My favorite weekend so far....

Welcome to Monte Verde! On Friday after culture day we got on the bus for a short 5 hour ride to Monte Verde. When we arrived we asked a man for directions to our hostel where we were staying and he offered us a ride. We quickly stated we would walk, and he gave us directions. We started walking, and stopped and asked for more directions.... walked some more, asked for more directions.... and so on for probably almost an hour. The town is pretty small, so we made many friends along the way, and finally made our way down the end of a street, down a long, curvy hill in the dark that made us feel like we were walking to our death. The road was very muddy and our feet were covered in the clay-like sludge when Mi Casa Tica finally came into view. We walked in the door and who should we meet? The man that offered us a ride also happened to be the owner....if we had taken the time to talk to him, we would have discovered that, but we obviously prefer walking around a strange town in the dark to getting a ride from the hostel owner.

 David was the man working at the hostel and he speaks four languages, and has traveled and worked in many countries. We asked him for Spanish so we could practice and he gladly obliged, but chipped in with English when necessary. He was a great resource to have in the area, and made us feel very welcome to Monte Verde.

The hostel only cost $6 a night, so what were we expecting? I am not sure, but $6 a night adventure was delivered! We were shown to our room with 3 mattresses on the ground and one on a bed frame, and open glass slate windows that did not close. The ceiling wasn't high enough to stand, so we just crouched. One step was missing a part of the wood so I made a grand entrance and slid the first time down, but we were thrilled to be there!

We received a key to the whole hostel, as David left at 10 pm and we were able to come and go as we pleased. There were no other guests there the first night, so four girls had the key and the entire hostel to ourselves. Two of us went out earlier for supper and had the key and then at 12:30 am the other two came and knocked on the front door for us to let them in. We groggily made our ways down the treacherous stairs and tried to open our eyes wide enough to get the key in the lock. We could not get the key to turn and the harder we tried the more we woke up.... Finally we handed the key to them through a window to try from the outside. It worked, but then we found ourselves on the inside with no way to lock the door. So Emily V. hung herself out the window to lock the door from the outside so the hostel would be locked. It worked and eventually we all went to bed, bugs and all. At 5 am. we were awakened by a cat meowing loudly outside our door, eventually it gave up after trying to climb through the hole next to the door, but not quite fitting through. At 6 am we were awakened to the sound of the chop... chop... chop... chop... of fruit being chopped for breakfast, and eventually we all gave up and get ready to adventure our way through the day!

 Three of us headed to the woods to find this tree that you can climb up inside. It is actually a parasite that grows on the outside of an already existing tree and eventually kills the original tree. The original tree decomposes and all that is left is the parasite tree that you can climb up into. It is actually very fascinating, and without to much trouble we found it and had a surreal moment of climbing inside a tree. Emily G. and I  were thrilled to be inside the tree. It was raining,  not surprising since we were in the rain forest, but the tree was pretty wet. We didn't climb to high for fear of slipping, but it was fun.

From inside the tree

This tree is still decomposing the original tree and you can see it in the middle.

These are pictures that we took while walking around town, sometimes clouds blocked our view more than others, but it was breathtaking. I cannot imagine living in a place where this is my daily view. I am very tempted by the though.

In the afternoon we went on a guided tour of the rain forest and cloud forest. Our guide Herbert was a funny, but very knowledgeable guy. The tour went over 10 hanging bridges that swing pretty good while we were walking over them. We did not get to see a lot of animals, but we did see interesting plants and learn more about the forests and wildlife. We were in a group with people from France, Germany, Sweden, UK, and possibly somewhere else that I have forgotten.

A clear-winged butterfly

One of my companions walking across a bridge

A plant has toxic juice that people use to have in their home that was not good when children played with it or would bite it.

Surprise, surprise, as part of the tour we got to climb through another tree to the bridge on top! Emily G. was more than happy to lead the way.

I followed with Lauren bringing up the rear.

This one had ropes and handles to help make it to the top.

We then used a pulley to get our belongings to top.

Some more photos from around town.

In the evening we went on a night tour and walked around the rain forest with flashlights looking for animals. This was actually almost my favorite part of the day. I finally saw some animals! I did not take a lot of pictures because I was too busy helping the guide who kept calling me out, or I was too busy watching the animals. We saw a couple toucans, this red-eyed frog, a baby tarantula that the guide was sure to tell me could bite my toes since I only had sandals on. We also saw a possum, a porcupine, and two sloths. I think it is pretty good that we saw a sloth, because my host dad told me that he has never seen a sloth in the forest. The one sloth was awake, so he gave us a show by climbing around for us. The tour lasted two hours and I was sad to be done, but also very hungry for some supper. We finished the night by going to eat something in a restaurant with a tree growing up through the middle, we had live music, and a meal complete with some Costa Rican deep fried cheese curds, which are not like Wisconsin cheese curds, but surprisingly good!

We spent some time visiting and talking to the other guests staying in the hostel before going off to bed. When I went to bed and got my sheet tucked all around me to try and ward off bugs, the cat tried to come through the window slots.... Even though I was comfy enough and tired enough I didn't get to much sleep, but it was just one of those $6 nights.

Here is one of our sloth friends

When we were leaving town bright and early on Sunday morning this herd of cows got herded down the mountain rode next to the bus.

Mountain Hike

Monday morning on my walk to school I spotted a beautiful white longhorn cow. Since it was contently munching grass by the bus stop without a chain or anything, I was supposed to cross the road to walk on the same side, but then noticed the chain in his nose and realized that he was in a fact a bull, so I decided to cross the street further up and not bother him..... He was beautiful though!

After class we went back to Cecudi to help take care of children again and this time I was with the older ones so we played outside and inside and I had lots of fun trying to learn all twelve of their names. When we arrived home my host grandma who has been in the hospital for the past week had returned home so I went to see her and she seems to be recovering well after an extensive surgery, and I visited with my host grandpa (papá Cocí) for quite awhile. I always enjoy conversating and learning more about people, he worked in the emergency department at the hospital until he retired 4 years ago, so we swapped some hospital stories.

I had a lot of homework monday so I spent quite a bit of the evening working on that and I skyped my family to say Happy Birthday to my sister Harmony! I am thankful for technology that makes the distance seem not so far.

Tuesday was a very windy day and it felt great as it really helped keep me cooler on my way to school. At school our professor brought us this treat to try. It is called cat, so she asked us if we would like to eat cats. I have to say they taste better than I ever imagined! It was like a dense pound cake with a little later of sweetness. After school, I helped Chyanne talk through some homework, and then we went for a long hike up the side of the mountain. We found out about this route from a classmate that is on the track and field team and is finding great tracks to run around here.

After walking just a mile we found ourselves out on windy country roads surrounded by nature.

There were some great sites of the city!

There are of course dogs behind every gate, and when we came up to one gate these two dogs were absolutely ferocious! We kept walking and they ran from the front gate to the fence and came through it. My heart stopped beating and I froze. I thought I was going to be dead. Then these two ferocious dogs came and stood by us. When we slightly recovered and reached out our hands to them they came bounding up to us like we were best friends and walked with us. 

We met this little gecko whom we named Jorge. I was proud that I could at least catch this tiny one, and he was a jumpy fellow. We did not get to walk all the way to the top because we had to get back, but we were pretty close. My breath was pretty thin, and my legs were like jello. I really cannot believe that John runs this for the fun of it! This dog followed us all the way back home! He was the sweetest dog, but we have no idea why he didn't go back home. We tried to get him too, but would not. We lived miles from where he was walking and it is doubtful that he went back. He just stood outside of our gate waiting for us. In the evening we went back to the school for a pizza and fútbol party as Costa Rica was playing and he followed us to school as well. The game was good, and Costa Rica won. We mostly went for the pizza, but there were some ticos that got pretty excited about the game. 

When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. Psalms 94:18-19

Church

Sunday morning I set off for church! Well not exactly....

I asked my host dad and he said he knew of a church in Heredia, which is about a 30-minute bus ride from San Isidro. So he made sure I had everything I needed including shoes, umbrella, jacket, and money, then he drove me to the bus stop. He made sure I got on the bus and sat down before he left and I noticed him still watching the bus as we drove away. I literally felt like my first day of kindergarten and thought maybe I should ask him if he wanted a picture, but was afraid he wouldn´t get my humor. When I arrived in Heredia I was given strict instructions not to leave and wait for his sister to come get me. She arrived and walked me to church, where she picked me up when I was done, took me back to the bus stop, and put me on the bus. Later me dad picked me up in San Isidro and drove me home. Their assistance is greatly appreciated.

The church was a very small one, and I guess they know of it because their mom attends a much larger sister church in a different part of Costa Rica. There was definitely a lot I did not understand but it was really great to be in an actual church and be surrounded by others that were worshiping God. There are some places that are really hard for language learners and church is one of them. I never realized how fast people talk at church until today, and I also never realized how uncomfortable church can be when you do not understand what is happening or the language being spoken around you. They sang from memory I guess, because they had no overhead or songbooks, so I didn't get in on the singing too much. Then they were welcoming guests, but I was having a hard time understanding because of the microphone and how fast they were speaking. I guess she said something about me, cause everyone turned and looked at me. I had no idea what was happening and then she smiled and pointed at me. I smiled and gave a pathetic wave because I had no idea what I was supposed to do. Then everyone clapped, and some people came and greeted me. I have to be honest and say it was probably one of the most awkward moments of my entire life.

While I was still recovering from the introduction scene they had the offering and instead of passing the basket, everyone walked their offering to the ushers in the front of the church. Now remember this church is not very large, so nearly everyone walked to the front and here is the very red, sunburnt white girl who is trying to get a grasp on what is happing sitting in her chair. Ya, it wasn't one of my best moments either.

The church itself was very friendly and expressive. I appreciate how these people live in the moment instead of expectations. People were switching seats and greeting each other throughout the service, the door of the church was open and it is on a town street, fans were blowing, and a young man with a mental handicap was standing up throughout the service, but none of this seemed to bother anyone. Nothing was disruptive and everyone was very attentive as the pastor spoke. A sweet lady behind me would put her hand on my shoulder every once in a while and say something to me, or ask if I understood something. The preacher and the people were pretty interactive and through it was really hard to keep up and listening and try to take it all in, it was also a really neat time. It was a great time for me to think of the customs and things that I take for granted in my own church culture. How do others who have not grown up in my culture, or the church see the things that I view as normal. I have no problem understanding Biblical language and church talk because I grew up with it, but how is it for others who are not familiar with it? I did not get the main points of the sermon or was even able to connect the parts that I did understand, but today did give me a lot to think about and worship God for. I am thankful for the experiences that challenge me because somewhere in them I learn more about myself and more about the God who created each individual, culture, and language.

This morning before church I was reading The Gospel and Racial Reconciliation by Russell Moore and Andrew Walker and this phrase stuck out to me. "Racial reconciliation must begin with the habit of seeing others as made in the image of God; therefore, possessing inestimable, unfathomable dignity and worth. But how do we do that when seeing people is so commonplace? It requires skill and diligent practice. It requires renewing of our minds, especially with regard to racial identity. ....The mind is a relentless stereotyper. In a fallen world it drives you away from the fundamental recognition that everbody you looked at in that room is life you, because everyone is created in the image of God. If we are going to rightly appreciate and practically embrace our common creation in the image of God, then we need a sure foundation: We need to break the habit of automatically stereotyping." pg. 26

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The rest of the day was pretty relaxing and I am thankful because the morning was pretty overwhelming, and I am still pretty uncomfortably sunburnt. Mama Iva served us ceviche for supper tonight and I was pretty excited. I was hoping I would get some while I was here and I did! Ceviche is raw fish cured in citrus juices and it is very tender and delicious! You can only eat a small amount because of the acidity, but I ate it with soda crackers which helped. My host mom offered us ice cream after and my papa Yue and I turned her down as that would not be a great combo, and we actually had ice cream after lunch when she left to visit her mom at the hospital.

My host sister is pretty intrigued by my sunburn, which has actually been helpful. She is very concerned about it and spent time yesterday and today rubbing me down with Aloe and after sun. She is a sweetheart and love to spend time hanging out in my room when she can.

Jaco Beach

Sometimes my heart is so full I do not know where to start. My days are filled with things that fill me and touch me. I do not understand why I enjoy certain aspects of living here so much, or why I enjoy the rain here and not in Wisconsin, or feel so at home here sometimes and other times feel like an outsider looking in. I only know that God has a specific reason and purpose for me to be here at this time and I am very thankful.

Thursday night we had a good time filled with Latin American dancing and music. I enjoy ballroom types of dancing so this was pretty fun. We definitely learned some new moves and had a good time, however, Friday morning dawned early and beckoned us to school. We had our first exam, composition, and presentation on our composition. I have to say that it is really hard to do a presentation in Spanish. I forgot so many words and conjugations, but my professor loves to give us practice so I am sure I will improve. After class, I came home and took a nice long nap! I am really enjoying the food here and all the new things, but sometimes we miss the familiar without realizing it. Like when I talk and hear from family and friends, and today my host dad bought pizza for supper and it tasted so good! Friday evening the girl next door and I debated plans for the weekend and decided to join a group going to Jaco. We called her host dad to ask if he could buy us bus tickets since we have to take a bus half an hour to buy tickets. He could not at that time but offered to take us later to buy tickets. Later when he drove us the ticket office was closed, so we didn't get tickets anyway. He was sad for us, but we felt really bad he drove us and it was closed! Some things are more complicated here and so we just have to be flexible and willing to adjust.

Saturday morning I decided to risk it and went with the group to the bus station and hoped I would get a ticket. I did, but the bus was full, so it was a standing ticket. I was ok with that, but a taller student who doesn't find the bus seats comfortable took my spot on the floor so he could stretch his legs. So after two hours, we arrived at the beach. It was very different on this west coast, and on the Pacific side of the ocean. The sand was dark and like clay. The water was not as clear, but just as warm. I do not know if it was saltier, or I just forgot how salty the ocean is from a week ago. This time there was a great beach and I got to run into the ocean and feel waves over my head. It was amazing! I do not think I will ever become a beach bum, but I thoroughly enjoyed the peace and tranquility of this day.

I leaped in the waves until my eyes burned and then I laid down and took a nap on my beach towel until the high tide came and soaked me. I was only on the beach for three hours, it was overcast the whole time, sprinkled for awhile, and I put on sunscreen when I arrived, however, I got burnt to a crisp! I did not realize how bad until we went to get a smoothie and relax before we left. I immediately began to feel it and still feel it actually.....

I cannot get over the beauty of this place. I love Wisconsin, and I find so much beauty there, but this is different. I am sure that the ocean becomes commonplace for some, but I do not understand how we can miss the beauty that surrounds us. Nature cries out that there is a God and He is Lord and Creator of all.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

 This is the verse that I thought of as I lay listening to the ocean and praying. How can I as a young adult that is required to live in this world and be part of it, still be set apart for the work of God. I do not know the answer to this totally, but it means to be completely captured by my King. It means spending time with Him and nurturing my relationship with Him. It means sacrificing and following Him. It means turning my back on advice that is not from the word of God and filtering everything I know and hear through the Word of God. I do not want to be known as a perfect person, but I do want to be known as a person that loves Jesus and desires to serve Him.

Here is a very sunburnt me with a wooden parrot. Unfortunalty it was not real, but there were a pair of parrots flying around in the sky all day.

Cows, burrachos, and sunshine

 Wednesday morning dawned bright and sunny. When classes commenced for the morning we were visited by a small herd of cows that walked by. I think there is a pasture down from the school, but I am not sure where they came from. After class, we had some Latin American dance instructions to prepare us to go do some dancing! I am pretty excited to see some locals dance. After school Maria, Chyanne, and I went to volunteer at a place called Cecudi which is a day care for parents with low-income. They were very inviting and it was pretty neat that I understood at least half of what the director said when we met with her. :) My Spanish comprehension and speaking skills are definitely improving! I guess that's good, because that is why I am here. I enjoyed my time with the little toddlers and the workers were very nice. Surprise, surprise, but they fed us too! We had a type of coffee cake and something called cream juice. It was really good! I am not a fan of most of the milk here, so that was a good substitute.

We went and played futból cinco last night for two hours again, and it was good exercise! I took a few hits from the soccer ball, but I also gave a couple. I did take a really hard hit to my face that I felt for a while, but I made the next goal, so it paid off. My host dad and sister came and watched last night, so I am hoping that I can get him to play next week. I have high hopes of him being very good! That means that we also got a ride home from the field, which is the envy of all the study abroad students. :) Everything is a walk here!

This morning dawned bright and muggy! The sun was so hot on my way to school, and then sitting at school for three hours did not even cool me off. It rained really hard when school finished, and it felt cool and nice. But it stopped raining and the sun and humidity returned. It's ok if you are outside or in an open area that has air flow, but when you are in enclosed rooms, its pretty sweltering. We had borrachos for a snack at school today. They were pretty good, they were kind of dry, so they went well with my tea. They are kind of like cake, and have a thin line of sweet filling.

During our three hour class

One of the hills that we climb and descend on our way to and from school.

Today I had to change some money into colones so we went a different way home from school and got to stop at one of the students who has a ping pong table at their house and play for awhile. Now my Spanish lesson with my host sister and cousin begins because they are here to play!

Monday & Tuesday

Monday at school they had a big cake for all of the June birthdays so I was sliced up a large piece of delicious cake. Everything here is less sweet and often is filled with fruit or has fruit on top. I have tasted very few things here that I have not enjoyed. I was not a huge fan of heart of the palm, but I think some things require an acquired taste.

For supper monday evening my host mom made sea food soup. It had clams, oysters, shrimp, crab, octopus, and possibly something else that I missed. It was delicious! We eat a lot of rice here, but I really enjoy it. My host mom never makes rice alone. For breakfast we commonly have pinto which it rice with beans and eggs, and then my lunch I will have a sort of fried rice as a side to something else, and for supper we often have rice with something else. However, she mixes it up and we have tortillas a lot too. She is a very good cook. This was my lunch yesterday, it was a sort of chicken quesadilla with a pinto of tomatoes and onions and a light dressing, and cooked cauliflower and broccoli with those little corn on the cobs as salad. We always enjoy opening our lunch boxes and trying to figure out what we are eating. I know this is a lot about food, but that's what we do here. We have breakfast, then cafécita about 10 am, than lunch, than cafécita between 4 -5 pm, and supper between 6-7. We eat a lot of small meals, and with all the miles and hills I walk everyday I am surprisingly hungry. I often do not notice it because I am warm and don´t realize how hungry I am until we start eating.

I am studying while my host sister is watching Zootopia.

 I have now been with my family for over a week, and everything is beginning to feel more familiar and comfortable. Today I left for school a little late and had to walk very rapidly to school, which means that I was drenched in sweat when I arrived, thankfully most of us show up like this, and I am beginning to not be bothered by wet clothes. After school we explored a bit as I needed to replace my stolen umbrella, and we found a couple good shops close by. I am enjoying school, and my host family, but it is hard to balance homework, and doing other things. Thankfully my professor doesn't give us hard homework and she is very relaxed, but I have to remind myself that I am here to learn.

The hot water heater got fixed today, so now we do not have to turn it on and off when we need it. It now remains on and doesn't make noise. It heats the water as you use it, and the water surprisingly can get very hot. My host sister proudly showed me the new heater. We ended the night with soccer, gymnastics, and some Costa Rican hamburgers. That is not what my host mom called them, but they were hamburgers in a tortilla, with a salad of cabbage and tomatoes, topped by condiments out of the squeeze packages that everything comes in here. They were delicious as well! :)