#8 The past month

I’m still not sick of rice and beans. I actually crave them now- which is strange and a little embarrassing. I’m actually not sick of any of the food here- it doesn’t really matter how miserably full I feel, I can’t seem to pass up any opportunity to eat because I’m here in Costa Rica and everything is GOOD.

A view of my neighborhood from my school.

I’ve still been doing neat things! I’d love to say that I’ve been really busy and unable to find time to write a blog in these past few weeks… but that would be a lie. Life has been eventful, relaxing and great.

A few weeks ago my Alternative health class traveled about 20 minutes outside of San Jose to visit an indigenous community up in the Mountains. An older man showed us his property full of different plants that his community uses as medicine- everything from roots, tree bark, leaves, berries, and the liquid from a stem used as stimulants, caffeine, a cleanse and even birth control. After showing us the community burial ground, sacred areas and spiritual ceremonies, he and his wife fed us coffee and a delicious snack- a bean & egg tamale-like sandwich. I loved visiting because there is so much culture. The traditions and lifestyle in the community has so much depth yet it is so simple and quiet up in the mountains.

The black hut is where pregnant women relax and give birth.

One thing that was particularly interesting about the tribe is their birth and death traditions. When a person from the tribe dies, the body is burial is a three-day process. The community celebrates by drinking a fermented corn drink (along with other alcohol), smoking marijuana or salvia and dancing. When a child is born the elders of the community meet to discuss how the child should be raised and how they can each help assure that the child will be successful and productive within the community.

Three traditional burials.

Two weeks ago some friends and I made a trip to Montezuma, which is located on the tip Nicoya Peninsula, on the Pacific. For about $13 we took a bus from San Jose to a small town called Puntarenas and then hopped on a ferry to the Peninsula. The trek was quite exciting because part of our group barely made it onto the bus since the line was so long & busy. Luckily we snagged the last two seats and I was able to share a delightful ride with an older woman named Ninny. We made very little conversation as we mostly sat and ate during the ride. I shared my peanuts, she offered me grapes, then I split a pack of crackers and she gave me some penguin gummy snacks.  As I was zoning out she whipped out a lime from the bottom of her bag and placed it in my hands- I wasn’t sure if she was expecting me to eat it right then and there so instead I just kept holding it. Before getting off the bus she slipped me some gummy bears and then was on her way.

We had so much fun on the ferry! We sat on the front deck of the ferry laughing, talking and watching the sunset.

As of right now Montezuma has been my favorite trip. It’s a small town with so much to do! There are waterfalls, all kinds of tours and boat rides, turtle rescues and both small and large beaches. A large beach was about a 45-minute walk from our hostel. Aside from a few morning surfers our group owned the beach! We also spent some time hiking up to the waterfalls, which were gorgeous. We knew it’d be a great adventure from the start since the sign at the trailhead read “People have died here”.

After quite the hike (mostly because we took the wrong trail 2 or 5 times) we were able to see all three waterfalls and spend sometime jumping off into the water and pretending to be Tarzan on the rope swing.

Since it’s the off-season the town was pretty empty and quite, but I’m sure Montezuma still has its charm even during the busy season. It was also very conducive to our big group since there is only one bar in Montezuma- meeting up and spending time with everyone was made easy.

Unlike other weekends, the adventure didn’t stop when we returned to San Jose. Costa Rica’s rival teams, La liga and Saprissa, played in San Jose! For about $12 my friends and I just about peed our pants as we experience pure Costa Rican soccer culture. I guess I can’t really speak for my friends, but I’ll go ahead and admit it.

Entering and leaving the stadium were events in themselves; the packed streets lined with “horse cops” were intimidating! Things got pretty serious when an older man walking by our group stopped to tell us to stay in the stadium after the game for our safety.

The game was the most eventful, cultural, exciting and frightening thing that I’ve experienced in San Jose. The cheering and spirit surrounding the stadium was overwhelming and exciting! The chants, songs and a mesh of team colors gave me goose bumps! At the end of the tied game we were so kindly escorted to our ride by the police.

My class also took another field trip to Puerto Viejo, the same place I traveled to a few weekends ago. This trip was especially fun because the school paid for lodging and meals! We spent Saturday hiking up to an indigenous families property, (slipping in mud and learning about different plants on the way) and then eating a delicious meal.

 My professor’s wife owns a hostel just south of Puerto Viejo, which is very close to Panama. The hostel is right across the street from the beach and looked and felt like we were staying in a giant tree house. So far it has been my favorite hostel! While relaxing in the common area my professor sat with us and told us how he acquired particular decorations and items in the hostel- everything had a neat story.

 We spent Saturday and Sunday relaxing, sitting on the beach, playing in the waves and eating delicious meals at a restaurant down the road from the hostel. I loved spending time with my classmates and professor outside of the classroom!

My Professor on the beach!

The weeks are still flying by! I can barely distinguish one from the next!

Tyrone still picks on me and we still laugh together. I can’t even recall particular things anymore because it happens more than once a day. He did, however, suggest that I go to “Kooters” to watch an American football game. Then he demonstrated by pulling his shorts to his mid thigh and pretending to eat a chicken wing.

Vanessa still obsesses over any concern I might have- last week I got heartburn for the first time in my life (I thought I was dying) and she has asked me how my stomach is feeling everyday since.  She also warns me every time she sees me sneak into the kitchen for my 2^nd or 3^rd cup of coffee.

This past weekend I traveled to Jaco- a very commercialized beach about 2.5 hours west of San Jose. I had a great time in Jaco but I can’t say I was impressed with the town or the beach. Since the town is so touristy the town isn’t as unique, clean or cheap as other beach towns in Costa Rica. Now recapping on my weekend I can’t say much about Jaco other than that I slept and ate there. Since there isn’t much opportunity to relax in San Jose, all I want to do on the weekends is lay around with my friends, watch TV and each chips and salsa- which is exactly what I found myself doing in Jaco. I loved every minute of it! Traveling is great but is really starting to wear me out. Forgive me for traveling to the Pacific coast to lie in a bed and watch TV…

I’m really missing home now that it is almost thanksgiving! I never thought it would be this hard to away from all of the family gatherings and the homecomings of friends! Luckily the study abroad program is serving us a thanksgiving meal and… I get to see my parents on Friday!

I can’t wait to see them and show them this country! I’m sure my Dad has been practicing his 2 staple Spanish phrases… 1) “leche porfavor” 2) “Como estasustedmuybienytu” (said all at once).