Wow. Almost 2 months!

In my last post I talked about life in Nicaragua, but I realized I have not really talked about life here in Costa Rica. In fact it was last night, as a fellow student and I were preparing dinner for everyone else at QERC and we needed fresh herbs for our herb bread we were making, that I began to think about some of the differences in lifestyle here in the valley and back in the U.S. This actually began because Shannon, the other QERC student, and I had to go to our neighbor to ask for these fresh herbs because we didn't have any. We were told by the station manager that it is perfectly normal and he does it all the time haha. So we went over there and I had to communicate what we were doing and what we needed in Spanish haha. As I walked back with the herbs, I started to realize how dependent people here in the valley are upon one another. They are very community oriented, but it is also kind of a necessity.

This valley is about a 30 minute drive to the top of the mountain where the main highway is, and then it is another 2 hour drive to the closest "large" shopping area because it is so far up the mountain. You don't just drive into town to go to Walmart or something out here. You have to strategically plan your purchases for your possibly once a week trip out of the valley into "town," and if you need something you normally have to seek the help of one of your neighbors. Some of the people in the valley don't even have vehicles, so they sometimes depend on the assistance of a neighbor just to make their shopping trip into town. It is interesting how much people depend on community interaction here. Not to say that some of this doesn't go on back in the states, but normally if my family needs something we just drive into Walmart. We don't trek around to our neighbors and ask for herbs or whatnot, though this may be more common in a close knit neighborhood.

This has all been part of my transition into life in an isolated albeit beautiful area. Your relationships in an area like this become very important. I have never lived somewhere so isolated, yet at the same time very busy because there are countless tourists here all the time. It is not always the easiest thing being a foreigner in another country. It has definitely given me a newfound respect for immigrants to the U.S. You have the language barrier, which is a huge thing. You have the feeling of isolation, like you don't belong. You go through a period of feeling like you are alone, even if you are with a group of people. You are a "gringo" surrounded by "ticos" and you know nothing of their culture or way of life. It can be a struggle to get through even the most basic things sometimes. Luckily I do have a support group of fellow Americans here with me. And then, for me at least, you have the difference in lifestyles. You have the reputation of your country, which isn't always good, especially in some places of Central America. You also have the reputation of the fellow "gringos," which is what the native Costa Ricans, or "ticos" call us.

While in Nicaragua, I encountered a number of American tourists that I was ashamed to have any connection with. The way that America is portrayed by some people traveling abroad is not always a good one. I have experienced this first hand. Although I know you can't overgeneralize. I also know that most places I go, whether it is for good or for bad, I am judged because I am an American. To many people trying to earn a buck I am a cash cow, and they want nothing more than to rip me off. To other people I am this American who leads a privileged life and knows nothing of the hardships of life in Central America. And to others I am an American who is genuinely interested in life in Central America and someone who is a friend. There are all of these stereotypes and "things" that I encounter while abroad. I don't want to be seen as this rich American who has the money to "travel the world." I just want to be seen as a normal person. Not better or worse than anyone else. Just the same. It is an interesting experience living in another country....

But I also want to make sure it is clear that I love it here. I am having an awesome experience. An eye-opening experience to the world beyond the U.S. It is really good for me. I am just thankful to have this opportunity. I am learning more things everyday....about myself, my country, the people of the great country of Costa Rica. It is great, and I am forever thankful for the support of my family in this endeavor and for my parents' role in making this experience possible for me. It means so much to me and I am more thankful than you will probably ever really know haha. Anyway I am done rambling for the night. Goodnight everyone.

¡Pura Vida!