Jacó is considered to be the most touristic beach in Costa Rica - a paradise for surfers. Well yes, the beach of Jaco is a nice place... if you like americanised Costa Rica with nice houses, construction, lots of tourists and lots of drugs.
Actually we found a place on the beach which was completely empty and the trees were hiding the ugly constructions. As it was the first time for me being in the ocean, you can imagine the child-like happyness on my face, jumping up and down in the waves. Pura vida thousands of times!!!
For nightlife there are a couple of places with reaggeton beats, of course, and another one which has something like house-music but is full of weed-smoke.
P.S. just next to my cabin, I saw a monkey!!! A real monkey!!! And on my way back from the bus window I actually saw a crocodile!
Sunday 30 September 2007
Friday 28 September 2007
My first robbery
One fine sunny day I am walking on the street, enjoying my milkshake (which was amazingly good, I must admit!), looking for the bus home. The day was really perfect, as was my milkshake... until in the Parque de la Mercedes (as I later got to know, it's also called Parque de Nicas) a lady came up to me, asking if she can have sip of my fresco. I glazed at her, from head to toes – she was a very tan and very poor woman, probably a drug-addict as well – and let out a very convincing “NOOOO!” and wanted to walk away with my precious milkshake which still had some 4 centimetres in the bottom. But to my surprise, she was already holding my shake very tightly. So, I decided to be friendly and tolerant and not get in fight with an older lady just because of 4 centimetres of my milkshake. Obviously she needed it more than I did...
Thursday 27 September 2007
Volunteer now! Volunteer!
Hey, I'm your new volunteer from Estonia. No-no, not Espanja - Estonia. No-no, not Russia Estonia. Yes, it is a little country in the north of Europe with a population less than in San Jose.
I go to the hospital every day from 8am till 3pm. Every day there are new ladies who have come to make the children happy - I'm the only one being here every day. The hospital stuns you with all the marvelous pictures hanging on the walls - all done by children. "Is that something I could do with them?" is the first question passing my mind. Already eager to do big things - to change the world.
I know the rules, and the biggest rule for me is that I'm a volunteer. My job is playing with the children and not running around with an important look, stethoscope hanging around my neck. I must admit that one day I was quite sad seeing all my colleges doing the things I am used to do. But today I experienced something which is much more pure and makes you feel even better than being important professionally. And that is called happiness. On Friday I was holding a baby for the whole day - a little bit doubting in my function, because the baby was so content and quiet without me as well. Today I got to know that she probably has no parents and that she's crying all the time while left alone. She is probably the most beautiful baby I have ever seen - laying on my lap, looking at me with her big brown eyes shining, smiling. She is lot-lot better today than on friday. and what is most important, she is so happy and content being with me that she even falls asleep. So you just look at her. And look. And look. And you feel happy, really happy for making the day better for this little soul. And actually feeling as if you are the mother of the child. It´s an amazing feeling....
I go to the hospital every day from 8am till 3pm. Every day there are new ladies who have come to make the children happy - I'm the only one being here every day. The hospital stuns you with all the marvelous pictures hanging on the walls - all done by children. "Is that something I could do with them?" is the first question passing my mind. Already eager to do big things - to change the world.
I know the rules, and the biggest rule for me is that I'm a volunteer. My job is playing with the children and not running around with an important look, stethoscope hanging around my neck. I must admit that one day I was quite sad seeing all my colleges doing the things I am used to do. But today I experienced something which is much more pure and makes you feel even better than being important professionally. And that is called happiness. On Friday I was holding a baby for the whole day - a little bit doubting in my function, because the baby was so content and quiet without me as well. Today I got to know that she probably has no parents and that she's crying all the time while left alone. She is probably the most beautiful baby I have ever seen - laying on my lap, looking at me with her big brown eyes shining, smiling. She is lot-lot better today than on friday. and what is most important, she is so happy and content being with me that she even falls asleep. So you just look at her. And look. And look. And you feel happy, really happy for making the day better for this little soul. And actually feeling as if you are the mother of the child. It´s an amazing feeling....
For the love of food...
This morning I woke up with a stone in my stomach - again. Well, what do you expect if the last week you've been eating the Costa Rican way - rice and beans every single meal!
But you know what - I managed to convince them to buy some yogurt for me. So this morning I felt like a princess - happy as ever with my strawberry yogurt!
For lunch I have, surprise-surprise - rice and beans!!!
But you know what - I managed to convince them to buy some yogurt for me. So this morning I felt like a princess - happy as ever with my strawberry yogurt!
For lunch I have, surprise-surprise - rice and beans!!!
Sunday 23 September 2007
Where has all the ice-cream gone?
Oh no! Catastrophy!
I haven't had my helado de sorbeteras this week!!! And I only want this! A week without my favourite ice-cream is a disaster...
I haven't had my helado de sorbeteras this week!!! And I only want this! A week without my favourite ice-cream is a disaster...
Thursday 20 September 2007
Getting along in your hometown
So today I had my first day at the hospital. I was supposed to be there at 10am. So I was there at 9am cuz this way I could get there by car. More easy for not getting lost.
I go around the hospital area, hearing all kind of "Que linda es usted!" ja "Que guapa!"-s. And of course, couldn´t escape without a "Machita!" So as I don´t know where to walk anymore, I just stand in front of the gate of children´s hospital, waiting for a girl from the organisation to meet me. Soon I´m feeling a little bit weird, being in the centre of attention of every single male person. Later I feel like a object of tourism already - everyone just staring at you like a miracle from heaven, men almost crawling out from the car-windows. I wonder how much more till I dye my hair black...
So, Mariel is here on time. But still I have to experience the tico-time - the woman in judge of my project is 1,5 hours late without even saying a word like "sorry." Otherwise it´s ok. Tomorrow I´ll start working, there are 3 other volunteers from Canada, USA and Switzerland :) That´s a good news!
Today is a really nice weather and I decide to take a cup of coffee with a friend. Of course it starts to rain hard just when I have to go home. AND, yes, I know that I have to take a bus to Heredia nd from Heredia another bus to home. If I only knew where home is. I get to the centre of Heredia, walk and look and ask, getting all wet in the rain. And finally my new mom has to fetch me in the town. So that´s what I mean with making good impression on my first day :P
I go around the hospital area, hearing all kind of "Que linda es usted!" ja "Que guapa!"-s. And of course, couldn´t escape without a "Machita!" So as I don´t know where to walk anymore, I just stand in front of the gate of children´s hospital, waiting for a girl from the organisation to meet me. Soon I´m feeling a little bit weird, being in the centre of attention of every single male person. Later I feel like a object of tourism already - everyone just staring at you like a miracle from heaven, men almost crawling out from the car-windows. I wonder how much more till I dye my hair black...
So, Mariel is here on time. But still I have to experience the tico-time - the woman in judge of my project is 1,5 hours late without even saying a word like "sorry." Otherwise it´s ok. Tomorrow I´ll start working, there are 3 other volunteers from Canada, USA and Switzerland :) That´s a good news!
Today is a really nice weather and I decide to take a cup of coffee with a friend. Of course it starts to rain hard just when I have to go home. AND, yes, I know that I have to take a bus to Heredia nd from Heredia another bus to home. If I only knew where home is. I get to the centre of Heredia, walk and look and ask, getting all wet in the rain. And finally my new mom has to fetch me in the town. So that´s what I mean with making good impression on my first day :P
Wednesday 19 September 2007
Medicines
I couldn´t believe it if someone told me this: but here in Costa Rica everyone is their own doctor... because you can get any medicine you want without the doctor´s prescription! You just step in, take all the antibiotics and hormonal cremes you want and go home creating resistance to everything!
Lovelife
Like 20-30 years ago the costarican lovelife saw out like his: unmarried couples met only on Sundays for a cup of coffee - the mother or father being in the role of policeman, forbiding all kind of action. And like that for years! Till they got married and the wife was put into a little jar called the kitchen...
Nowadays in some places the role of the policeman is played by younger sister or brothers who are easily "bought" with an ice-cream or some candies. But still the girls get married quite early for moving away from their parents. Cuz it´s something abnormal and inmoral to live together without getting married. Even to spend a night at the house of your beloved is something taboo.
Nowadays in some places the role of the policeman is played by younger sister or brothers who are easily "bought" with an ice-cream or some candies. But still the girls get married quite early for moving away from their parents. Cuz it´s something abnormal and inmoral to live together without getting married. Even to spend a night at the house of your beloved is something taboo.
Saturday 15 September 2007
Cocina a la Estonia Costarrisense
So I have successfully survived the first 3,5 weeks. We are finally done with the orientation process and Spanish classes. And we should be ready for jumping in the waves of work.
But here, Houston, I think we have a little panic. I have to change my host-family! This is going to be really hard because I have already got attached to “la familia loca” which I have right now. I love them!
As to my Spanish, I must unfortunately admit that the Spanish course had only one useful function – I could use the time for writing to my friends. Because it was muy aburrido! But yet, I know the name of my future-pet now – los perezosos!!!
Today for the first time I tried to cook something Estonian. So I made “borsh” and potato salad – very Estonian indeed! And you know what, the had NEVER heard of soups made with cabbage!
Next step – advanced – will be rabarber-cake! How can one live without knowing what a rabarber-cake is?!? So I´m waiting for your kind donations with tons of rabarber! Thank you!
But here, Houston, I think we have a little panic. I have to change my host-family! This is going to be really hard because I have already got attached to “la familia loca” which I have right now. I love them!
As to my Spanish, I must unfortunately admit that the Spanish course had only one useful function – I could use the time for writing to my friends. Because it was muy aburrido! But yet, I know the name of my future-pet now – los perezosos!!!
Today for the first time I tried to cook something Estonian. So I made “borsh” and potato salad – very Estonian indeed! And you know what, the had NEVER heard of soups made with cabbage!
Next step – advanced – will be rabarber-cake! How can one live without knowing what a rabarber-cake is?!? So I´m waiting for your kind donations with tons of rabarber! Thank you!
Monday 10 September 2007
Parque Nacional Tapantí
My first experiences with Costa Rican nature! Finally! :)
Well of course I had to start with taking 3 buses and after that a taxi which we got very cheap thanx to our own tico. The park is a rainforest - a really nice one. You can see all kinds of birds and butterflies... and also red banana trees :) And you will for sure understand, why they call it the RAINforest! At first walking the stiff hills, panting till death... and then while descending, having the best rain ever - all the hill covered with mud and you slipping with your butt all muddy. Feels like childhood again! That´s SO cool! Wonder, if they let me in the bus, having mud all over me ;)
Finally we got home wet, cold, tired... but happy! :D
The other good part of the day was the obligation to speak spaish. Well, actually it´s nice just putting the words in line - they don´t have to form a sentence, do they?
Well of course I had to start with taking 3 buses and after that a taxi which we got very cheap thanx to our own tico. The park is a rainforest - a really nice one. You can see all kinds of birds and butterflies... and also red banana trees :) And you will for sure understand, why they call it the RAINforest! At first walking the stiff hills, panting till death... and then while descending, having the best rain ever - all the hill covered with mud and you slipping with your butt all muddy. Feels like childhood again! That´s SO cool! Wonder, if they let me in the bus, having mud all over me ;)
Finally we got home wet, cold, tired... but happy! :D
The other good part of the day was the obligation to speak spaish. Well, actually it´s nice just putting the words in line - they don´t have to form a sentence, do they?
Sunday 9 September 2007
Second week
Two weeks of sunshine and rain have passed by.
Now I even know how to get to the down-town of San Jose by bus. Although it is very annoying having to sit in the bus which moves like 1 cm per minute because that´s what the traffic is like. As it is your first time to go there, you can´t leave the bus and decide to walk instead - cuz you simply don´t know which way to go. So finally when you´re in the right bus stop and already 5 minutes late, you want to go quickly to the meeting-point... and all the little people just walk lazily on the streets, blocking every single way there possibly is. But it´s the tico-time... noone is ever hurrying anywhere. So what if you´re another 40 minutes late!
I must say that as much as I have seen San Jose... there is nothing to see besides the national theatre and some other places. All the houses look the same, all the streets seem like you already had been there.
Going out is another experience I got last night. A very drastic difference with Estonia is that you actually see more men than women - or perhaps it´s because you are surrounded by a circle of men who all wish to dance with you. And... as funny as it is for me, the men actually dance better than the women. And of course, reggeton rules all the bars and clubs.
Going home with a taxi might be really difficult, as the adresses look like that: 400 metres north from the avenue, 100 meters left.
Now I even know how to get to the down-town of San Jose by bus. Although it is very annoying having to sit in the bus which moves like 1 cm per minute because that´s what the traffic is like. As it is your first time to go there, you can´t leave the bus and decide to walk instead - cuz you simply don´t know which way to go. So finally when you´re in the right bus stop and already 5 minutes late, you want to go quickly to the meeting-point... and all the little people just walk lazily on the streets, blocking every single way there possibly is. But it´s the tico-time... noone is ever hurrying anywhere. So what if you´re another 40 minutes late!
I must say that as much as I have seen San Jose... there is nothing to see besides the national theatre and some other places. All the houses look the same, all the streets seem like you already had been there.
Going out is another experience I got last night. A very drastic difference with Estonia is that you actually see more men than women - or perhaps it´s because you are surrounded by a circle of men who all wish to dance with you. And... as funny as it is for me, the men actually dance better than the women. And of course, reggeton rules all the bars and clubs.
Going home with a taxi might be really difficult, as the adresses look like that: 400 metres north from the avenue, 100 meters left.
Thursday 6 September 2007
Helado de sorbetera
... is just another really-really delicious thing I discovered. As I am a total ice-cream addict who really likes ginger-bread and adores cinnamon.... the costaricans have just the thing for me: an ice-cream with a taste of something in between cinnamon and gingerbread... thus eating it the way a little child - having ice-cream all over your table and yourself as well - makes really a fun out of it! (and of course the ice-cream men saying compliments about your eyes - it´s just the way life is over here)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
