Nicaragua

This past weekend our group made a trip to Granada, Nicaragua to renew our visas.
To be honest, before arriving in the city, I wasn't all that excited for this trip. All that I had heard of the country at all was how cheap the souvenirs were going to be...which didn't set me up to expect much better about the country as a whole.

While the souvenirs were indeed well below the prices of those here in CR, the city of the Granada made more of an impression than I expected.

The architecture and colors of all the buildings were reminiscent of Spain. It also seriously reminded me of Charleston, SC.

 


We went on a carriage ride around the city and got to see all the beauty up close, and from up above in the steeple of the Iglesia de la Merced.

 

 


We also took a boat tour of Lake Nicaragua and the miniature islands within it. The nature and history on the islands were both incredible.

 

We also had the opportunity one morning to work with over a hundred children in the less privileged area of the city. As we were driving to the church/school, there was a visible change in the houses getting closer to the volcano and further from the city. The closer we got, the more the houses began to look like no more than shelters - built out of sticks and sheet metal. (As it was above 90 degrees everyday we were there, I've compared these houses to ovens.) The average family income in the neighborhood is $2/day.
We reached the area and the children just started pouring over the hill from the neighborhood. We had a bit of song and worship time at the beginning, and then the children were split into age groups.
I was assigned to the snack committee. Our group prepared hot dogs for each kid and some of the parents that attended. I was moved to tears by the gratitude that the kids showed as I handed them each a snack. It was obvious that they were grateful for any nourishment they could get. There were several children who tried to sneak back in line for seconds, or begged for an extra snack bag to take their brother/cousin/mom. Having to say no, as we only had enough for 200 people, absolutely broke my heart in ways I hadn't expected.

We then did some more worship songs with them after the activities to wrap up the morning. The love and grace that shone through those kids was a souvenir that didn't cost a thing, and won't soon be lost to the dust on a bookshelf.

Puppy Mountain

Puppy Mountain. Need I say more?

I made so many fluffy friends.

It was honestly more hard to experience than I anticipated. So many of the dogs were sick or had mange and fleas, or were still injured from their lives on the streets.

 

As sad as it was though, it was beautiful to think that there are places like Territorio de Zagüates that exist to help however they can.

Also there were puppies. 

Livin' la Vida Loca

The past few weeks have been filled with many ups and downs for all of us here in San Jose.

Classes are moving along. Grammar is becoming exhausting. Personal relationships are growing tense because we spend all of our time with the same people.

Overall though, we are learning. I am learning. We're learning to be patient with ourselves as we piece through new sentence structures, to take time to ourselves to re-hydrate our brains, to navigate life together without biting anyone's head off.

Two weekends ago our group took the weekend to relax and enjoy the sun in Guanacaste. I spent the better majority of the three days we were there laying next to the pool doing absolutely nothing. It was a much needed, well received time of rest.

Last Thursday was set aside for the students at ILE to learn about a few different aspects of Costa Rican Culture. I learned a few new yard games, and the Tico twist on some that I was already familiar with, like Hopscotch. We also attended a dance workshop where we learned the differences in various styles of Latin American music, as well as a few dance styles. (Really we did a giant cardio/Zumba workout. No, I cannot give you lessons.) At the end we had the opportunity to learn the traditional Costa Rican skirt dance (with skirts!) All in all, the day was a blast. (And a super workout.)

This weekend we had completely free. It was my housemate's last weekend here, so we spent the majority of it shopping in San Jose. We spent a day walking around the Central Market area and got to experience quite a bit of culture, as well as buy some really neat souvenirs. 

Every time I go downtown, there's an abundance of street performers. Apparently on Saturdays, the pedestrians are more likely to join in the fun.

I love the passion for life that the people here show everyday.

Pura Vida

¿Qué pasó, búfalo?

Yesterday was a kind of refreshing I didn't expect.

First we went for a hike up a very very steep hill. I use the term hike, but it was nothing like I've done in the States. Walking straight uphill, on what is supposed to be a road, not so much with the well-walked path. It was also almost 90 today. So while I was trying to push through the walk, I almost passed out and ended up riding horseback the rest of the way up the hill to the clearing. That was not the refreshing part...
 
But the view was worth it.

We walked back down the mountain and were greeted by a PUPPY. My stomach wasn't feeling too hot, so I held her for quite a while, while everyone else at dinner. Many puppy kisses. So much fluff.

After dinner time, one of the farm owners started talking to us about how he rides the buffalo we greeted when we arrived. Then asked if we wanted to ride it. 
 We did.  This is Muñeco. I decided we were friends because my Tica mom has taken to calling me Muñeca (doll) recently.  There were two other buffalos on the farm as well. One of them was very vocal, especially when asked "¿que pasó?"


Being around animals was so refreshing for my soul. It was a much needed battery recharge after the past few weeks. Time to keep going and keep learning.

PuraVida.

Come (Para)Sail Away with Me

To say that I'm ready to come home is a bit of an understatement. Being here, experiencing all that this place and culture has to offer, is forcing me to learn a lot about myself. A lot of what I'm feeling is culture-shock and home-sickness, and I recognize that. But there's also a lot about myself that I'm learning doesn't quite coincide with life here.
I realize that a lot of my struggles define first world problems, but I've also realized that I am truly grateful for the "first world" that I live in. I've realized that I really enjoy having screens on my windows in the States. Bugs being in my room, on my person, is not my ideal life. I don't believe that geckos should be welcomed into the home. I've learned that being covered in volcanic ash most of the time is not something I enjoy, especially when it's sticking to my sweat in the summer season here. I'm truly grateful for the privilege to choose and enjoy what food, how much, and when I eat. I miss the feeling of security that streetlamps and an active police-force offer.
Not being completely in control of my meals, my schedule, and my security is a struggle that isn't going to change in the time that I am here. Much of what I'm learning about myself are things that I'm content with. While I'm trying to go with the flow and enjoy the time I have, I'm also learning that the next trip I make will be different, in both nature and location.

The past two weeks honestly had me feeling very ready to throw in the towel and just book a flight back to Ohio.

This past weekend was exactly what I needed. Manuel Antonio was the trip I'd been looking forward to since arriving in Costa Rica. An entire weekend spent on the beach with nothing but sand, sea, and sun.
Friday night we went to the beach for sunset. We were able to play in the ocean and run along the beach playing American Football for several hours. There is honestly not much that can beat the view of the sunset over the Pacific.

The next day we went to the beach again, this time traveling through the national park to the beach it surrounded. We were able to see some animals that we wouldn't have otherwise seen, like sloths and monkeys.
Several monkeys ventured onto the beach to try to find food by rummaging in the bags of tourists. There was also an area behind the beach where the monkeys were everywhere and you could interact with them and take photos.

We saw one sloth, and I was only able to see it for a moment before stepping in a nest of fire ants and becoming completely distracted. Again with the bugs.
The beach in the national park was beautiful. Some of the whitest sand I've ever seen, mixed with perfectly salty ocean waves. We spent that evening watching sunset on the same beach as the night before. Every night there is apparently equally beautiful.

The next morning, we got up early to go on what most of our group would describe as one of the best experiences of our lives.
We. Went. Parasailing! My fear of heights and my fear of sharks joined together to make the decision to participate extremely difficult. But I lived. And I can certainly say that I am the better for having flown above the water attached to a parachute. The views were fantastically breathtaking. The water was so blue that even from up in the air, it was hard to distinguish where the sea met the sky. Sydney and I sang songs about adventure and the ocean while floating above the beautiful blue. We even saw some dolphins flipping below us!

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After our adventure, we departed our hotel for the lunch destination. The views from the open-air restaurant were unbelievable. There were even a few iguanas hanging out on the roof next to our patio. Again with the lizards.

As much as I enjoyed our paseo to the beach, I spent the next day in bed with food poisoning, and the next day back to feeling out of control of my life.

Costa Rica is not for the faint of heart. It isn't for everyone. It isn't bad, its just different. It's a third world country, which is something one needs to come to terms with before committing to the lifestyle.
Today marks exactly two months until we return to Ohio. Yes, I have a countdown.

Puede Tener el Queque y Comerlo También

Arenal volcano erupted for 44 years, from 1968 to 2012, spewing ash and throwing rocks down to its skirts. - Facts I learned as we rode around the mountains on horseback, enjoying the view from every beautiful angle.

It didn't take longer than 5 minutes on that ride for me to fall completely in love with Arenal. Even when my horse rammed my knee into a fence post as it was going for drink of water, the view of the mountains and the clouds blowing away to reveal the top of the volcano made it every bit worth it.

Before even arriving to Arenal, we stopped at a cathedral in San Carlos that had a decorative spruce tree garden in front. The shapes in the trees were lovely to admire, but the inside of the church was even more impressive. We were given only a few minutes to explore the garden and the church, but I still had time to be taken completely aback by the hand-painted murals on the cathedral ceiling and the hand-laid tiles on the floor, and light a candle for Meghan Joy, whose bowling event the MJB Foundation would be hosting the next day, with our birthday to follow.  

I also celebrated my 24th birthday on Sunday, spending most of the day in Arenal. I celebrated my birthday in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
We walked down the 500 steps to Catarata La Fortuna, climbed over the rocks, and swam under the freezing cold waterfall.

We then walked all the way back up those 500 stairs. In the pouring rain. But, honestly, I wouldn't have changed it if I could've. 

The hotel we stayed at (Los Lagos) had thermal pools heated by the natural springs from the volcano. We spent most of our evenings relaxing in those, and even got to see a few iguanas when we were there during the daytime. It also had a huge buffet with lots of healthy, low-carb, low-sodium options - something I've missed a lot since being here. 

At lunch on Sunday, the loudest birthday song I've ever heard played over the speakers in the restaurant, and they brought out a cake covered in frosting and marshmallow flowers. The group sang to me in a mixture of English and Spanish, and we all ate some very frosting-heavy, but delicious cake together. 

Despite my lovely distractions over the weekend, it was hard to keep loved ones in Ohio off my mind. I've never completely missed an MJB event before, and I've never not seen my family at least during my birthday weekend, if not the day of. However, they made me feel loved and missed with a video of well-wishes put together by D. Its beautiful, and made me both laugh and cry, and is something I'll continue to treasure and look back at whenever I miss them during the rest of my time here. 

Overall, between the adventures horseback riding and swimming in a waterfall, and the relaxing in the pools and eating good food at the hotel, my birthday weekend ended up being amazing. While I wish I could have shared it with some people back home, its certainly one that I won't soon forget. 

Pura Vida

Just Like Flying

On Friday our group departed San José for Monteverde. We stopped halfway up the mountain to watch the sunset. By far the most magnificent I've ever witnessed.

The hotel was more like a really long, divided cabin. Lots of bugs and spiders. Oh, and an iguana in our room that took some serious effort to capture and release outside of the cabin. It was, however, nice to be disconnected a little from the world of social media and be able to focus on all the nature around us.

On Saturday we went on a hanging bridge tour (not my favorite) and then on a canopy tour, which is what they call zip-lining here. It was terrifying, but also exhilarating. 

After a few lines that were "normal," our harnesses were switched to be prepared for the "superman" position. Instead of having to hold onto our harness and have our hands ready to break on the wire, we had our hands free and arms outstretched. (PLEASE NOTE: Do NOT watch this video with the volume all the way up on your device. I screamed literally the entire time.) 

It really was just like flying. Riding on the wind with my arms outstretched was a feeling unlike any other. I envy the fact that birds get to feel that way everyday of their lives. The tour ended with a 120ft bungee swing. 

On Sunday we departed from the hotel for our first official beach trip. Playa de Puntarenas is on the Pacific Ocean. Having only ever visited the Atlantic before this, I was in awe of the wonder and beauty of my new friend. 

Also, I am sunburnt. Being only 10 degrees away from the Equator makes getting burnt almost inevitable. But laying on the beach and playing in the ocean for even only a few hours was completely worth it. 

Pura Vida

Cosas from Costa

So much has happened during the past week and a half. This post is going to be a few shorter stories of the goings on here in San Francisco de Dos Ríos. On Saturday we went white water rafting. I had originally been really scared for this, but as soon as we got through the first set of rapids, those fears were assuaged.

The adrenaline rush was incredible. At calmer parts, we were allowed to jump out of the raft and swim in the river. I felt so gross afterwards, but it was so worth it.

The bus ride afterward, however, was less than magical. What was supposed to be a two hour bus ride soon turned into seven. There was a major accident on the road we were originally supposed to take. After two hours of literally being parked in the same spot, we turned around. Then we stopped for a bathroom break and turned back the original direction because it had apparently cleared up. Lies. Turned around again. This perpetual turning around meant driving through the mountains about three times. For someone who gets carsick pretty easily, this was my least favorite part of being here so far. 

The traffic here in general could be three blog posts by itself. A good measuring standard for the norm is rush hour in Columbus. Rush hour, though, could be compared to rush hour in NYC. I can barely ride passenger in it without feeling sick and anxious; I can't imagine having to actually be the driver. In this past week alone, the news has reported three major, fatal, multi-vehicle accidents. 

We also experienced the apparently very important tradition of celebrating birthdays. For just one of my classmates we've celebrated three times this week, along with twice for another classmate. Two fiestas, in class and in his casatico. His tico family went all out throwing a fiesta for all of their family and our entire group. Balloons, streamers, and confetti. Singing and dancing. The whole nine yards. There were banners with his name, as well as stickers that matched the banners on every styrofoam cup. 

Needless to say, I'm not terribly upset that I'll be spending my birthday here as well. My tica mom is a retired baker. Last night she made us pie (the first actual baked good since we got here). Phenomenal. We also have ice cream after dinner at least once a week. Olivia and I have serous trouble saying no to it. Ice cream here is probably the best I've ever had. I've been told that it's because nothing contains preservatives. 

With all the things going on, my favorite part of the semester so far is honestly the classes. I am learning so much. I look forward to both two hour classes every day. Our teachers encourage us to speak and practice actually using the language, which makes it hard not to learn. Our classes consist of both laughing till we cry and getting down to business. 

Tomorrow we'll be on a paseo to Monteverde to experience a "canopy tour." If I don't die from the 90 meter bungee jump, I'll have details afterward! 

Pura Vida

Fries and Cries

Classes started this week on Monday. After a bit of review, and getting some things switched around, I'm honestly really enjoying myself. I've already learned several dozen new words, and being here gives me the opportunity to practice them all the time.
On Saturday, we took our second Paseo to the museums in San Jose. It was really interesting to see the history that each museum revolved around. One of the featured artists made me think about Delaney, which was cool, but also made me miss her like crazy during the whole trip.

We also got to walk around a street market, and ate lunch in the city. (Side note: The Taco Bells here serve fries. I do not recommend them.)

Between classes and paseos, I think everyone in the group is starting to feel the exhaustion set in. Our brains are also consistently running, trying to make sense of Spanish and English at the same time, trying to communicate the essentials to our Tico families without too much confusion, and trying to blend in as much as possible, even though our large group of touristy friends gets stared at no matter what.
I had managed to keep it together in the ten days we've been here, making sure to keep in contact with home just enough, but not too much. I taught my family about Pura Vida the other night on FaceTime, and still managed to smile through a call where I really just wanted to cuddle up on the bed with all of them.

One too many preterite misconjugations, one too many trips I'd like to share with D or Joe, one too many cute puppies that aren't Steve, and all the exhaustion finally broke me last night. I had a good long cry, and a cheeseburger with Kool-aid for dinner, (Other side note: my Tica Mom makes amazing cheeseburgers.) and started today fresh - ready to keep learning and growing and experiencing amazing pieces of creation and adventure.

Pura Vida

Climbing the Rock

I'm still not sure today was even real.

Our first paseo was to Poas Volcano and La Paz Cataratas (waterfalls). We stopped for breakfast at Freddo Fresas. The breakfast was good, but it paled in comparison to the strawberry frescos. (Hey Mom, will you please put strawberries on the grocery list when I get home?)

We got back on the bus and headed for Poas Volcano. The little bit of hike was so worth it. The view was, well...

You're welcome. 

But seriously, if you ever have the opportunity to visit this country, this should be at the top of your list of things to see. According to my tico family, and our tour guide, Ronnie, there are usually so many steam clouds surrounding the top of this volcano that you can hardly see the crater in the middle sometimes. I've been told how lucky we were to see it, in both English and Spanish. 

When we were finally pulled away from that view, we got back on the bus to head to La Paz Cataratas. Before we even got to the waterfalls, we toured through the gardens, aviary, and other animal exhibits. 

I GOT TO HOLD A TOUCAN. I may have been so enchanted with the fact that it was happening that I forgot to take a normal picture, but I wouldn't trade that moment. 

After some more exploring of the aviary, we made it to the butterfly exhibit. Everyone was running around holding pieces of fruit, trying to catch a mariposa to take the perfect picture. After I finally caught one, it wouldn't get off my hand. Worth it though, because I ended up with several pictures like this one. 

While I was trying to get this one off, another landed on me and I minorly panicked for a bit because it was much larger than this one. 

We then got to see some monkeys, some frogs, and other animals, and ate lunch at a buffet that had a surprising amount of American food, but also the best rice pudding I've ever eaten. 

After quite a few stone staircases, we reached the first waterfall in the garden. Ay. Dios. Mío. I don't know what any of us were expecting, but we all looked incredibly in awe of this giant tower of water.

Between the three other waterfalls in the garden, and the breathtaking views, I couldn't help but never want to leave. Being surrounded in a creation as beautiful as this one had me in tears at least once.
My friends and I kept commenting that it felt too surreal and we were sure we were going to wake up at any moment.

Magical as it was, I had an important life lesson happen today as well.
Before I left the States, Emiliya, Delaney, and my parents were talking about what I'd be doing and seeing in my time here. When the subject of the waterfalls came up, all of them said to make sure I jump if everyone else does, because the experience would be like none other. The waterfalls in this park weren't for jumping in, and I knew that. After the first waterfall, however, my group was standing below it near the water. And a large rock.
If you've spent any time at all hiking with me, you know that there's just something about climbing on rocks, especially wet rocks, that terrifies me. I immediately told myself to stay on the sand and be in charge of holding people's stuff while they climbed up to take pictures. As I stood there, several phones in hand, I was reminded of my family's instruction to jump. Take the risk. My friends climbed up the rock to take their picture, and I followed. Sure, I couldn't bring myself to stand up all the way, and yeah, I had a hell of a time getting down from there, but I climbed the rock.

I'm taking this experience as a metaphor for this entire trip. I know there are going to be times when it seems that I cannot possibly take on one more new challenge - times that I get overwhelmed by homesickness and culture shock, but I also know that I will always regret it if I don't climb the rock.

Also... here is a stereotypical "we're from Ohio" picture:

Pura Vida