Things are happening so quickly, time keeps rushing by. I find it really ironic that my days go by so fast, eben taking into consideration "la hora tica" or Tico Time, which is much slower than gringo time.
Already well into week 2 with my group from Alabama, and they are definately competition for my awesome social work group that I had in May. So far those have been my favorite two groups, mostly because of the dynamic and the professors. The students in the group all vibe pretty well, and I got along with the professors. I am very curious to see how things may change for my Alabama group this next week, as they will have a new professor accompanying them here in CR. He arrives Friday, and I have heard many different things about him: I am curious and a little nervous to meet him, so we will see how it plays out. Just going in with an open and friendly attitude can make all the difference, and I plan to be my normal good-natured self!
This weekend was quite the ride.
On Friday I was informed that I had to go with my group to Manuel Antonio in the morning and accompany another group back to Heredia in the afternoon. While the morning was pleasant: sun, high waves and wildlife aplenty, the afternoon was complete chaos. The students I had to pick up were not on time. We had to go back to the hotel and get thier luggage. It started to rain on the way home and we hit a horrible pot hole. Dinner was pretty late, and I missed my chance to catch a bus home. On Monday quite a different story came out, the perception of the students was that the ride was long and dangerous and one of them was so uncomfortable that they sat on the floor of the microbus. There was a very big to-do made about the whole thing, and it was all due to a simple lack of communication..! Lessons learned, lessons learned. I showered Saturday evening and caught the bus home Sunday and E and I stayed in and tried to finalize travel plans and find flights for later this year. We made some headway, at least, then went on a walk to the local MaxiPali (like a Wal-Mart) and spent over an hour there just looking around. We ended up buying a bunch of things too and it was so funny and so unexpected! Funny enough the one thing we actually needed to buy (toilet paper) we left without. On Monday I got up bright and early to get back to Heredia on time and was happy to see one of my compañeras that afternoon before she left with her next group.
Last night I went to dinner with my boss and the professor from my Alabama group to a very nice Peruvian restaurant in downtown San José. We shared a HUGE appetizer plate and then all got soup. I enjoyed two and a half pisco sours (made with traditional Peruvian liqour) and it turned out to have been just too much for my poor little head! I had to take an aspirin this morning.
Right now I am on double duty, since one of my compañeros is not at CPI Heredia today I am supposed to keep an eye on his group. Of course while he isn't here one of his students decides to change homestays, so we will see how that goes. I am very grateful to have a such a nice, drama-free group right now! Later on I will be going to lunch with them and I am looking forward to it.
It seems that travel plans are finally coming all together, and I am excited to have time with E this year and the chance to visit with family.
PURA VIDA!
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