Week 1

[Michal Fagrelius]

Even though there was no time change between Denver, CO and San Jose, Costa Rica it felt as though i had been awake for days on end. Once we arrived at the airport Hannah and i were instantly hit with the realization that we were in Central Amercia. Our parents weren't there to tell us where to go or how to get there. We were on our own, in a foriegn country, it was the most liberating feeling i have ever had. Ivan, our driver, hadn't arrived yet so Hannah dug up some spanish and we figured out where he was, and how long we would be waiting. So what else was there to do but pop a squat right there on the sidewalk. I bet we were a sight to see. Two young white girls sitting on their huge bags in the middle of one of the busiest airports i had ever seen. But on the other side it was a sight to be there, in Costa Rica. As we raced through the streets of San Jose, and other towns, i could not keep my mouth shut. it was open in awe of this beautiful place. As 8 o'clock that night creeped up on us we were closer and closer to Monteverde. But of course what kind of trip would it be if something didn't happen the first day getting there. We drove up the windy bumpy road to Monteverde, and about 15 min. outside of town we got stopped in a long line of cars. after waiting about 15 min. Ivan got out to see what the problem was. Later Hannah and i found out that the taxis were blocking the road into Monteverde. They were protesting the removal of the new traffic cop. Monteverde had just installed a traffic cop, which didn't fly over so well with the locals, so i response the town was going to revok his job. Well the taxi drivers had a little problem with this because they enjoyed having the cop around. Having him there ensured that the taxis could do as they pleased. They had baught the cop out. So in response of the town getting rid of the cop the taxis blocked the road into Monteverde, allowing no one to get it. After and hour or so of heckling with the drivers they finally let us pass and we were on our way to meet our new families for the next 6 weeks.
When I arrived at my homestay i of course knew no spanish, seing how i take french, so I was completly lost when my host mom, Florr, was talking to me. On top of that i was exhausted. So needless to say there wasn't much communication the first night. As the week went on all i could think about was how amazing the school was. The view, the people, and the students were all amazing. Our mentor, Milton, taught us the ropes and before we knew it Hannah and i were off digging in the dirt! What more could we want? There was another volnteer there as well. Her name was Hannah also so we appropriatly named the two Hannah's, Hannah Uno y Hannah Dos.
When the weekend rolled around, Milton took a group of teachers and volenteers to a natural hot springs in the middle of the rainforrest. We took horsese down into the forrest and came to this beautiful waterfall which ran right past the most beautiful hot springs i have ver seen. What a way to be introduced to Costa Rica, a horse back into the rainforest for a lovely soak in a hotsprings.
The first week was so overwhelmingly wonderful i could not find one flaw in it! The only thing holding my back at that point was my lack of Spanish. But I had a feeling i would pick it up soon. But no knowing barely any made me quite tired at the end of the day. My brain was working over drive and i looked forward to a good nights sleep every day.