When people here in the house told me that my days would "fly by," I did not really believe them. The first week felt prettty long to me. But, sure enough, in less than 3 days I will be on my flight back home. Strange. Strange. Strange.
As I think I mentioned in my last post, maybe not, I spent this past weekend in La Fortuna. It is a touristy town about 45 minutes from Ciudad Quesada where one can find all things "adventure"- bungee jumping, water fall propelling, you name it. There were 5 of us this weekend and we opted for a little ziplining Saturday morning. Very fun! The only time I have ever done some sort of ziplining was at Madeira during like "outdoor ed" while in elementary school. This was just a few steps above that. There were 11 lines and they went over rivers and through tree branches. I am a wee fraid of heights, but after the first few it was nada. Did I mention, fun?
Sadly, the rest of the weekend did not exactly continue on the same path. We enjoyed each other's company, however, the dern rain would not go away! We spent most of the remaining time in our room aweing over the television...something I had not seen in the past 5 weeks.
This week I am making sure to get some pictures of life in the CQ and enjoy my last days. Today was my final day at Amureci, which is the women's group that sells products made from recycled paper. They are a cute group of women and I will miss them! Tomorrow I'm off to the community college for the last time and finally Friday I am going to the elementary school that I worked at for their end of the year party.
Saturday I will return home to the freezing cold that is Washington, D.C.! Although being warm in December seems somehow wrong, I know that from the moment I step of the plane I will be longing for the few sunny days I was able to enjoy on my beach weekends here. I am ready though to see Christmas lights and actually be able to understand the Christmas music playing in my car.
Cant wait to see everyone who will be in D.C. over the holidays! I will have a long layover in Atlanta Saturday afternoon and have my phone so feel free to keep me entertained! Happy Wednesday!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sick, Sun, LOTS of People!
Costa Rica Entry #3
I have been here a little over 3 weeks now and here is post 3....I would have to say I am still not very good at this.
Last week just flew on by. As did this weekend...sort of. Friday after lunch Juliana, Becca, Carin, and I set out for Jaco Beach which is about 3.5 hours from the CQ. Last week there were only 7 of us in the house and then 3 were leaving Saturday so there was only 4 of us left to travel. It was a fun group, nevertheless. Juliana is from Maine and also taking a gap year, she will start at Mount Holyoke next September. Becca is from Philly and here in Costa Rica for her Senior internship for Penn State. And Carin graduated from Villanova about 3 years ago and has been in public accounting but decided to take some time off and re-elvauate life goals etc. Eclectic little group we had.
So why the title of this blog? Well, Sick is what I was all of Friday night and Saturday. When I talked to my mom she called it Montezumas Revenge. I had never heard that before but that's what it is called when you get sick while traveling abroad. Not fun! Especially sad because it was SO beautiful on Saturday. And coming from the land of rain as I described in my last post, I was in dire need of some rays. Alas, by Sunday I was feeling better and better and by afternoon I was laying on the beach. So, not all was lost. I even got a little color! That is where the "Sun" came in. Although you may think that Costa Rica is all about conservation and a clean environment, I was shocked to learn from a bagel man that you really shouldn't swim in the water in Jaco. This is true because the town pretty much dumps its waste (human included) into the ocean. No Bueno!
After a fun/not so fun weekend, we arrived back in the CQ at around 8pm. This is where the "People" come in. We came home to a house filled with 17 new volunteers! Ahhh is all I can say! I felt bad because all I wanted to do was shower and sleep but that comes off a little rude when there are 17 new names to learn. Last week I had a room all to myself, now I have 3 new roomates. You think you dont have any privacy in college, mis amigos, come to the CCS house this week.
Okay, I am in Spanish class and should probably do some learning! I miss everyone TONS and want to know about your lives. Keep me posted!
I have been here a little over 3 weeks now and here is post 3....I would have to say I am still not very good at this.
Last week just flew on by. As did this weekend...sort of. Friday after lunch Juliana, Becca, Carin, and I set out for Jaco Beach which is about 3.5 hours from the CQ. Last week there were only 7 of us in the house and then 3 were leaving Saturday so there was only 4 of us left to travel. It was a fun group, nevertheless. Juliana is from Maine and also taking a gap year, she will start at Mount Holyoke next September. Becca is from Philly and here in Costa Rica for her Senior internship for Penn State. And Carin graduated from Villanova about 3 years ago and has been in public accounting but decided to take some time off and re-elvauate life goals etc. Eclectic little group we had.
So why the title of this blog? Well, Sick is what I was all of Friday night and Saturday. When I talked to my mom she called it Montezumas Revenge. I had never heard that before but that's what it is called when you get sick while traveling abroad. Not fun! Especially sad because it was SO beautiful on Saturday. And coming from the land of rain as I described in my last post, I was in dire need of some rays. Alas, by Sunday I was feeling better and better and by afternoon I was laying on the beach. So, not all was lost. I even got a little color! That is where the "Sun" came in. Although you may think that Costa Rica is all about conservation and a clean environment, I was shocked to learn from a bagel man that you really shouldn't swim in the water in Jaco. This is true because the town pretty much dumps its waste (human included) into the ocean. No Bueno!
After a fun/not so fun weekend, we arrived back in the CQ at around 8pm. This is where the "People" come in. We came home to a house filled with 17 new volunteers! Ahhh is all I can say! I felt bad because all I wanted to do was shower and sleep but that comes off a little rude when there are 17 new names to learn. Last week I had a room all to myself, now I have 3 new roomates. You think you dont have any privacy in college, mis amigos, come to the CCS house this week.
Okay, I am in Spanish class and should probably do some learning! I miss everyone TONS and want to know about your lives. Keep me posted!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Rain Rain Go AWAY!
As I have said before, I am really bad at keeping a blog. But I feel like that is okay because there are probably about 3 people maybe less who will read this!
So, COSTA RICA! Well let me just say that it is not the sunny bright place you all may be imagining. It has been raining, non stop, since I arrived 3 weeks ago. One more time- NON STOP! Luckily, on the weekend I am able to get out of Ciudad Quesada (the "CQ") where our house is (and the rain) and go to the beach! Although the beach is not always sunny, we usually get at least one day of sun. This weekend we are off to Jako which is supposedly a nice beach town where the sun likes to shine bright!
So what is a typical week day look like in the CQ? We have breakfast between 7 and 7:45 at which point we are yelled at by Greivin (volunteer coordinator) to get in the van. Then off we go to our different placements. I have been splitting my time between an elementary school, a community college, and a women's group which recycles paper to make books, cards, bookmarks, etc. The women's group is called Amureci and I have really enjoyed my time there. Working at the school has been good as well but sadly classes are basically over because it is not their summer break. After placement we come back and wait an awful 30 minutes until almuerzo. It can be touch and go sometimes haha. After lunch we have field trips or spanish classes or just hang out. On Thanksgiving I went on a really sweet chocolate tour where we got to see how chocolate is made. Chocolate grows on trees! And tastes very fruity when picked just off a tree, if you didnt know that already. Crazy stuff. Dinner is at 6:30 and our day is over!
Hope everyone had an amaaazing Thankgiving! Eat some pumpkin pie for me?
So, COSTA RICA! Well let me just say that it is not the sunny bright place you all may be imagining. It has been raining, non stop, since I arrived 3 weeks ago. One more time- NON STOP! Luckily, on the weekend I am able to get out of Ciudad Quesada (the "CQ") where our house is (and the rain) and go to the beach! Although the beach is not always sunny, we usually get at least one day of sun. This weekend we are off to Jako which is supposedly a nice beach town where the sun likes to shine bright!
So what is a typical week day look like in the CQ? We have breakfast between 7 and 7:45 at which point we are yelled at by Greivin (volunteer coordinator) to get in the van. Then off we go to our different placements. I have been splitting my time between an elementary school, a community college, and a women's group which recycles paper to make books, cards, bookmarks, etc. The women's group is called Amureci and I have really enjoyed my time there. Working at the school has been good as well but sadly classes are basically over because it is not their summer break. After placement we come back and wait an awful 30 minutes until almuerzo. It can be touch and go sometimes haha. After lunch we have field trips or spanish classes or just hang out. On Thanksgiving I went on a really sweet chocolate tour where we got to see how chocolate is made. Chocolate grows on trees! And tastes very fruity when picked just off a tree, if you didnt know that already. Crazy stuff. Dinner is at 6:30 and our day is over!
Hope everyone had an amaaazing Thankgiving! Eat some pumpkin pie for me?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Blog is Back via Costa Rica
The blog is back! Not that it was reallllly ever something in September. I did get a few entries in here and there. It should be easier now because my dear mother was kind enough to lend me her computer. I love you, Mom! It will make a HUGE difference.
So where am I now? After an amazingly enjoyable time working on the Obama Campaign in Falls Church I have arrived in San Carlos, Costa Rica (aka Ciudad Quesada). I landed in San Jose at about one this afternoon and then proceeded to awkwardly search for the man from Cross Cultural Solutions who was meant to pick me up. I really had no clue where he was going to be....luckily after 20 minutes of questioningly staring at strangers I found the group! Three other volunteers were also there who had just arrived...Caren (my roomate), Santi, and another lady whose name excapes me at the moment. The ride from the airport was about 2.5 hours of beautiful country side...everything is so green!
We got to the house at about 4 and soon after Molly got back from her weekend ventures! It is sooo good to see my dear neighbor after all this time...10 weeks! She introduced me to the people in the house and gave me the lay of the land- very helpful. Tomorrow I have an orientation and then Tuesday I will start at my placement!
More to come when I actually know more and have seen more! Keep in touch!
So where am I now? After an amazingly enjoyable time working on the Obama Campaign in Falls Church I have arrived in San Carlos, Costa Rica (aka Ciudad Quesada). I landed in San Jose at about one this afternoon and then proceeded to awkwardly search for the man from Cross Cultural Solutions who was meant to pick me up. I really had no clue where he was going to be....luckily after 20 minutes of questioningly staring at strangers I found the group! Three other volunteers were also there who had just arrived...Caren (my roomate), Santi, and another lady whose name excapes me at the moment. The ride from the airport was about 2.5 hours of beautiful country side...everything is so green!
We got to the house at about 4 and soon after Molly got back from her weekend ventures! It is sooo good to see my dear neighbor after all this time...10 weeks! She introduced me to the people in the house and gave me the lay of the land- very helpful. Tomorrow I have an orientation and then Tuesday I will start at my placement!
More to come when I actually know more and have seen more! Keep in touch!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Switzerland!
I have arrived in Switzerland. The air is clean, the mountain peaks are snowy, and the water is tastey!
Since my last post I have spent a fabulous 3 nights in France. One night in Paris (definitely not long enough) and then two nights right outside of Versailles. On Thursday I visited the palace and gardens in Versailles and they are amaaazing. I would highly recommend anyone visiting Paris to take the RER (quick commuter train) to Versailles. I could have stayed in those gardens forever. If I can ever figure out googles picture album thing I will try to post some pictures of it here.
Friday I took a train from Paris to Geneva where I met up with... my parents! Crazy how that happens. They had been planning a trip to Switzerland and France even before I planned my trip to Spain so I decided to meet up with them. My great aunt, Ika, lives here in Switzerland. She is 90 years old but could easily pass as 75. Today Ika, my mom, and I had a great time shopping in Lausanne while my dad read the newspaper at a nearby cafe (because that is something "manly"). Ika had a great time making fun of all the "tacky" gold coloring on the Dolce & Gabbana clothes as well as the heinous designer ski coats that cost about 1300 dollors. Yikes!
Well, it is late here and I need some rest so I will be alive to walk through beautiful lake side vineyards tomorrow....tough life, I know!
Since my last post I have spent a fabulous 3 nights in France. One night in Paris (definitely not long enough) and then two nights right outside of Versailles. On Thursday I visited the palace and gardens in Versailles and they are amaaazing. I would highly recommend anyone visiting Paris to take the RER (quick commuter train) to Versailles. I could have stayed in those gardens forever. If I can ever figure out googles picture album thing I will try to post some pictures of it here.
Friday I took a train from Paris to Geneva where I met up with... my parents! Crazy how that happens. They had been planning a trip to Switzerland and France even before I planned my trip to Spain so I decided to meet up with them. My great aunt, Ika, lives here in Switzerland. She is 90 years old but could easily pass as 75. Today Ika, my mom, and I had a great time shopping in Lausanne while my dad read the newspaper at a nearby cafe (because that is something "manly"). Ika had a great time making fun of all the "tacky" gold coloring on the Dolce & Gabbana clothes as well as the heinous designer ski coats that cost about 1300 dollors. Yikes!
Well, it is late here and I need some rest so I will be alive to walk through beautiful lake side vineyards tomorrow....tough life, I know!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Off to France
At 16:55 I will board a plane for Paris, France. Yes, I know what is 16:55? Well, it means 4:55pm. Europe is confusing. I feel like I have more trouble with the conversions than most normal people...oh BC Calc. I will not be in Paris for long though, only one night. Hopefully tonigh I will be able to get together with a couple of Potomac Class of 2006-ers, Meredith and Liz. But then tomorrow morning-ish I am heading out to Versailles where I am am going to stay with my dad´s childhood au pair. Pretty random, I know. But that is what traveling is all about! (or so I am told) It should be good to get out of a hostel and into a home.
Sevilla has been beautiful and relaxing! Despite rain the first two days I was here, I have loved just roaming the streets and sitting in parks. Last night I went out with an Australian girl to see Vicky Christiana Barcelona, Woody Allen´s new movie. I had actually already seen it in the states, but it was great to see again having just been in Barcelona. I highly recommend it!
I have a few hours before my flight takes off, so I am off to do some more wandering!
Besos!!
Oh and thank you to Nico for being the ONLY one who has made a comment on this blog...I wonder if anyone is even reading it : (
Sevilla has been beautiful and relaxing! Despite rain the first two days I was here, I have loved just roaming the streets and sitting in parks. Last night I went out with an Australian girl to see Vicky Christiana Barcelona, Woody Allen´s new movie. I had actually already seen it in the states, but it was great to see again having just been in Barcelona. I highly recommend it!
I have a few hours before my flight takes off, so I am off to do some more wandering!
Besos!!
Oh and thank you to Nico for being the ONLY one who has made a comment on this blog...I wonder if anyone is even reading it : (
Friday, September 26, 2008
First Day in Sevilla
I have made it to Sevilla.
Although I got to the train station in Barcelona freakishly early yesterday, I did end up having to run to make my train. I`m a smart one. See, I did not realize that my train went on to Cadiz so I was not looking for this "Cadiz" on the big board at the station. Sooo when 10:25pm came around I finally decide I should ask someone about my train--supposedly leaving at 10:30pm. The man basically laughed at me and told me I had probably missed it but should "corre, corre" (run, run). So that is what I did! I think I may have been the last person on board...not my finest moment!
The running was worth it though. Seville is beautiful! No wonder it is one of your favorite places, Ms. Katy Warren. My hostel is also faaar nicer than the one I stayed in in Barcelona. I am sharing a room with 3 girls and we have our own bathroom--I am happy! While waiting to check into my room I ventured up to a nice patio they have on the roof where I met some Canadians. They were actually on there way out of town, but did not hesitate to tell me that the Canadians, like the Europeans, love to make fun of the USA. Glad we are so loved. After checking into the room and taking a nice shower (despite the fact the shower has no door and I sort of made a mini-lake) I hit the streets. I am staying in the Santa Cruz area where most of the streets are only for pedestrians and bikers...very calming. Compared to Barcelona I am finding Seville more peaceful and laid back. I think tomorrow I will be super-cool and do a bus tour.
Happy Friday!
Although I got to the train station in Barcelona freakishly early yesterday, I did end up having to run to make my train. I`m a smart one. See, I did not realize that my train went on to Cadiz so I was not looking for this "Cadiz" on the big board at the station. Sooo when 10:25pm came around I finally decide I should ask someone about my train--supposedly leaving at 10:30pm. The man basically laughed at me and told me I had probably missed it but should "corre, corre" (run, run). So that is what I did! I think I may have been the last person on board...not my finest moment!
The running was worth it though. Seville is beautiful! No wonder it is one of your favorite places, Ms. Katy Warren. My hostel is also faaar nicer than the one I stayed in in Barcelona. I am sharing a room with 3 girls and we have our own bathroom--I am happy! While waiting to check into my room I ventured up to a nice patio they have on the roof where I met some Canadians. They were actually on there way out of town, but did not hesitate to tell me that the Canadians, like the Europeans, love to make fun of the USA. Glad we are so loved. After checking into the room and taking a nice shower (despite the fact the shower has no door and I sort of made a mini-lake) I hit the streets. I am staying in the Santa Cruz area where most of the streets are only for pedestrians and bikers...very calming. Compared to Barcelona I am finding Seville more peaceful and laid back. I think tomorrow I will be super-cool and do a bus tour.
Happy Friday!
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