El Primero Semana

Last time I attempted to keep a blog, I was in Rome. I managed 2 posts. Sadly only one of which, I actually wrote while in Italy. Hopefully this time I can make it at least through the first month...

My first weekend in Costa Rica has been a shock!- A combination of new sights, new people and a language which I have unfortunately discovered I can read, but neither speak, nor understand when its spoken to me. I hope to fix that soon though.

I arrived on Saturday afternoon, collected my bags, and wandered out to a crowd of eager tour guides and taxi drivers, all asking a series of rapid fire questions. "How was your flight?" "Do you need a ride?" Where are you going to, miss?" "Can I get your bag for you?" "Where are you from?"

I must have looked like a deer in headlights as I mumbled "Cross Cultural Solutions," in answer to everything they asked. Finally, an airport security guard catching a glimpse of my "American University" sweatshirt and panicked expression, let me borrow his cell phone to call the house. As I handed him back his phone, I managed my first attempt at conversing with a Costa Rican and sheepishly mumbled, "muchas gracias."

The ride north to San Carlos was like nothing I could have imagined. Narrow, winding roads, climbing up and descending down the many mountains, cars passing each other around turns and playing chicken with big trucks as they sped across narrow bridges. All the while, the radio played a diverse mix of American music, reggae, and The Beatles. At one point we heard 'Afternoon Delight,' which made me smile thinking of Anchorman, followed by a Death Cab for Cutie song. If American radio stations truly want to be the "variety station," they should get their hands on Costa Rican radio play lists.

We drove through Naranjo, and I got my first glimpse of life in a Costa Rican town. It was a Saturday afternoon, and the streets were packed. Children walked hand in hand with their parents eating ice cream cones, old women sat on front porches, and men gathered on corners and in the main plaza, a park in the center of town. Leaving the town, we drove past a market filled with people buying and selling fresh fruit and vegetables.

Finally we arrived in San Carlos. I was too afraid to out myself as a tourist, though I'm pretty sure my lack of tan did that for me, but I wish I had taken pictures on the ride up. The mountains were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Luckily, there will be more time to do extremely touristy things.

San Carlos is a hopping town for the countryside. Last night, after getting adjusted to our house and getting to know each other, we wandered up the street to the super mas ( grocery store) and the town square. It was neat to see so many people out, adults, people my age, and teenagers, too. I got they idea, they, like American teens, are starved for places to go on the weekends. Two of the volunteers who have been here for a month, took us to the best ice cream place in San Carlos. Winnie Pooh's, is decorated, as you might guess, with lots of big, stuffed Winnie the Poohs, Piglets, Eeyores, and of course, Tiggers, too. The family that owns it is very friendly, and as we ordered our ice cream, their daugther raced in on her Heelys to say hello. Then we headed back to the house to watch No Country for Old Men, which Matt, one of the volunteers who's been here for a while, got at the movie store for a dollar. Apparently they get new releases pretty fast down here... ;)

After being exhausted all day, it was nice to sleep in today. Our room is above a noisy main road, which can be loud when the windows are open, but I don't mind it. All the noise reminds me of the busy street I lived above in Rome and you get the feeling from all the noise that people in San Carlos are pretty lively. Happily, I think I have gotten the hang of our shower, and can get warm water if I turn the faucet just right. Caitlin who's been here for a month too, warned that if you touch the shower head you can get shocked, which is a little disconcerting. Other than that, the house is absolutely great. I share a room with two other girls, Joanna and Jess, and the house has a beautiful courtyard with a banana tree and a steady breeze, where we eat breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After lunch, we walked down to the Maxi Bodega- their Walmart-like store, owned by, you guessed it, Walmart. I was amazed at just how much it was like our own version. Then we walked over to the shopping mall, which has lots of stores and a movie theater that plays American movies with Spanish subtitles. Next week they're supposed to show Cloverfield, and I feel like I should personally apologize to San Carlos moviegoers...

Later today, the rest of the volunteers are supposed to arrive, and tomorrow we have our first day of orientation before I start my internship on Tuesday. I am excited to meet the women who work at AMURECI, I just hope they forgive my lack of artistic ability.

In the first 24 hours, I have learned that rice and beans are a staple at every meal even breakfast, Winnie's has the best ice cream in San Carlos and the weather is fabulous in February, though the sun is a little strong ;) Also, did I mention I am writing this from a hammock, in our courtyard?
pura vida! :)
(and I'm not being corny, because Costa Ricans actually do say it a ton!)