It is official: in June E and I will be visiting the USA.
At this time we are not sure how long we will stay, nor are we sure of our plans after the visit.
Ah, how cloudy the future is!
In any case, looking forward to UDF ice cream, 4th of July firewoks, and getting a hug from my family.
Pura Vida
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
rain in the valley
Already well into the swing of things here at CPI Heredia.
I still have a new chaperone with me this week to finish up training, and all is well. My hands are full making sure that all the new chaps are updated and informed, and showing them little behind the scenes details before they are thrown into their own group. Sometimes ''sink or swim" is the best way to learn...! On the whole I am excited to see each of them out and about with a group, and after the last week I am confident that they will be ready, armed with common sense and good training. This week I also have a few other little projects to do that will keep me from worrying too much about them!
Right now we are all together in a little apartment close to the school. It is just like being in college again, having room-mates that come and go and preparing food together and talking about Costa Rica and sharing everything. We have had some great experiences and converstaions together so far!
The last few days have been rainy here in the Central Valley. I gave in and bought a nice big umbrella in Heredia that matches well with my new backpack...! The only umbrella I had was a bit small to serve me well through the rainy season. The thunder is rolling through the sky above us right now...
Have I mentioned that I am with the UD group this year? They are staying in Costa Rica for a whole month studying, and I am having so much fun with them. Most of the groups I have had so far this year have been younger kids, so it is refreshing to have a group of older students who are a little more independent and who I can relate to more (especially since they are from my native Dayton, OHIO!). The next couple weeks with them will fly by.
E and I are still trying to finalize our plans to come to the USA, so I remain excited and hopeful and in limbo....!
Looking forward to seeing my family in the USA again soon.
Pura Vida
I still have a new chaperone with me this week to finish up training, and all is well. My hands are full making sure that all the new chaps are updated and informed, and showing them little behind the scenes details before they are thrown into their own group. Sometimes ''sink or swim" is the best way to learn...! On the whole I am excited to see each of them out and about with a group, and after the last week I am confident that they will be ready, armed with common sense and good training. This week I also have a few other little projects to do that will keep me from worrying too much about them!
Right now we are all together in a little apartment close to the school. It is just like being in college again, having room-mates that come and go and preparing food together and talking about Costa Rica and sharing everything. We have had some great experiences and converstaions together so far!
The last few days have been rainy here in the Central Valley. I gave in and bought a nice big umbrella in Heredia that matches well with my new backpack...! The only umbrella I had was a bit small to serve me well through the rainy season. The thunder is rolling through the sky above us right now...
Have I mentioned that I am with the UD group this year? They are staying in Costa Rica for a whole month studying, and I am having so much fun with them. Most of the groups I have had so far this year have been younger kids, so it is refreshing to have a group of older students who are a little more independent and who I can relate to more (especially since they are from my native Dayton, OHIO!). The next couple weeks with them will fly by.
E and I are still trying to finalize our plans to come to the USA, so I remain excited and hopeful and in limbo....!
Looking forward to seeing my family in the USA again soon.
Pura Vida
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
mis pollitos-my little chicks
It is now Wednesday night and I am well into my week training the new chaperones.
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Right now we are in Monteverde, after receiving them Monday night at SJO and staying in a local hostel. We spent all day Tuesday going up and down in Heredia, having the newbies get reacquainted with San Joaquin and walking around downtown Heredia for the first time. We visited various restaurants, hotels and were welcomed by the CPI staff. Three of the four new chaps I am with were students like me, so they have had a Costa Rica experience and know a little bit about what to expect in the job. One of them was a student of mine last year...! And I am so glad she will be part of the team this season.
I keep trying to remember everything I had questions about, everything I was uncertain of when I first started in this position. My first training comes to mind, all those years ago, with Jessica and Maria in the van and Gerry explaining to us about Costa Rica and CPI. What fun memories! It makes me feel nostalgic.
Tomorrow we have a tour in the morning and then in the afternoon we go to CPI Flamingo, which will be a first for all of them, as the former students never studied at CPI Flamingo and the other does not know Costa Rica.
I only hope that after this training they feel prepared, as they are my pupils this week and if they have any failings it will fall on my shoulders as my fault. I want them to be as prepared and as confident as they can be before they get their first group.
All of these chaperones will do well, I think. They all have a positive attitude, speak good Spanish (and a few I anticipate will improve during the season), and have the leadership skills and confidence that will earn them respect and admiration from their students as well as school staff.
But this week, as they learn what it is like from the logistical side with more responsibility, they are my pupils...
my pollitos (little chicks), following in my footsteps. Trying to cut a clear path!
Pura Vida
\
Right now we are in Monteverde, after receiving them Monday night at SJO and staying in a local hostel. We spent all day Tuesday going up and down in Heredia, having the newbies get reacquainted with San Joaquin and walking around downtown Heredia for the first time. We visited various restaurants, hotels and were welcomed by the CPI staff. Three of the four new chaps I am with were students like me, so they have had a Costa Rica experience and know a little bit about what to expect in the job. One of them was a student of mine last year...! And I am so glad she will be part of the team this season.
I keep trying to remember everything I had questions about, everything I was uncertain of when I first started in this position. My first training comes to mind, all those years ago, with Jessica and Maria in the van and Gerry explaining to us about Costa Rica and CPI. What fun memories! It makes me feel nostalgic.
Tomorrow we have a tour in the morning and then in the afternoon we go to CPI Flamingo, which will be a first for all of them, as the former students never studied at CPI Flamingo and the other does not know Costa Rica.
I only hope that after this training they feel prepared, as they are my pupils this week and if they have any failings it will fall on my shoulders as my fault. I want them to be as prepared and as confident as they can be before they get their first group.
All of these chaperones will do well, I think. They all have a positive attitude, speak good Spanish (and a few I anticipate will improve during the season), and have the leadership skills and confidence that will earn them respect and admiration from their students as well as school staff.
But this week, as they learn what it is like from the logistical side with more responsibility, they are my pupils...
my pollitos (little chicks), following in my footsteps. Trying to cut a clear path!
Pura Vida
Monday, May 14, 2012
training day...Costa Rican version
This week I will be on the go, up and down and all around to the three campuses.
In the calm before the storm of high season there are four new chaperones arriving, and being the veteran of the department I will be doing a week-long training session with them. Tonight I am going to pick them up from the airport and tomorow we begin our run about of Heredia and San Joaquin, visiting all the places they will go with groups. Then we do the same thing in Monteverde and Flamingo, and then I pick up my new group on Saturday.
In preparation for this week of training I am trying to remember what it was that we did three years ago when we were trained...! The places we went to, what we did, what it was like. I think that the success of the training really depends on the new chaperones and the kinds of questions they ask, how much they invest in the experience.
I have only the highest hopes for them! And am looking forward to a little action after the last couple days glued to an office chair.
Pura Vida...vamos chicos!
In the calm before the storm of high season there are four new chaperones arriving, and being the veteran of the department I will be doing a week-long training session with them. Tonight I am going to pick them up from the airport and tomorow we begin our run about of Heredia and San Joaquin, visiting all the places they will go with groups. Then we do the same thing in Monteverde and Flamingo, and then I pick up my new group on Saturday.
In preparation for this week of training I am trying to remember what it was that we did three years ago when we were trained...! The places we went to, what we did, what it was like. I think that the success of the training really depends on the new chaperones and the kinds of questions they ask, how much they invest in the experience.
I have only the highest hopes for them! And am looking forward to a little action after the last couple days glued to an office chair.
Pura Vida...vamos chicos!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
mountaintop
Yes, you guessed it...back in Monteverde.
I arrived yesterday night in the public bus and shooed away at least 4 people trying to offer me info on local hostels...my big backpack and printed pants sure made me stand out, but don't let my looks decieve you. I am no tourist in this town.
For at least the next week and a half I will be here, working in the office and I think training a couple new chaperones. We will see...this job is always fly by the seat of your pants, and my schedule isn't set in stone til the day before (or during high season, the day-of).
Yesterday I accompanied E to the airport and bid him farewell on his visit to the USA. It is just a little while, with contacts he made while at sea. But it sure felt strange and sad to leave him there at the airport...! But just as soon we will be greeting each other again, and next time we travel we will be boarding the plane together.
Amazingly enough it hasn't rained yet today! We are enjoying a dose of strong mountain sunshine, and I am like a little lizard according to my compañeras, always sunning myself whenever I get the chance. Just glad I do not have to run around under my rain jacket...at least not yet. For now I am getting the most out of my sunglasses.
Pura Vida
I arrived yesterday night in the public bus and shooed away at least 4 people trying to offer me info on local hostels...my big backpack and printed pants sure made me stand out, but don't let my looks decieve you. I am no tourist in this town.
For at least the next week and a half I will be here, working in the office and I think training a couple new chaperones. We will see...this job is always fly by the seat of your pants, and my schedule isn't set in stone til the day before (or during high season, the day-of).
Yesterday I accompanied E to the airport and bid him farewell on his visit to the USA. It is just a little while, with contacts he made while at sea. But it sure felt strange and sad to leave him there at the airport...! But just as soon we will be greeting each other again, and next time we travel we will be boarding the plane together.
Amazingly enough it hasn't rained yet today! We are enjoying a dose of strong mountain sunshine, and I am like a little lizard according to my compañeras, always sunning myself whenever I get the chance. Just glad I do not have to run around under my rain jacket...at least not yet. For now I am getting the most out of my sunglasses.
Pura Vida
Friday, May 4, 2012
legal to drive in CR
Today my adventure took me all the way to La Uruca in San Jose.
I left around 7:30am on a direct bus, got off at the wrong stop and taxied to where I needed to be. I waited in line for about 4 hours, took a bad picture and...got my license. Here is how to go about doing it!
Documentation you need:
Passport (3 copies, along with 3 copies of your last enrty to the country; you should be within the legal 90 days! Otherwise forget it)
Foriegn licensen (3 copies front and back)
Dictamen medico (3 copies, make sure your blood type is listed)
Where you go:
Offices of COSEVI in La Uruca in San Jose. Ticos can go and renew or get a license at most Banco de Costa Ricas after getting an appointment, or at the MOPT (Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes) offices in any given province.
For extranjeros, your foriegn license has to be validated at the main offices in San Jose. It cannot be done anywhere else.
What you do:
Go in to COSEVI and follow the signs all the way to the back of the complex. Skip the line (all of the people waiting are Tico, you follow a different process) and show the worker your passport and license. He will ask to make sure you have all the copies you need, and then direct you to a waiting area. You will wait to have your paperwork ok'd and then go to a specific window to be attended to. You will present your validated paperwork and documentation, give your maritial status, phone number, home address and email. Then you will be given a payslip to go and pay C4,000 (about $8USD) at the Banco de Costa Rica. This bank is located near the entrance of the complex, across the way from where you see the signs for "CAJEROS." Don't be embarassed to ask for directions! You pay there and they give you a reciept. Then you return to the same window, present your pay stamp, take your picture, and get your license. Ta-da!
I am now legal to drive in Costa Rica. Now I just need a car...!
Pura Vida
I left around 7:30am on a direct bus, got off at the wrong stop and taxied to where I needed to be. I waited in line for about 4 hours, took a bad picture and...got my license. Here is how to go about doing it!
Documentation you need:
Passport (3 copies, along with 3 copies of your last enrty to the country; you should be within the legal 90 days! Otherwise forget it)
Foriegn licensen (3 copies front and back)
Dictamen medico (3 copies, make sure your blood type is listed)
Where you go:
Offices of COSEVI in La Uruca in San Jose. Ticos can go and renew or get a license at most Banco de Costa Ricas after getting an appointment, or at the MOPT (Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes) offices in any given province.
For extranjeros, your foriegn license has to be validated at the main offices in San Jose. It cannot be done anywhere else.
What you do:
Go in to COSEVI and follow the signs all the way to the back of the complex. Skip the line (all of the people waiting are Tico, you follow a different process) and show the worker your passport and license. He will ask to make sure you have all the copies you need, and then direct you to a waiting area. You will wait to have your paperwork ok'd and then go to a specific window to be attended to. You will present your validated paperwork and documentation, give your maritial status, phone number, home address and email. Then you will be given a payslip to go and pay C4,000 (about $8USD) at the Banco de Costa Rica. This bank is located near the entrance of the complex, across the way from where you see the signs for "CAJEROS." Don't be embarassed to ask for directions! You pay there and they give you a reciept. Then you return to the same window, present your pay stamp, take your picture, and get your license. Ta-da!
I am now legal to drive in Costa Rica. Now I just need a car...!
Pura Vida
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Labor Day for the Ticos
Today is Labor Day!
Most businesses and stores are closed, with the exception of essential personel sticking around to keep things running. The buses aren't as crowded and run less frequently, many people are at home relaxing. If you have to work today, you are paid triple. (Which means I should double check what I am making!) Today I am working until 5pm so that I will have my days off next week, and the school here in Heredia is completely deserted, as well as the town.
Lucky me, I have my Mama Tica nearby to grab a quick lunch!
It seems the winter has officially come too, as it just started raining when I came in the door. Now there is a steady downpour, and the thought of going to the bus stop at 5pm and facing traffic and wetting my legs is not so appealing. Nor of course is walking home in rain like this so appealing, but I hope that by the time I am back (ideally 8pm at the latest) it is not raining. Really I just hope I can get a bus! That not all of the drivers took advantage of Labor Day, and that I can get home safe and dry this evening.
Pura Vida
Most businesses and stores are closed, with the exception of essential personel sticking around to keep things running. The buses aren't as crowded and run less frequently, many people are at home relaxing. If you have to work today, you are paid triple. (Which means I should double check what I am making!) Today I am working until 5pm so that I will have my days off next week, and the school here in Heredia is completely deserted, as well as the town.
Lucky me, I have my Mama Tica nearby to grab a quick lunch!
It seems the winter has officially come too, as it just started raining when I came in the door. Now there is a steady downpour, and the thought of going to the bus stop at 5pm and facing traffic and wetting my legs is not so appealing. Nor of course is walking home in rain like this so appealing, but I hope that by the time I am back (ideally 8pm at the latest) it is not raining. Really I just hope I can get a bus! That not all of the drivers took advantage of Labor Day, and that I can get home safe and dry this evening.
Pura Vida
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