No Artificial Ingredients

"Google" Costa Rica and you will most likely come across the saying "No Artificial Ingredients." It is their pledge to tourists from around the world, and from what I can see, ticos are true to their word. The woman who cooks for the CCS staff and volunteers, Rosa, or Rosita as she likes to be called, always makes sure there is fresh fruit, fresh coffee and fresh bread around and all are so good.

Today was our first day with all of the volunteers together. We started early at 8am, with a tour of San Carlos the "Texas" of Costa Rica, where men walk around in cowboy hats, "machismo" is still very much alive, and saddles can be bought in many of the stores on the main street. The city only has three streets, which run parallel to each other and are connected by rocky side streets. Needless to say, the tour was pretty short, but San Carlos despite its size, manages to offer everything you'd expect in a big city. In addition to the movie theater and mall, there's a public hospital, a gym, many schools, at least 3 internet cafes, and lots of bakeries, restaurants and clothing stores. As one of the largest cities in the region, San Carlos also has three factories for sugar, coffee and milk,their main exports.

The weather has been a mix of morning showers, hot afternoons, and the occasional cool breeze, which ticos say are common during this time of year. The showers pass quickly and leave behind vibrant rainbows, one today, which seemed to stretch from one end of town to the other, but Greivin, CCS staff member and San Carlos resident boasted, "that's nothing, they're usually much better than that." I can't wait to see what a prettier rainbow looks like!

In the afternoon, we had orientation and met the rest of the CCS staff. Rosita made arroz con pollo, which is usually saved for special occasions, like weddings, or communions, but I think she was just trying to make us feel extra-welcome. After lunch, I learned more about my internship, which starts tomorrow. I will be working with AMURECI, an organization of women who take recycled materials from the community and make journals, jewelry and other crafts that they sell to neighbors and tourists. They're hoping to expand their business and want to learn more English so they can communicate with tourists, which is what I will be helping them with over the next few weeks. I'm starting to realize what a challenge it will be to teach English to people when our communication is so limited. The CCS staff said when in doubt, we should fall back on "pura vida." It literally means "pure life," but I'm finding it is appropriate in any situation. The bus is late? "pura vida." "How are you today?" "pura vida." It can mean anything from slow down or relax, to I'm great, thanks. If I can pronounce it without sounding too American, I think I should be able to skate by for the first week or so.

The sky is turning dark, and it looks like it may storm here.

Hasta manana, until tomorrow,
Pura Vida!