Made it through Orientation Week!

Sunday, March 7, 2009

Hello Everyone! I made it through orientation week! From D.C. staging/orientation, 56 of us new Peace Corps Trainees got on a plane on March 2nd to Miami then to Costa Rica!!!! We made it just fine and were put on buses with all of our luggage to Tres Rios, Costa Rica. We stayed at a retreat up in the mountains where we had our official orientation. It was great! We got to know one another, meet the Peace Corps staff, and attended sessions all day long with tons of information. We also ate A LOT! The most exciting part was the last night at the retreat, at about 10pm or so, we experienced an earthquake! It was small --- only 4.4 on the scale. I had never been in one. I was on the phone with Jeff when it happened. The earth trembled for 4 whole seconds, then it was over. It was the talk of the town for the next few days. :)

On Saturday, we packed up and rolled out to our new host families. I live in a town not far from San Jose. My host family is awesome and I have my own room and bathroom --- much like my own little suite. I feel very lucky. My host mother and I spoke for about three hours straight yesterday. She is so sweet. She said she had been praying that God would send me to her and that God answered her prayers when she met me. We hit it off just fine. My host father is great. He makes fun of me and of anyone or anything he can. He is so connected to the land. I like him because he’s old school. I have a host brother who lives in the house too who is about 32 or so. He has a girlfriend that comes by a lot too. There is a dog (my new buddy), a parrot, canaries, and roosters (that start making noise at 3:30am).

Today, I slept in (for once) and then had a great breakfast with my host mom. Then I walked around the property with my host father who showed me the different kinds of trees they have --- guanabana, grapefruit, banana, granadilla, mango, papaya, and more. He also showed me two bee hives, one of which he took a long stick and poked at to make sure I could see the bees! We took off running together when the bees starting coming out. He told me they are angry bees that sting very much. lol. After lunch I was going to take a quick nap and read/do my assignments. Instead, I slept for 3 hours! Then, the entire family (extended family too) who all live on the same street came over and made a typical dinner on the wood burning stove outside. We ate outside and they dedicated the dinner to me. Awww. It was very nice. I probably already gained a few pounds with all this eating I’ve been doing!!!!

Tomorrow, I start my first week of official training. Peace Corps calls it PST or Pre Service Training.

I miss all of you. I hope you are doing well. I am doing great so far. All is well. I’ll keep you posted. Love you!

P.S. Um, I forgot to mention that the FIRST night in Costa Rica at the retreat I saw a freakin’ tarantula!!!!!! The whole group knew I was afraid of spiders and warned me that there was one on the wall outside as we went to session. Yuck. Needless to say, I did not sleep well that night. Gave me the heebie jeebies. But I survived.

P.S.S Kevin! Thanks for the recommendation on the sleeping bag liner! I’ve used it every night and it makes me feel safer from the spiders! ;p

P.S.S Emily! Thanks for the prayer shawl! I love it and have worn it twice already. It’s very special.