June 30th

Went to bed early lastnight since everyone gets up early here since the sun rises early and sets early. For breakfast I had corn flakes and bananas (which is called a banano here lol) Our host mom had a dentist appointment this morning and couldn't find anyone to take us to school the walking way, so we took the bus and almost missed the stop, but the bus driver told us to get off lol Ashley had me looking at a mcdonalds sign that said 'quesoburgesa' (= 'cheeseburger') hadn't seen that before! lol

We had academic orientation today, which was pretty much another welcome to the university. Then after that we took a tour of the campus. But even I that is pretty good with directions wasn't so sure where I was after a few turns. The town and university grew 'organically' not much planning so it's not so organized like home. Our tours were divided up by the classes we are in, so my tour was all in Spanish, but I understood almost all of it actually. I'm already picking up on the Spanish. Speaking is still difficult. Sometimes I say something and realize how choppy that sounds and know how to fix it too lol I asked my host mom 'at what time I, you wake up tomorrow' = 'a que hora yo despierta manana' She understood what I meant though lol

After the tour they served us lunch here at the university. It was really good. Pork, yellow rice, salad, and a really good dessert. More food than I get at the host's home I couldn't eat it all. I sat with a group of girls I met yesterday and today. 3 of them are from a christian university in oklahoma and have been here since June. In June they did missions around here and now they're taking classes. The two other girls are from Wisconson and one girl really sounds like it :-) It looks like I will be having classes with some of those girls. I also met another group of students during the placement test we had to take. They were nice and fun and we'll be having one or both classes together. Should be fun! There's actually mostly girls here, only a few guys.

The placement test wasn't too bad. The writing part was quite easy. Complete the sentence and then write your daily routine and then write about past vacations. I found that I was able to write it in Spanish the whole time and not have to revert to English too much. The oral part was a bit difficult. The lady doing it was very intimidating and strict and really made one feel nervous. All of us girls thought so. Oh well, I'm pretty sure I did well enough to get placed in Conversation I.

I just heard thunder! Gonna rain soon! Probably gonna be in the computer lab a while then I guess...My house mate is here as well. Well, I am going to try to upload some pictures.

Hasta Luego!

:-) Rek

Later on June 29th

Well the Internet came back randomly right about the time my computer battery was dying. Oh well. Earlier today I met a girl who said she had wifi at her host’s house and was quite friendly, gave me her address and said come on over. I’m gonna talk with Mrs. Polchow and see how her Internet situation is.
Still having issues figuring out the money system here—always having to compare it to dollars and that takes time, particularly without a calculator.
Ashley and I walked around the mall while we waited for a break in the storm and then we went out to the buses to see if we could figure out how to get back to Sabanilla. We ran into some other students with their host father and he helped us get on the right bus. On the buses here they don’t stop at every stop unless there’s a lot of people at the stop or someone inside the bus pulls a string that goes all the way back through the bus. It makes a buzzer go off in the front. I had to pull it twice because I pulled it too early the first time. Ashley and I were looking for a landmark that we had only seen once, and me seeing it only at night lol But we got off and found the house easily. Got through the first gate easily. But the gate in front of the door was problematic. It took us about 5 minutes to get it open there’s no keyhole just a latch in the back, but even when we had the lack out it wouldn’t open…and then all of a sudden it opened…I personally think that the hinges are old and the door isn’t level anymore cause we had a hard time closing it back again as well.
Just made some of my tea and relaxing.

Evening:

We had another downpour and it was REALLY loud on the tin roof. For dinner we had black beans rice, and some potato dish. Afterwards we stayed and chatted a good while. Now it's time for bed!

:-) Rek

June 29th, 2009

Well, I have arrived! Our plane landed about 8:30 local time and then we had to get through customs. But we were much aided in that effort because Mrs. Polchow’s poor children were so tired and grumpy that they were crying and yelling so all the airport people kept putting us in the front of the lines lol

Once we got through there we walked out of the airport and was faced by a hundred or so people behind a glass window all holding signs and hollering. Amongst them all was a MLSA sign, which is the group that’s running this study abroad program. We went to them and then we had to wait until another plane arrived that had about 20ish more people, then a bus pulled up and finally we were leaving by about 10pm from the airport. Then we were taken to hotel/apartment place where the host families were waiting for us. I was the last person claimed! The lady’s named Maria, her son is Gabriel and her daughter is Maria as well I believe. I’m not sure what middle class is like here, but I’d say that my family is probably lower middle or upper low class.

Maria was the person who picked me up and we took a taxi home. That was one of the more crazy rides I’ve ever had in a car, but the ride wasn’t too far. We walked in through the gate through a small courtyard into the small, but nice home. I have a small room on the front of the house. I pretty much set my stuff down and went to get a shower. It was COLD!!!!!! So needless to say it wasn’t much of a shower. I washed my face in the sink, brushed my teeth and went to bed.

I didn’t sleep too well, not use to the noises here, and my room is almost next to the street so I had cars flying past all night and then the sun rises at 5:30am here so it was like 8am at home at 5ish here. The bird calls are strange as well. The bed isn’t actually that bad. My feet do stick off the end though lol

I got up at 6ish this morning and began the unpacking process. I think I have almost everything all tidied up. Maria’s two children have gone off to school already and right now she’s making some breakfast for my housemate and I. My housemate is from Indiana and named Ashley. She’s a bit better at Spanish than I am, she’s studying to be a teacher. Well, breakfast is ready! So long for now!

Afternoon:

It's POURING at the moment. The storm came pretty much out of nowhere. Major lightening and thunder. But my housemate and I are currently in the mall where we found some free wifi.

For breakfast we had galle pinto...black beans, rice, and cilantro with eggs. Good except for the cilantro lol I also tasted some papaya...yuck, but my host mother gave me a banana instead...it was a *really* good banana.

I learned this morning that there is hot water, but that you have to turn the handle just the right distance lol A little while after breakfast we began our “15 minute” walk to school. It turned out to be a 45-minute walk! The pedistrian rule here is just like the quote I say often: There are two types of pedestrians – The quick and the dead. The roads and sidewalks are quite rough here as well.

When it’s not raining I’ll try to get some pictures of San Jose and the neighborhood, Sabanilla, where I’m staying.

We had the first of 2 orientation days, and afterwards we went with two other host “moms” to the mall to get lunch. I had black beans, rice, chicken, and cucumbers. Was quite good.

Well, the Internet just died on me…Ashley’s still on it, but for some reason my computer isn’t working…hmm I’m not sure why since it was working fine earlier. If the Internet is this iffy I might not be able to upload pictures until I get home. I did bring my pendrive so I might be able to go to an Internet Café and upload stuff there. But for now, see ya!

:-) Rek

I'm here!

June 28^th, 2009

Well, I’m currently in the Houston airport, which has “FREE PUBLIC WIFI”, but I still can’t get on the Internet, oh well. We arrived here about 20 minutes early, plus we have a hour and 15 minute layover so I’m just killing some time. Texted with my dad, talked with Steven a bit, had some dinner, and tried to connect to WIFI.

After church my parents drove me to the Columbia airport where I met up with Jennifer, Ashley and Mrs. Polchow. Made it through security easily…somehow I was able to go through the metal detector wearing a belt, a ring, and a watch…not so sure how good that thing was. lol The flight from Columbia wasn’t bad at all. The ginger tea works!!! I didn’t get motion sickness at all! Very nice. It was worth drinking the not so tasty stuff.

Mrs. Polchow is bringing her two children with her. A one year old girl and a 5-ish year old boy. Benjamin and Caitlin I believe is their names. The boy is quite the flirt; reminds me of Anna Marie’s youngest brother. He wants to be with us and holding our hands and have our attention. lol

Already getting bombarded with Spanish here in the airport. All the signs and everything said over the speakers are in English and Spanish. The people to my left are Hispanic as well. Exchanged a bit of money here as well. $1 of our money is about 570ish of theirs.

These time zones are already getting me confused! lol It’s 6pm at home, 5pm here, and 4pm in Costa Rica. Signing off for a bit to chat with a couple sitting next to us. They’re locals of San Jose and giving some good info.

A few hours later:

Now I’m flying over…something....not sure since it’s dark outside. It’s 9 o’clock at home and 7 o’clock where I’m headed. Our flight is supposed to land 8:30. A bus is supposed to take us to the University and then the host families will take us to our homes. A bed will be most welcome; I’m quite tired.

Amazingly Continental Airlines doesn’t charge for its food! I had dinner for “free” lol Well, more like second dinner since I had eaten in the airport. Well, not too much else to say at the moment. G’night!

:-) Rek

This is it!

This is it! In 22 hours I'll be boarding a plane for Houston! ... then San Jose :-P

Costa Rica is on Central time, but it's still a 2 hour time difference because they don't have daylight savings. Another interesting thing I shall have to get use to is that the sun sets at about 6pm, not 8pm like here. I'm gonna miss the long days! That's one of my favourite parts of Summer! Oh well, I can't say I'll miss the 90 degree weather though! It's gonna be lower to mid 80s there! So many exclamation points! I think I'll add another! lol

This afternoon my aunt and uncle surprised me by showing up while on their way to the beach. 'Twas nice. And also Steven came over for a bit. :-) Well, I'm gonna go finish reading The Naming...it's obviously not going with me...the 2nd book in the series is though! lol

:-) Rek

Por si las moscas

So the packing has begun...well it's pretty much already finished. I started Monday and kept on going. There are only a few last minute things that need to be included. And guess what...I managed to fit it ALL in a 21" suitcase, backpack, and a purse! Yep, that's even with all the "por si las moscas" items as well. lol It's a bit of a tight fit, but quite a few things aren't coming back with me, like the protien bars and host gift, so I'll have plenty of space coming home even with trinkets and souvenirs. I'll add a picture later just for proof. :-P

I finally chose which book I'm gonna take with me -- The Naming by Alison Croggon. This'll probably be the 3rd or 4th time I've read it. lol The final book in the quartet was finally released in the States this past winter and I don't remember enough of the story to read the last book yet. Oh well, 450-ish pages of bedtime reading. :-)

Only a few more days before departure!

:-) Rek

The Countdown

Just a little over a week before I leave for Costa Rica. It's exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. I'm quite comfy in my comfort zone and personally enjoy living under my rock. So this trip is gonna be one giant leap out of my cozy shell. It'll be good though. (Even if I do have withdrawl symptoms from lack of Internet :-P)

Yesterday I received the address, if you can call it that, of my host family. It's more like directions. 100 meters South of the Church of Sabanilla and 75 meters West. 5th house, color papaya, green  iron gate. Apparently there is no such thing as a street address in Costa Rica. All directions are  given by landmarks! Also don't expect to write me since there isn't a postal service from what I understand. Which is understandable with the lack of addresses. From what I understand I'll be picked up from the University by my host family, so finding the house won't be such an adventure. lol

I'm not sure that my host family is a "family." I was only given one name, and it was a woman's. Correct me if I'm wrong but usually the head of house is a man, and from what I understand there is still a fair amount of machismo in Costa Rica, so... Oh well, doesn't matter, just has me even more curious.

Earlier this week I bought the Lonely Planet guidebook from Costa Rica. I spent a good while reading and skimming through it and have decided upon 4 things I want to do before leaving Costa Rica.

1. Canopy Tour (zip line)

2. Turtle-watching

3. Non-tourist Caribbean beach

4. Butterfly Farm

Well, that's all for now. Hasta Luego!

:-) Rek