My first week here in Costa Rica is finished. It's hard to believe that I've already been here for a full week. It's been a fun week, full of many ups and downs and I've learned a ton. Here are just a few things:
I learned how to take a shower. I know that may seem silly but it took me a few times. They have hot water here but it's REALLY hot. You have to turn on the water, let it heat up (the first time I stuck my hand in it and it was really red when I pulled it out and started shaking; the water is hot.) Then you have to keep turning it cooler a little bit at a time. I pretty much keep it at the same temperature the whole time because a tiny turn can be the difference between comfortable and scalding. I also learned how to turn on the hot water, after taking a VERY cold shower on Thursday.
How to wash dishes without burning my hands. Again the water is hot, Juanita saw how hot it was and came over and kept saying "poor girl" (in Spanish) and helped make the water bearable!
How to do laundry. This is very exciting. I did my first load of laundry on Monday. They have a washer but no dryer. However, it's still not as simple as just throwing the clothes in the washing machine adding some detergent and then hanging them out to dry. I have to hook the hose up to the spicket and then the washer will fill with water. After the washer beeps I take the clothes out and hang them under the roof over night. In the morning they have to be moved to different lines in the actual sun (or else they just stay damp). However if it starts to rain they have to go back under the roof. Then I can fold them and put them away. It's not hard, but it's not as fast as at home.
I have learned to be comfortable and to be my self. It took me awhile because I felt awkward not knowing what was going on, but the family has made me feel very comfortable. Ana views herself as my surrogate mother and she is worried that other families are not going to treat me as well as she has. She's trying to make sure that I'm looked after.
I have learned that teaching English is going to be awesome. Erica and I are going to work on plans together. I will be teaching children (ages 7-12) and she will teach their parents or any adults who want to go. We think it will be neat for the parents and the children to practice together. Our plan is to work together on our plans and teach generally the same thing each week. I will teach from November 8 until February 28 with two weeks off for Christmas.
One of the most important things I have re-learned this week is that God always provides and in strange ways. Saturday and Sunday were hard days. I really wanted a hug. I think one of my love languages must be touch because I miss hugs the most. I was praying that God would provide someone to give me hug. On Sunday morning a woman at the church came up and gave me the usual kiss on the cheek, started to walk away, and then came back and gave me a huge embrace. I couldn't stop thanking God for it.
I have gotten used to bugs. There are ants, moths, and unidentifiable bugs around. They don't bother me, and I no longer care that there are ants in my room. I also learned that winter/rainy season (now) there are lots of frogs and that the scorpions will come out in the summer. Christian warned me to be very careful when I put on my shoes because "sometimes they will be in your shoes or clothes and it's very painful when they get you." Great...
Last I have learned how to eat things I don't like with a smile. Most of the food I've had has been amazing. There are only a couple of things I don't like. Tomatoes are the worst. They eat tomato slices with their salads. However, I discovered that if I cut it into small enough pieces and eat it with other things it's bearable. Other then that I can't get enough of the food here. As Erica says "it's dangerous" and as Orlando says "it's good, but it's a problem." :-D
May the Grace and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
Monday, the beginning of the sunset from Erica's house.
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