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Published: September 23rd 2008
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San Jose, Costa Rica to Heredia, Costa Rica... 20-30 minutes After going through customs, we met a lady (Carmen) with ISA who brought us to another group of kids in the program that got in earlier. There were two boys from Washington State and one boy from Florida. They all seemed really cool, and fortunately they were all going to Heredia as well. Once everyone arrived, we hopped on a bus that took us to our University where our host parents picked us up.
Day 1: Mi Casa es Su Casa As soon as I stepped off the bus, my host mom (Gabbie) was waiting for me in front of the school. She picked up Andy (one of the boys from WA) and I and started to drive off. Fortunately, he was able to speak a lot of Spanish with her. During the car ride, Gabbie’s cell phone rang (her ring tone was the Apple Bottom Jeans song) and apparently she picked up the wrong person. She mistook Andy for Alex who was supposed to come on a later flight. When I got to my new house, my little brother (Andres, 5) and my little sister (Raquel, 12) greeted me
Mi Casa
The entrance of my house at the door and brought me to my room. Before I unpacked they gave me dinner, which consisted of vegetables, rice, and chicken with cheese on top. It was delicious! As I unpacked, I gave my family their gifts and a few hours later my roommate (Katie) arrived. She is also a junior in college, and she goes to school at Virginia Tech. After we introduced ourselves, we went over the “Code of Conduct” with our mom, and then I took a nap. When I woke up, I went to the living room and met mi padre (Hector) who was watching television. It was awkward and we sat on opposite ends of the couch. I busted out my phrasebook and we had a small conversation, but for the most part we just watched a Costa Rican soap opera. Everyone else went to the grocery store while I was sleeping, and at night when everyone came home we ate spicy green soup. I’m not sure what was in it but it was delicious.
Day 2: Meeting Everyone Every morning we’re (Katie and I) suppose to wake up at 7:00am to eat breakfast. This morning we had a fruit bowl (papaya,
banana, and pineapples) covered in honey and oats, coffee, raspberry juice, and pancakes with homemade spread. During breakfast we discussed what our plans were for the rest of the day. I found out that our host mom’s mom is also hosting ISA students (Alex and Josiah), and they happen to live a few blocks away. Maria (housekeeper) went with us to pick up the boys and we all walked to the university together which only took about 10-15 minutes. During Orientation I got to meet the rest of the kids in ISA. There are about 20 of us, and everyone seems really cool. There are kids from New York, Maine, Nebraska, Kansas, and so on. Also during the orientation we discussed safety issues, excursions, and we got our class schedules. I’m taking beginning Spanish I and II, Ecotourism (super stoked about that), Sustainable Development, and possibly a Soccer class. We also have weekly ISA Student meetings every Wednesday. My roommate and I made it so that we have the exact same schedule, and so that our last class ends at 10:45am on Thursday. After Orientation we had lunch at the cafeteria which consisted of a breakfast burrito and pineapple and
mango juice. After that we had a tour of school in Spanish and then we got a bus to go on a tour of Heredia. During our tour it started raining, and I didn’t have an umbrella (apparently it’s necessary) or raincoat, so I got super soaked. People offered me to walk with them under their umbrella, but it would have been pointless since it was so windy. When we finally got home, dinner was ready. We had lasagna (replace the noodle portion with a potato type vegetable called yucca). After dinner, we met up with the boys and two other girls and went out to a restaurant/bar and had a few beers while we go to know each other. I had 2 Imperials and it only cost me 3 dollars. When I went to use the restroom, I accidentally went into the “Cabanellos” and then these old ladies said “no chica, no” and I realized what I did. It was embarrassing but definitely a lesson… not doing that again, haha. We went home pretty early, but it was a fun night.
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