Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Then we went to Los Cataratas de los Chorros, which I'm told translates to "The Waterfalls of the Waterfalls" since both cataratas and chorros mean waterfalls. It was beautiful. The whole area reminded me of the trails and waterfalls in Tennessee.
Leaving the park, we had to wait quite a while for our bus. A little old man in a big floppy white hat came over to talk to the roommates. I'm not sure they appreciated the company, but I thought he was hilarious. He gave them big ol' hugs before we left.
Finally, we made it to Sarchi, where there was a little festival going on downtown. There were tents with arts and crafts, which Sarchi is famous for. The town itself is full of souvineer and furniture shops, but not much else
We didn't feel like browsing, so we made our way back home. I can't even explain how many different buses this little daytrip took! But it was nice to get out and see a few different places.
More photos of Grecia are here.
More photos of Sarchi are here.
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
I sometimes feel more like a citizen of the world than one particular place.We talked about this for almost an hour and a half. The students even stayed several minutes after class, they were so involved in the conversation. I loved it. That's what makes teaching here so enriching.
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
It started out fine. I woke up early. I enjoyed my morning pot of coffee, got ready, and headed up the hill. That's when I got the feeling that things were going to take a turn for the worse. A bus was taking off as I got close to my stop. It was mine. I'd missed it. So I waited. A few busses came and went, but none for the route I needed. Then, in the distance, I saw the right bus. I hailed. He was packed, so I just kept on going. So I waited. Soon, instead of being early, I was going to just be on time. A driver finally picked me up.
Once in San Jose, I bolted for the Heredia bus stop. When I got there, the bus was still waiting for passengers. It was about 10 minutes before we had enough people to take off. I tried not to look at my watch. No sense in worrying about it, I told myself. We hit a ton a traffic. Now I was moving from "on time" into "late."
Sure enough, by the time I made it to my school, I was about 2 minutes late for the start of class. That's fine by Tico time, but I had things I needed to prepare. I rushed around, trying to talk to my students while making copies and getting ready. I was frustrated, but couldn't complain to the group. I just apologized and dove into the lesson. As fate would have it, one of my first activities involved a poem entitled, "A Very Bad Day."
As I was covering a grammar point, one of the administrators came into the room and passed out a class (and teacher) evaluation to the students. This further frustrated me for several reasons. First, this evaluation was supposed to be given out after the third week, not at the start of the second week. The students haven't had enough classes to properly evaluate anything at this point! Second, it should've been given out at the end of the class, not the beginning. This was a major disruption. They kept working on it while I was trying to get them to focus on my activities. And finally, it was obviously a bad day for me, personally. I wasn't giving my best performance as a teacher. But of course, since they were filling out the form today, it would be fresh in their minds. Fan-tas-tic. Grrr.
After class, I had to go to the bank to open an account so I could get direct deposit set up. Given my minimal grasp of Spanish, I wasn't looking forward to attempting this. My need to get paid overpowered my fear. I walked to the bank and saw that it didn't open until 1pm, so I had to kill an hour. I decided to go to the park. I figured that'd be a good place to relax, read, and work on my lesson plans. Not today. Today, a beggar decided to screw with me. I ignored him, but then another one came and sat down right next to me. They both spoke English. Why do the bums speak English? I got up to leave since it was time to stand in line at the bank anyways. As I was walking by, the first bum yelled at me, "Whatsa matter, can't give a few coins to help some poor Costa Ricans?!" Ugh. I didn't need that crap. Not today.
At the bank, I walked upstairs as I was instructed to do. Another teacher had given me a couple of names of bank employees I should talk to. But I ended up in the credit card application area. I was led back downstairs where I was told to wait in another line. Aha. There was a sign in this area that I figured out meant "new accounts." My informants at the school were apparently misinformed. When my number came up, I sat down and immediately launched into my gringo introduction: "Buenas tardes. Hablo un poquito espanol. Necesito una nueva cuenta bancaria." Then I handed her the letter of sponsorship from the school. You see, it's not easy for a non-resident to get a bank account. I needed an employer to vouch for me. I think the letter did more to explain my situation than my pathetic attempt at Spanish did. Either way, we started filling out forms. I handed over my passport and a utility bill. You need to show a utility bill for nearly everything. Another teacher said he had to have a copy even to get a membership at a video rental shop. The nice lady asked me a few questions. Each time, I had to lean closer, not because I didn't understand, but because she spoke too softly. But each time, she followed up with English. So it all worked out. Eventually, after signing my name a few dozen times, I was given my account number and told to come back in two days to get my ATM card.
The worst of my day was over. I went home, ready to put it all behind me. And now that I've written about it, I can.
Labels: costa rica, teaching
I've mentioned that it's an oddity that I drink my coffee black, without sugar. I still get funny looks. But in my opinion, the coffee here is so tasty that it doesn't need anything else added to it. Crappy coffee needs sweetener. Good coffee needs a mug.
On a friend's recommendation, I bought a bag of Cafe Rey. After brewing a few pots, I noticed that the grounds really stuck to the filter. Then I took a closer look at the bag. It's 90% coffee and 10% sugar. There's suger right in the coffee! I swear, only in Costa Rica. They love their sugar.
I'll admit, Cafe Rey is a fine brew. But I think I'll go back to Cafe 1812 (the family's choice, and the original source of my addiction). It's a blend of dark and light roasts, with no sugar. Or maybe I'll try some of the other brands. But now I'll know to check the ingredients first.
Labels: costa rica
My Saturday morning class turned out to be six guys that do pretty much what I used to do in the states. They work at a company that represents IBM in Costa Rica. They handle internal customers, helping them get online to the corporate VPN and fixing various problems the employees encounter. They're computer geeks. They're the Tico version of me - 3 months ago.
I was given topics for conversation for them. But of course, since they all work at the same place, they eventually started talking about their jobs. I heard things about VPNs and Cisco and the CCNA and other technical topics that were a part of my former life. They got off on a tangent about LANs and video games. They play a lot of the same games I used to play with my friends back in Ohio, like Age of Mythology, Empires, and Mortal Kombat. I couldn't help but think about my old LAN party buddies. They had the same social habits.
It's funny to think that I've traveled all this way to end up teaching English to guys that are so similar to the guys I was friends with in the US.
It's even more funny to think that these guys that are learning English from me could end up in the US in one of my old jobs.
Labels: costa rica, teaching
I'm in. I'm sooooo in.
I had to teach a class this morning (Saturday duty - the curse of the newbie teacher). As I was walking up the hill towards my bus stop, I saw a bus approaching. It slowed down and flashed its lights. Aha! I quickly hailed and he picked me up. I wasn't anywhere close to the stop yet. He recognized me! The bus driver knows me! I guess I'm pretty memorable, probably being one of the few gringos in San Rafael. But it made my morning to know that he made a special stop for me.
Bus drivers can be a fickle, surly bunch. They know they have the power. Some get a real attitude about it. This one was already one of my favorites. He picks up as many people as possible - I mean, really packs 'em in, to the point that some mornings people are spilling out the doors. Yet he still manages to get back and forth from San Jose as quick as the rest. It may not make for the most comfortable ride (imagine sardines on a roller coaster), but it's an excellent quality in a bus driver. During rush hour, when other drivers are zooming past and it seems like I'll never get a ride, this driver appears like a knight in shining armor... on a really loaded-down horse.
It's nice to be known. And it feels good to have someone on my side. Especially a guy that holds my key to the city.
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
I've been offered my first regular teaching job! The school is kind of far away (especially by bus), but they really need teachers. I think I'll take it. It's 8 hours a week, which isn't much for a normal job, but is a good start for a teacher. 20-25 hours a week is considered full time for most teachers. They have more teachers leaving in the next month, so I could probably get more hours soon. They're mostly advanced students. The school specializes in training them for call center and technical support jobs. That's right up my alley, given my past work experience. The classes I've observed so far have been really great. The students are motivated. There's a heavy focus on conversation and pronunciation, which are the fun parts of teaching English (as opposed to vocabulary and grammar).
I go back tomorrow to observe another class and do a little teaching. If all goes well, I'd have my first solo class on Monday morning.
I'm supposed to hear back from another (closer) school by then, too. So I may have a decision to make. It's not a bad situation to be in, though. You might think the answer is simple: work for both schools. But the language schools here require contracts. To work for one, you need to promise a certain amount of availability for 6-12 months. I'd really rather not split my time between two schools that are far apart. If they were closer, it'd be easier. But to minimize travel time, it'd be better (I think) to choose one or another. I could get a "full" schedule right away working for both, but I'd spend a lot of time on the bus. I think it might be worth the gamble to choose one or another and hope for more hours later on.
Labels: costa rica, teaching
My decision was confirmed this morning. I was invited over to have coffee with J and his mother, who are my neighbors. J (who happens to be one of Marta's nephews) speaks some English (learned from books and CDs) and is always happy to practice. He also likes to teach me a little Spanish. He's been very helpful in showing me around and making me feel at home. So I couldn't refuse the invitation to socialize. Plus, I love coffee.
But it's never just coffee. He and his mother laid out a full spread, with bread and cheese and fruits. I wasn't particularly hungry, but a plate was put in front of me and it would've been rude to have nothing. I nibbled some bread while sipping my coffee.
We talked about Semana Santa. This week is Holy Week, a major holiday for Costa Rica. The schools, many businesses, and government institutions are closed all week. Most other business are closed at least Thursday and Friday, when the holiday really kicks up. I think the stores stop selling alcohol on Wednesday or Thursday. Busses don't even run on Friday. It's been all over the news for weeks. Ticos flock to all the major beaches and tourist spots for this week. Hotels and busses are booked solid. It's their Spring Break.
I was informed that the family will have a big feast on Thursday and Friday, centered around some sort of fish stew. It's like Thanksgiving here, J said. Lots of food. But fish instead of turkey. Seafood prices have been in the news, too. So I've got that to look forward to.
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
I've given myself a month of freedom to try a variety Costa Rica's food and beverages. It's been fun sampling the new tastes, but a bit scary watching the scale climb. Now it's time to get my nutrition in order.
So I have a decision to make. As part of this experience, do I go with the Tico way of eating? Or do I stick with a plan that I know will keep my physique in check?
Some of you may not know that last year I lost a lot of fat. I have more to lose in order to get a beach-worthy body. I've always had a problem with my weight. So the issue of nutrition is important to me. In the months before I came to Costa Rica, in particular, I had been experimenting with diets to keep my blood sugar under control. They worked very well. But they relied on abundant healthy fats and proteins. That flew out the window when I arrived here, the land of a dozen bread stores for every one butcher.
On one hand, it seems right that I should eat as the locals do. It would make life easier. Rice and beans are cheap and plentiful. They would certainly stretch my food dollars. I could continue to take advantage of the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables here. And I wouldn't have to explain to everyone: "Estoy en una dieta especial."
On the other hand, I feel like my health should be a priority. There were some days last month when I felt like I was starving only a few hours after a meal. I know that was because of fluctuations in my blood sugar. I never felt that way when I ate more protein/fat meals. But meat and healthy fats are expensive here. Some foods are outright impossible to find. It would mean a lot more trips to the Hipermas. And it would mean awkward social situations.
I thought I could look at the people around me and get a feel for what the typical diet yields, but that hasn't been very helpful. There are plenty of fat Ticos and there are plenty of thin Ticos. I know they're not all living off rice and beans. I see too many KFCs and Pizza Huts around. So much for easy answers.
For simplicity (of both shopping and socializing) and economy, I am leaning towards a "traditional" Costa Rican diet. It will require more vigilance to keep it healthy. For instance, I should probably limit or eliminate the natilla and queso that I've enjoyed with breakfasts here. More veggies and less bread might be a good idea. Whole grain breads and brown rice, unfortunately are not an option. Fruit will be a treat. Meat will be a rarity, served in small portions when available. I'll practically be a vegetarian, quite a nutritional turnaround from what I was doing back home. But it's worth a shot.
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica
Labels: costa rica, teaching