After finishing my 15 page diagnostic report of my community (written in Spanish) at the end of April, I realized I finally had time on my hands. I decided to dive head first into work opportunities and now I've found myself almost drowning. 3 times a week I assist the preschool teacher with her class. Helping develop lesson plans and creative projects for the niños. I'm sure glad that I am not a full time teacher because after 4 hours with these kids, I'm ready to go home. This week the preschool teacher and I started a 6 week course with the parents of her students to educate them why hitting their kids as a form of punishment is bad and alternative methods to discipline without physical abuse. Last night, one parent showed up! I spent time and made 20 handmade invitations (think computer printouts with lots of cut, neon colored paper, glue and fun scissors) and that's the kinds of response we got. That's just how the people are here.
On Wednesdays I run an environmental club with a University student for the older kids in my elementary school. This last week we had a coloring contest with a handout teaching the students how to prevent Dengue (a disease very similar to Malaria), offering prizes to the girl and boy who completed the questions correctly and colored all the pictures on the worksheet the nicest. Only one person even bothered to do the assignment.
I am now teaching three different private English classes to 4 different people. Half children, half adults. Teaching English is not really something I came here to do but somehow I got suckered into it. More people are banging down my door requesting lessons but I just have to say no because time doesn't permit it. Of course all of these classes are free of charge.
I am still working at the orphanage about 5 hours per week. My most current project is teaching animals and colors to the youngins. We are reading the book “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” which my kindergarten teacher read to us 20 years ago. Wow, that makes me sound old! We are making a copy of the book out of construction paper for the kids to keep there in the orphanage. I also help take the 9 month old twins, who were 3 months premature, to physical therapy once week.
I have found a Tico who loves baseball and has a team of teenage boys started in the center of town. We are going to work on a partnership to offer a baseball camp to kids of all ages from my barrio and other marginal schools in the area during their two week vacation in July. There will be a group of Gringos coming this week to help with the camp.
Peace Corps called me last week offering me another partnership opportunity but this time with Habitat for Humanity. It turns out that Habitat is going to be starting new “Exposure Trips” where volunteers come to Costa Rica to build a house for a few days but then for the next few days to work in communities with Peace Corps Volunteers on different projects with the locals. The pilot trip is this August and the house is being built in my town of Santa Cruz. I am really looking forward to this opportunity. 4 other PCVs who live relatively close to Santa Cruz will be included in this project as well and we will all be given the opportunity to help built the Habitat House with the Gringos who are coming.
Did I mention that a third group of Gringos is coming to help in the church in my barrio the first week of July? The pastor of the church has asked me to accompany them with their projects. Of course I said, “Sure!” Not sure how I will pull that one off since it will be the same week as the baseball camp.
A little over a week ago, one of the caretakers of the orphanage lost her own house and EVERYTHING she owned in a house fire that started in the middle of the night. Cars, work equipment, and a dog included. Two people suffered burns to their feet, back, hair and face. Luckily all survived. Doing my part as PCV, I wrote a letter and distributed it to about 70 of the businesses in town asking for donations of any kind. This Saturday I will go around in a truck with a friend and collect all of the donations. The family has no idea I am doing this.
In addition this Saturday, my good Tico friends, Edwin and Natalia, will be tying the knot and I've been invited to a small ceremony of about 40 people. My own cousin Jenna is getting married in the States this same day and I was disappointed that I was not going to be able to attend the wedding. Turns out I will be attending one that day anyway. All my family will be in my thoughts this day as I cannot be with them.
So, as if it didn't sound like I already have a full plate, I will be on two different committees of PCVs. One to help plan an All Volunteer Conference in San Jose for 4 days over Halloween and another to help keep the Resource Center in order in the PC office in San Jose. The latter of the two will only require me to go to the capital (4 hours by bus) once every 3 to 4 months to do work.
As this blog entry has now become way too long for anyone to want to read, I will save the stories about making ceramics and boys for the next entry.
Hope everything is going well with you. My time is flying here so maybe we will be seeing each other soon. Until then, pura vida.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Monday, April 10, 2006
Snail Mail
Just for the record, even though I have moved, my mailing address is the same.
Amy Burkert
Apartado 292-5150
Santa Cruz, Guanacaste
Costa Rica
But, my new phone number calling from the states is as follows. 011-506-680-1960.
Look forward to hearing from you soon!
Amy Burkert
Apartado 292-5150
Santa Cruz, Guanacaste
Costa Rica
But, my new phone number calling from the states is as follows. 011-506-680-1960.
Look forward to hearing from you soon!
Friday, April 07, 2006
Casa Nueva
So I know that I just posted a blog a few days ago but I am so overjoyed with my new living situation I wanted to share it with everyone.
I did this purple paint job myself...OK, with the help of a friend. But it was my first wall painting experience. Mental note, don't use oil based paint, even if the Ticos insist.
I did this purple paint job myself...OK, with the help of a friend. But it was my first wall painting experience. Mental note, don't use oil based paint, even if the Ticos insist.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Got Money?
Hello and welcome back to Amy's life in the Peace Corps. I have to say, my life is 95% better now that I have changed houses. I have been in the new one for 4 days now and really like the independence and privacy I have gained. It's really nice being able to prepare your own lunch whenever you feel like it and be able to walk around in your underwear because it is so damn hot and no one is home. OK, ok, I didn't really do that second one yet but it sure is tempting.
I've startled buckling down on the work because I've realized I have a lot of it. Teaching environmental classes, working to clean up the orphanage, teaching the orphans the basics like colors and numbers, working with the preschool class at the school in my barrio, being part of the community association and attending their meetings, writing a 20 page community analysis report in Spanish, and planning for the future. I want to start a baseball team, boy scouts and girl scouts, and run a week long camp for kids in July. In the more immediate future, Peace Corps Volunteers here in Costa Rica are putting together a 4 day Girls Conference in May where all PCCR volunteers with come together and bring at-risk girls from their barrio to the conference. The conference is looking for a lot of donations so if you've got a little money lying around or know someone who does, check out the following website on how you can contribute to a good cause. I'll let you know how the conference goes in May.
Go ahead, check out the website.
http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.projdetail&projdesc=515-115®ion=latinamerica
I've startled buckling down on the work because I've realized I have a lot of it. Teaching environmental classes, working to clean up the orphanage, teaching the orphans the basics like colors and numbers, working with the preschool class at the school in my barrio, being part of the community association and attending their meetings, writing a 20 page community analysis report in Spanish, and planning for the future. I want to start a baseball team, boy scouts and girl scouts, and run a week long camp for kids in July. In the more immediate future, Peace Corps Volunteers here in Costa Rica are putting together a 4 day Girls Conference in May where all PCCR volunteers with come together and bring at-risk girls from their barrio to the conference. The conference is looking for a lot of donations so if you've got a little money lying around or know someone who does, check out the following website on how you can contribute to a good cause. I'll let you know how the conference goes in May.
Go ahead, check out the website.
http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.projdetail&projdesc=515-115®ion=latinamerica
Thursday, March 23, 2006
How do you like them peaches?
Raise your hand if you think Amy is bluffing about her great Peace Corps experience. Ok, you were right. It's not all peaches and pineapples and it hasn't been for a long time. Oh, wait, it hasn't been like that ever. For the last 8 months I have been living in Costa Rica, learning the language, culture and customs, learning about my role as a PCV, melding into my barrio, and missing my family and friends at home like crazy. More than once I have thought about coming home. OK, everyone thinks about going home, but I thought about it and was really serious. A las, I have not decided to board the plane quite yet. I've wanted this for too damn long and worked too hard to get here that it's not quitting time just yet. Instead, I have reevaluated my expectations for Peace Corps (read, lowered my standards) and decided just to change houses in my barrio to spice things up a bit. Supposedly I am allergic to the animals. So that is what I am dealing with right now. Leaving one family and preparing for the next. Move in date, April 1. Work is starting to pick up. Can't really say I've had too much of it so far. I guess the work has always been there, I am just starting to take advantage of it along with the lovely Spanish skills I have picked up along the way. You wouldn't believe the words coming out of my mouth...you would think I had lived here longer than 8 months. So that is what is going on with me. Let's see what the next 19 months bring. If you are feeling up to it, I'd love to receive some snail mail to hear what you are up to.
Amy Burkert
Apartado 292-5150
Santa Cruz, Guanacaste
Costa Rica
Amy Burkert
Apartado 292-5150
Santa Cruz, Guanacaste
Costa Rica
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
More Odd Realities
This always seems to be everyone's favorite blog topic so back in its second edition, more things that consume my daily life that I find un poco strano.
1. We use old newspapers to clean the mirrors instead of windex.
2. Instead of doormats, a pair of old jeans greets visitors at each doorway.
3. For as many dogs that roam the streets, I never see dog crap anywhere. Maybe we as Americans are doing something wrong with our pooper scoopers and plastic bags.
4. Once when a child had splattered paint all over my shirt, my host mom used a little gasoline to take the stains out. Hmmm....
5. We reuse our clothes washing water. Now seriously, we're not that poor.
6. Instead of ice cream trucks, we have ice cream bikes here in Costa Rica.
7. Why are we cooking in the kitchen with 25 watt bulbs overhead when we leave the 75 watt bulb on in the bathroom all day long?
8. For some reason, Ticos find it a good idea to burn their trash (OK, mostly brush and dry leaves) in open air fires alongside the road or next to their houses. Now who told them it was a smart idea to start fires in an already hot and dry climate? Most of the time it smells like marijuana. Oh wait...
9. A popular dessert treat is mixing cut up fruit with jello and ice cream. It's a lot better than it sounds.
10. When baby girls are born, it is customary for them to leave the hospital with their ears pierced.
11. And the last oddness of my daily life, in most Tico homes, a broom can be found accompanying you in the shower. I guess they really like clean cooters!
1. We use old newspapers to clean the mirrors instead of windex.
2. Instead of doormats, a pair of old jeans greets visitors at each doorway.
3. For as many dogs that roam the streets, I never see dog crap anywhere. Maybe we as Americans are doing something wrong with our pooper scoopers and plastic bags.
4. Once when a child had splattered paint all over my shirt, my host mom used a little gasoline to take the stains out. Hmmm....
5. We reuse our clothes washing water. Now seriously, we're not that poor.
6. Instead of ice cream trucks, we have ice cream bikes here in Costa Rica.
7. Why are we cooking in the kitchen with 25 watt bulbs overhead when we leave the 75 watt bulb on in the bathroom all day long?
8. For some reason, Ticos find it a good idea to burn their trash (OK, mostly brush and dry leaves) in open air fires alongside the road or next to their houses. Now who told them it was a smart idea to start fires in an already hot and dry climate? Most of the time it smells like marijuana. Oh wait...
9. A popular dessert treat is mixing cut up fruit with jello and ice cream. It's a lot better than it sounds.
10. When baby girls are born, it is customary for them to leave the hospital with their ears pierced.
11. And the last oddness of my daily life, in most Tico homes, a broom can be found accompanying you in the shower. I guess they really like clean cooters!
Monday, February 27, 2006
Time flies when you're having fun!
In the last two weeks my parents came, they saw and they bought the T-shirt (OK, really it was a hat). And boy did the time fly. Some tears were shed when I met my parents at the San Jose airport on the 14th of Feb. This was the first time we were seeing each other in more than 7 months. Mostly those tears were from me. We had a good two days in San Jose visiting my training community, the Peace Corps office, and eating at two wonderful restaurants. It's always nice when someone else is footing the bill. Following the brief stint in San Jose, we took the four-wheel drive and set out for a little exploring. Stopping to visit the town of Sarchi where a lot of woodcrafts and furniture are made was among the highlights. We saw a lot of beautiful terrain, animals and rainbows along the way. Just from this little bit of exploring and seeing a part of the country which I never knew existed, gave me a newfound appreciation for Costa Rica. On day four, we finally arrived in Fortuna where we would spend the next three days exploring the Arenal Volcano, taking a horseback ride to a canopy tour through the rain forest (think zip line), and soaking in hot springs at night. Next on our agenda was visiting my site. We made the four hour drive around Lake Arenal and finally arrived to Santa Cruz on Monday night. The following day was filled with more than 75 formal introductions so my parents could meet the people with whom I live, work and play. My brain was really fried after that day from all the translating. I am happy that my parents will now actually be able to visualize my town and work and acquaintances when I talk about them. My parents really enjoyed meeting everyone and commented on how friendly the Ticos are . The next day we headed to the small town of Guaitil where I am learning to make an ancient form of pottery derived from the indigenous people of Costa Rica. A small dent was made in my dad's wallet as they bought up a bunch of pottery. Finally it was time to head for the beach. We stayed for the next two nights at a beautiful paradise called Lugar Bonita. Gracious Gringo owners, Jerry and Wanda , rent out two cabinas on their property. Each cabina has a theme and is decorated to the max, with every detail covered. There is a very inviting swimming pool, lush plants and flowers, and a rancho (think large tiki hut) filled with lounge chairs and hammocks and a stocked fridge. After we arrived, my dad made the executive decision that we would stay for two nights and not just the originally planned one. It was a very tranquil place that I would recommend to anyone looking for a very relaxing spot to vacation. Check out their site at http://www.lugarbonita.com/ Though a lot of these last few days were spent enjoying the company of the owners, we did manage to take a trip away from paradise to visit two different beaches, watch the sunset and eat at a few more good restaurants. It was sad to see my parents leave after their 11 day visit, but I know it is only another 10 months till I go home for Christmas.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Fiestas, Training, Camp and Vacation
The third week of January commemorated the annual civic festivals in my town of Santa Cruz. Bull riding, marimba music, parades with folkloric dancing and scary clowns, dances into the wee hours of the night, and your typical carnival food and rides. Unfortunately, this ended up being the same week that Peace Corps decided to hold our first In-Service-Training of my training group (Tico 13, project: Children Youth and Families) since we had sworn in as official PCVs at the end of September. Since then, we have lost two people who found that their site (it was our only married couple, fellow UVA rivals) was not up to their expectations. We are now a group of 11 scattered throughout the country. It was nice to all come together for a week in San Jose after being apart for 3.5 months. PC put us up in a nice hotel that had efficiencies, free internet and a pool. Too bad it was always too cold to swim. The week entailed Spanish lessons in the morning, and then sessions throughout the week on health and safety, cultural and work related challenges, sharing goals and accomplishments, work report and grant writing, using puppets to work with children, and private time to talk with our boss. The food was wonderful. A nice change from what most of us are use to in our sites. In the evenings, we found ourselves catching movies in downtown San Jose, celebrating a fellow volunteer's birthday and searching for wisdom from our fellow volunteers...around bottles of unapproved PC beverages. Oh how I look forward to Mid-Service-Training which will take place in September.
The last week of January into the first week of February found me in the town of Liberia (an hour and a half NE) helping a fellow volunteer in my Tico group run an Environmental Day Camp for kids of her barrio. Three other volunteers were there to help as well. We spent the week helping the boss run errands and take care of last minute details. I was usually in charge ofpreparing and making sure all the 30+ kids got snack which usually equated to a mini lunch. The week ended with a trash pick-up and mural painting at the school in her barrio. It turned out really well and all the kids had a wonderful time. As for me, I got attacked by every mosquito and biting ant in all of Central America. Over a week later, I am still trying to recover as the bites turned into "poison ivy like" patches on my legs that no cream or pills seem to heal. I guess that puts extra emphasis on the term "Environmental Camp"!
I spent this past weekend with my host mom visiting her family in the countryside. It's always nice to escape there to get away from the noise of the city. Typically we just sit around shooting the shit. This time we sat around doing that and attended a Rosario for a distant family member who had passed away 9 days before. During these trips to the country, I usually find enough time to finish a book. This was my second visit. The food is always out of this world, always a plus!
Tomorrow is Dia de Los Enamorados or better known to Americans as Valentine's Day. Usually this is not a day I look forward to with much anticipation but this year will be different. Tomorrow my first true loves arrive in country, my parents! We will spend 11 days visiting my training town and current work site and throw in a few touristy attractions here and there. I look forward to seeing them for the first time in 7 months and hope I don't find myself packed in their luggage on their return flight home!
Thanks to everyone for all of the cards and packages that rolled in throughout the month of January and throughout the other months of the year. It's always nice to have something waiting for you when you arrive to your mailbox.
Happy Valentine's Day to all!!!
The last week of January into the first week of February found me in the town of Liberia (an hour and a half NE) helping a fellow volunteer in my Tico group run an Environmental Day Camp for kids of her barrio. Three other volunteers were there to help as well. We spent the week helping the boss run errands and take care of last minute details. I was usually in charge ofpreparing and making sure all the 30+ kids got snack which usually equated to a mini lunch. The week ended with a trash pick-up and mural painting at the school in her barrio. It turned out really well and all the kids had a wonderful time. As for me, I got attacked by every mosquito and biting ant in all of Central America. Over a week later, I am still trying to recover as the bites turned into "poison ivy like" patches on my legs that no cream or pills seem to heal. I guess that puts extra emphasis on the term "Environmental Camp"!
I spent this past weekend with my host mom visiting her family in the countryside. It's always nice to escape there to get away from the noise of the city. Typically we just sit around shooting the shit. This time we sat around doing that and attended a Rosario for a distant family member who had passed away 9 days before. During these trips to the country, I usually find enough time to finish a book. This was my second visit. The food is always out of this world, always a plus!
Tomorrow is Dia de Los Enamorados or better known to Americans as Valentine's Day. Usually this is not a day I look forward to with much anticipation but this year will be different. Tomorrow my first true loves arrive in country, my parents! We will spend 11 days visiting my training town and current work site and throw in a few touristy attractions here and there. I look forward to seeing them for the first time in 7 months and hope I don't find myself packed in their luggage on their return flight home!
Thanks to everyone for all of the cards and packages that rolled in throughout the month of January and throughout the other months of the year. It's always nice to have something waiting for you when you arrive to your mailbox.
Happy Valentine's Day to all!!!
Friday, January 13, 2006
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Was it really that bad?
Everyone has been asking, "So, was your Christmas really as bad as you thought it would be?" And the honest answer is, YES! Now, I know all my blogs come across as sarcastic and really bitter but it all really is the honest truth. Plus, I have to keep my customers entertained. So here it goes with the real story of Christmas.
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, no one was there, only the mouse (and cockroaches). But to where did all the people go? To the neighbors to attend a Rosario. There was chanting of hymns and beer and bad food, I was really tired and just not in the mood. So we returned to the house a little after one, so we could go to bed and be rested for a big day of fun! In the middle of the night, I placed presents under the tree to awaken in the morning to find there was nothing for me! Christmas day in Costa Rica was a day like any other, with soup from a packet and no call from my brother. Then what to my wondering stomach did appear, but a toilet full of vomit and no one to hear. It was off to the orphanage at a quarter past five, to eat rice and beans as my Christmas dinner surprise. The kids were all happy with their day full of glee and this made me happy, it was the best thing to see. It was back to my casa where I found coca-cola on the table, which kept me company as I finished my day on the couch with a movie of Harry Potter which helped keep me stable. To this I say, a Christmas I will never forget, can't wait for next year, hopefully with a different mindset.
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, no one was there, only the mouse (and cockroaches). But to where did all the people go? To the neighbors to attend a Rosario. There was chanting of hymns and beer and bad food, I was really tired and just not in the mood. So we returned to the house a little after one, so we could go to bed and be rested for a big day of fun! In the middle of the night, I placed presents under the tree to awaken in the morning to find there was nothing for me! Christmas day in Costa Rica was a day like any other, with soup from a packet and no call from my brother. Then what to my wondering stomach did appear, but a toilet full of vomit and no one to hear. It was off to the orphanage at a quarter past five, to eat rice and beans as my Christmas dinner surprise. The kids were all happy with their day full of glee and this made me happy, it was the best thing to see. It was back to my casa where I found coca-cola on the table, which kept me company as I finished my day on the couch with a movie of Harry Potter which helped keep me stable. To this I say, a Christmas I will never forget, can't wait for next year, hopefully with a different mindset.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Feliz Navidad!
Well, it is finally that time of year. Everyone is hustling and bustling around town, making their last minute Christmas purchases. I am happy to say that I just finished buying all that I am going to buy as far as gifts go. Today's purchases included a few photo albums, a Strawberry Shortcake picture frame for my Tica niece in San Jose and modeling clay for my Tico nephew here in Santa Cruz. I even bought myself a Christmas present. A Winnie the Pooh 2006 agenda book...because I have oh so much to fill it with!
The houses here in Costa Rica have been adorned with Christmas lights and artificial trees since mid-October. The holiday music followed soon after. I insisted that my family wait until both Halloween and Thanksgiving passed before we got into the Christmas spirit. Little did I know, there was little Christmas spirit to be had at the house where I live. After the first week in December passed, I asked if I could help put out the Christmas decorations. So we headed out to the shed to get the box with the artificial Christmas tree inside. A box that obviously hadn't been touched in the past 5 years. I broomed off all the dust and dirt on the outside of the box before attempting the inside where I was greeted by a few dead lizards. 10 minutes later, once the tree was put together, the one strand of half lit lights was strung, and the handful of ornaments adorned the tree with care, we were finished. I should mention that there is also a miniature Nativity scene sitting on top of the TV. Since that day two weeks ago, no one in my house has mentioned Christmas.
I do know that we will be traveling on a two hour bus on Christmas day to visit my Tico mom's family for three days. Everyone but my dad who must stay behind to maintain the pulperia. I am anxiously awaiting for this holiday season to be over. In the meantime, I have been holding sessions in my neighborhood for the kids to make cards for their families. Also, we have been playing lots of informal soccer games (called majenga in Spanish) since the children are on a two month vacation between school years.
Merry Christmas to all! It will be over with the blink of an eye...or at least I hope!
The houses here in Costa Rica have been adorned with Christmas lights and artificial trees since mid-October. The holiday music followed soon after. I insisted that my family wait until both Halloween and Thanksgiving passed before we got into the Christmas spirit. Little did I know, there was little Christmas spirit to be had at the house where I live. After the first week in December passed, I asked if I could help put out the Christmas decorations. So we headed out to the shed to get the box with the artificial Christmas tree inside. A box that obviously hadn't been touched in the past 5 years. I broomed off all the dust and dirt on the outside of the box before attempting the inside where I was greeted by a few dead lizards. 10 minutes later, once the tree was put together, the one strand of half lit lights was strung, and the handful of ornaments adorned the tree with care, we were finished. I should mention that there is also a miniature Nativity scene sitting on top of the TV. Since that day two weeks ago, no one in my house has mentioned Christmas.
I do know that we will be traveling on a two hour bus on Christmas day to visit my Tico mom's family for three days. Everyone but my dad who must stay behind to maintain the pulperia. I am anxiously awaiting for this holiday season to be over. In the meantime, I have been holding sessions in my neighborhood for the kids to make cards for their families. Also, we have been playing lots of informal soccer games (called majenga in Spanish) since the children are on a two month vacation between school years.
Merry Christmas to all! It will be over with the blink of an eye...or at least I hope!
Monday, December 05, 2005
Where is she and what is she doing?
A lot of people are probably thinking, what happened to Amy? Well, the good news is, I'm still here....soaking up life, sun and culture in Costa Rica. I didn't write for a while because nothing interesting was going on in my life. Now, so much stuff has happened I don't know what to include and what to leave out. I spent Thanksgiving without my immediate family for probably the second time in my 25 years. The first time was right after I was born when I was in the hospital for the first 4 months of my life. Both times now, I know I missed my mom's famous cooking. But truth be told, I was on a 3 day retreat with about 65 other Peace Corps Costa Rica Volunteers at a Boy Scout and Girl Scout Camp in the mountains near San Jose. Who would have ever thought that long underwear, wool socks and a sweatshirt would be needed in the tropics? At least I had access to the last of those aforementioned items. A fun time was had by all and I got to meet lots of the PCVs who have been in country longer than me. We all shared a really nice Thanksgiving dinner together which PCCR had catered as a going away dinner for the volunteers who are on their way out this month (they've completed their two years of service). So, I actually did have turkey and stuffing...and a pumpkin pie knock-off to boot.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, I spent reviving my face painting skills while PCVs put on an all day event for the public in San Jose called Arte por la Paz (Art for Peace). This was an effort to showcase art work made by students throughout the country with a theme to promote peace. During the year, students learned about different types of violence and then made works of art to promote peace. At the Arte por la Paz event, there was an award ceremony, live music, hands on art stations, and booths for the public to pick up info about abuse and other types of public help services.
That afternoon at the event, my friend Dave Reichbaum, who I met during my years at JMU with Alternative Spring Break, met up with me. Dave had most recently been serving as a PCV in El Salvador. He made the 5 hour trip back to Santa Cruz with me where we spent the next 4 days together exploring the western coast of CR. I saw my first two snakes here in CR during my time with Dave. I now feel ready to host any family and friends who wish to come visit me (hint, hint!).
During the time while Dave was visitng me, I was also juggling my last hours with my dear friend and local PCV, Dearing Davis, who has now completed her two years of PC service here in CR. We attended lots of parties in her honor this past week. She was a great person to have living near me to show me the ropes as I adjusted to my first two months of life as an official PCV. She is going to be greatly missed as she returns to Nashville, but I know she is someone who I will know for the rest of my life. Best of luck in the future D!
With all that being said, I am now visitorless and friendless in my site in CR. I am not going to know how to act now. Perhaps I will have to start doing some actual work!
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, I spent reviving my face painting skills while PCVs put on an all day event for the public in San Jose called Arte por la Paz (Art for Peace). This was an effort to showcase art work made by students throughout the country with a theme to promote peace. During the year, students learned about different types of violence and then made works of art to promote peace. At the Arte por la Paz event, there was an award ceremony, live music, hands on art stations, and booths for the public to pick up info about abuse and other types of public help services.
That afternoon at the event, my friend Dave Reichbaum, who I met during my years at JMU with Alternative Spring Break, met up with me. Dave had most recently been serving as a PCV in El Salvador. He made the 5 hour trip back to Santa Cruz with me where we spent the next 4 days together exploring the western coast of CR. I saw my first two snakes here in CR during my time with Dave. I now feel ready to host any family and friends who wish to come visit me (hint, hint!).
During the time while Dave was visitng me, I was also juggling my last hours with my dear friend and local PCV, Dearing Davis, who has now completed her two years of PC service here in CR. We attended lots of parties in her honor this past week. She was a great person to have living near me to show me the ropes as I adjusted to my first two months of life as an official PCV. She is going to be greatly missed as she returns to Nashville, but I know she is someone who I will know for the rest of my life. Best of luck in the future D!
With all that being said, I am now visitorless and friendless in my site in CR. I am not going to know how to act now. Perhaps I will have to start doing some actual work!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving!
I want to wish all of my family and friends a Happy Turkey Day! I will miss Turkey in all senses of the word this year. ;-) Eat some extra pumpkin pie for me. Gobble, gobble!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Things you might find interesting...
1. Usually there are no light fixtures, just light bulbs screwed into the ceiling (or the wall in the case of my bedroom).
2. There are multiple "General Stores" (called Pulperias) in neighborhoods where people can buy the basics such as rice, beans, sugar, coffee, bread, fruits, vegetables, even soda and ice cream, without having to leave the barrio to go to the supermarket. Even though these pulperias are more expensive and the selection isn't as great, most people shop here for the convenience. And they shop frequently....like multiple times a day.
3. The above being said, sometimes these pulperias run on the book system where they come and get what they want but they don't pay for the food. Instead the shopkeeper writes their total under their name in a notebook for them to pay later....which I can't imagine ever happens. Some people have big outstanding debts. This is done because the people need to eat but really can't afford to pay. So they might pay a small part each time but never the full bill.
4. If you go to the pulperia to buy a Coke in a recycled glass bottle, the Coke is poured into a plastic bag (think sandwich bag minus the ziplock) and handed to the customer to drink with a straw.
5. This same idea of serving drinks in plastic bags are also done when large numbers of people are being served and the drinks have been baggied-up ahead of time. Think of when you win a goldfish at a carnival and they give you your prize to take home in a plastic bag. Then you just bite that little plastic corner off the bag and suck the drink out. Pretty creative don't you think?
6. On the topic of food, when there are leftovers, they are usually thrown in the fridge on a plate but without any kind of plastic wrap or lids. Or sometimes the food is just left on the stove to be eaten the next day. Both are gross in my opinion. Usually the food in the fridge has absorbed the taste from the uncovered onion or what have you.
7. Ticos (as Costa Ricans are called) almost always take food with them to work to eat for lunch and sport insulated lunch packs. Exactly the opposite of the American way of lunch.
8. All children wear uniforms to school which is no surprise but usually school is held in turnos where the children might go to school one day in the morning but the next day in the afternoon. Or this similar system is implemented by the week. This is to accommodate the overpopulation at the inadequately small school.
9. There is no type of PC here. No matter what your decent or physical appearance, if you're any type of Asian you are called Chino, if you are black you are Negrito, speak English you are Gringo and obviously from the United States, and if you are even slighty less than skinny you are Gorda (fat)....yeah, I've heard that one enough!
10. Lots of people share beads here no matter what their age or sex. For instance in my house, my 50 plus Tico mother shares the double bed with her 18 year old son and 7 year old grandson. Thank God Peace Corps requires that volunteers have their own rooms!
11. There isn't always a separation of financial status in neighborhoods. You can find a nice two story house (which is really rare, most are just one story) next to a tin shack in some barrios.
12. These people have skill. They ride their bike while holding an umbrella in one hand and a cell phone or baby in the other. Or sometimes the baby will just be plopped in the bike basket.
13. Toilet paper doesn't go in the toilet. Nough said.
14. No one is shy, you will find a woman walking around with her boob hanging out while breast feeding around every corner and next to you on any public bus.
15. The cockroaches don't even have shame. I woke up one night to find one crawling in my cleavage!
2. There are multiple "General Stores" (called Pulperias) in neighborhoods where people can buy the basics such as rice, beans, sugar, coffee, bread, fruits, vegetables, even soda and ice cream, without having to leave the barrio to go to the supermarket. Even though these pulperias are more expensive and the selection isn't as great, most people shop here for the convenience. And they shop frequently....like multiple times a day.
3. The above being said, sometimes these pulperias run on the book system where they come and get what they want but they don't pay for the food. Instead the shopkeeper writes their total under their name in a notebook for them to pay later....which I can't imagine ever happens. Some people have big outstanding debts. This is done because the people need to eat but really can't afford to pay. So they might pay a small part each time but never the full bill.
4. If you go to the pulperia to buy a Coke in a recycled glass bottle, the Coke is poured into a plastic bag (think sandwich bag minus the ziplock) and handed to the customer to drink with a straw.
5. This same idea of serving drinks in plastic bags are also done when large numbers of people are being served and the drinks have been baggied-up ahead of time. Think of when you win a goldfish at a carnival and they give you your prize to take home in a plastic bag. Then you just bite that little plastic corner off the bag and suck the drink out. Pretty creative don't you think?
6. On the topic of food, when there are leftovers, they are usually thrown in the fridge on a plate but without any kind of plastic wrap or lids. Or sometimes the food is just left on the stove to be eaten the next day. Both are gross in my opinion. Usually the food in the fridge has absorbed the taste from the uncovered onion or what have you.
7. Ticos (as Costa Ricans are called) almost always take food with them to work to eat for lunch and sport insulated lunch packs. Exactly the opposite of the American way of lunch.
8. All children wear uniforms to school which is no surprise but usually school is held in turnos where the children might go to school one day in the morning but the next day in the afternoon. Or this similar system is implemented by the week. This is to accommodate the overpopulation at the inadequately small school.
9. There is no type of PC here. No matter what your decent or physical appearance, if you're any type of Asian you are called Chino, if you are black you are Negrito, speak English you are Gringo and obviously from the United States, and if you are even slighty less than skinny you are Gorda (fat)....yeah, I've heard that one enough!
10. Lots of people share beads here no matter what their age or sex. For instance in my house, my 50 plus Tico mother shares the double bed with her 18 year old son and 7 year old grandson. Thank God Peace Corps requires that volunteers have their own rooms!
11. There isn't always a separation of financial status in neighborhoods. You can find a nice two story house (which is really rare, most are just one story) next to a tin shack in some barrios.
12. These people have skill. They ride their bike while holding an umbrella in one hand and a cell phone or baby in the other. Or sometimes the baby will just be plopped in the bike basket.
13. Toilet paper doesn't go in the toilet. Nough said.
14. No one is shy, you will find a woman walking around with her boob hanging out while breast feeding around every corner and next to you on any public bus.
15. The cockroaches don't even have shame. I woke up one night to find one crawling in my cleavage!
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Pictures!
I present to you Don Manuel and Doña Silvina. Below is my house. Actually, it is the small general store that Don Manuel runs and the house is actually to the right behind the big empty space which is the much used patio.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Week 1 in the life of a PCV
I've been in my new town for less than a week now and have already become so bored that I've resorted to the internet after only day 5. Ok, it's not that I'm bored, it's just that I have nothing to do at this point in time that my family probably thinks I'm a lazy Gringa. I sleep for 10 hours every night, eat (bad food), write mail, read on the porch (which is interpreted as studying here), and then hop on the bike and ride to the center of town for a few hours everyday just to make it seem like I have important business to take care of. Sometimes this is true, other times I'm just killing hours till it's time to go to sleep again or time to eat some more really bad food.
I've been battling a cold for the last week so that hasn't helped in making me feel comfortable in my new surroundings. Today when I told my dad that, "Yo siento como mierda!" He went roaring into the house to tell his wife the fax pau that I had just said. In an attempt to say, "I feel like shit", it came out as, I'm not sure quite right, "I feel like shit is about to come out of me." So everyone got a good laugh. As they usually do with my language goof-ups. Last night I was explaining how my brother and his girlfriend are now the proud owners of a dog (a Dacshaund) and I explained the dog as being a "perro caliente (hot dog)" instead of the correct term of "salchiccha (sausage)". Same difference, no?
It's been raining here a ton and since the streets in my barrio are not paved, there are tons of pot-holes filled with muddy water covering just about every inch of the road. This always makes for a really fun bike ride where it is absolutely inevitable that you will come back with mud splattered over every inch of your pant's legs. It'd be so much easier if you could just ride around naked and then shower the mud off when you got to your destination.
That's all from me this week. Be sure to watch the soccer game tomorrow night (Oct 8) when the US plays Costa Rica! Go Ticos!!
I've been battling a cold for the last week so that hasn't helped in making me feel comfortable in my new surroundings. Today when I told my dad that, "Yo siento como mierda!" He went roaring into the house to tell his wife the fax pau that I had just said. In an attempt to say, "I feel like shit", it came out as, I'm not sure quite right, "I feel like shit is about to come out of me." So everyone got a good laugh. As they usually do with my language goof-ups. Last night I was explaining how my brother and his girlfriend are now the proud owners of a dog (a Dacshaund) and I explained the dog as being a "perro caliente (hot dog)" instead of the correct term of "salchiccha (sausage)". Same difference, no?
It's been raining here a ton and since the streets in my barrio are not paved, there are tons of pot-holes filled with muddy water covering just about every inch of the road. This always makes for a really fun bike ride where it is absolutely inevitable that you will come back with mud splattered over every inch of your pant's legs. It'd be so much easier if you could just ride around naked and then shower the mud off when you got to your destination.
That's all from me this week. Be sure to watch the soccer game tomorrow night (Oct 8) when the US plays Costa Rica! Go Ticos!!
Friday, September 30, 2005
I'm now official!
I'm proud to announce that I am now an official Peace Corps Volunteer as of about 6 hours ago. We had our swearing-in ceremony this morning at the US Ambassador's house. It was quite the place. Swimming pool, tennis court, lot's of beautiful green grass. It was a beautiful sunny day with cool weather temps. All 31 of us (we had lost two early on) made it through the 11 weeks of training and are all ready to move to our new towns this Sunday. The swearing-in ceremony consisted of singing the national anthems of both CR and the US, a handful of speeches (in Spanish) from the US Ambassador (a RPCV), the PC CR Country Director, two of my fellow trainees and two heads of organizations that we will be working with during our time here. In the end, we took an official oath to defend our country (and no, this is not a military organization) and then we all received our certificates and kissed a lot of people. Many photo shoots followed. Our current host families were invited to the ceremony and I'm happy to say that my mom tica was able to attend. After the other guests left, PC put on a delicious American lunch for us with rotisserie chicken, salad, tortilla chips and tuna dip, chocolate frosted cupcakes and brownies. It was very much appreciated. Tonight, we will all be staying in the capital city together to celebrate our freedom from the Gringo training schedule, transitioning into the Tico lifestyle of Pura Vida.
(Me with Terry, the PC Costa Rica Country Director)
Saturday, September 24, 2005
This is it.
It's been just about 11 weeks now since I arrived here in Costa Rica and I'm happy to say that training is almost over and next Friday, I swear in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer. I have reached the level of an intermediate-medium Spanish speaker; the minimum required to swear in as a volunteer. That's a lot of improvement since I came here as a beginner-medium speaker.
On the 2nd of October, I will move to my official site in Santa Cruz. SC is about 4.5-5 hours away from where I am now. I went to visit my new town for 6 days about a week ago. I stayed with my new host family the Ugartes and had a pretty good time after I adjusted to the constantly high weather temperature. It was probably in the 90s every day and there is no AC. The sun is really intense and I battled headaches the first few days. After that, I kept myself really well hydrated and tried to stay in the shade during the sun's most intense hours. I also got bitten by more bugs on this visit than I have in my entire life. And this was a day when I had applied bug repellent 4 times already. Fresh blood. They should get over me soon I hope.
In my family I have a dad who owns a mini-grocery store which is connected to the house. He sits on the front porch from 5am-9pm everyday waiting for customers to come. He is also the President of the community's development association (hence the reason I am living there). My new mom is an "alma de casa", literally, goddess of the house, much like my real mom. This said, both of my parents will be home ALL THE TIME! I also have a 17 year old brother, Emillio, who lives in the house as well. Apparently I will be overtaking his room, sending him to sleep with his mother in her bed for the next year. And every other week, they are joined in the bed by my 7 year old nephew! It's a common thing here but I feel really bad about this arrangement since I am hogging a double bed in the next room. It is also so hot at night to sleep, I don't know how they do it. I think I am going to become a form of resentment to my new brother. Not to worry, I've had experience.
The roads in my barrio are unpaved and very gravely. Everybody from Estocolmo (my barrio) rides bikes to the center of downtown Santa Cruz (about 10 min. on bike, 20 min. on foot) to do shopping at bigger grocery stores, go to the bank, post office and what have you. There are also restaurants, hotels and two internet cafes. Once a week I will be working at an orphanage in the downtown. I went for two hours the other week and the kids were all over me. There are about 10 children all under the age of 10, many siblings, and they have all been the victims of sexual abuse. Very sad. They were so needy for attention and you could tell they had severe behavioral problems.
During my visit I took many walks and met tons of people who live in my barrio. There are about 2000 in all. I am really good at remembering names so this impressed people. I would come back after my walks and tell my dad (Manuel) about all of the people I met. He couldn't believe the list of people I'd rattle off as it took him 4 days to remember my own name. But everyone in my barrio was really friendly and look forward to my return in a week. Especially the children.
There were many special events during my 6 days in my new site. The first one being my birthday. I could only imagine how horrible this day was going to be in a new town where I had only been for 2.5 days. Missing all my family and friends. But much to my disbelief, I had a really good day. I actually escaped my barrio and spent the entire day with another PCV who lives in a neighboring barrio. I had only met her one other time before this day and then, it had only been very briefly. Her name is Dearing and she is from Nashville. She is just about to finish up her two years of service in Dec. I am really going to miss her after that. We visited my PANI office which is the host agency I will be working with during my time here. It is an agency run by the state and it is like our Child Welfare Protection Agency. So I met my counterpart who I will be working with and was introduced to other people in the office. For lunch, we went back to Dearing's barrio where we ate peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches, pringles, bananas and oreos for lunch. It was a real treat since I had not had any of that since arriving to CR (OK, minus the bananas). Afterwards, I attended a cooking class with Dearing which her host mom teaches at the local high school. We made "Drunk Cake" but unfortunately the electricity went out so we were unable to bake the cake. In the evening I went to a group that Dearing has put together as part of her PC service where she teaches pre-adolescents about abuse (sexual, verbal, physical, psychological, etc) and incorporates an art project into the lesson. For dinner she took me to a nice restaurant in Santa Cruz and surprised me with a necklace and earrings that she had made out of irridescent green seed beads. It was such an unexpected surprise since we didn't really know each other well. But she helped to make my day special and for her, I am thankful. She is a really sweet person.
This same week, was Costa Rica's Independence Day (Sept. 15) so there were lots of events going on leading up to this day. The same night of my birthday, the "Entorche" was passing through Santa Cruz so we watched that after dinner. The Entorche is an event every year where a torch passes through towns, like a huge bike race, throughout all of Central America before it arrives to it's final destination of San Jose on the 15th. The following night thousands of people gather in the streets with their children who carry hommade lanterns that hold a candle as they parade though barrios and downtown Santa Cruz. It reminded me of Halloween for some reason. It was neat to see all of the illuminated lanterns. Then the next morning, the big day of the 15th, all the children from all the area elementary and high schools gather in downtown Santa Cruz, dressed in their school uniforms accented with their country colors of red, white and blue to dance and perform in a parade for all the townspeople. It was quite the event. Very hot and lots of pushy, rude people. Kinda reminded me of inauguration time in DC. Low and behold, I was glad when it was over and it was time for me to prepare my bags to head back to San Jose for my last two weeks of training.
So, here I am, about the finish week my last week in the San Jose area. Tomorrow we are having a huge thank you party for our current host families. There will be about 200 people and we (the trainees) have planned it all. On Tuesday night I have my last meeting with my group of pre-adolecent girls and we will be having a mini party as well. It will be sad to leave our current families but I am really looking forward to getting to my new town and getting integrated. Signing out from San Jose, I'll update you next from Santa Cruz. Thanks for all of the cards, love and support. XOXOXO
On the 2nd of October, I will move to my official site in Santa Cruz. SC is about 4.5-5 hours away from where I am now. I went to visit my new town for 6 days about a week ago. I stayed with my new host family the Ugartes and had a pretty good time after I adjusted to the constantly high weather temperature. It was probably in the 90s every day and there is no AC. The sun is really intense and I battled headaches the first few days. After that, I kept myself really well hydrated and tried to stay in the shade during the sun's most intense hours. I also got bitten by more bugs on this visit than I have in my entire life. And this was a day when I had applied bug repellent 4 times already. Fresh blood. They should get over me soon I hope.
In my family I have a dad who owns a mini-grocery store which is connected to the house. He sits on the front porch from 5am-9pm everyday waiting for customers to come. He is also the President of the community's development association (hence the reason I am living there). My new mom is an "alma de casa", literally, goddess of the house, much like my real mom. This said, both of my parents will be home ALL THE TIME! I also have a 17 year old brother, Emillio, who lives in the house as well. Apparently I will be overtaking his room, sending him to sleep with his mother in her bed for the next year. And every other week, they are joined in the bed by my 7 year old nephew! It's a common thing here but I feel really bad about this arrangement since I am hogging a double bed in the next room. It is also so hot at night to sleep, I don't know how they do it. I think I am going to become a form of resentment to my new brother. Not to worry, I've had experience.
The roads in my barrio are unpaved and very gravely. Everybody from Estocolmo (my barrio) rides bikes to the center of downtown Santa Cruz (about 10 min. on bike, 20 min. on foot) to do shopping at bigger grocery stores, go to the bank, post office and what have you. There are also restaurants, hotels and two internet cafes. Once a week I will be working at an orphanage in the downtown. I went for two hours the other week and the kids were all over me. There are about 10 children all under the age of 10, many siblings, and they have all been the victims of sexual abuse. Very sad. They were so needy for attention and you could tell they had severe behavioral problems.
During my visit I took many walks and met tons of people who live in my barrio. There are about 2000 in all. I am really good at remembering names so this impressed people. I would come back after my walks and tell my dad (Manuel) about all of the people I met. He couldn't believe the list of people I'd rattle off as it took him 4 days to remember my own name. But everyone in my barrio was really friendly and look forward to my return in a week. Especially the children.
There were many special events during my 6 days in my new site. The first one being my birthday. I could only imagine how horrible this day was going to be in a new town where I had only been for 2.5 days. Missing all my family and friends. But much to my disbelief, I had a really good day. I actually escaped my barrio and spent the entire day with another PCV who lives in a neighboring barrio. I had only met her one other time before this day and then, it had only been very briefly. Her name is Dearing and she is from Nashville. She is just about to finish up her two years of service in Dec. I am really going to miss her after that. We visited my PANI office which is the host agency I will be working with during my time here. It is an agency run by the state and it is like our Child Welfare Protection Agency. So I met my counterpart who I will be working with and was introduced to other people in the office. For lunch, we went back to Dearing's barrio where we ate peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches, pringles, bananas and oreos for lunch. It was a real treat since I had not had any of that since arriving to CR (OK, minus the bananas). Afterwards, I attended a cooking class with Dearing which her host mom teaches at the local high school. We made "Drunk Cake" but unfortunately the electricity went out so we were unable to bake the cake. In the evening I went to a group that Dearing has put together as part of her PC service where she teaches pre-adolescents about abuse (sexual, verbal, physical, psychological, etc) and incorporates an art project into the lesson. For dinner she took me to a nice restaurant in Santa Cruz and surprised me with a necklace and earrings that she had made out of irridescent green seed beads. It was such an unexpected surprise since we didn't really know each other well. But she helped to make my day special and for her, I am thankful. She is a really sweet person.
This same week, was Costa Rica's Independence Day (Sept. 15) so there were lots of events going on leading up to this day. The same night of my birthday, the "Entorche" was passing through Santa Cruz so we watched that after dinner. The Entorche is an event every year where a torch passes through towns, like a huge bike race, throughout all of Central America before it arrives to it's final destination of San Jose on the 15th. The following night thousands of people gather in the streets with their children who carry hommade lanterns that hold a candle as they parade though barrios and downtown Santa Cruz. It reminded me of Halloween for some reason. It was neat to see all of the illuminated lanterns. Then the next morning, the big day of the 15th, all the children from all the area elementary and high schools gather in downtown Santa Cruz, dressed in their school uniforms accented with their country colors of red, white and blue to dance and perform in a parade for all the townspeople. It was quite the event. Very hot and lots of pushy, rude people. Kinda reminded me of inauguration time in DC. Low and behold, I was glad when it was over and it was time for me to prepare my bags to head back to San Jose for my last two weeks of training.
So, here I am, about the finish week my last week in the San Jose area. Tomorrow we are having a huge thank you party for our current host families. There will be about 200 people and we (the trainees) have planned it all. On Tuesday night I have my last meeting with my group of pre-adolecent girls and we will be having a mini party as well. It will be sad to leave our current families but I am really looking forward to getting to my new town and getting integrated. Signing out from San Jose, I'll update you next from Santa Cruz. Thanks for all of the cards, love and support. XOXOXO
Friday, September 02, 2005
And the fortune cookie reads...
You will move to Santa Cruz near the NW coast of Costa Rica on the 2nd of October. Don't drink the water as it is contaminated. Also, beware of deaths due to automobiles at the entrance of the barrio. Much potential for working with youth as there are no resources for them outside of the school.
Anyone want to come visit? The beaches are only an hour away!
Anyone want to come visit? The beaches are only an hour away!
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