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