What has been constantly going through my mind as the days venture on here in Costa Rica is the F word. Costa Rica has been a lot of fun! I have gone out a few times with people and it’s been memorable. My host family is pretty fantastic as well seeing as they are extremely nice and funny people. My mama-tica is a great cook too, meaning “study abroad 17” (I just made that up) is prone to happen shortly! The bar scene is enjoyable even though I don’t like drinking. People here don’t necessarily drink just to get obnoxiously drunk like back in America. I would also consider Costa Rica to have freaking good food since they have many of my favorite foods that Indiana lacks—fresh coconuts, empanadas de carne y pollo, and every pastry I’ve tried in the 10 bakeries I have visited so far. The plants and scenery is also fabulous. I simply love the vibrant colors belonging to certain exotic flowers. Although Costa Rica has its many positive reputations, where I work has definitely been eye-opening since it reminded me to be truly appreciative of what I have. I have worked in one of the most run-down, notoriously dangerous areas of Costa Rica that most people and even many taxi drivers don’t dare to go near. It is called “La Carpio”. I was assigned the “simple” assignment to simply help out this community. I could do it in any way I wanted to—help set up a day care, help a group of women sell their hand-crafted wooden jewelry, help set up English classes for the neighborhood children, etc. We decided to choose the jewelry business. These homes in the area, including the ones belonging to my assigned 5 women, are completely run down and most don’t even have a toilet. Kids are running outside with mismatching shoes (as in a sneaker on their left foot and a sandal on their right foot). Even the palm trees in these neighborhoods don’t look good. Overall, I’m really glad I have the opportunity to have really big impact on these ladies with the ideas and actions my partner and I have been accomplishing so far.
-Glenda
My roommate Amanda and I
La Carpio
No comments:
Post a Comment