Monday, September 24, 2012
American Football
Shout out to the men in my life - watching the Seahawks and Packers play for Monday Night Football. Apparently my co-workers are HUGE fans and we found it on TV in Costa Rica. Of course, it's in Spanish... but hey, they're happy :)
Sunday, September 23, 2012
What a magical night!
Last night we were invited to the principal's house for dinner and drinks. As with all of my Costa Rican experiences, I never really know what to expect and just "go with the flow". I tried to not let my American standards of what a "party at the principal's house" would be like. A typical American party would consist of sitting and talking about life, eating dinner, than leaving. Of course, Costa Rican's - you blew me away. In so many words, I was overwhelmed by the hospitality and warmth that exuded from this family. It should be known that every family I have had the privilege of being apart of in my time here in Costa Rica has been absolutely wonderful, warm and loving to this Gringa.
We started our night by grabbing some drinks, talking and then dancing! Someone threw some salsa music on and away we went! I was really unaware that salsa would be any different in a Latin American country then what I am used to in the states (duh, I was wrong!). It's much more fluid and less prescriptive in the basic steps. Anyway, my principal has a son in the school, who happens to be one of my students AND the best dancer I have ever seen! We danced a couple of songs together which was really quite fun. Something culturally to note- dancing with your students is completely kosher. The atmosphere about what is "appropriate" with students is a little more flexible here. I personally like that we could dance without any awkwardness because it is culturally acceptable. Dancing last night was simply something to do with your family and friends at a party.
The food served was excellent as well! Homemade pico de gallo, guacamole, barbecued meats in tortillas (special barbecue papas for me!). After a couple of hours of eating, dancing, talking and laughing the principal had us get into a circle so Sara could give a toast. She is leaving this week after finishing her 10 weeks of student teaching. She gave a great speech in Spanish and then the principal began playing acoustic guitar and everyone began signing in celebration of her leaving. We all sat and listened to song after song, taking in this truly magical moment. After awhile, they wanted to try to sing a song in English so they sung Happy Birthday to me once it was found out my birthday is in a week! Best rendition of Happy Birthday ever!
We finished the night out with more dancing and laughing and left their beautiful home around midnight. When could I ever say I went to a school administrator's house for 5 hours, had the best time of my life and there was no a single moment of awkwardness?
So thank you to Don Luis and his gracious family for showing these Gringas an amazing time we will never forget.
We started our night by grabbing some drinks, talking and then dancing! Someone threw some salsa music on and away we went! I was really unaware that salsa would be any different in a Latin American country then what I am used to in the states (duh, I was wrong!). It's much more fluid and less prescriptive in the basic steps. Anyway, my principal has a son in the school, who happens to be one of my students AND the best dancer I have ever seen! We danced a couple of songs together which was really quite fun. Something culturally to note- dancing with your students is completely kosher. The atmosphere about what is "appropriate" with students is a little more flexible here. I personally like that we could dance without any awkwardness because it is culturally acceptable. Dancing last night was simply something to do with your family and friends at a party.
The food served was excellent as well! Homemade pico de gallo, guacamole, barbecued meats in tortillas (special barbecue papas for me!). After a couple of hours of eating, dancing, talking and laughing the principal had us get into a circle so Sara could give a toast. She is leaving this week after finishing her 10 weeks of student teaching. She gave a great speech in Spanish and then the principal began playing acoustic guitar and everyone began signing in celebration of her leaving. We all sat and listened to song after song, taking in this truly magical moment. After awhile, they wanted to try to sing a song in English so they sung Happy Birthday to me once it was found out my birthday is in a week! Best rendition of Happy Birthday ever!
We finished the night out with more dancing and laughing and left their beautiful home around midnight. When could I ever say I went to a school administrator's house for 5 hours, had the best time of my life and there was no a single moment of awkwardness?
So thank you to Don Luis and his gracious family for showing these Gringas an amazing time we will never forget.
All the student teachers together :)
Monday, September 17, 2012
Puerto Viejo beach trip - so much fun!
I had a blast with the ladies at the beach! We spent the first night walking around the town getting to know the local vendors and shops. We had a delicious meal of "Rice and Beans" (White rice and black beans fried in coconut oil, a specialty to the caribe food) at a place called Elena Brown's.
Our accommodations were nice and worth the price. In the morning, Mara and I took a walk on the beach and took a swim for a few hours. Absolutely glorious! I have had so few moments where I have ever been so content. In the night we went out for dinner (more rice and beans!) and dancing :) I got my fill of meringue, real Latin style. One thing that was hard to get used to while being on the Caribean side was the shear amount of sweat I produced. I have never been in a place where simply sitting outside causes me to have sweat dripping down my face. Not to mention dancing - my fair looked like it was wet by the end of the night (luckily it was raining!).The next day we went to the beach again and had a lazy day in town. Delicious food (Curry tofu) at a super great restaurant called MonLi and open mic night at Lazy Mon.
Our accommodations were nice and worth the price. In the morning, Mara and I took a walk on the beach and took a swim for a few hours. Absolutely glorious! I have had so few moments where I have ever been so content. In the night we went out for dinner (more rice and beans!) and dancing :) I got my fill of meringue, real Latin style. One thing that was hard to get used to while being on the Caribean side was the shear amount of sweat I produced. I have never been in a place where simply sitting outside causes me to have sweat dripping down my face. Not to mention dancing - my fair looked like it was wet by the end of the night (luckily it was raining!).The next day we went to the beach again and had a lazy day in town. Delicious food (Curry tofu) at a super great restaurant called MonLi and open mic night at Lazy Mon.
The flowers by our guest house. Muy Bonita!
The ocean! Incredible!
Some random horses on the beach. The guide was totally hamming for the camera.
A "friend" by our guest house. His only redeeming quality is that he was reducing the number of mosquito that could potentially bite me.
The three amigos (minus me) walking to the beach.
Tired puppy after a swim found Mara's short too cozy to not have a little nap on them.
Adorable child chillin' at the beach.
Pineapple smoothie, humidity, Caribbean = Ecstasy.
Dreadnut coffee was delicious!
Beach adventure time!
Gringa jumping pictures~!
The gecko in our room right before it pooped!
My $5 manicure :)
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Off to the beach!
The girls and I have a four day weekend so we're off to Puerto Viejo! This small town is in the Limon province of Costa Rica. We are taking the public bus there (which will cost roughly $8 each way :)
We are staying with a woman who has renovated a house into a jungle guest house. It is only $15 a night and 5 minutes away from Playa Negra, a beautiful black sand beach.
With all of that said, I won't be on the internet for four whole day (woooo hoooo!). Pictures and stories sure to follow :)
http://www.puertoviejo.cr/
We are staying with a woman who has renovated a house into a jungle guest house. It is only $15 a night and 5 minutes away from Playa Negra, a beautiful black sand beach.
With all of that said, I won't be on the internet for four whole day (woooo hoooo!). Pictures and stories sure to follow :)
http://www.puertoviejo.cr/
Friday, September 7, 2012
Adventure to Cartago and Cachi
Today Mara and I took an adventure out to Cartago to visit the very famous ruins and church. We took a bus from out town of Tres Rios and stopped somewhere near the town center. We then walked around for a bit and happened upon the ruins. They were quiet beautiful. It was hard to imagine them as ruins of a church as there was all the hustle and bustle of the city.
The church was built many times only to be destroyed many times by natural disasters. In 1910, an earthquake happened causing the latest reconstruction to collapse. It was then decided to cease all construction and what is left are the ruins of the church.
We then traveled to the very famous Basicillica de Los Angeles. There holds a statue of the "black virgin Mary" that has a lot of folklore behind it. On August 2, people from across the country pilgrimage to this church to ask for help from the virgin, some even on their knees. We witnessed people shuffling on their knees toward the front of the church today as we sat to take in all of its beauty.
After the church, we took a taxi to Cachi, a small town with some more famed ruins that was recommended to us by our house brother. The taxi driver went one way, but the road was closed. After much discussion with a random man on the sidewalk he decided on the best way to go. Something you should know about Costa Rica, the road conditions are "not up to code" and the drivers are all competing for the Daytona 500. There were many "Mi dio"'s said under my breath as the driver would careen around a corner on a one lane road. We witness many beautiful ravines and coffee plantations as we drove into the Orosi valley. Our driver however, did not know where the ruins were so we ended up driving to Cachi... but the ruins are not actually in Cachi. So we drove back towards Cartago, asked a few other random people, then finally came upon the beautiful national park where the ruins reside.
Here is some information about Cachi http://www.govisitcostarica.com/region/city.asp?cID=194
The church was built many times only to be destroyed many times by natural disasters. In 1910, an earthquake happened causing the latest reconstruction to collapse. It was then decided to cease all construction and what is left are the ruins of the church.
While taking pictures I was leaning against the ruins. Low and behold, I could have been eaten by the world's largest moth!
These boys thought it was so funny to see a tourist. So I just had to take their picture!
It is said on a foggy night in Cartago you can see the headless ghost of a priest roaming the ruins.
We weren't really sure why this sign was there... or what it really meant.
Mara and I outside the ruins.
Never thought in my wildest dreams I would go to Costa Rica and see Patrick Starr (a SpongeBob character) spray painted on the side of a delivery truck.
We then traveled to the very famous Basicillica de Los Angeles. There holds a statue of the "black virgin Mary" that has a lot of folklore behind it. On August 2, people from across the country pilgrimage to this church to ask for help from the virgin, some even on their knees. We witnessed people shuffling on their knees toward the front of the church today as we sat to take in all of its beauty.
After the church, we took a taxi to Cachi, a small town with some more famed ruins that was recommended to us by our house brother. The taxi driver went one way, but the road was closed. After much discussion with a random man on the sidewalk he decided on the best way to go. Something you should know about Costa Rica, the road conditions are "not up to code" and the drivers are all competing for the Daytona 500. There were many "Mi dio"'s said under my breath as the driver would careen around a corner on a one lane road. We witness many beautiful ravines and coffee plantations as we drove into the Orosi valley. Our driver however, did not know where the ruins were so we ended up driving to Cachi... but the ruins are not actually in Cachi. So we drove back towards Cartago, asked a few other random people, then finally came upon the beautiful national park where the ruins reside.
Typical "graffti" in Cartago. It was very artistic and beautiful.
The Orosi valley.
Sharing my snack with a friend. He was so skinny!
Cachi (Cah-Chi) Ruins
My friend wanted in the picture too.
Largest air plant I have ever seen!
Here is some information about Cachi http://www.govisitcostarica.com/region/city.asp?cID=194
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