I found this today and thought it was pretty interesting! Enjoy!
Amber
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
1 Year...
Today was my official 1 year anniversary in Costa Rica. On August 28,
2011 I lugged a ridiculous amount of bags off the belt at Juan
Santamaria Airport in Alajuela, smiled politely through customs, and
walked outside to start a new adventure in my life - living in Costa
Rica. And a year later, I am happy to say that I wouldn't change a
single thing.
Here's what I know now that I didn't know then:
<3 br="br">
Amber
Here's what I know now that I didn't know then:
- I had NO idea what I was getting myself into. I would do it all again in a heartbeat, but if I had known how difficult this would be a times, or how embarrassing, or how absolutely ridiculous and funny it would be - I might not have signed on for it.
- I knew NO Spanish. Ok, that's a lie. I KNEW that I knew no Spanish when I landed in CR. I expected that to be hard. What I did not expect was to know what I know today. Immersion really does work people. I can get around town now. I can talk to the cashier at the grocery store. I can ask people for directions. I can ask someone at the farmer's market what that weird looking fruit is. I can order dinner (and a beer of course). I can carry on very simple conversations. I can talk my way past immigration. And, when pressed, I can do a lot more! I still have a long way to go, there's no doubt about that. But, it is amazing what I can do now and how that has opened doors for me and made my life so much easier here.
- Making friends isn't easy or instant, but it is important. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a "people person." Moving to a place where I knew very few people was a challenge. But I know now that it can be done. I've made amazing friends while here and have really leaned on my colleagues for support. But, no matter where I go in this world, I know that I will be able to find like-minded people. Or, even if they aren't very like-minded, I've learned to find the good in people. You need all the friends you can get when you're living so far away from home.
- I am capable of way more than I originally thought. When you find yourself in a strange place where you don't speak the language, crazy things inevitably happen. (Or is that just me?) I've learned to laugh at the crazy and the stressful. I've learned to not freak out and just figure it out. Police officer wants a minute of your time after driving the wrong way down the largest street in the country? Give him that minute and just smile and nod. Flat tire? Try for hours to change it yourself because you're an independent woman, then give up and call your insurance company - they speak English and you're paying for their services. Lost? Keep on driving and follow your gut. Not sure what the traffic rule is? Wait until someone honks at you, then go. Someone cut you off in traffic? Honk the heck out of the pathetic little horn in your car and scream obscenities (in whichever language you choose!)
<3 br="br">
Amber
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Festival de Importados - Really!?
My local grocery store - Mas x Menos (More for Less) - loves to hold a good theme party. Every now and then I will wander in and they'll be celebrating something random. But when they celebrate, they go all out with decorations, banners, and merchandise aligned to said celebration. Recently they had the Festival de Mexico...so they had lots of salsa, jalepenos, and "mexican" related items.
Today, I was visually assaulted by red, white, and blue paraphernalia when I entered the store. This was odd considering that they did not have this up for the 4th of July, but now, afterwards. This week's theme party? "Festival de Importados - Lo mejor de U.S.A. a tu alcance." This translates into "Festival of Imports - The best of the U.S.A. at your fingertips."
My first thought was "ummm..ok, this is interesting." And, as a somewhat homesick girl, there was a small voice inside of me also going "Hooray! Yippee!!" But what I quickly learned is that Mas x Menos has NO idea what the best products of the US are!
I mean, yes, they had a bunch of US products filling the shelves of their displays. But, this Southern girl was quite upset that Sun-Drop and Dukes Mayonnaise did NOT make the cut! How dare they??!! What? No Luzianne tea? No decent chocolate? Who are you people and how could you call these the BEST products of the US?
And, really? We're going with Old Milwaukee as one of the best beers we produce? In college, Milwaukee's Best was known as "The Beast." Other featured beers included Budweiser, Miller Genuine Draft, and Coor's Light....SERIOUSLY!??
The whole thing, while horribly disappointing, also made me laugh. I would have loved to been around when they were deciding which items to feature. "Hey Carlos, Charmin toilet paper is from the US, right? Ok, I'll put it next to the dial soap. The Gringos are gonna LOVE this!!"
Just another interesting experience here in Costa Rica. Although, while it was not all I could have hoped for, I guess I should be grateful they at least tried!
<3,
Amber
Today, I was visually assaulted by red, white, and blue paraphernalia when I entered the store. This was odd considering that they did not have this up for the 4th of July, but now, afterwards. This week's theme party? "Festival de Importados - Lo mejor de U.S.A. a tu alcance." This translates into "Festival of Imports - The best of the U.S.A. at your fingertips."
My first thought was "ummm..ok, this is interesting." And, as a somewhat homesick girl, there was a small voice inside of me also going "Hooray! Yippee!!" But what I quickly learned is that Mas x Menos has NO idea what the best products of the US are!
I mean, yes, they had a bunch of US products filling the shelves of their displays. But, this Southern girl was quite upset that Sun-Drop and Dukes Mayonnaise did NOT make the cut! How dare they??!! What? No Luzianne tea? No decent chocolate? Who are you people and how could you call these the BEST products of the US?
And, really? We're going with Old Milwaukee as one of the best beers we produce? In college, Milwaukee's Best was known as "The Beast." Other featured beers included Budweiser, Miller Genuine Draft, and Coor's Light....SERIOUSLY!??
The whole thing, while horribly disappointing, also made me laugh. I would have loved to been around when they were deciding which items to feature. "Hey Carlos, Charmin toilet paper is from the US, right? Ok, I'll put it next to the dial soap. The Gringos are gonna LOVE this!!"
Just another interesting experience here in Costa Rica. Although, while it was not all I could have hoped for, I guess I should be grateful they at least tried!
<3,
Amber
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
El Granizado
The granizado is Costa Rica's equivalent of a snow cone...only a heck of a lot more delicious and dangerous! I FINALLY had my first granizado today from the famous Soda Tapia. Soda Tapia is a diner-esque little joint just a few blocks down from my office. It is famous - and I'd never been. That's a big "tsk tsk" to my colleagues. Anyways, we rectified that today.
Today, we took a short afternoon break for a run to Soda Tapia for granizados! So, the snow cone of Costa Rica is different than the one we're used to the US in many ways:
1. It comes in a cup - no cones here folks!
2. There's milk involved - powdered and condensed (and this is where it gets dangerous.)
3. The ice is thicker - I have actually seen granizado vendors around the country. Usually its a guy, with a cart, and a giant block of ice that he chips off to make each granizado to order.
The most favored flavor here is red...or cherry....at least that's what we're calling it. They pack the cup with ice, put this cherry liquid/syrup in there, layer in some powdered milk, put a little more ice and cherry stuff, then drizzle lots of sweetened condensed milk on top. Sound weird? It's not! It is actually ridiculously delicious...and sweet.
The use of powdered milk was interesting enough to me. Although my amigas tell me they like to curl up on the couch with a bag of the stuff and a spoon sometimes...Maybe its the equivalent of our bag of chips?? But, the sweetened condensed milk bit I really liked. Why? If you've ever baked with the stuff, I bet you've found yourself wondering why it would seem inappropriate just to eat it with a spoon. What's so wrong with that!? In Ticolandia - NADA!! And I fully appreciate that.
Below are some pics. I realize the up close and personal ones of the stuff in the cup don't really look too appetizing...quite the opposite actually. You'll just have to take my word for it until you can swing by my corner of the world and try one for yourself! (At Soda Tapia, they give you your own little tiny can of condensed milk to do with as you please - how nice!)
You don't get the full effect from these pictures because I ate half of it before I realized I should take this as a photo-op...Sorry!
I thought I'd throw a little more condensed milk on top...just to enrich the sugar coma coming my way. Why not???
<3,
Amber
Today, we took a short afternoon break for a run to Soda Tapia for granizados! So, the snow cone of Costa Rica is different than the one we're used to the US in many ways:
1. It comes in a cup - no cones here folks!
2. There's milk involved - powdered and condensed (and this is where it gets dangerous.)
3. The ice is thicker - I have actually seen granizado vendors around the country. Usually its a guy, with a cart, and a giant block of ice that he chips off to make each granizado to order.
The most favored flavor here is red...or cherry....at least that's what we're calling it. They pack the cup with ice, put this cherry liquid/syrup in there, layer in some powdered milk, put a little more ice and cherry stuff, then drizzle lots of sweetened condensed milk on top. Sound weird? It's not! It is actually ridiculously delicious...and sweet.
The use of powdered milk was interesting enough to me. Although my amigas tell me they like to curl up on the couch with a bag of the stuff and a spoon sometimes...Maybe its the equivalent of our bag of chips?? But, the sweetened condensed milk bit I really liked. Why? If you've ever baked with the stuff, I bet you've found yourself wondering why it would seem inappropriate just to eat it with a spoon. What's so wrong with that!? In Ticolandia - NADA!! And I fully appreciate that.
Below are some pics. I realize the up close and personal ones of the stuff in the cup don't really look too appetizing...quite the opposite actually. You'll just have to take my word for it until you can swing by my corner of the world and try one for yourself! (At Soda Tapia, they give you your own little tiny can of condensed milk to do with as you please - how nice!)
You don't get the full effect from these pictures because I ate half of it before I realized I should take this as a photo-op...Sorry!
I thought I'd throw a little more condensed milk on top...just to enrich the sugar coma coming my way. Why not???
<3,
Amber
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Correo Postal
I REALLY miss getting mail. Even junk mail would make me happy these days. The postal system here does work...most of the time...However, I don't actually have an address. And packages are most likely to get stuck in customs which requires a day long trip to the customs house, some begging, and usually paying a hefty fine in taxes for whatever exciting items were sent to you. It's disappointing.
Being in a foreign country sometimes feels like being at camp. You are away from your close friends and family and hearing from them out of the blue can really lift your spirits. And yes, there is email, skype, and even regular ol' phone calls nowadays. But there is just something about getting a written note in the mail...
So, I am sending out an all-call for mail from you. I can't promise it will all reach me, but it would make me so happy to even just hear the mundane details about your day. My friend Mary Kathryn has managed to get me her holiday cards and even her change of address card! They just show up! So, hopefully, if anyone tries to send me anything, it will make it too! Also, I promise to write everyone back - so that you can receive mail all the way from Costa Rica! (Thanks Byron and Mary Beth for the great stationary kit that I have yet to put to good use!) I feel like my Spanish is good enough now to venture out to the post office when needed - so bring it on!!!
Even though I don't really have a home address, I can get items at my office address:
Amber Featherstone
Oficentro Ejecutivo La Sabana
VIF TICO
Torre 6, Piso 4, Oficina 13
Sabana Sur, San Jose
Costa Rica
Again, whilst nothing would make me more happy than weekly shipments of Diet Sundrop, please don't send packages. Letters or cards are best! Also, I dont think you need much extra postage. For letters or light cards, just slap an extra stamp on there for good measure and hopefully it will make it!
Thanks in advance for brightening my day soon! :)
<3,
Amber
Being in a foreign country sometimes feels like being at camp. You are away from your close friends and family and hearing from them out of the blue can really lift your spirits. And yes, there is email, skype, and even regular ol' phone calls nowadays. But there is just something about getting a written note in the mail...
So, I am sending out an all-call for mail from you. I can't promise it will all reach me, but it would make me so happy to even just hear the mundane details about your day. My friend Mary Kathryn has managed to get me her holiday cards and even her change of address card! They just show up! So, hopefully, if anyone tries to send me anything, it will make it too! Also, I promise to write everyone back - so that you can receive mail all the way from Costa Rica! (Thanks Byron and Mary Beth for the great stationary kit that I have yet to put to good use!) I feel like my Spanish is good enough now to venture out to the post office when needed - so bring it on!!!
Even though I don't really have a home address, I can get items at my office address:
Amber Featherstone
Oficentro Ejecutivo La Sabana
VIF TICO
Torre 6, Piso 4, Oficina 13
Sabana Sur, San Jose
Costa Rica
Again, whilst nothing would make me more happy than weekly shipments of Diet Sundrop, please don't send packages. Letters or cards are best! Also, I dont think you need much extra postage. For letters or light cards, just slap an extra stamp on there for good measure and hopefully it will make it!
Thanks in advance for brightening my day soon! :)
<3,
Amber
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Isla Chira
Recently I had the opportunity to visit a small island off the coast of Puntarenas on the western coast of Costa Rica.
You can see a map HERE
My neighbor Kristen, who is a Peace Corps volunteer coordinator lead the way as she had been to the island before and knew a volunteer living there. Getting there was half the fun! First we drove from San Jose to Puntarenas - about 1.5 hours away. We parked the car in a secure 24/hour parking lot and then walked about 5 blocks to the docks to find our boat to the island. A small passenger boat takes two trips a day from Puntarenas to Isla Chira. It was a pretty sturdy boat with a few other families on board. And, don't worry mom, they gave us life jackets just in case! A one-way trip on the boat was about $7 USD.
The boat trip lasted about an hour and then we pulled up to a small dock on one end of the island.
Once everyone had exited the boat, we all piled into the only form of public transportation on the island. This big yellow school bus, straight from the states, drives from one end of the island to another a few times a day. I was amused thinking about how this old bus found it's way to a small island in Costa Rica. It is a mystery!!
Life on the island is very different and hard to fully grasp at times. There were schools, and sturdy houses, and even a small clinic. However, there were no restaurants, no grocery stores, and only one bar! The only place where people buy things are little stores called pulperias. These are small stores run out of houses that carry a myriad of goods. The options are very limited, but everyone just makes do with what they find there. The primary source of income for all families on the island is fishing. But everyone there is relatively poor. Most people never leave the island because the $7 boat ride is too expensive.
We rode the bus to the other end of the island - only about 12 kilometers, but an hours trip. There we met up with the Peace corps volunteer, Whitney, and got settled into our accommodations for the night. Whitney's host family owns cabinas - basically small rooms for rent. Kristen and I decided to pay a little more for a/c, thank goodness, so it was $14 a night for each of us. Not bad! Downstairs in the family's home was their pulperia and upstairs were the rooms for rent. The family's living space is off to the right in this photo.
Whitney had to work that afternoon, so Kristen and I rented bikes from the family and rode about 6 kilometers to the women artisan's shop. Assisted by another Peace corps volunteer, this group of women create jewelry and coconut crafts in order to earn income.
The island was HOT and the bike ride there was not so much fun. Once we got to the artisan's shop, we met Warren. We paid him to ride his bike to a near pulperia to get us some water. He was such a nice little guy.
As I said, the island is only about 12 kilometers from one end to the other. There is only one main dirt road that connects everything and houses are off this road for the most part. There were sometimes clusters of houses, but I really could not make out any towns. However, as Whitney showed me, there are many little townships on the island.
Another interesting point of life on the island is that there really is not anything to do after nightfall. So Kristen, Whitney, and I bought some items from the pulperia to make spaghetti with. We were able to use the family's outdoor kitchen to cook. This was an experience! This kitchen is outdoors with a wood burning stove and gas burners. There is a sink outside as well. But, what was baffling to me, was that this family had a very nice full kitchen indoors...that they never used!! I was told that outdoor kitchens are very common out in the campo, or countryside, of the country. Very rustic to say the least!
On Sunday morning we got up early - because no one on the island, including the roosters, knows how to sleep in! We rode bikes to a small beach with mangroves on it and hung out there for a while.
Then, Kristen and I got back on the school bus and rode the hour trip to the other end of the island to get back on our boat to Puntarenas!
It was a really fun weekend and great chance to see a totally different type of life. While the island lacked the entertainment and conveniences that we are all so used to, everyone there was very happy. It's a safe, tight knit community of hard working people who really appreciate life. Definitely something to ponder and it makes you appreciate what you have.
<3,
Amber
You can see a map HERE
My neighbor Kristen, who is a Peace Corps volunteer coordinator lead the way as she had been to the island before and knew a volunteer living there. Getting there was half the fun! First we drove from San Jose to Puntarenas - about 1.5 hours away. We parked the car in a secure 24/hour parking lot and then walked about 5 blocks to the docks to find our boat to the island. A small passenger boat takes two trips a day from Puntarenas to Isla Chira. It was a pretty sturdy boat with a few other families on board. And, don't worry mom, they gave us life jackets just in case! A one-way trip on the boat was about $7 USD.
The boat trip lasted about an hour and then we pulled up to a small dock on one end of the island.
Once everyone had exited the boat, we all piled into the only form of public transportation on the island. This big yellow school bus, straight from the states, drives from one end of the island to another a few times a day. I was amused thinking about how this old bus found it's way to a small island in Costa Rica. It is a mystery!!
Life on the island is very different and hard to fully grasp at times. There were schools, and sturdy houses, and even a small clinic. However, there were no restaurants, no grocery stores, and only one bar! The only place where people buy things are little stores called pulperias. These are small stores run out of houses that carry a myriad of goods. The options are very limited, but everyone just makes do with what they find there. The primary source of income for all families on the island is fishing. But everyone there is relatively poor. Most people never leave the island because the $7 boat ride is too expensive.
A small pulperia with children out front.
We rode the bus to the other end of the island - only about 12 kilometers, but an hours trip. There we met up with the Peace corps volunteer, Whitney, and got settled into our accommodations for the night. Whitney's host family owns cabinas - basically small rooms for rent. Kristen and I decided to pay a little more for a/c, thank goodness, so it was $14 a night for each of us. Not bad! Downstairs in the family's home was their pulperia and upstairs were the rooms for rent. The family's living space is off to the right in this photo.
Whitney had to work that afternoon, so Kristen and I rented bikes from the family and rode about 6 kilometers to the women artisan's shop. Assisted by another Peace corps volunteer, this group of women create jewelry and coconut crafts in order to earn income.
The island was HOT and the bike ride there was not so much fun. Once we got to the artisan's shop, we met Warren. We paid him to ride his bike to a near pulperia to get us some water. He was such a nice little guy.
Kristen and I after our bike ride across the island.
As I said, the island is only about 12 kilometers from one end to the other. There is only one main dirt road that connects everything and houses are off this road for the most part. There were sometimes clusters of houses, but I really could not make out any towns. However, as Whitney showed me, there are many little townships on the island.
Another interesting point of life on the island is that there really is not anything to do after nightfall. So Kristen, Whitney, and I bought some items from the pulperia to make spaghetti with. We were able to use the family's outdoor kitchen to cook. This was an experience! This kitchen is outdoors with a wood burning stove and gas burners. There is a sink outside as well. But, what was baffling to me, was that this family had a very nice full kitchen indoors...that they never used!! I was told that outdoor kitchens are very common out in the campo, or countryside, of the country. Very rustic to say the least!
On Sunday morning we got up early - because no one on the island, including the roosters, knows how to sleep in! We rode bikes to a small beach with mangroves on it and hung out there for a while.
Then, Kristen and I got back on the school bus and rode the hour trip to the other end of the island to get back on our boat to Puntarenas!
It was a really fun weekend and great chance to see a totally different type of life. While the island lacked the entertainment and conveniences that we are all so used to, everyone there was very happy. It's a safe, tight knit community of hard working people who really appreciate life. Definitely something to ponder and it makes you appreciate what you have.
<3,
Amber
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Visitors!
I am incredibly lucky to have so many friends and family who take the time out of their busy lives to visit me in Costa Rica. I mean, yes, you get to come to a tropical country, but I know it still takes a lot of planning and money to make it happen. For everyone that has been so far, I really do appreciate it!!
Sarah, Chris, Nick, and Manissa all came to visit a few weeks ago. And while we mainly just relaxed on the beach, I had a great time with everyone! We spent most of our time in Manuel Antonio. Which, if you have been following along, you know is the prime destination for Amber's Tours! I really should branch out. Below are just a few photos from our adventures.
<3,
Amber
Sarah, Chris, Nick, and Manissa all came to visit a few weeks ago. And while we mainly just relaxed on the beach, I had a great time with everyone! We spent most of our time in Manuel Antonio. Which, if you have been following along, you know is the prime destination for Amber's Tours! I really should branch out. Below are just a few photos from our adventures.
On our first day at the hotel we had lots of little monkey visitors hanging out around our rooms. I took a lot of photos, but the little buggers move rather quickly. I did manage to snap this little gem!
We saw lots of little critters. This crab was wondering around our room one night while we were hanging out. Nick, being the intelligent guy that he is (not sarcasm, honestly), scooped Mr. Crab up with a spatula and into a class. He was quickly deposited outside, back to his natural environment.
Of course, being in Manuel Antonio, we had to visit the restaurant El Avion. Below is a lovely position of me and my bestie Sarah!
Nick and Manissa at dinner.
Sarah and Chris inside the cockpit of the plane.
And on our last night we caught a beautiful Costa Rican sunset!
<3,
Amber
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)