As I'm sure it is true for everyone, it's when we are separated from the things we get so used to having, that we learn to appreciate what we have all the more. Everyday, each of us are faced with the opportunity to have an "attitude of gratitude", as Fr. Don would say, on a regular basis. Being in a totally different setting, far away from the things we are used to having, along with living much more simply than we did in our home in Colorado, sure has brought that appreciation factor closer to home for me. I'll mention a few things here that I am really grateful for, mainly to give you a better idea of life here in Costa Rica. We have 2 comfy chairs and a nice kitchen table where we spend most of our time when home, doing our work.
Vilma is a great cook, so we enjoy several meals a week of hers, and the other meals we get to cook and share with Vilma and Monica. I didn't realize how important cooking was to me until I didn't have a kitchen available(our first 3 months in CR)! Bananas here are soooo sweet! and we normally enjoy papaya everyday for breakfast. We also enjoy spending time with Monica, and being the stand-in parents (OK, grandparents), for activities during the day that Vilma can't attend because she's teaching in another town. Monica will be graduating from the 6th grade (at the escuela) next month and will start colegio in February, the start of the new school year.
Everyday we get to take a hot shower! It's one of those things I really didn't expect to have at all going into the Peace Corps, so it was a pleasant surprise to find out people in parts of Costa Rica actually have hot showers! For this I am so grateful, because we had so many cold ones our first 3 months here. They have those "on demand" hot water heaters here that are wired very precariously right out of the wall; I kind of doubt they would pass code in the states, but at least there's hot water, and it's probably very economical. (Beats a flooded basement from a malfunctioning solar hot water heater system)! (Gracias a Dios to Yvonne, our friend who is managing our home: she's been dealing with the ramifications of our aging solar system).
We've been involved in some fun events in the past 3 weeks, I've really enjoyed the variety of activities and meeting new people that has come with it! One of the counselors we work with at the high school, organized a "No to Drugs" workshop for some students there, which we got to participate in. I still feel like my biggest challenge here is communicating, though I can see little improvements. I want to be able to talk to people like I would in English, so that's always frustrating, but I was able to pull off an activity for the kids at the workshop, with just a little help from the teachers. In addition, I have had a couple of successful telephone conversations too, which is another big step, and a measure of improvement, and I just finished reading a book in Spanish: Pantalones Cortes, written from the perspective of a 13 yr. old, (well, it's a step up from the Primal Readers) !
We learned how to be judges for the Regional Spelling Bee, which is for kids learning English and a real fun event that takes place at the local, regional and national level. Vilma, who is an English teacher at 2 nearby towns, had worked with her students on 2 theatrical productions in English, which they performed at the Spelling Bee event. That was even more impressive than the kids' performance at the Spelling Bee! Either way, the schools here take English pretty seriously, since it is mandatory through 9th grade, and then in 10th grade they can choose between English and French. We will be helping with a 10th grade English class on a weekly basis until the end of the school year, which is coming right up.
photo of Francis at the judges table at the Spelling Bee; all of the judges are PCVs
Several of us PCVs from the area, have been involved with PANI, the local Social Services organization, which has been "wining and dining" us these past few weeks. By that I mean we've been treated to some excellent coffee and tamales and they've been inviting us to all of their planning meetings and activities.
I feel so fortunate to be able to work with them, since our project goals fit right into their budget for Prevention and Promotion. Last week we helped with an all day recreation event that displayed things to do in the community and we PCVs had our own activity area. Thanks to the Pieper Family for this idea: we put together 2 games of "Washers" out of tin cans and, you guessed it, cardboard boxes, and taught kids of all ages how to make and play a very fun and very simple game!
Last week, we were invited to participate in a Leadership Workshop with PANI, for kids from 11-17, and this time, Francis led an activity, which was a huge success, and demonstrated the leadership skill of planning. The kids had to all stand on a sheet and figure out how to turn the sheet over to the other side without stepping off! Luckily, most dynamic activities can be taught through demonstration!
One of PANI's big goals is to get kids involved on committees in the community, which is a spectacular idea, because what most people in the community complain about is the lack of things for kids to do. The other benefit to recruiting kids to be leaders is the skills that it develops in the process! So, as we get to know what's available for youth to participate in, we're also getting to know the kids and teachers in the schools and even being met by some of them on the streets or in the stores, who recognize us. I have one little kindergarten friend who greets me by name when she sees me out and about. It's really a good feeling to start to be recognized for more than just being the Gringos in town and to know there are people you can call "friend", even if it is a 5 yr. old!
As we approach the end of the school year, and warmer, drier weather, I am really looking forward to getting out for more recreation. But we did have a good time a few weeks ago on a "fishing trip" with Yamileth, one of the counselors that we work with at the HS, and her son, Jason. Their fishing consists of putting your baited hook on a line,dropping it into a stocked pond, and 5 minutes later pulling out a big fish! Well, after 45 minutes, everyone but Francis pulled out a fish; but he did get to enjoy the pink trout afterwards for both lunch and dinner!
As we all prepare for Thanksgiving, we are reminded of all that we have to be thankful for. We have a beautiful view of the city from our home here and at night it is especially "hermoso"!
Muchas gracias a todos for your friendship and love, we think of you often !!
Chris
