March 5, 2010
Stationed next to my bed are a pair of tennis shoes and a fleece because there is a possibility of another small earthquake in Tres Rios, Costa Rica and I am prepared. The key word being “another.” Experiencing my 1st earthquake (along with 6 other women in my retreat room) involved us remaining immobile for 30 seconds. Finally, we got up and just stood around. Common sense would have been to go outside, but we didn’t associate the moving of the earth as an earthquake. Smart girls, right?
The California ladies just diagnosed it as a 4 on the measuring scale. Let’s just hope that we have no more tonight because I am too excited about meeting my host family tomorrow to focus on my safety in an earthquake.
Retreat is coming to a close. Throughout, I’ve found it draining on my energy. Sitting around all day receiving information, drinking lots of coffee (perhaps 4 cups per day), and socializing with my fellow Tico 20, I was mentally drained! But today has been the best day of retreat and marks the start of life with my host family.
We finally received our host family assignments and community assignments! Drum roll…For the next 11 weeks (3 months), I will be living in San Juan Norte with the Quiros Hidalgo! Family members:
- Maria (Mom)
- Jorge (Dad)
- Jorge (Son)
- Briggitte (Daughter)
- Dogs: Sami
March 6, 2010
Donde Estoy?
Dear English,
I started to tell you a story about how Peace Corps blind folded and dropped me and my 2 suitcases off randomly on a mountain, telling me to fend for myself. But as I stated before, the integration process is thoughtfully planned and implemented.
Retreat ended at noon and then we loaded the bus to begin the 1 & 1/2 travel away from San Jose to a rural community called San Juan Norte. San Juan Norte is located in the mountains and is a drive with great scenery. The roads were well paved, so there wasn’t any danger. The bus dropped four of us off in San Juan Norte and our host families met us there.
Meeting my host families, I had two concerns: 1)the language barrier and 2) their reaction to receiving an African American volunteer. We didn’t talk much on the ride to their house but I did hear them say “negra” and “like to dance".” I laughed at this and the mother (Maria) turned around and said “You understand Spanish….” Both fears were short-lived. (I later learned that they hosted another black volunteer)
Arriving at the house, I was thoroughly impressed. It is a cute log cabin with a breathtaking view. Jorge built the house for his family and focused on giving it character and modern conveniences. The kitchen is large and has everything that a US kitchen has. But its the tile and craftsmanship that stands out and allows it to retain the Costa Rican flare. The bathroom is tiled as well and the focal point is a glass shower. Before I forget, my bedroom resembles my room in Suitland. But instead of being lavender, it’s Carolina Blue!!!! My room also is also off of the balcony, which faces the incredible view. To give you a visual, I would say to think of a vacation cabin in the mountains of the US.
(A view of my house from the main road…Look at the top left hand corner for my house.)
Enough of the house, la familia es mas importante. Communication is not a problem. I understand 85% of the language (when they speak slowly) and when I do not understand it, they repeat it.
- Maria, the mother, is a sweet and loving woman. She is a stay at home wife and prepares all of the meals as well as keep the house spotless. She is very patient and I just found out that she sews.
- Jorge, father, is a crafty man that seems to be very much about family. We usually sit at the dinner table together waiting for dinner to be served and he is really good about engaging me in conversation.
- Briggette, sister, is a 24 year old art teacher. She is talkative, which makes it easy to communicate. She is also patient and speaks a little English. She actually traveled to the US to visit an older brother in New Jersey, so we had lots to talk about. She loves American music as well.
- Jorge, brother, is a 19 year old that works in an auto store. He speaks a little fast, but I will catch up eventually. He rides a moto (motorcycle).
- Danny, brother, lives in NJ but travels back and forth often. He has two little girls with his wife in NJ and works for a translation company. Danny speaks fluent English. Maria has nicknamed him “My walking dictionary” because when I struggle for a word, Danny provides it.
- Carino lives about 10 minutes away with her husband and son, Sebastian. Sebastian is an active 5 year old that drinks coffee. He beat me 5 times in a game of Jingo.
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