was packed and the music was tight. It was a cool setting to be in because although it was a reggae club, there were more white and tico people there than black. Costa Rica has a pretty big rasta community, which shouldn't have suprised me but still did. There still seems to be a lot of racism here, though people won't admit to it. It's strange to me how people can still think that way, but blacks and ticos just don't mix here. I don't think it is the matter of hate, the way it is in America. It seriously seems to be more a matter of ignorance. The black community is somewhat united but not nearly as in your face, anti-white as some aspects of the black community in America. Still, they don't really attempt to integrate with other communities as much.
Ok, must go study for my first test tomorrow. After classes though we are heading out on our first weekend excursion. ISA is taking us to Monteverde, the rain forest about five hours from San Jose. aside from the fact that out director said there might be tarantulas, scorpions and snakes in the rooms, I'm really emocionada to be going.
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
So instead of sending out countless emails I figured I'd blog my Costa Rica trip and anyone who cared to know all the amazing (or not so amazing) things I'm doing could read up. I'll keep all the personal reflection, well, personal so you won't have to read all my whining.
Week in Review
Sunday 1/4/04
I had a whole lot of trouble on my way over. Seems I was headed to San Jose, California instead of San Jose, Costa Rica. After a whole lot of mess I retired to my free hotel at the Holiday Inn. People, never, NEVER fly American West. Just don't do it.
Monday 1/5/04
Finally get on the plane to Costa Rica. After a five hour flight I arrive, sans luggage. Meet my fabulous new tica (slang for Costa Rican) family which consists of Ligia and her two daughters: Pamela age 10, and Nicol age 7. They live about a fifteen minute walk from school and our living set up is pretty cool. I get my own little room and bathroom. Their roms are upstairs so at night I'll get the bottom floor to myself. Plus my mamatica makes my bed, washes my clothes and cooks for me. It's kinda cool.
Tuesday 1/6/04
Start classes in Universidad Veritas. Mornings consist of four hours of Conversation and Grammar. Head to downtown San Jose to buy some much-needed underwear. San Jose is this dirty city full of air pollution, but with an amazing view. It's a lot like the border towns in Mexico, but not nearly as hot. The school offers free Salsa classes which all the gringos are all over. Watching that many pairs of stiff hips sway is muy funny. Still no sign of luggage.
Wednesday 1/7/03
Classes as usual. At night I headed to a local bar called El Pescadito with Luis and Josue, Ligia's nephews. They told me that a lot curse words in Mexico aren't bad here. It pains me to call my favorite herb cilantro, culantro. Culo to me will always mean asshole, literally. Also, in Mexico (and by default Texas) coger means to fuck. Here it means to take, as in "Voy a coger el bus" or to pick up as in "El cogio su perro." It still boggles my mind to hear that
Thursday 1/8/03
Classes in the morning and again late afternoon. I'm taking Afro-Latin studies which may be kinda interesting. During my break we went shopping to this mini-mall kinda place to pick up some essentials. Note on tico style. The girls are skankarrific. I have never seen pants so tight or so many midriffs and cleavage.
I had another dance class at night which is the highlight of my week. I'm gonna improve so much when I'm here. You guys better be in the mood to go dancing when I get home, or all this will have been for naught.
Still no sign of my bag.
Friday 1/9/03
Woke up sick so I slept in. When I got out of bed Ligia was making a picnic for us so we went to this great little park right around the corner. As pretty as Costa Rica is, San Jose is in a valley and there are no emission regulations here so the air is so nasty. It's kinda hard to enjoy a park when busses keep spewing fumes your way.
Was feeling really homesick so I opted not to go out. Talked to my amazing mom who managed to find my luggage. This cheered me up immensely.
Saturday 1/10/03
American West sucks. They just do.
7PM Luggage FINALLY arrives. I have never been so happy to see a pair of Tevas in my life.
Sunday 1/11/03
Went to a great restaurant up in the mountains. The view from these places is breath-taking. They're called miradores, which means look-outs and indeed they are.
At night I finally headed to a local hot-spot called El Puelblo. It's this really cool little village looking place with bars and clubs. We had a blast watching the ticos dance on stage. They really like choreography here, and EVERYONE knows how to shake it. If you can believe it, the taxi ride to and from, plus three shots of tequila only cost me $3. I love it here. Did you hear me? I said three dollars! What are you waiting for? Book the ticket over here already.
Week in Review
Sunday 1/4/04
I had a whole lot of trouble on my way over. Seems I was headed to San Jose, California instead of San Jose, Costa Rica. After a whole lot of mess I retired to my free hotel at the Holiday Inn. People, never, NEVER fly American West. Just don't do it.
Monday 1/5/04
Finally get on the plane to Costa Rica. After a five hour flight I arrive, sans luggage. Meet my fabulous new tica (slang for Costa Rican) family which consists of Ligia and her two daughters: Pamela age 10, and Nicol age 7. They live about a fifteen minute walk from school and our living set up is pretty cool. I get my own little room and bathroom. Their roms are upstairs so at night I'll get the bottom floor to myself. Plus my mamatica makes my bed, washes my clothes and cooks for me. It's kinda cool.
Tuesday 1/6/04
Start classes in Universidad Veritas. Mornings consist of four hours of Conversation and Grammar. Head to downtown San Jose to buy some much-needed underwear. San Jose is this dirty city full of air pollution, but with an amazing view. It's a lot like the border towns in Mexico, but not nearly as hot. The school offers free Salsa classes which all the gringos are all over. Watching that many pairs of stiff hips sway is muy funny. Still no sign of luggage.
Wednesday 1/7/03
Classes as usual. At night I headed to a local bar called El Pescadito with Luis and Josue, Ligia's nephews. They told me that a lot curse words in Mexico aren't bad here. It pains me to call my favorite herb cilantro, culantro. Culo to me will always mean asshole, literally. Also, in Mexico (and by default Texas) coger means to fuck. Here it means to take, as in "Voy a coger el bus" or to pick up as in "El cogio su perro." It still boggles my mind to hear that
Thursday 1/8/03
Classes in the morning and again late afternoon. I'm taking Afro-Latin studies which may be kinda interesting. During my break we went shopping to this mini-mall kinda place to pick up some essentials. Note on tico style. The girls are skankarrific. I have never seen pants so tight or so many midriffs and cleavage.
I had another dance class at night which is the highlight of my week. I'm gonna improve so much when I'm here. You guys better be in the mood to go dancing when I get home, or all this will have been for naught.
Still no sign of my bag.
Friday 1/9/03
Woke up sick so I slept in. When I got out of bed Ligia was making a picnic for us so we went to this great little park right around the corner. As pretty as Costa Rica is, San Jose is in a valley and there are no emission regulations here so the air is so nasty. It's kinda hard to enjoy a park when busses keep spewing fumes your way.
Was feeling really homesick so I opted not to go out. Talked to my amazing mom who managed to find my luggage. This cheered me up immensely.
Saturday 1/10/03
American West sucks. They just do.
7PM Luggage FINALLY arrives. I have never been so happy to see a pair of Tevas in my life.
Sunday 1/11/03
Went to a great restaurant up in the mountains. The view from these places is breath-taking. They're called miradores, which means look-outs and indeed they are.
At night I finally headed to a local hot-spot called El Puelblo. It's this really cool little village looking place with bars and clubs. We had a blast watching the ticos dance on stage. They really like choreography here, and EVERYONE knows how to shake it. If you can believe it, the taxi ride to and from, plus three shots of tequila only cost me $3. I love it here. Did you hear me? I said three dollars! What are you waiting for? Book the ticket over here already.
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