Tico 20er Love til the End

I have been in country for a little over seven months. I have been in my site for almost 5 months. This is usually the point of service many volunteers question why we are here, if we are even useful, and if it would make more sense to be in the States. So far, 3 of the 17 from my program have, at some point and for varying reasons, decided to return to the States. We are now down to 14 of us Children, Youth, & Family volunteers from Tico 20. It sometimes feels a little like one of those reality shows where you can ring the bell to quit the challenge and go home. And every time someone “rings the bell” to go home, it shakes things up for the rest of us. Each time one of us has made that decision to return home, I can’t help it: I do a quick re-evaluation of “well, why am I here?” ...And depending on the mood sometimes I feel like I am 100% in the right place, but other times I have a longing to get on that flight with my fellow parting volunteer...

My fellow volunteers I came in with (Tico 20) are a valuable, integral, lifeline to my existence as a Peace Corps volunteer. Who else can truly appreciate and understand exactly what I am going through better than a Tico 20er? When I share my woes with friends and family back home I get great supportive “hang in theres” or protective “just come home, you don’t have to deal with all of that”. All of which is great; but only my Tico 20ers feel what I am feeling. This is such a unique experience, no matter how much I try to describe it, only my Tico 20ers laugh with me, cry with me, or gripe with me in true understanding. So, when another one of us makes that last trip to the Peace Corps office and decides to leave Peace Corps.... we feel it too. We understand why they are leaving, we wish they stayed, sometimes we wish we were them. But, at the end of the day, I am Tico 20 and I am here to stay. I hope life works out in a way that I can finish my service. Just when you think you know what’s next, life happens.

Update!!!!

This is in Colinas Verdes, Alajuela, Costa Rica

Colinas Verdes means green hills. :)
These are Manzana de Agua or Water Apples
This is my awesome counterpart and myself before the high school senior dinner.
Dinner in Tortuguero at Patty & Tony's house: Homeade Guac & fresh pineapple
Donna in Tortuguero
Donna & Jeff in Tortuguero. That's the Tortuguero National Park behind us right before sunset.
Jeff at sunset with the canal in the background
My fellow Peace Corps Volunteers! Love them
Patty & Donna chatting as usual
Hanging out on the beach in Tortuguero

Woah. I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I last updated my blog... Here’s what’s been going on:

• I completed the CAT (Community Assessment Tool). Well, I completed the first draft.
• The U.S. military came to this area of Costa Rica to do some humanitarian work. I introduced myself to a few marines helping rebuild part of Bribri’s Cencenai (child nutrition center). It’s curious our military was here. There were mixed reactions from my community. Some appreciated all the gifts, medical attention, and volunteer work. Others were skeptical of why the US military was really here. Costa Rica does not have military and is quite against it. So, many don’t think so highly of “war people” coming in to their space.
• We had our In Service Training at the end of August. It was fabulous. Peace Corps got a really good deal with the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Jose and we were able to stay there for the entire week. It was great seeing all my fellow volunteers I came in with (Tico 20) and share experiences, hear stories, and catch up. It was the first time we’d all seen eachother since swear in in May. Loved the nice beds, hot water, food, hot tub, and gym!
• I moved out of my host family’s house and into my own place at the very end of August. SWEET! I got special permission to move out early due to my living situation and level of integration. I feel grateful to have my own space in the center of town for a good price. I eat my meals at my counterpart’s house so I get a good balance of family life and living on my own.
• My camera got stolen from my room (when I was living with my host family) so I am sad I can’t capture a lot of cool moments with my camera and share with you .
• My boyfriend Jeff came to visit for 10 days in September. Awesome! He got to see my site, how I live, and what I do everyday. We hiked with some friends from my community to see the waterfalls in the mountains (just an hour’s walk from my town). We went to Manzanillo, a nearby beach. And we went to visit some volunteers serving in Tortuguero. We had to take a 3 hr boat ride to get there. Absolutely beautiful. Saw crocs, all kinds of birds, caymans, monkeys, sloths, giant SEA TURTLES, baby sea turtles running for their lives to the sea. Also learned about the flip side of tourism in Tortuguero and issues the children and families live with.
• September 15th is Costa Rican Independence Day. Bribri and surrounding towns had a parade in Bribri. Fun times.
• The water still goes out a lot, but at on a more regular schedule: 7pm to 6am.
• I wash my clothes by hand in the pila now that I live on my own. Good time to reflect, work out the arms, and have me time.
• I’ve started working out in the mornings with a few teens in my community. I am introducing yoga to them. They think it’s pretty funny, but try it out with me...and I think they just might like it. :)
• Finally started a few projects in the community: La Bandera Azul is a project already in place at the schools on a national level -- the principal asked me to work with the kids on presenting a play, art, and poetry with a Global Warming theme. Turned out wonderfully.
• I noticed most of the kids at the school had a cold and sniffles and were walking around with a small towell to wipe their noses or using their hands. Then, I ended up with a cold (a pretty nasty one).... which leads me to the next project! Celebrating Global Handwashing Day on October 15th!!!!!!
• I started a series of workshops Peace Corps Costa Rica has called Voces Valerosas. It’s designed for female teens. Love it.
• Will start an English class soon at the school and with adults.
• Working on an activity center for the high school... a much bigger, long term project that will require the community to dedicate to it. We’ll see how it goes.

Overall, I’m feeling more motivated, integrated, and settled. Looking forward to two of my friends coming to visit me in November. I will be hosting a trainee from the new wave of volunteers PC is bringing in October. I joined a committee and will be helping out with some sessions at the pre service training for trainees in October and November.

Oh, and I am coming to the States in December!!!!!! Texas here I come.

Friends, thank you soooooo much for the care packages you’ve been sending me. I feel grateful and get super excited when I open up a package. I have the cards and notes you send me hanging up in my room.

Hugs to all! Love you!

Pura Vida