Hola Todos!
So today, sommos muy muy tristes because we are leaving in approximately three and a half hours. We all have had such an amazing time here and have developed friendships that will last for a lifetime!
By the way, this is Giuls, and I worked at the site Manos de Jesus. Today, I mostly worked on doing some more painting of white and yellow traffic lines. After that, I continued to paint more; however, this time I, along with my other group members painted a mural in one of the stairwells with our handprints as well as a scenic picture of the mountains that the members of the nursing home have to look at everyday.
Themost difficult part of the day had to be saying goodbye to everyone. We sat in a room with Don Eduardo and some of the residents of the nursing home that we grew attached to. They all left us with thoughts and good wishes for our safe trip home. Although they thanked us up and down for helping them, I think that they helped all of us more than they will ever know. They left me with the thought that it is so important to love life and really develop strong relationships with those whom you care about.
I as well as many of the other members of my group left today with waterfalls of tears. Although we did not on this trip do as much physical labor as we all may have anticipated, we definately left our mark in Costa Rica. Working with the elderly was something that many of us were nervous about in the beginning, yet by the end, we al were so fortunate. The people who we met and learned to love were wise as a result of their old age, and I think that they valued our presence in Costa Rica more than we know.
Well, I am prety tired and think that I should go to bed considering the fact that I have a long day ahead of me. THANK YOU THANK YOU ASB for all of the great memories!
Con Mucho Gusto,
Giuls
Friday, March 20, 2009
Ultama Dia!
Hola!
This is Xheni, sitting outside waiting to head over to our lovely anciones. It is unbelievable that we will have to say goodbye to them today, but we all feel really good about the work we have done: completeing the garden, repainting the gate, and even helping them win at Bingo (they say we're good luck). It's a shame we're not allowed to give them gifts! We are taking them to the park today, so its like a little gift.
We left our mark last night at the home base: handprints of black, red, and gold all around a mighty Testudo holing a Costa Rican flag. Plus it's right by the food table, so everyone will HAVE to see our names if they want to eat!
Also on a good note, Ashwin Ooi got his "happy pills" = pain killers, for his bad knee.
That might be it for now. More to come from others (it's insane how close we've all gotten).
Adios,
Xheni
PS: Go TERPS! Yeah, double digit win!
This is Xheni, sitting outside waiting to head over to our lovely anciones. It is unbelievable that we will have to say goodbye to them today, but we all feel really good about the work we have done: completeing the garden, repainting the gate, and even helping them win at Bingo (they say we're good luck). It's a shame we're not allowed to give them gifts! We are taking them to the park today, so its like a little gift.
We left our mark last night at the home base: handprints of black, red, and gold all around a mighty Testudo holing a Costa Rican flag. Plus it's right by the food table, so everyone will HAVE to see our names if they want to eat!
Also on a good note, Ashwin Ooi got his "happy pills" = pain killers, for his bad knee.
That might be it for now. More to come from others (it's insane how close we've all gotten).
Adios,
Xheni
PS: Go TERPS! Yeah, double digit win!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Dear readers:
My name is Alon and I'm one of two staff advisers on our ASB. It's been quite a trip so far, and we just completed one of our busier days -- here's a quick recap:
- It was our third day at the Manos de Jesus nursing home. At this point our amazing team knows pretty much every one of the 38 residents by name, and many close connections have been made. I think it will be tough to say goodbye to these folks, and I'm sure they'll be very sad to see us go on Friday afternoon. We spent much of our day cleaning but also interacted with the residents as usual. Towards the end of the day we found out that we'll get the opportunity to paint a mural. The space is a small but centrally located utility structure with two bare concrete walls. It's an interesting space with lots of potential -- I'm curious to see how this turns out.
- We came back and had an amazing lunch (described by many as our "strongest" of the trip), then had about 15 minutes to recover before jumping into two vans and travelling to Volcan Irazu, the highest volcano in Costa Rica and the only place in America from which it's possible to see both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans at the same time (but only on completely clear days, which we weren't lucky enough to have). The drive was gorgeous and there were some great views from the rim of the crater when clouds weren't enveloping the place (which they did most of the time). Also: lots of pictures silly picture-taking, including of midair jumps and rapid-fire wheelcarts. Good times.
- We came back to Homa Base, went almost straight to reflections immediately followed by dinner. 10 minutes after *that* we all took a walk down to Estadio José Rafael Fello Meza Ivankovich stadium, home of Cartago's soccer team: Club Sport Cartaginés. I've been to many sporting events -- this one was completely unique. The 13,000+ seat stadium was full to capacity and the place was electric. The crowd was singing, chanting and durmming the way you only get to see on TV. "We" (that's Team Cartago) scored a fluke goal early and held onto the 1-0 lead for the next 70 minutes before San Jose tied the game. To beat the rush we left early (not before buying lots of jerseys) and don't actually know how the game ended :P Very fun experience nonetheless.
We've got a more relaxed day planned for tomorrow before our grand finale on Friday. Until that time: mahalo.
My name is Alon and I'm one of two staff advisers on our ASB. It's been quite a trip so far, and we just completed one of our busier days -- here's a quick recap:
- It was our third day at the Manos de Jesus nursing home. At this point our amazing team knows pretty much every one of the 38 residents by name, and many close connections have been made. I think it will be tough to say goodbye to these folks, and I'm sure they'll be very sad to see us go on Friday afternoon. We spent much of our day cleaning but also interacted with the residents as usual. Towards the end of the day we found out that we'll get the opportunity to paint a mural. The space is a small but centrally located utility structure with two bare concrete walls. It's an interesting space with lots of potential -- I'm curious to see how this turns out.
- We came back and had an amazing lunch (described by many as our "strongest" of the trip), then had about 15 minutes to recover before jumping into two vans and travelling to Volcan Irazu, the highest volcano in Costa Rica and the only place in America from which it's possible to see both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans at the same time (but only on completely clear days, which we weren't lucky enough to have). The drive was gorgeous and there were some great views from the rim of the crater when clouds weren't enveloping the place (which they did most of the time). Also: lots of pictures silly picture-taking, including of midair jumps and rapid-fire wheelcarts. Good times.
- We came back to Homa Base, went almost straight to reflections immediately followed by dinner. 10 minutes after *that* we all took a walk down to Estadio José Rafael Fello Meza Ivankovich stadium, home of Cartago's soccer team: Club Sport Cartaginés. I've been to many sporting events -- this one was completely unique. The 13,000+ seat stadium was full to capacity and the place was electric. The crowd was singing, chanting and durmming the way you only get to see on TV. "We" (that's Team Cartago) scored a fluke goal early and held onto the 1-0 lead for the next 70 minutes before San Jose tied the game. To beat the rush we left early (not before buying lots of jerseys) and don't actually know how the game ended :P Very fun experience nonetheless.
We've got a more relaxed day planned for tomorrow before our grand finale on Friday. Until that time: mahalo.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A Costa Rican St. Patty's Day...
Hola!!
Thanks for reading our blog! Everything is going wonderfully here...today was my birthday and my awesome ASB team made me feel so loved! We have a really stellar group dynamic and I feel so fortunate that I have gotten to know such an amazing group of people before I graduate.
Today was our second day in the Manos de Jesus nursing home. We planted trees, washed windows, and generally chatted up the elderly. Many of the people in the home have been abandoned by their families; some don't even remember how old they are or the names of their children. The residents are mostly non-ambulatory and many of them also suffer from some form of dementia. This makes our work challenging, but all the more rewarding when we make a great connection.
This afternoon we went zip-lining through the rainforest! (I'm not sure how to make that sound any more awesome than it already does!) We had lunch, hiked a bit, and then flew down nine ziplines while taking in the breathtaking forest and scenery.
At reflection tonight, we wrote haikus about our day. I think they best capture the true spirit of our exhilarating day!!
Tina:
Nervous, shaking, dead.
Yo tengo mucho mierda!*
Ja ja ja ja ja
Michelle:
I had a great day
I zipped quando skies were grey
Love you all today
Alon:
We did stuff with trees
First we planted them in ground
Then we go zipline
Tamara:
The old people are fun
They like to play in the sun
Awesome cool old folks
Missy:
Owned by Rafael**
Birthday wishes aplenty!
Strong zipline fun- wheee!
Claire:
I gardened today
I also danced with Ashwin
Then I got laughed at
Xheni:
Made a new old friend
Saw the world in a new way
I never want to leave
Diana:
Today was awesome
Ziplining was really fun!
I love everyone!
Giuls:
Better connections
New friends different ages
Rice and beans a lot!
Megan:
Reworked the garden
Said prayers with the elderly
Purpled on the zipline***
Laura B:
The hike stole my breath
My returned in the air
I flew through the sky
Eduardo:
Haikus are easy
I almost stepped in poop and
I have ten fingers
and the winner is...dadadadadada (internet drumroll)
Ashwin:
Sometimes I wonder
Is that tree getting bigger?
Then it hits me
jajajaja (costa rican hahaha)
Good night everyone! PURA VIDA!
Missy
*Tina got confused that the word for "fear" was "mierda" instead of "mieda".
--> "mieda" = fear, "mierda"= poop!!!!
**Rafael is an old man who was better at working the shovel than I was....
***Purpling refers to male and female relations between/among our group and Costa Rican employees...long story....
Hola!
This is Tinaaaww!
I am actually really REALLY TIRED! I was about to go to sleep after eading Missy's post but hey, I just could not sleep after all the excitement I had today!!!
Okayy let me start off by talking about the nursing home that I have been going. Xheni, Ashwin, Laura and I got a separate project to work on while the rest of the group continued to work on gardening. We scraped old paint off from the gate and repainted it black. scraping the old paint was really hard but with combined powerrr, we finished half of it really fast! As a result, we ended up with constellation of black paint dots on our arms and clothes! Teehee.
Then, we joined the elderly in their rosary praying time. It was interesting to hear the prayer in another language especially when I know it in Korean and English. When we finished praying, we had awesome conversation. It was lot easier than the first day because the nervous/jittery feeling wasn't there anymore and I got used to speaking to them. In addition, many of them recognized me and greeted me when I got there. Unlike the first day, I felt welcomed and that I was at the right place. It's only the second day here and I am already attached to them. I don't know what I am going to do when it's time for us to leave... I am definitely going to cry. *tears*
After we came back from our placements, we went on ZIPLINING!!!! (As Missy mentioned above). Up until last night, I was on the "maybe" list for the ziplining trip... I have never done anything like that before and I was scared to DEATH to even think about it. But....peer pressure! or shall I say, "CHALLENGE BY CHOICE"? The ziplining tour guides came to pick us up and we had an AWESOME lunch there. THEN.....DUN DUN DUN...... Maybe...I should not have eaten? Nervous butterflies got my stomach going craaazy! UMM...and what the tour guide said almost made me back out. DIOS MIOS! He said that there were 9 zipline courses we will be going through. WHAT?! NINE?! OH EM GEE?! I was dying to think aboug going on just ONE zipline and now, there are NINE?! OH...LORD, SAVE ME.
Oh, and it gets BETTER. we got into two groups and got on a van to go up on the mountain. AND the road was...umm...really BUMPY!!!!
I don't know how, but I got out of the van with shaky legs and...that's when our fitness testing hiking started. The mountain was really steep and it was really difficult to climb... Covered in sweat we finally reached the top....to start on the ziplining adventure!....umm...yea... We put our harnesses, helmets and fanny packs on and listened to the instruction carefully. No one would ever know how SCARED I was up there. I was the 3rd person from the back when we went on the first one... After watching others scream at the top of their lungs, shaking uncontrollably and feeling like death waiting for my turn...my turn finally came...dreadfully.
I am sure that nothing in the world can scream louder than I did on that first zipline course.
YEAP. I screamed, screamed and screamed. (but still kept my eyes open=somewhat brave, eh?!) I know my friends and family are laughing at me right now reading this blog, but HEY, you may be laughing now, but when you get up there, my story will become your story. By the 3rd one, I was enjoying the thrill of ziplining adventure. I was still scared but I was having so much fun. I am so glad that my awesome group convinced me to go on this trip.
OH, my ziplinine adventure is NOT over yet. On the last one, (which was also the longest, highest, and most craziest) I was able to record the whole thing on my video camera. The guide came along with me (YAY!) and I screamed and filmed the entire thing on the way down.
the second video is the cut off from the first one....somehow when I came down, I pushed the record button twice...and it cut off them greeting me...aw....my bad...
What I tried today (zipline) was the most craziest thing I have ever done and I am SO glad that I did it.
I just want to thank my group for being soooo awesome and I love every single one of them.
I love being part of ASB and I LOVE LOVE LOVE being with my ASB Costa Rica group!
It's AMAZING how I feel like we have been together for a long time when...we have only known each other since...sunday? haha...
WE ARE AWESOME!
And, LASTLY and MOST IMPORTANTLY,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISSY! woOhoO! BIG 22!!! YAY!
We *heart* you!
I love that I try something new EVERYDAY here. I also learn so much just talking to the elderly and working with them. Not only that I am getting to know them but I am also learning more and more about myself as the day goes on.
Thank you so much for reading this long blog. I just got carried away with excitement.
Keep checking back because we will definitely keep you updated!
I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring!!!
Hasta luego!
-Tina
Thanks for reading our blog! Everything is going wonderfully here...today was my birthday and my awesome ASB team made me feel so loved! We have a really stellar group dynamic and I feel so fortunate that I have gotten to know such an amazing group of people before I graduate.
Today was our second day in the Manos de Jesus nursing home. We planted trees, washed windows, and generally chatted up the elderly. Many of the people in the home have been abandoned by their families; some don't even remember how old they are or the names of their children. The residents are mostly non-ambulatory and many of them also suffer from some form of dementia. This makes our work challenging, but all the more rewarding when we make a great connection.
This afternoon we went zip-lining through the rainforest! (I'm not sure how to make that sound any more awesome than it already does!) We had lunch, hiked a bit, and then flew down nine ziplines while taking in the breathtaking forest and scenery.
At reflection tonight, we wrote haikus about our day. I think they best capture the true spirit of our exhilarating day!!
Tina:
Nervous, shaking, dead.
Yo tengo mucho mierda!*
Ja ja ja ja ja
Michelle:
I had a great day
I zipped quando skies were grey
Love you all today
Alon:
We did stuff with trees
First we planted them in ground
Then we go zipline
Tamara:
The old people are fun
They like to play in the sun
Awesome cool old folks
Missy:
Owned by Rafael**
Birthday wishes aplenty!
Strong zipline fun- wheee!
Claire:
I gardened today
I also danced with Ashwin
Then I got laughed at
Xheni:
Made a new old friend
Saw the world in a new way
I never want to leave
Diana:
Today was awesome
Ziplining was really fun!
I love everyone!
Giuls:
Better connections
New friends different ages
Rice and beans a lot!
Megan:
Reworked the garden
Said prayers with the elderly
Purpled on the zipline***
Laura B:
The hike stole my breath
My returned in the air
I flew through the sky
Eduardo:
Haikus are easy
I almost stepped in poop and
I have ten fingers
and the winner is...dadadadadada (internet drumroll)
Ashwin:
Sometimes I wonder
Is that tree getting bigger?
Then it hits me
jajajaja (costa rican hahaha)
Good night everyone! PURA VIDA!
Missy
*Tina got confused that the word for "fear" was "mierda" instead of "mieda".
--> "mieda" = fear, "mierda"= poop!!!!
**Rafael is an old man who was better at working the shovel than I was....
***Purpling refers to male and female relations between/among our group and Costa Rican employees...long story....
Hola!
This is Tinaaaww!
I am actually really REALLY TIRED! I was about to go to sleep after eading Missy's post but hey, I just could not sleep after all the excitement I had today!!!
Okayy let me start off by talking about the nursing home that I have been going. Xheni, Ashwin, Laura and I got a separate project to work on while the rest of the group continued to work on gardening. We scraped old paint off from the gate and repainted it black. scraping the old paint was really hard but with combined powerrr, we finished half of it really fast! As a result, we ended up with constellation of black paint dots on our arms and clothes! Teehee.
Then, we joined the elderly in their rosary praying time. It was interesting to hear the prayer in another language especially when I know it in Korean and English. When we finished praying, we had awesome conversation. It was lot easier than the first day because the nervous/jittery feeling wasn't there anymore and I got used to speaking to them. In addition, many of them recognized me and greeted me when I got there. Unlike the first day, I felt welcomed and that I was at the right place. It's only the second day here and I am already attached to them. I don't know what I am going to do when it's time for us to leave... I am definitely going to cry. *tears*
After we came back from our placements, we went on ZIPLINING!!!! (As Missy mentioned above). Up until last night, I was on the "maybe" list for the ziplining trip... I have never done anything like that before and I was scared to DEATH to even think about it. But....peer pressure! or shall I say, "CHALLENGE BY CHOICE"? The ziplining tour guides came to pick us up and we had an AWESOME lunch there. THEN.....DUN DUN DUN...... Maybe...I should not have eaten? Nervous butterflies got my stomach going craaazy! UMM...and what the tour guide said almost made me back out. DIOS MIOS! He said that there were 9 zipline courses we will be going through. WHAT?! NINE?! OH EM GEE?! I was dying to think aboug going on just ONE zipline and now, there are NINE?! OH...LORD, SAVE ME.
Oh, and it gets BETTER. we got into two groups and got on a van to go up on the mountain. AND the road was...umm...really BUMPY!!!!
I don't know how, but I got out of the van with shaky legs and...that's when our fitness testing hiking started. The mountain was really steep and it was really difficult to climb... Covered in sweat we finally reached the top....to start on the ziplining adventure!....umm...yea... We put our harnesses, helmets and fanny packs on and listened to the instruction carefully. No one would ever know how SCARED I was up there. I was the 3rd person from the back when we went on the first one... After watching others scream at the top of their lungs, shaking uncontrollably and feeling like death waiting for my turn...my turn finally came...dreadfully.
I am sure that nothing in the world can scream louder than I did on that first zipline course.
YEAP. I screamed, screamed and screamed. (but still kept my eyes open=somewhat brave, eh?!) I know my friends and family are laughing at me right now reading this blog, but HEY, you may be laughing now, but when you get up there, my story will become your story. By the 3rd one, I was enjoying the thrill of ziplining adventure. I was still scared but I was having so much fun. I am so glad that my awesome group convinced me to go on this trip.
OH, my ziplinine adventure is NOT over yet. On the last one, (which was also the longest, highest, and most craziest) I was able to record the whole thing on my video camera. The guide came along with me (YAY!) and I screamed and filmed the entire thing on the way down.
the second video is the cut off from the first one....somehow when I came down, I pushed the record button twice...and it cut off them greeting me...aw....my bad...
What I tried today (zipline) was the most craziest thing I have ever done and I am SO glad that I did it.
I just want to thank my group for being soooo awesome and I love every single one of them.
I love being part of ASB and I LOVE LOVE LOVE being with my ASB Costa Rica group!
It's AMAZING how I feel like we have been together for a long time when...we have only known each other since...sunday? haha...
WE ARE AWESOME!
And, LASTLY and MOST IMPORTANTLY,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISSY! woOhoO! BIG 22!!! YAY!
We *heart* you!
I love that I try something new EVERYDAY here. I also learn so much just talking to the elderly and working with them. Not only that I am getting to know them but I am also learning more and more about myself as the day goes on.
Thank you so much for reading this long blog. I just got carried away with excitement.
Keep checking back because we will definitely keep you updated!
I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring!!!
Hasta luego!
-Tina
Monday, March 16, 2009
Los abuelitos
Hola y Pura Vida a Todos!!!!
Sitting here in a circle in the home base and staring at the faces surrounding me I feel as though I am looking into the eyes of friends that I have known from my childhood--or rather family. As corny or cliche as that sounds I PROMISE you it is true. In the course of the past few hours we have salsa danced in the hallway together and then moments later were holding each other through tears.
As you may or may not know we were divided into two groups today and both went to begin our service at nursing homes. When we discovered that we were going to be working with the elderly we were all a little intimidated and worried about the idea. My group (this is Laura Pritchard BTW) worked at a center where half of the elderly lived full time and half stayed there only for the day. First thing we did was to do some gardening. There was a patch of weeds that was their garden and the farm girl came out in me (Dad you should be proud). We all went to work with shovels and rakes and ABSURDLY large pick axes---Ashwin reminded me of one of the SEVEN DWARFS-- but I regress. We tore out a ton of weeds and then turned over the dirt. We all had a huge sense of accomplishment when an hour later a pacth of tilled soil ready for planting stood where there was once just a huge patch of weeds. Not to mention the smell of Mint and cilantro hung in the air and was absolutly intoxicating.
Later we went and worked with los abuelitos (the elderly). We played a game with them in the beginning and then were sent off to go and mingle with los abuelitos AHHHHHHHHHHH---- scary THAT MENT WE HAD TO USE SPANISH!!!!!!!!!! Regardless of how well we were able to communicate no one could deny how greatful they were to have us around just for the sheer company. Many of the people who were there had been abandoned by their families which broke out hearts. One group of women took a certain liking to Ashwin when they discovered that he did not have a girlfriend--- they pretty much decided that the reason for this was becuase he was not able to dance--- therefore it was decided that tomorrow los abueltios are going to teach us how to dance tomorrow---- little do they know that we were practicing dancing tonight to show off tomorrow!!!!!!! -- hopefully
There was another placement ---- more details to come later
PURA VIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Sitting here in a circle in the home base and staring at the faces surrounding me I feel as though I am looking into the eyes of friends that I have known from my childhood--or rather family. As corny or cliche as that sounds I PROMISE you it is true. In the course of the past few hours we have salsa danced in the hallway together and then moments later were holding each other through tears.
As you may or may not know we were divided into two groups today and both went to begin our service at nursing homes. When we discovered that we were going to be working with the elderly we were all a little intimidated and worried about the idea. My group (this is Laura Pritchard BTW) worked at a center where half of the elderly lived full time and half stayed there only for the day. First thing we did was to do some gardening. There was a patch of weeds that was their garden and the farm girl came out in me (Dad you should be proud). We all went to work with shovels and rakes and ABSURDLY large pick axes---Ashwin reminded me of one of the SEVEN DWARFS-- but I regress. We tore out a ton of weeds and then turned over the dirt. We all had a huge sense of accomplishment when an hour later a pacth of tilled soil ready for planting stood where there was once just a huge patch of weeds. Not to mention the smell of Mint and cilantro hung in the air and was absolutly intoxicating.
Later we went and worked with los abuelitos (the elderly). We played a game with them in the beginning and then were sent off to go and mingle with los abuelitos AHHHHHHHHHHH---- scary THAT MENT WE HAD TO USE SPANISH!!!!!!!!!! Regardless of how well we were able to communicate no one could deny how greatful they were to have us around just for the sheer company. Many of the people who were there had been abandoned by their families which broke out hearts. One group of women took a certain liking to Ashwin when they discovered that he did not have a girlfriend--- they pretty much decided that the reason for this was becuase he was not able to dance--- therefore it was decided that tomorrow los abueltios are going to teach us how to dance tomorrow---- little do they know that we were practicing dancing tonight to show off tomorrow!!!!!!! -- hopefully
There was another placement ---- more details to come later
PURA VIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Con Mucho Gusto
Today's events were far from boring. We woke up early this morning for breakfast and then headed off into the city. Our tour guide and program coordinator for CCS, Santiago aka Santi, showed us the heart of Cartago and its neighbor San Rafael. Both cities are centered on Catholicism and the social history is vibrant. The Basillica was one of the most important, and beautiful places within the city. It was amazing to be emersed with the locales as they ventured off to church and to the market and various other activities. The market was a large, indoor, busseling maze! Merchants were excited about their products...literally everthing from fruit, veggies, and fresh meat...to hot-plate, readiserve food. It was so cool to walk within the confines of the market and hear people yelling "tenemos naranjas," or "compre billetes de la loteria!!" In addition to Santi we also made friends with Papita, a friendly and beautiful stray dog. FYI Cartago has a lot of stray dogs who are surprisingly not aggressive. Papita literally followed around the city, to the homebase, to the Basillica for mass (HAHA), in addition to waiting for us outside the home-base until our next venture. She was an amazing travel companion!!
Now on to the food because I am sure you all our wondering what wonderful local delicacies we enjoyed! For lunch we were served exotic fruit such as guanabana and caimito! Then we stopped at a delicious local ice cream shop and these fruits were incorporated with the flavors!! UUUmm delicioso!!!! For the evening we enjoyed rice and chicken, with fried beans, homemade pica de gallo, chips, and fresh mango...perfecto!
The last portion of the evening was spent learning spanish dialogue to incoporate in our conversations with people...especially people at the nursing center! Many of us suffered greatly but by the end of the week we will be semi-experts of the spanish language (HAHA). Until then we will just smile and nod along with what people are saying :)
We are opening our eyes to a new culture, our ears to a new different tune, and our hearts to the people of Cartago. We hope to leave as much of a lasting impression on someone in Cartago as the whole community has left on us. And to think this is only day one..stay tuned...
Hasta Luego Amigos!!
Now on to the food because I am sure you all our wondering what wonderful local delicacies we enjoyed! For lunch we were served exotic fruit such as guanabana and caimito! Then we stopped at a delicious local ice cream shop and these fruits were incorporated with the flavors!! UUUmm delicioso!!!! For the evening we enjoyed rice and chicken, with fried beans, homemade pica de gallo, chips, and fresh mango...perfecto!
The last portion of the evening was spent learning spanish dialogue to incoporate in our conversations with people...especially people at the nursing center! Many of us suffered greatly but by the end of the week we will be semi-experts of the spanish language (HAHA). Until then we will just smile and nod along with what people are saying :)
We are opening our eyes to a new culture, our ears to a new different tune, and our hearts to the people of Cartago. We hope to leave as much of a lasting impression on someone in Cartago as the whole community has left on us. And to think this is only day one..stay tuned...
Hasta Luego Amigos!!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Travel
Well here we are in Costa Rica! We've had a few bumps along the way (forgotten green card, possibly lost passport...) but we've made it to home base and we're looking forward to a great week. We're hopeful that the problems we had today will clear us from having any this week (knock on wood)...
Ok well breakfast is at 8am tomorrow and it's now past 11pm Cartago time so I'm thinking it's time for bed.
Pura vida!
Megan
Ok well breakfast is at 8am tomorrow and it's now past 11pm Cartago time so I'm thinking it's time for bed.
Pura vida!
Megan
Cranium, Beauty and the Beast, and PANCAKES!!!
It's hours before we depart, and those of us in Ed's apartment are super excited!
Last night we played Cranium, watched a weird movie, and danced (tee hee hee...) (<--Laura)
Here's a picture of the charades portion of Cranium:
Laura and Michelle "Reproducin"... No one got it.Aaaand none of us have had coffee, so we're done.
-Eduardo, Laura, Ashwin, Michelle, Romi (Nicknames to come, though Ashwin's already got Cotton Balls and Momma Hen)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Day Before We Leave!
Shorts- Check
Shirts- Check
Socks- Check
Mental state- Pre-travel jitters
Wow. I can't believe that in less than 24 hours, the 17 of us will be on a plane going to Costa Rica! I personally can't wait to see how everyone grows from this experience. As of now we're almost strangers but it's wild to think that by the end of this we will know each other so well. It's so important coming into these situations with an open mind.
I'd have to say my biggest reservation....American Airlines...coupled with Miami Int'l Airport. I have a theory, it goes like this (it has a bit of arithmetic, so get ready):
American Airlines + M.I.A. = Infinite spiral of despair.
At least it'll be a bonding experience, right?
Well, here's to a week filled with growth, self-awareness, social change, and stepping out of comfort zones. It will truly be memorable. Please keep checking the blog, we'll try to keep it up to date.
Pura Vida,
Eduardo
Shirts- Check
Socks- Check
Mental state- Pre-travel jitters
Wow. I can't believe that in less than 24 hours, the 17 of us will be on a plane going to Costa Rica! I personally can't wait to see how everyone grows from this experience. As of now we're almost strangers but it's wild to think that by the end of this we will know each other so well. It's so important coming into these situations with an open mind.
I'd have to say my biggest reservation....American Airlines...coupled with Miami Int'l Airport. I have a theory, it goes like this (it has a bit of arithmetic, so get ready):
American Airlines + M.I.A. = Infinite spiral of despair.
At least it'll be a bonding experience, right?
Well, here's to a week filled with growth, self-awareness, social change, and stepping out of comfort zones. It will truly be memorable. Please keep checking the blog, we'll try to keep it up to date.
Pura Vida,
Eduardo
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