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