A Week in Review

Well, this week seems to have flown by (new family, scotter tours, swimming, school, electricity difficulties, new friends, etc... Here are a few photos from a variety of locations and events. I won't bore you (or me) with any more specifics, but enjoy these photos noneetheless.

It seems as if there was something new and exciting everyday! I've been pretty busy. And leaving the house at 7:30 am and returning at 8:00 pm daily has worn me out.

Vroom

Josh (my classmate) suggested we rent a scooter and explore our surroundings. So, off we went. After class Tuesday, we rented a moped and had it for 24 hours. Wednesday before class we left bright and early and spent 6 hours cruising town (and surroundings). Don't I look goofy?

We found a few cool beaches, met some crabs living on volcanic rock, and cruised through a few neighborhoods of various states of development (this area is pretty much one big construction zone - it's really kindof amazing). Fun times!

I'm not sure what else to say, but really - this week has been "something new ever day."

Wayra

Wayra is my new school in Costa Rica. They picked me up (in a minivan) from my host family bright and early Monday morning (not a problem though, since I was already up quite early without a problem). Anyhow, I had a quick interview and then I was told I'd start class in the afternoon. Huh? Oh, ok - so I guess I had the morning to explore town (something I enjoy). So off I went...

That afternoon, I started class. I'm in a "group" class, but that ends up being totally fine, since it's a "group" of 2 students. I was a bit worried that I'd end up in a class with 5 people (which I was prepared for, but not particularly looking forward to). Instead, it's Josh and me with Sylvia as our teacher - for week one anyhow (since Josh is leaving at the end of the week), and I'll change teachers next week. Every week - a new teacher. That's how it is.

And (as with La Union) there was an afterschool activity... We learned how to make (i.e. we helped cook) something of a local treat. I can't remember what it was called or how to make it, but it was fun nonetheless hanging out with the other students and trying some local food.

Rendevous

Luckily, on Sunday I was able to catch the last bus to Tamarindo at 3:30. Thing is, it's a 6+ hour ride and I didn't want to show up on my family's door step at some crazy late hour. Luckily, the bus ran a little ahead of schedule.. But, here's the trick. I was told to get off at one stop - and my family was waiting for me (something I didn't know to expect) at a different stop.

So, I grabbed a taxi (like I had been instructed in an email from the school) and made my way to the house (at about 9:30 - pushing it in my mind for "late arrival"). I even had a phone number so the cab driver gave them a call to be sure things were good (and to help us find the house - since the address was "150 Meters East of the Plaza). No one answered. Wooops.

Nothing like being out at night in a new city with nothing but dirt roads in all directions and a cab driver who can't figure out where to take you. Anyhow, the "mom" wandered up the street about the time I was starting to worry and said she had been at the "other" bus stop waiting for me.

Oh well - long story with a boring ending.

Things worked out. I was exhausted. I moved in, showered (first time in 3+ days, thanks) and went to bed...

I met the animals the next morning.

Tico Tren

Tico is Spanish for "Costa Rican."

Tren is "train"

This is the Tico Tren.

It's a bit hokey (for lack of a better word), but I'm glad I rode it. I got a nice overview of the city without having to kill hours walking. Also, the driver's son gave a nice little "this is this and that is that" speach (bilingually, I might add).

Granted, the book said it would be $2 and it was really $4, but who's couting? We saw a tree that John F. Kenedy planted. We saw the supreme court. We saw a house that's now a restaurante (don't ask me why it's on the tour). And more. Fun times.

Oh sure, the "train" broke down at one point and we had a 10 minute "wait while we clean out the carborator" moment and I ended up missing the 1 pm bus to Tamarindo, but again: who's counting.

Toto, We're Not in Kansas Anymore

OK, I'll admit that many of these images could probably be found someone in Guatemala as well, but I found Costa Rica (San Jose) to be quite a shock after Antigua. It's a big city that initially I only wanted to get out of (excuse my sentences conclusion with a preporition - this is not my masters thesis for partial fulfilliment of requirements for my MA in English).

My first day in San Jose, I was just in a hurry to get out to get to Bocas del Toro, but coming through the second time - I was able to see it as something more interesting and alive. But still, the corporate (American) presence is unmistakable.

New Family - And monrings

Well, I finally arrived in Tamarindo and found my new home. I am now the only student living with a family in Santa Rosa (near but not in Tamarindo). They have 6 kids, but only the 3 youngest daughters still live at home. So it's those 5, me, and all the animals and neighbors. I guess you could call it a farm, or at least say "It's in the 'country.'"

I wake up every morning at 5:15 to the roosters (and the dogs) singing praises to the approaching sun. Needless to say, that means that my 9:30 I'm complete exhausted and ready for bed. Today, we had the added adventure of a whole road crew (including flat-roller and bulldozer) rumbling down the street at 6:15. They "finally" decided it's time to pave the road - in my honor I guess. At fist it seemed like a minor earthquake, but eventually I figured out that they were just going back and forth in front of the house with heavy equipment.

I asked if this was a normal thing, or maybe something they did annually. Nope, it's a first. Thus, it's not just upkeep for the dirt road, they're prepping for a real road!

Fun times.

Anyhow, I gotta run:
1) the power's about to go out
2) we have a bon fire on the beach as an after-school activity

PS Have I mentioned how much I (don't) like bon fires... Oh well, the things I do as part of the "school" experience!

Electricity

Don't take electricity for granted. Yup. That's what I said. It turns out that Costa Rica is in the midst of a bit of a power "crisis."

I have no idea what the real science/politics are behind it, but here's how it works... The power goes out (city wide, and perhaps country wide) for 3-4 hours a day (most days). Period.

I wanted to blog a few first impressions on Tuesday, but wouldn't you know it - no power, during my non-school hours. It also puts a damper on lunch-time meals (I'm not provided a lunch here like I was in Guatemala, I have to fend for myself). Restaurants have a hard time preparing food without electricity.

In theory, the power is going off in 30 minutes, so hopefully I can get enough done before "lights out."

Yes, I have a flashlight. Oh wait. Darn. No I don't. I left it at home today (because I thought, "Who needs a flashlight during the day.")

Hey everyone, here's the promised info on Casa Juanita. If you're going to Antigua, it's a great place to stay: quiet, clean, friendly, yummy, etc... Juanita Mazariegos was a great host for my time studying in Guatemala.

Her beautiful, authentic colonial house is walking distance from "La Union," and the Church of San Fransisco... But then again - everything in Antigua is within "walking distance." The home is just outside the south-east city wall.

Anyhow, she's located at
Calle Chipilapa No. 30
La Antigua, Guatemala

You can reach her-
by email: casajuanita@yahoo.com
or phone: 001 (502) 7832-1874

Although her english is fairly limited, her grandaughter (Rita) reads and answers the emails. Rita promises that she (or any of her friends) can respond to emails in any language.

Here are some pictures of the house:
bedroom
kitchen

Trouble Bridge Over Waters

So you want to go to Panama, eh? Great. I highly recommend it - soon - because I don´t see how this walking bridge (you´ll pay $5 to have the honor to cross it) can last much longer. It´s an old railroad bridge and it´s definitely seen better days (and I can assure you the railroad is long gone).

In the mean time, why put a good bridge to waste? Add a few pieces of wood in the right places and this used-up old railroad bridge is good-as-new and ready for use by your average, run-of-the-mill 18-wheeler!

Yup, as they say- necessity is the father of invention (or at least improvization).

This can´t be a good idea...