more rain...less school

November 4th

Well I hate to report that it is still raining and it has caused soooo much damage around costa rica. at least 25 have been killed by flash floods and landslides and countless people have lost homes, cars, animals and belongings. Today we lost water and electricity and so did pretty much the whole country. Many roads are closed because of landslides and the busses did not run today. It is suppose to continue raining for the next 18 hours, and all I can hope is that no more lives are lost. Peace Corps has put all of the volunteers on "Standfast", which just means stay in your community and be prepared to leave if things continue to get worse and dangerous.  Luckily I am in a house with a great location that is not in danger of landslides, although that is not the case for others in my community. Today since class was canceled I took a walk and was dismayed to find many houses flooded and covered in mud. The community has really banded together and many have come to the aid of others, trying to clear everything, water and mud out of the houses affected. Rio Jorco is now a raging muddy river filled with sediment, trash, and trees. School is canceled for the rest of the week and our all volunteer picnic in San Jose is also canceled. Basically everyone is stuck where they are, hopefully by next monday transportation can resume and so can life. I will report back when I can, and hopefully can post these some time soon when I have internet access. Peace out.

Pura Vida

Michaela 

lluvia lluvia go away

November 3rd

There is two seasons in Costa Rica, the dry season and the wet season, which for tourism is dubbed the "green season". And right now we are smack dab in the middle of the wonderful green season. ALthough it is very green everywhere, right now all I see, hear, and feel is the wet season. I do not mind the rain and in fact, I even enjoy it at night when I am peacefully sleeping in my bed. But while I am peacefully sleeping, the rain is ruining lives. In Costa Rica, rain can be detrimental to life. It can ruin  infrastructure, wipe out the income of farmers, and ruin homes and lives. Landslides are increasingly more common and can wipe out major highways, and kill travelers. Thanks to our good friend global warming, I have been told that it has been one of the rainiest seasons ever.

This morning at breakfast I was reminded how much this strong rain can impact lives. I could tell something was bothering my Mami at breakfast.. A usually happy person, she was preoccupied. And in fact I was right. I made a comment about the rain, and all she could say was that she hopes and prays for the poor people around the country who are losing everything right now. SHe told me that her heart hurts for those who lives are being ruined by the rain. She said how lucky we were to be where and who we are. It is amazing to me how someone can be so caring all of the time. I continue to gain love and respect for my tica family. Everyday I find more and more similarities between my Tica mom and Drusus. It is amazing how two women who outwardly are so different and from different worlds are so similar. I am lucky to have a Mom and Mami who are such special, strong, and compassionate women who continually care for others (including me). I appreciate both of them more than I can even say. I now in my bed and listen to the rain on my tin roof and think how lucky I am. How lucky I am to be who I am and where I am from. And I am luckily to finally be in a place in my life to help others. 

Right now it is 9 at night, and I have just been notified by the PC we are in the second stage of an alert…. which is just the  Peace Corps  extra precaution. As of now I am not allowed to leave the casa and am chillin…there just may be no school tomorrow. I am used to snow days, not rain days. Normally i would hope for a day off school but if that means it hurts others all I can do it pray and hope for the rain to stop.  If everyone could please pray and/or give positive thoughts and vibes to everyone here who is being affected by this rain, I would appreciate it.

Pura Vida,

Michaela

lluvia lluvia go away

November 3rd

There is two seasons in Costa Rica, the dry season and the wet season, which for tourism is dubbed the "green season". And right now we are smack dab in the middle of the wonderful green season. ALthough it is very green everywhere, right now all I see, hear, and feel is the wet season. I do not mind the rain and in fact, I even enjoy it at night when I am peacefully sleeping in my bed. But while I am peacefully sleeping, the rain is ruining lives. In Costa Rica, rain can be detrimental to life. It can ruin  infrastructure, wipe out the income of farmers, and ruin homes and lives. Landslides are increasingly more common and can wipe out major highways, and kill travelers. Thanks to our good friend global warming, I have been told that it has been one of the rainiest seasons ever.

This morning at breakfast I was reminded how much this strong rain can impact lives. I could tell something was bothering my Mami at breakfast.. A usually happy person, she was preoccupied. And in fact I was right. I made a comment about the rain, and all she could say was that she hopes and prays for the poor people around the country who are losing everything right now. SHe told me that her heart hurts for those who lives are being ruined by the rain. She said how lucky we were to be where and who we are. It is amazing to me how someone can be so caring all of the time. I continue to gain love and respect for my tica family. Everyday I find more and more similarities between my Tica mom and Drusus. It is amazing how two women who outwardly are so different and from different worlds are so similar. I am lucky to have a Mom and Mami who are such special, strong, and compassionate women who continually care for others (including me). I appreciate both of them more than I can even say. I now in my bed and listen to the rain on my tin roof and think how lucky I am. How lucky I am to be who I am and where I am from. And I am luckily to finally be in a place in my life to help others. 

Right now it is 9 at night, and I have just been notified by the PC we are in the second stage of an alert…. which is just the  Peace Corps  extra precaution. As of now I am not allowed to leave the casa and am chillin…there just may be no school tomorrow. I am used to snow days, not rain days. Normally i would hope for a day off school but if that means it hurts others all I can do it pray and hope for the rain to stop.  If everyone could please pray and/or give positive thoughts and vibes to everyone here who is being affected by this rain, I would appreciate it.

Pura Vida,

Michaela

PCV Visit

Hola mis amigos!

Sorry my blog has been few and far between but I have been pretty busy and have limited internet time. So I have now been here for more than three weeks, and things are still AWESOME. I have really been picking up on spanish and actually for the first time in life, love my spanish class! The Peace Corps uses Non Formal Education approach and it really fits my learning style. Also, lets be honest, I talk, a lot.....even in Spanish and even when I butcher the language. But I am realizing the more that I talk the more I pick up. I just really appreciate my Tico family for being so kind and supportative and most of all patient. For those of you who do not know the term ¨tico¨is what you call the people of costa rica so I will use that term alot. Another phrase that is used alot here in ¨Pura <vida¨which means pure life, but is pretty much the catch phrase of costa rica that somes up costa rica...it can be used as greetings, good byes, saying something is fun etc. etc. PURA VIDA BABY!

So lets see...what is new in my life. Well first of all last Wednesday I got to see the president of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchua....and was literally standing front row! I will be posting pics soon. It was at a church and was for the centinial of the town Acosta which is my neighboring town and the ¨"big city" of my area. It was a ton of fun but totally different than america. First of all her security consisted of one dog and about three body guards. While people were giving speaches, including her....everybody was talking, not paying attention and just hanging out. A very different cultural aspect. Also throughout the speakers kids would just run up to the president and hug her...it was pretty cool. Apparently the president has a very high rating, but i have seldom talked to anyone who really likes her, including my family. But regardless of beliefs it was a wonderful experience and I am thankful to have it!

Right now I am chillin in Cartago and waiting for the bus to go to San Cristobol Norte to have a 4 day visit with a volunteer. This is my first solo adventure and I am excited to experience and see what the daily life of a Volunteer is like. Right now, I am considered a Trainee and will be sworn in as a Volunteer on December 17th and move to my permanent site. Training consists on spanish classes and classes on community econmic development, clutlre and teaching english as a foreign language....all which have been helpful. I love training because I have lucked out with great other trainees in my community and in my group. My spanish class has 4 people in it including me.The other peeps are guys.  Brad, a married 50 who is an amazing great man from Indiana. Taylor, one of my best guy friends from Tennassee who is definitly my kind of people, and O Tyler and great guy from New York. We call our groupe the ¨tigres¨and are always having good times.

Well I hope to be posting more pics soon, and have a bunch posted on facebook. The only thing I don´t like about Costa Rica is that my friends and family are not here with me. I was sad to have missed my best friends birthday, but know Kendy is rockin it in america. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BFF! Love and miss you all and appreciate your support.

Pura Vida,

Michaela

HACE FRIO

DAY 9

Well I have done it. I have mastered showering and shaving my legs with freezing cold water. It is difficult, but I definitely have it down, which is good because a girl can only go so long without shaving her legs…and it was time.  showering ends up being more like a sponge bath, but it works. The trick is when washing your hair, to put your head down so all the cold water runs off you NOT on your body. Showering here is a very different experience. THe shower is just a pipe that was cut off and it runs into the ground, and the drain is only a hole in the side of the wall. WHen done showering you have to sweep the water out of the hole  and it goes  directly outside. I am down with cold showers when its hot, but since it is "winter" here it is never too hot. Not cold, but definitely not hot. I will now always appreciate a warm shower.

ANyways….life is going good. Its hard not being able to communicate everything I want, but I am still managing to fit in. I just watched the movie "vampires suck" with my sister and cousin and it was really funny. I was trying to explain to them the inside jokes about america but had trouble. We still had a good time and laughed a lot. It is only 8:30 but I am soooo tired. My house is literally right next to a huge chicken coop and they don't just cock a doodle do at sunrise but ALL THE TIME. Its annoying, but I am learning to tune them out. My host mom asked if the "screaming dog" woke me up last night, bit luckily it didn't. Oh and another funny thing was today I had class with the rest of the volunteers and one of them told me that he stopped by to look for me and he asked my madre to tell me he stopped by and my moms response was, I will try but she probably wont understand" and sure enough I didn't. Hahaha oh man, I can't wait until I speak good spanish! Ecspecially so I can talk to my family! They are great when I can only understand them half of the time so I imagine how wonderful they really are when you can fully have a conversation. One day it will happen…

But for now, Pura Vida

Michaela 

JORCO

Day 8 - SUnday Oct 10

I am finally with my host family in Jorco de Vuelta. which is also in the mountains outside of San Jose. It was very intimidating being thrown into a world and family that speaks absolutely no English. But it turns out they are wonderful wonderful people. I live with the "Mami" of a big family.  She has 7 kids and multiple grandchildren. Only her youngest daughter, Julissa, lives here now. But three of her daughters live next door, and one of her sons lives in town.   I am the "aunt" of some great kids, including the cutest little 3 year old, Zach, who lives next door, and an eleven year old Maria who is turning into one of my best friends!  ANother Peavce Corps volunteer lives  two houses down and is in my family. TOday me, AUdrey (the Peace Corps volunteer) and my little "sabrina" Maria went for a long walk ad ended up swimming in the river with our clothes on in the most beautiful setting ever. We were surrounded by mountains, trees, coffee plants and many animals.

 It has been rough but we still manage to joke and have some great times. I have realized my spanish is a little better than I thought because at least I can communicate and get by. This is the first time in my life that I have been studying on my free time, because I want to communicate. I can not wait until I can talk more with my family and learn more about them. SO far I have learned that my mom has seven kids and her husband died of head cancer :( which breaks my heart because my Mami, Raxana is the sweetest person ever. You can tell that she holds the whole family together. It was great waking up this morning to a house full of people laughing and enjoying each other. It is so crazy, the children drink coffee starting at like 4 years old here!! Another cultural difference. Everyone has welcomed me with a smile, and is so patient and great with me. And who doesn't love a place that eats tortillas and avocados for breakfast….soooo good.

I thought it would be hard adjusting to the food but the food has been great so far. In fact I had pasta with meet and tomorotoe sauce for lunch The one thing that I will definitely have to get use to is the bathroom situation. The shower is just a pipe that you turn on and off and only has freezing cold water. It then drains out of a hole on the side of the wall that goes directly outside. Also there is many places in the house that are open to the outside, including part of the bathroom.In some places there is just a rufe and the walls don't go up all the way, like in the kitchen. You can also see the ground through the floor in different parts of the house.The people hear are so similar to us, but live in such a different way!

We went to church tonight, and it was so interesting seeing the real culture of another place. ANd here, religion is a big part of the culture. In fact, Maria is an alter girl. You will see that when you walk into my house and see multiple pictures of Jesus and the first supper and other catholic memorabelia. THe catholic church in Jorco is modest yet still beautiful, it has a ceiling that is covered in stars and a few stained glass windows. It was similar to church in the U.S. but some of the main differences were that there is no bibles, hymn books, or handout in the pews and the chorus consists of only men and guitars. THe church is in the main part of town which has a bar and about a few different shops. Meaning I am just a 5 minute walk to the local bar, oh and church :)

 After church the girls bought me an ice cream cone and we sat in the center park/hang out area and joked around. The town was alive with people at this time. This is when there is social hour, right after 6 o'clock mass. It was hilarious joking around and seeing the  bad words the girls know in spanish, they say its from the "peliculas". Actually, my 16 year old sister just came in my room and I showed her all the funny phrases in my costa Rican spanish book that Kendra gave me. There is a whole section on relationships and sex and she was cracking up…my favorite was "suave tiger" or easy tiger. It is just so amazing how much you can communicate with someone when you don't really speak their language. I have never been so excited for class, I just want to learn more spanish! I have been spending a good amount of time studying important words and phrases and just want to know more. Just as I said, I am a communicator, and I will figure it out so I can talk to my family!!

Pura Vida!

Michaela

p.s. sorry about everything misspelled the spell check is only in spanish...

Hablo espanol? uhhhhh nope

Day 5 - Thursday the 7th

Hola! Sorry there is no pics yet but I promise to add some soon! We are still kicking it at the retreat center in Tres Riowwws. Tomorrow they are finally letting us out, to Cartago we go! Can not wait! It will be are first time out on our own and really are first time to be immersed in this wonderful culture. 

So today we ended up not meeting the Ambassador but the Deputy Chief of Mission, or the next guy in charge. It was great listening to his views on the country, and understand Costa Rica's challenges and needs a little better.  For all of you thinking that I will be living in a resort doing what some call the "Posh Corps" that is not the case at all.  What people do not understand is that although Costa Rica is a playground for rich and retired foreigners and full of expats, these are not the conditions of the majority of the country. I will be in the "other" parts. I will touch on this subject later.

Today was also the day we did the initial split of the language groups, this is where they separate the men from the boys.  I have been established, as long as a few of my wonderful counterpart, as one of the worst Spanish speakers here. Many of the people here either come from a Spanish speaking home or have studied Spanish in one or even multiple Spanish speaking countries. And I, well,  have not. Much to my pleasant surprise, I found my self in a group with many others around my spanish level, which I have found is low or "beginner".  While the more advanced groups were busy making up elaborate stories my group was playing hot potato, where the person it ends on has to answer a question. The questions were not suppose to be difficult but for my group it was. There was a lot of laughing, crappy spanish, hopeful answers, and more laughing. 

Meeting with my group really eased my mind. It is really intimidating not knowing the language yet, because after our 10 week Pre Service training we are required to be at an Intermediate-mid level in order to be sworn in. This means it is time to learn Spanish…now! It is very comforting to see the others at my level and know others have been at my level in the past and have made it! Tomorrow we will continue to split up the groups until we are all in groups based on our program, mine being Community Economic Development )CED, and our language level. We will eventually be in groups of 5 or so and based on that we will be placed in our training communities. Luckily I have some fabulous people in my group and I look forward to living in the same community. Well….more to come later.

Pura Via

Michaela