Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Last Week in Costa Rica

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!

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!

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?

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!

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!

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 : (

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!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Last Day in Barcelona

So not that any one was really keeping track...but I am actually meant to be in Sevilla right now! I was convinced (with not too much force necessary) by my friends to stay another day. And by friends, I mean people I met at the Spanish school who did not leave but are actually staying in Barcelona for a semester to study. So why stay another day? Last night was the closing ceremony of the Merce festival I mentioned in my last posting. People from all over Barcelona packed, and i mean packed, themselves into the metro to head down to Plaça España to see a crazy show. First we watched Font Magica (Magic Fountain) which according to my guide book is "the colorful, dancing fountain set to pop tunes." It usually "performs" every weekend but had a special viewing for the festival. After that was an amazing fireworks show...similar to soemthing you would see on the National Mall for July 4th.

Today I got to see a few last sights that I had not gotten around to seeing. I went to a grand music hall this morning called the Palau de Musica Catalan. The tour guide, although endearing, did not really speak English all too well so that was interesting. But, regardless, it was beautiful. Being in the hall is like sitting in a work of art...it is cool though because they don`t only have classical performances there but all kinds of music. Even one of my dad´s and my favorite singer´s Jorge Drexler performs there on occasion. Pretty sweet. After that I went over to the Jon Miro Foundation which is a really fantastic museum and recommend it to anyone going to Barcelona. Definitely one of my favorite stops I made here.

Tonight I am off on a 10:30pm sleeper train to Sevilla. I am going to be there for 4 nights! Would write more (not that this isn`t long enough) but I must go meet my friend Bernadet who has my backpack, aka my life, which I might just need in Sevilla!

Missing everyone!

P.S.- if you havent noticed my spelling is horrible and there is no spell check...so bare with me. : )

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Day 14: Spanish Washing Machines, No Gracias

I can´t believe I have already been here for two weeks! It seems like I was just driving up to Dulles Airport and saying goodbye to the fam. So today was the last day in my student housing and I have just moved into my new hostel San Jordi. Although the hostel could use some major work and a little cleaning, it is in a safe neighborhood and that is all I really care about.

I did have some moving-out problems though...Last night, in efforts to prepare for the next part of my journey I decided that I would wash my clothes at the student residence so I would have some clean clothes. Easy right? Not so much. The machine first off took like 6 hours to wash and then when I went to get my clothes they were sopping sopping wet and dryers arent too common here...sooo my clothes are currently on a drying rack in a residence that I no longer occupy. I am really hopeing that the next occupants take mercy on me and keep them there. We shall see!

This is a very good weekend to be in Barcelona. For the next five days the city is having its Merce Festival, this is what the internet says about it:

Barcelona La Merce lasts for around 6 days and is a festival held in honour of Mare de Deu de la Merce, the Patron Saint of Barcelona. The festival, which officially first took place in 1902, bids goodbye to the summer with a bang and welcomes in the cooler months of autumn.

Last night we went to a crazy lights festival in front of the city center and then fire works at the beach. We also went to a concert in front of the Catedral of this really great french singer (according to my Belgium friend she is quite famous in France). So that was great!

Today I am going to hopefully get some logistical stuff for the next leg of my trip worked out. Not so fun!

Keep me posted on your lives!!!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Hola from Spain

I made this blog almost 3 weeks ago, but since then have been so busy packing and then settling in here in Spain that I have not yet posted one thing! So here we go....As I am sure most of you know, I am not starting at Middlebury College until this February. Middlebury call us special students- Febs. That said, for the past week and a half I have been here in Barcelona, Spain.

The first few days were filled with uncertaity and some homesickness, but life has greatly improved. I have met some great people at CaminoBarcelona, a spanish language school where I am currently taking classes. I have made friends from Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, and even Israel! Life is very weird without any American friends. I sometimes wish there was one or two others just to help me defend myself when I am told that Americans are all fat, lazy, two-faced, unintelligent, and naive! But I think I have done the country proud and made a good impression! Or at least I hope I have.

Anywhooo my classes are in the afternoon so in the mornings I have been walking around the city just taking everything in. I would say I have been eating fabulous tapas but that would be a lie. You think europeans, you think great tasta, no? Well, at least I did. All my friends want to do is go to McDonalds, or Subway, or KFC even. GROSS! That is mostly the boys actually, but still not quite what I expected.

I am going to have to cut this short because once again I am kicked off a computer! But no worries, more to come! I am also going to try to put up pictures on facebook as soon as I can! I miss everyone tons and for those of you I have not spoken to since arriving here- tell me about your lives!

DISCLAIMER- Sometimes I am using computers from other countries (for example now I am on a German computer) and they sometimes have different key boards that are really messed up so dont hate if I cannot find an apostrophe sign as in right now....or as yasmin knows, I use a Z in the place of a Y.

Oh AND HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY YAZZZY Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!