I've Got a New Attitude!

I had a weird dream last night.  I dreamed that I was wandering down the road near the orphanage...asking people about the term "Pura Vida" -- which means "pure life".  One of the students in my class explained, Elkin -- (my favorite student I can share this -- since it's just me and you) told me in his broken English, that everybody here is poor. We are all the same.  Since we are all the same, we are all happy.

When I awakened from my dream, I realized that the information that came to me in my dream was absolutely right....The majority of the children here seem happy.  They are helpful, eager to learn, and appreciative of the little things in life.

I went to bed wondering about Pura Vida...as I wasn't having such a "pure life" experience on this trip. My subconscious mind was the impetus for the dream...about "pura vida".  When I awakened, it seemed that my conscious mind took on more of a "tico" mentality.  I made a conscious decision to go with the flow...just like I do in L.A. instead of allowing the small things to bother me while I'm here.  Why is it so difficult for me to let things flow here?  The answer is simple. I'm out of my element.  I don't speak the language...or have anyone to communicate with that really understands me and what I'm saying.  Communication -- one of my favorite things to do is a chore here.  Perhaps one of the most difficult things that have happened since I've been here (AND YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT), is finding out that my Mother didn't take a trip she was planning with one of her neighbors because she didn't hear from me from Wednesday - Saturday.  When I was finally able to get through to Los  Angeles, I was surprised that she was still at home. Although my Mom said that she didn't go because she changed her mind, I know the real truth is that she didn't hear from me...so she was worried. Talk about a Mother's love...never dying...my Mom is the epitome of Mother's Love.  I am truly grateful to have such a wonderful Mom and a terrific family!

Once again, I digress...back to the business of volunteering.  Local volunteers are already on site by the time we arrive.  Their job is to prepare the food.  The volunteers from Maximo Nivel arrive about 30 minutes before the children are allowed to come inside.  A couple volunteers  fill the plastic cups with the drink that will accompany the meal.   There is usually juice in the morning, and chocolate milk or strawberry milk with lunch.  The volunteers from Minnesota usually take care of wiping down the stone benches and tables with disinfectant.

Since I've been coming, my job is to make sure that the children wash their hands before getting in the food line.  While I'm working with the first shift of teaching English, other volunteers wash the dishes as the children finish eating.

Each evening before I turn in for the evening, I put together a series of English lessons based on age and knowledge of English.  I spend about 2 hours after dinner putting these lessons together and e-mailing them to Paula - pronounced pal o la  (at Maximo) in order that she can make sufficient copies for the next day.

Here is one of my lesson plans:

Today is___________________________________________________

 (hoy es)

My name is _________________________________________________

 (mi nombre es)

I am __________________________ years old.

(tengo anos)

My Birthday is _______________________________________

(mi cumpleanos es el)

I have ______________ brothers,   and ________________sisters

 (tengo ___ hermanos y ___ hermanas)

I live with my ____________________________, my _____________________________________ and __________________

(yo vivo con mi)  

My favorite color is ___________________________________________

(mi color favorito es el)

My favorite food is ___________________________________________

 (mi alimento es)

There are 7 Days in a Week  (hay 7 dais de la semana)

Monday                        ______________________________________________

Tuesday                        ______________________________________________

Wednesday                   _____________________________________________

Thursday                       ______________________________________________

Friday                          _______________________________________________

Saturday                        ______________________________________________

Sunday                        _______________________________________________

There are 12 Months in a Year (hay 12 meses in un ano)

January                        _______________________________________

February                        ______________________________________________

March                        ________________________________________________

April                                    ___________________________________________

May                                    ___________________________________________

June                                    ___________________________________________

July                                    ___________________________________________

August                        _____________________________________________

September                        ___________________________________________

October                        _____________________________________________

November                        ___________________________________________

December                        ____________________________________________

My birthday is in the month of _________________________                                   

We then practiced writing numbers from 1 to 100.

The children absolutely love writing.  They already know their numbers (in English) and can count as high as you and I.  One of their favorite things to do is to practice spelling the numbers.  Since I've been working with them...one thing I've noticed is that their handwriting is excellent and their spelling is above normal.

For example Elkin (my favorite student) colored this picture for me.  Elkin is 8 years old.  Although he can't spell my name...(they call me "China" as "Jeanna" is just too difficult), look at his handwriting.  I think it's great.

Cepillarse los dientes -- (brush your teeth)

Many of the children who live in and around the orphanage are glad to receive any new thing...I guess like most kids.  Some students from a dental school in Northern California decided it would be a good idea to teach the children at Casa de los ninos how to brush their teeth.

As Cohort 2 (Pepperdine) discussed many times, sometimes we (the so called American saviors) rush to provide help...not knowing the true situation.  This was one such case.  The (dental hygiene) students came in with dental floss, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.  They were under the impression that because the children were poor, they didn't have access to dental care or know how to properly, brush and floss.  Nevertheless, the children really enjoyed receiving new dental supplies.

 This is the way you brush your teeth...

 Don Jose is the man who runs the orphanage - as well as opens this space to the children who live nearby.  The two parents shown in this picture sometimes eat with the children...but are mostly there to make sure that their children participate in the Spanish lessons.  (This is vacation time for the children -- similar to our summer vacation.  They don't go back to school until February)

 Now it's time to floss...

The youngsters were very happy to get their new dental supplies. The children are grateful for every thing they receive.  I wish my kids were like this when they were growing up :-)

Students in Costa Rica are given free dental and health care.  I spoke with a number of these children.  They have all been to the dentist -- as it's part of their education.  The youngsters advised me that dentists and other healthcare workers provide treatment and care as part of the educational process.  (I was really surprised by this)

Even though these youngsters are poor...they always report to Casa de los ninos in clean clothes and appear to have good dental and physical hygiene.

Lunes en Costa Rica

Another bus ride to Maximo Nivel to drop off my laptop and pick up my passport to grab a few colones. Instead of having lots of money on me..I go to the bank a few times a week to trade dollars for colones.  I'm finding that even though prices in Costa Rica aren't "cheap"...I don't have need for lots of cash.

I am leaving a bit earlier this morning than usual...as I want to try to log in to the Pepperdine session...the internet connection has been very sporadic since my arrival.

My day begins with breakfast in the hotel..usually the garden (as the weather is usually quite nice).  No cost, as the traditional breakfast is part of the cost of staying in the hotel ($107.00 per night + 13% taxes and 10% server fee for all meals and drinks).  I eat a tuna kit (shown earlier) for lunch -- no cost, as I packed these before heading out of the states.  Dinner is the most expensive part of my day.  If I'm hungry, I'll ask for the special...as long as there's no meat in it....Since, I've been here, I've tried the specials a few times.  As I blogged about earlier...the meat tastes off...so I try to stick with meatless dishes.  If the special for the day is chicken, meat, or fish I'll stick with my favorite soupa de frijol nego.

Even though this doesn't look that great...it's really quite tasty...the spices make it (but I could do without the 1/2 of boiled egg floating in it.

Nothing special to report today...another long day working with very grateful children, happy to learn English and get filling meals.

Once the children wash and dry their hands on the red towel (in the background), they can get in line to get their food.  My job was to make sure that all of the youngsters washed their hands before getting in line.

After washing their hands...and drying them on the same red towel...the children stand in line to patiently await their meal.  They usually have the traditional breakfast of fruit, rice and beans with juice or milk.  For lunch, they usually have rice and beans and mashed potatoes with some type of meat, either pork sausage or chicken.  Before they leave, they are usually given cold cereal and milk, a cookie, or fruit snack.  Most of these children live with both parents and a host of siblings.

This is the house next door to La casa de los ninos - where I volunteer

The serving area is as clean as it can be...but as you can see is very old

Esmeralda washes her hand and wiping them on the same red towel while the volunteers in the background are washing dishes from the students who had already eaten..

I couldn't even send my lesson plan to Paula to copy for me...as I kept getting booted off the site.   Hopefully, the connection will be better at the Maximo Nivel office...

 Pura Vida!

Cuanto es? (How much is this)

Wow....internet services at the hotel!

I ran out of space in my journal so I went out to buy a new one.  At first I went to the "so called" outlet mall and was told that a small notebook costs about $6.00 (AMERICAN -- you've got to be kidding!).  I gave the notebook back to the sales person and hopped back on the bus.  I figured I'd go to the Auto A&M Mercado.  This is a supermarket in Costa Rica...not as inexpensive as Mas X Menos ("X" is pronounced por) and means More For Less in English.  Mas X Menos is owned by Wal-Mart and is the least expensive store in the city.  I thought I had a picture of Mas X Menos, but I guess I didn't get a great shot.

I decided to take the bus a bit East and head past the local gas station to the Auto A&M Mercado.

When I arrived to the store, I noticed three teenage boys.  What drew them to my attention, I don't know...but you know how my intuition is.  Each time I went down an aisle...they went down the same aisle.  One was precariously close to me.

I picked up a spiral bound notebook, 2 packs of Trident gum (for the children), a 12 pack of Ritz crackers, and two 600 ml bottles of water.  When I headed to the cashier, one of the bigger teens got into the line behind me and stood less than 3 inches behind me.  (I had already been warned about gangs of teens...and knew that I should only bring what I thought I was going to spend).  I felt his hot breath on my neck...and felt uncomfortable...yet angry that he would think that I looked like an easy mark.  I turned around...looked him directly in his eyes and asked in a loud voice....por que mi seguen  (why are you following me? --at least that's what I hope I said :-) .  He shrugged his shoulder -- and didn't say anything.

To be honest, I was more angry than frightened...those youngsters didn't look menacing to me.  I chalked up their behavior to need rather than greed.  However, those youngsters didn't know "yo so de la hood" (I'm from the hood"  -- well sorta the hood" -- well....maybe close to the hood)

The cashier called the security guard over....the asked me where I was going.  I told him Le Bergerac...which was only 4 or 5 blocks away.  He said something very quickly to the boy...and then made sure that they walked the opposite way that I was walking.

The total cost for my goods was 5,285 colones (about $10.50)

Mas Dia en Costa Rica

Yesterday, I went to the "Artist Mart".  It was quite an experience getting there.  Although there are buses every where, it seems that nearly every single bus is nearly full to capacity when it gets to my stop.  Why oh why...am I so close to the end of the line???  Yet there is always a silver lining...sometimes, you just have to run fast to catch it.  The silver lining in this case, is that if you run down the road a kilometer or so (a bit over a 1/2 mile) you can catch the bus around the corner before it gets too crowded.

I've been here a week and have finally found out the bus system.  Although there are people on every bus stop -- it seems that some of the people are actually working.  I don't know how they get paid, but their job is to whistle when a full bus; this whistle signals the next bus to come forward.  The strange thing is that all of the buses have their doors open at all times...which means you can select the bus in the back if you want to sit near the front.  The line of buses always ends around a corner.

Another thing I noted about the buses in Costa Rica, is that if you don't see the front of the bus, and already know the color...you could end up anywhere.  For example, in order to get to the "Artist Mart" today, I have to cross the street from my hotel, wait for a red bus that has the words, "American University X San Jose ("X" is pronounced as por which means "by" in English) in essence, American University by San Jose.  As I blogged about earlier, there are no street signs in the part of San Jose where I'm staying.  It's a wonder mail is every properly delivered here.  Since I've been here, I've never seen a person who delivers mail.  I think people and businesses have to pick up their mail from the post office..as there are no real addresses, or consistent placement or order of numbers on businesses.

The first time I tried to get from point A to point B, I was totally lost.  Walk down about 4 kilometers which would take a fast walker (like me) about 30 minutes, or a slow walker about 50 minutes, pass under the bridge...run across the roundabout, go about 1 more kilometer (7 minutes for a fast walker and 13 minutes for a slow walker), and make a right at the gas station.  The person who gave me these directions gave me kilometers (vs miles) with a walking time frame.  I must be a super fast walker...because the first time I ventured out alone, I realized that it took me about 20 minutes to walk 4 kilometers...thank God for my pedometer (coupled with my basic math knowledge at thanks to my math teach at Clay Junior High).

Back to my trip to the "Artist Mart".  I was able to see the front of the first bus...but just in case, I practiced the following phrase in case I was unable to read the front of the bus.  este autobus va de 1860 Mercado?  That was my backup question...just in case I couldn't see the front of the bus. After safely boarding the first bus and paying my fare of 210 colones, pass the big church, and continue walking a few blocks until I pass the second Mercado 1860 (there are two 1860 Mercados about 4 blocks past the first one), sound confusing huh???? Just try doing it in a foreign country with a limited knowledge of the language...and no street signs -- only landmarks, while simultaneously trying not to look like a tourist (aka target).

 I board the second bus which is yellow.  I was warned to make sure that I was standing in front of the bus in order that I could read the sign.  I was warned that under no conditions was I to get on the bus that says "Carpio X Utica"...I was to board the yellow bus that says "Carpio X Pista".  This bus would take me to the museum with the large steel Christmas tree in front of the park (my landmark).  The question of the hour...how to make sure that I'm standing in front of all buses coming my way...as the writing is only on the front of the bus.  Think about this...the only way I could tell I'm on the right bus, is by putting my life in danger by standing on the street.  The only other option is to read Spanish backwards..and hope that not many people are behind me if I accidentally get on the wrong bus and have to back off.  Some readers may say, just ask the bus driver....well, I tried that, can you imagine the bus driver not understanding Spanish.....(well my Spanish that is)...hasta donde llega este autovus va?
That was my backup question...just in case I couldn't see the front of the bus. I had to make absolutely, positively sure that I got on the correct bus going back to the hotel.  
I was told that if I fell asleep on the first bus I should stay on the bus until the end.  The first thing I wondered what how could bus riders possibly fall asleep in Costa Rica?   The rides are rocky and filled with the cacophony of horns blowing, curses, quick turns and stops -- I certainly couldn't rest while aboard a bus -- or in a car here...) I should ride the bus to the end of the line and walk back to the steel Christmas tree.  When I asked why should I ride to the end instead of getting off at the next stop, I was told that the area between the Christmas tree stop and the last stop was filled with youngsters who snatch and grab the possessions of people who are getting off the bus.  For some reason, these youngsters "aka thugs"  (my name for them) don't bother people getting on the bus...only off.  Costa Rica...what a place.  I'm still trying to understand where the "Pura Vida" (pure life) comes from.

....Back from the "Artist Mart"....not a great day for bargain hunting.  Too many people to haggle effectively.  I purchased a few small handmade trinkets for some of my co-workers...but I was hesitant to buy some of the larger items...as I was concerned about getting them safely back to the hotel.

Happy to be back in the folds of the Hotel le Bergerac...Going to shower...and go down for a bowl of black bean soup with rice.

Pura Vida!

Up Before the Sun Today

Sometimes I forget that Costa Rica is a third world country...that is until we go days without Internet connection. For the pas t few days there was no connection at the hotel or at Maximo Nivel....this morning, I found out that the local bar has free wi-fi if you make a purchase. The waiter/bartender offered me a choice between cerveza with rice and beans or sopa with wine...I pass..and head back to the hotel to put away my iPad. RANDOM THOUGHT The Internet service in Costa Rica sucks! Most of my blog thoughts are written in longhand which forces me to transcribe later. While is process may work - it is very time consuming. I hate to waste time. Today is a day off (sort of) -- so I'm going to take the bus to the local art market where the locals sell and trade their work. My plan is to catch up with some of my blogs later today. A lot has happened since I've been here. Some good - some not so good - some funny and some thought provoking. More later

Finally, Internet connection again....

Sometimes I forget that Costa Rica is a theIrd world country...that is until we go days without Internet connection. For the pas t few days there was no connection at the hotel or at Maximo Nivel....this morning, I found out that the local bar has free wi-fi if you make a purchase. The waiter/bartender offered me a choice between cerveza with rice and beans or sopa with wine...I pass..and head back to the hotel to put away my iPad. RANDOM THOUGHT The Internet service in Costa Rica sucks! Most of my blog thoughts are written in longhand which forces me to transcribe later. While is process may work - it is very time consuming. I hate to waste time. Today is a day off (sort of) -- so I'm going to take the bus to the local art market where the locals sell and trade their work. My plan is to catch up with some of my blogs later today. A lot has happened since I've been here. Some good - some not so good - some funny and some thought provoking. More later