Thursday, January 15, 2009
Earthquake and the aftermath
There was terremoto (big earthquake) here in Costa Rica on January 8th. It registered a 6.2 on the Richter scale. Luckily, it wasn’t in my province, so we didn’t get any of the devastating effects, but we definitely felt it. Being from Arizona, earthquakes a really new phenomenon for me. When this one happened I was sitting in Marta’s kitchen after lunch with Hilbert, but in Santa Rosa it didn’t feel THAT big. We later saw on the news that it has already claimed about 20 lives, and there are people still missing. We are still feeling afterschocks in the 4.0 range. It is on the news all day long, and it can get kind of depressing to watch. The people of the Poas volcano region are definitely in my thoughts and prayers; it is going to be a big task to recuperate in towns where nearly everything was destroyed.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
New Years
New Year
On New Year's Eve, the three of us took a bus back to my village. There, Caty and Nancy got to meet all of my new friends and family, and see in person what I have been writing home about all these months. There was yet another huge family party, and yet more drinking, eating, dancing. All of the boys fell in love with Caty; it was super cute. She and nancy even took a few turns on the dance floor. Nancy and Caty both got along super well with all of my younger host relatives- probably because the kids weren't hing up on the language barrier at all. On New Year's Day, it was rainy. I guess that i couldn't expect the unusually gorgeous weather to hold out forever. When it finally did clear up a bit, us three girls, plus Carita and his nephew, walked up to the dairy where there are also some random animals. We picked some carrots out of a field (luckily owned by Carita's dad) and Caty was her usualy funny self. Nancy was excited to check out the agricultural side of Santa Rosa, and Marta was happy to show her around. I found out a lot of stuff that I didn't know before. On Friday, we went to Hereduia, adn stayed the night at Helen's house. We went out to a great dinner, and went to bed early. Caty and Nancy got in a cab at 4:30 am, and I saw them on their way. I can't even tell you guys how nice it was to have them here to visit over the holidays. And, it was realyl nice to be able to introduce two people that I lvoe so much from my normal life, to the new people that I have grown to love so much here in Costa Rica.
Ithink that the New Year+ my family's visit made eveyone in the village more cognizant of the fact that I am not going to be here forever; I only have 3 moths left. Everyone was getting all sappy on me, and saying how they don't want me to go. It is really nice to feel wanted, and I know what they mean. I really don't like thinking about the day when I have to leave all of this behind. That's exactly why I am encouraging my friends not to talk about it, yet. Three months is a long time, and I plan to take advantage of all of it.
On New Year's Eve, the three of us took a bus back to my village. There, Caty and Nancy got to meet all of my new friends and family, and see in person what I have been writing home about all these months. There was yet another huge family party, and yet more drinking, eating, dancing. All of the boys fell in love with Caty; it was super cute. She and nancy even took a few turns on the dance floor. Nancy and Caty both got along super well with all of my younger host relatives- probably because the kids weren't hing up on the language barrier at all. On New Year's Day, it was rainy. I guess that i couldn't expect the unusually gorgeous weather to hold out forever. When it finally did clear up a bit, us three girls, plus Carita and his nephew, walked up to the dairy where there are also some random animals. We picked some carrots out of a field (luckily owned by Carita's dad) and Caty was her usualy funny self. Nancy was excited to check out the agricultural side of Santa Rosa, and Marta was happy to show her around. I found out a lot of stuff that I didn't know before. On Friday, we went to Hereduia, adn stayed the night at Helen's house. We went out to a great dinner, and went to bed early. Caty and Nancy got in a cab at 4:30 am, and I saw them on their way. I can't even tell you guys how nice it was to have them here to visit over the holidays. And, it was realyl nice to be able to introduce two people that I lvoe so much from my normal life, to the new people that I have grown to love so much here in Costa Rica.
Ithink that the New Year+ my family's visit made eveyone in the village more cognizant of the fact that I am not going to be here forever; I only have 3 moths left. Everyone was getting all sappy on me, and saying how they don't want me to go. It is really nice to feel wanted, and I know what they mean. I really don't like thinking about the day when I have to leave all of this behind. That's exactly why I am encouraging my friends not to talk about it, yet. Three months is a long time, and I plan to take advantage of all of it.
More Christmas stuff
I have been super busy. My "Christmas vacation" ended up being busier than my normal time here, but it was super worth it. Here's the run down.
From the river, we went straight to the really neat beach town of Puerto Viejo (on the Carribean Coast). It is very laid back, and this part of Costa Rica has a disntincly different culture from the other parts. We stayed in a pretty hotel outside of town, on a really gorgeous beach (with some really aweful riptides- Caty almost had to save a guy while we were sitting watching the waves). We had soem time to just chill out, lay on the beach, and walk around Puerto Viejo. We rented bicycles, and got to see much more, faster, this way.
We also went ziplining, which is pretty much the coolest way ever to see the rainforest canopy. You go pretty fast, pretty high up, and see weirdo bugs and cool trees. Oh, and there was a sloth at our hotel. No big deal.
Christmas Eve
Christmas is a HUGE deal here in Costa Rica. They started decorating in, like, October, adn it has felt pretty festive ever since. It is even cold here on the mountain, so I didn't feel nearly as homesick for Christmas as I might have expected. On Christmas Eve, the entire family got together at Silvana's house (my "host niece",
but she has a 14 year old). Beforehand, I went to Christmas Eve mass, and it was really pretty. We had a great time eating, drinking, dancing (you know the drill). The only big surprise was that when it turned midnight (so NOW, its officially Christmas) everyone started crying and hugging eachother and wishing everyone a Feliz Navidad. Apparently, they always cry on Christmas: out of happiness and gratitude, but also about the tought stuff from the year before. We then said a prayer. I never cry for Christmas! I try and be happy. However, it was nice to be included in the family's intimate traditions. Another difference: the kids don't wait until the morning to open their presents; EL niño (Jesus)brings the presents and they find them under their beds at midnight. I think my favorite part of the night was when Irina (age 4ish) got a broom and mop and dustpan from el niño, and was trying to help clean up when the party was over at like 1am.
but she has a 14 year old). Beforehand, I went to Christmas Eve mass, and it was really pretty. We had a great time eating, drinking, dancing (you know the drill). The only big surprise was that when it turned midnight (so NOW, its officially Christmas) everyone started crying and hugging eachother and wishing everyone a Feliz Navidad. Apparently, they always cry on Christmas: out of happiness and gratitude, but also about the tought stuff from the year before. We then said a prayer. I never cry for Christmas! I try and be happy. However, it was nice to be included in the family's intimate traditions. Another difference: the kids don't wait until the morning to open their presents; EL niño (Jesus)brings the presents and they find them under their beds at midnight. I think my favorite part of the night was when Irina (age 4ish) got a broom and mop and dustpan from el niño, and was trying to help clean up when the party was over at like 1am.Christmas Day
On the 25th, I vowed that I was only going to eat Tamales- all day. And, I succeeded. however, I am now all Tamaled out for a while. It was a nice, kicked back day.
Caty and Nancy come to visit me!
On December 26th, my sister Caty and our friend/surrogate mother figure came to visit me. I met them at the airport on Friday night, and we just had a week straight of fun. Each day could be a whole page of blog, but since I don't have the time, nor the typing capacity to write that much, I will include as much as I can.
On Saturday, we woke up super early and went white water river rafting on the Pacuare River. It was just beautiful. The weather was great, and we had a super fun boat crew. No one fell out (because we are such skilled oarsmen and women) and we got to see some disgustingly gorgeous nature.
From the river, we went straight to the really neat beach town of Puerto Viejo (on the Carribean Coast). It is very laid back, and this part of Costa Rica has a disntincly different culture from the other parts. We stayed in a pretty hotel outside of town, on a really gorgeous beach (with some really aweful riptides- Caty almost had to save a guy while we were sitting watching the waves). We had soem time to just chill out, lay on the beach, and walk around Puerto Viejo. We rented bicycles, and got to see much more, faster, this way.
We also went ziplining, which is pretty much the coolest way ever to see the rainforest canopy. You go pretty fast, pretty high up, and see weirdo bugs and cool trees. Oh, and there was a sloth at our hotel. No big deal.
On our last full day, we rode our Bike's to another small 
town, called Manzanillo. It was absolutely gorgeous! The bike ride was half of the fun. We swang on some branches tarzan style (Brent, if you are reading this- I finally found some swingable branches!), and just had a really neat time.
town, called Manzanillo. It was absolutely gorgeous! The bike ride was half of the fun. We swang on some branches tarzan style (Brent, if you are reading this- I finally found some swingable branches!), and just had a really neat time. 
Christmas Season
I have been super busy these past few weeks. My Christmas "break" ended up being splendidly hectic. I will put up some photos to go with this narrative ASAP.
Habitat paseo
I went with about 15 Habitat employees on paseo (a little end of the year trip). We went to Aguas Termales, in la F
ortuna. It was volcanic hot springs, and it was really fun. The hot springs were 
gorgeous, and felt great since it was a kind of rainy day. Plus, it was free, so it doesnt' get a shole lit better than that. I got back to Cartago at like 10 pm, exhausted, but it was way worth it.
ortuna. It was volcanic hot springs, and it was really fun. The hot springs were 
gorgeous, and felt great since it was a kind of rainy day. Plus, it was free, so it doesnt' get a shole lit better than that. I got back to Cartago at like 10 pm, exhausted, but it was way worth it. Tamales
in Costa Rica, as in Mexico, it is a Christmas tradition to make ridiculous numbers of tamales. every family makes a bunch, and then they take them to their neighbors and friends and family as Christmas gifts. I was excited to be involved in the process, and am proud to say that actually making 300+ tamales didn't diminish how much I like to eat them. Here, the tamales are different than what I am used to in the Southwest. they are made from Maza, but also have mashed potatoes mixed in (which make them softer). Then, inside there is pork, carrot, green bean, rice, and a little bit of bell pepper. We wrapped them in plantain leaves, and then boiled them iver huge firepits for like 4 hours. On Christmas day I ate nothing but tamales, as a personal challenge (which wasn't that much of a hardship, really). 6th Grade graduation
My 6th graders graduated from elementary school on December 20th, and most will now be going to high school. Some have decided to end their educations at this point, and go work in the fields instead. For a country with a 97% literacy rate, it amazes me how many people don't finish, or even go to, school past the 7th grade. Regardless, it wsa still nice to be able to see them graduate and hand out certificates or completion in my English class. I really hope that I have better prepared them for the English classes that they'll be taking in the colegio.
Relocated Camping Trip
My friends and I had been planning a camping trip on December 20th for like a month, and were really psyched about it. However, a combination of events led us to cancel the trip, or, rather, relocate it to my living room. 1- The weather in Santa Rosa was super cold that week, and no one wanted to freeze to death. 2- A few people had to get up early the next morning for a soccer 
game. C- Saprissa and La Liga were playing in the last game of the national soccer championship, and noone wanted to miss it. So, Carita brought his TV over to my house, we hooked it up, grilled outside and had a barbeque while we watched Saprissa (my team) dominate la Liga 3-0. It was a fun night, and way warmer than we would have been outside.
game. C- Saprissa and La Liga were playing in the last game of the national soccer championship, and noone wanted to miss it. So, Carita brought his TV over to my house, we hooked it up, grilled outside and had a barbeque while we watched Saprissa (my team) dominate la Liga 3-0. It was a fun night, and way warmer than we would have been outside.
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