Rice and Beans

It's amazing that less than 72 hours ago I was arriving at the Mendez family home and immediately texting my father, telling him that I may not make it, and now I am absolutely loving life. I think it's just a prime example of how we are innately afraid of what is different. Walking into the modest turquoise home with a locked gate out front, and into a family whose culture, and language I still know very little about was extremely overwhelming, therefore the first thing my instinct told me to do was RUN!!!! But then, I gave this country, my "home," and my "family" a chance, and now I couldn't be happier.

Yesterday was my first real day... no orientation, no Mama showing me how to use the bus... Woke up around 7:00, had a sweet breakfast, caught the bus to Maximo (the "center" for our program), then began my first Spanish lesson. I have two hours each morning from 9-11 with a guy from Utah named Jordan, who is also the only volunteer at my placement in the afternoons. My teacher is a tiny, precious woman from Mexico, who moved her many years ago. I kind of wish she was my grandma. She is so sweet, kind and patient and I am thrilled to be thinking and speaking in Spanish again.

After class, I hung out and talked with Kim, the Maximo director, about my project and about the situation in Costa Rica. Of course, I had to ask her all about drugs, violence and prostitution in the area. In terms of prostitution, she said the situation is pretty terrible. In the city, it is more women working the streets at night, outside of the city, however, it is mother's selling there daughters for a couple hours at a time in order to put food on the table. And because this country is an extremely Catholic and "machismo," most men won't allow the women/girls to wear condoms, and thus all the young girls are pregnant. I love where I am, but I can't lie, my heart is being PULLED by this situation and I would do nearly anything to help those children.

Violence on the other hand, is nearly non-existant in the city; there is just a lot of "petty theft." The slums are a different story, as most slums are. Desperation, hunger and fear brings out the worst in people and that is exactly what these areas are comprised of. And because the children in Costa Rica only go to school half of the day, they have nothing to do and therefore do what everyone else is doing: cause trouble. Hence the creation of the NGO with whom I will be volunteering: Boy With A Ball. This program was started by a wealthy American who visited, saw a huge need, and had a great vision. The entire program focuses on keeping adolescents (12-17) in the slums busy and offering them activities in the afternoons, with the hope that this will keep them out of some trouble. They go into several different slums and offer several different activities, but their most recent, and the one I am helping with is the English lessons. Knowing English in Costa Rica equals money, and therefore the children are dying to learn.

It took us about 20 minutes on one bus, then 20 on another to go from the wealthier area in which we live to the dirt poor slums. And on of the saddest parts, is that the transition wasn't gradual.... It went from decent, to poor....and then there is a distinct line between the poor and the slums. Therefore the children in the slums look longingly all day at those whose situation is far better from their own, nevertheless they are stuck. It is nearly incomprehensible for me as an American that they are stuck. Automatically I think, why don't they just get a job? Why do they drop out of school, they need to be educated? Nobody is ever STUCK! But their world doesn't work that way - just like the "slums" of Nashville.

So when we got there, I allowed myself a minute or two in silence to digest and accept the babies teetering in the street alone, the homes made of pieces of tin that were falling apart, and the dirty and dark feeling all around. As soon as the kids saw the blonde girl, and the 6'11 white guy (Jordan), they swarmed, and were eager to begin their classes. It was so incredible to see children so eager to learn. Of course, some of the older ones were "too cool" and goofed off a bunch, but they were ALL interested in whatever we had to say. They even gave J
ordan a pet name, "Hercules." Some of the kids were in pretty bad physical shape, one child had severe birth defects, and two of the girls had their babies on their hips, however, what was most amazing to me was how clean they ALL were.
It was amazing, they were amazing, the teachers (from Boy With A Ball) were incredible... and I can't wait to go back tomorrow.

For reasons beyond my knowledge, we will be going to this slum, Los Quadros, on Tuesdays and Thursday and another one, El Triangulo, on Wednesdays and Fridays. I am anxious to see this other area, and love on these other children this afternoon.

Though I have had rice and beans for nearly every meal, including breakfast today, and anticipate myself HATING them by the end of my time here, I am very content... especially because I started my day with a run at 6. Though the streets are pretty rocky and cracked due to frequent earthquakes, it was an awesome run, giving me a little time alone to both clear my head and explore... Don't tell my dad, but I did get a little bit (or a lot) lost on my way home, ended up in another neighborhood, and had to ask a nice gentleman for directions to the bar across the street from my home. Thank God I speak Spanish, and thank God that Costa Ricans wake up ridiculously early and the nice man was there to assist me. I look forward to exploring more, and not getting lost soon :)

Tonight we are going on a tour to the top of a mountain where we see a show, have an incredible view of the country, and have a huge buffet... Can't wait to show pics.

All my love from Costa Rica... y Pura Vida!

Caroline