One week left of training
Trip Start
Jun 26, 2006
1
23
50
Trip End
Aug 14, 2008
San Jose,
Costa Rica
Thursday, September 7, 2006
Famliy- I'm living with a couple. They actually had a little house next door prepared for a volunteer, but right now there's a family of four living there. It's a one bedroom house complete with a small yard, kitchen and living/dining area! I felt that I'd be cut off from the community, and wasn't ready to live on my own in a new place, so I asked if I could live with them in the house, since the volunteer who just left did, and they agreed. The lady is a good cook and she's very health concious- lots of veggies and a lot less fried food. Plus they buy milk every day and I can have cereal. AND they have real meat every day. Which I've discovered that I miss...
They have three adult children. One is a neighbor, one lives in the community about a five min walk away and the other lives in a different town, but visits regularly. I like the grandkids, and they are generally well-behaved. On the same street that my house is on, live the sisters of my host mom and their families. Lots of kids and aunts. I think it's going to be fun.
The dad is obsessed with JFK. He just about flipped when I told him I was from Dallas- where JFK died. There's a pic of JFK in his office. Oh, and we've got cable tv with lots of movie channels- English with Spanish subtitles- and CNN and FoxNews in English, and Food Network! And there's even a yoga channel. I'm not a tv watcher, but I watched a lot of movies on my visit. It helped keep me sane since it was American movies. Hearing English is almost as good as speaking it...
Community- Very small. One small supermarket/general store, a couple men-only bars, an Internet cafe, and that's about it. Disappointing. I wanted something bigger. However, there's a nearby town that is an urban center. It's got everything a small city has. Lots of interesting micro-entreprenuers to explore and meet. Also, there's a large town 15m by bus from there that has a mall with a movie theater!
Overall- Liveable. I think I can do it.
Training otherwise- We swear in on the 14th. Then off to sites on the 16th. I'm ready for training to be over. I don't feel like we're really learning all that much any more. Just a lot of processing...
I want to say thanks to everyone sending care packages and letters and postcards. It really means a LOT to me!! If you're wondering what to send: books, homemade baked goods, pre-packaged food/snack items, LETTERS...
Comments
Real Meat
So what were you eating before? Chopped liver? Cow's brains? What is real meat?
Milk
Soo glad you're able to retrieve some good ole fashioned Cow Juice. Please make sure it's real, as some of it may be reconstituted. Also watch for pasturization...you want this one.
Family
Kira,
You chose well! Someone to cook/clean/laundry for you. Ready-made family in a strange new place. What more can you ask for...ahh that's life. Give us more updates, love to hear you talk about your tirades/adventures/ramblings. You have a knack for telling a story.
Scottsdale, AZ
Hey,
I'm off to Scottsdale, Arizona for the weekend. I'll be leaving Friday 9/8 and returning back to work 9/11 2006.
TTYL.
from A..K.
Kira.
Did you get the moola?
a.k.
Hey
Hey Miss Lady,
It sounds like you been busy and homesick.
Love,
Jennifer Jackson
Question
Did you take calculus?
Do you know of a good study guide?
Hey Kira!
So how are you? I sure do miss you. I wish you could see the babies. Between them and TJ I stay very busy. Take care and write soon. I will keep sending pics.
Miss ya,
Dawn
Feliz Cumpleanos
Feliz Cumpleanos a ti, mi cara, mi Kira!
Espero que tienes muchas felicidades y muchas fe en Dios.
Oremus siempre!