With the end of our San Gerardo adventure in sight we are working hard trying to work out what to do next. A few plans have come to mind but nothing concrete as of yet. As for life here, lots of interesting things have been happening. I have been helping out a bit with the coffee harvest. Its not back breaking work by any means, you basically just have to pick beans from a bush and put them in the basket in front of you, just like blackberry picking for grownups. The problems start when you get to a bush that is inhabited by a colony of ants. Like all insects in Costa Rica the ants here seem to have some super power that make their bites that bit more painful. Harvesting here involves whole families. This morning everyone from Rafa, the grandfather, down to little 3 year-old Gabbie were out picking. After about 31/2 hours of work I was told that the amount of beans I collected would have earned me 1000colones (about $2), yepeee!
I recently got involved with the local soccer team; I played a game about 2 weeks ago in torrential rain. Unfortunately I didn’t have football boots with me and no one else in the village had boots that would fit me so I had to play in my trainers. It wasn’t a good idea, breaking was impossible and every time I tried to stop I skid across the grass to the delight of the locals watching the game. After about 30 minutes and an injury to our goalkeeper I decided it might be better to go in goal. All went okay in goal, the Gaelic football skills came in handy and I was able to hold my own. In the meantime I have bought a pair of boots and I was training with the team yesterday in preparation for the big tournament next weekend.
Last weekend we got to take a trip to Eneidas home, which is a remote village about an hour from where we are at the moment. Before the trip we were told we would be visiting all her family in the area. I had expected a lot of time getting in and out of the car moving from one part of the town to another. However we discovered that they all lived pretty much within a five minute walk from each other. It was interesting to see how the family were so close and supportive of each other. Cousins were also best friends and a family dog was the whole family’s dog. Unfortunately it rained quite heavily while we were there, meaning that we didn’t get to see the whole area, but we were received very warmly by everyone we met.
Our days here are normally fairly relaxed and predictable however every now and then something strange happens that reminds us exactly where we are. For example last week we were walking along a road that we walk pretty much every day when we walked around a corner only to see a young bull flanked by a giant black eagle staring at us. It was like we had a caught them doing something. What exactly they were doing standing there together is beyond me. The bull looked at us we looked at it, both of us not quite sure what to do. Eventually we carefully passed it while it just as carefully passed us and the eagle flew away. It was kind of a weird moment. Another equally strange moment was when one of my students started breast feeding in one of my classes. I didn’t even realise she was doing it until I turned her way to ask her a question. It was another reminder of the differences in our cultures. We also have both come across people wearing clothes from our hometowns. A girl on the bus we were on last week was wearing a Cork GAA hat and a guy was wearing a t-shirt from “the cowgirl” in Santa Fe at the mass we attended in Eneidas home town. Both reminders of how small the world is.
With over two weeks left to go I am already thinking its going to be hard to say goodbye to San Gerardo. The people here are genuinely appreciative of us being here and the students are eager to learn. Hopefully the last two weeks here will be as enjoyable, interesting and memorable as the weeks before them.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
BINGO!
October 22, 2009
We’ve reached two half-way points; half-way through our time in Costa Rica, and half way through our volunteer project in San Gerardo. We’ve finally settled in and are a bit more accustomed to life here, and I’m enjoying it more than ever. We had to just shed our old habits and comfort zones for new ones. I walked down the street (and by the street, there is only one in town) at dusk on my way home from teaching a great class, the river was rushing loudly, coyotes were starting to howl on the other side of the mountain, the few houses in view were glowing against the green, lush landscape. Colorful, exotic flowers lined the roads, as a man passed me on horseback, taking his child home from school. Costa Rica, especially the countryside, lives for the day light and accepts that when its pouring rain, cool, or dark, that you stay inside, have a big meal, and get in bed!
While we’ve grown more accustomed to the tranquility of San Gerardo, we’ve also been busier, which is great. This past weekend was the celebration of the patron saint of the village, San Gerardo. They celebrate with daily mass, soccer games, tons of food, and bingo games. Friday morning at 7 a.m., I was in the community kitchen with about a dozen women making tamales. I was in charge of putting a sliver of carrot, red bell pepper, and a green bean in each one of the 300 we made. The morning was full of banter and laughter from the women, and although I do believe my Spanish continues to improve, when there are a dozen women in the room, there is really little hope.
Saturday evening was the big town Bingo game. I’d say there were about 150 people there, nearly half the village. Men, women and children gathered, ate a big plate of rice and beans, and fiddled with their piles of dried corn (the bingo markers). There were 4 rounds, the second’s rule was to make an “O” on the board. Some kind of beginner’s luck stroke me as I heard Cinquenta-y-siete called, the last number I needed. I WON! If people didn’t know me as the only blond girl in town before, they sure do now. Although I’m not exactly sure if they were happy for the “gringa” or more disappointed for themselves. Either way, the 20 dollars will help me pay my rent for the monthJ
It was a busy week, including a squirrel and small tarantula making their way into our bedroom (!!) and the biggest rainstorm yet, turning the soccer game into a game of water polo. I’m thankful for the activity, and for the entire experience here so far. An adventure I’ll remember forever.
We’ve reached two half-way points; half-way through our time in Costa Rica, and half way through our volunteer project in San Gerardo. We’ve finally settled in and are a bit more accustomed to life here, and I’m enjoying it more than ever. We had to just shed our old habits and comfort zones for new ones. I walked down the street (and by the street, there is only one in town) at dusk on my way home from teaching a great class, the river was rushing loudly, coyotes were starting to howl on the other side of the mountain, the few houses in view were glowing against the green, lush landscape. Colorful, exotic flowers lined the roads, as a man passed me on horseback, taking his child home from school. Costa Rica, especially the countryside, lives for the day light and accepts that when its pouring rain, cool, or dark, that you stay inside, have a big meal, and get in bed!
While we’ve grown more accustomed to the tranquility of San Gerardo, we’ve also been busier, which is great. This past weekend was the celebration of the patron saint of the village, San Gerardo. They celebrate with daily mass, soccer games, tons of food, and bingo games. Friday morning at 7 a.m., I was in the community kitchen with about a dozen women making tamales. I was in charge of putting a sliver of carrot, red bell pepper, and a green bean in each one of the 300 we made. The morning was full of banter and laughter from the women, and although I do believe my Spanish continues to improve, when there are a dozen women in the room, there is really little hope.
Saturday evening was the big town Bingo game. I’d say there were about 150 people there, nearly half the village. Men, women and children gathered, ate a big plate of rice and beans, and fiddled with their piles of dried corn (the bingo markers). There were 4 rounds, the second’s rule was to make an “O” on the board. Some kind of beginner’s luck stroke me as I heard Cinquenta-y-siete called, the last number I needed. I WON! If people didn’t know me as the only blond girl in town before, they sure do now. Although I’m not exactly sure if they were happy for the “gringa” or more disappointed for themselves. Either way, the 20 dollars will help me pay my rent for the monthJ
It was a busy week, including a squirrel and small tarantula making their way into our bedroom (!!) and the biggest rainstorm yet, turning the soccer game into a game of water polo. I’m thankful for the activity, and for the entire experience here so far. An adventure I’ll remember forever.
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