PURA VIDA

Mis primeras impresiones.

 Today is my third day in San Jose. I feel comfortable now letting you in on some of my first impressions. I have taken some photos, but will wait to post when I have more than just food photos.

Las personas- Ticos (masculine) and Ticas (feminine) is what Costa Ricans call themselves and so far they have been warm and welcoming to me, the tall gringa! I especially am so grateful for my new room mate Marco and his girlfriend Alicia. Marco speaks English and Spanish. He was a big help in getting me here and offering me a room to stay and has been an incredible resource on the ins and outs of San Jose and making sure I am safe! (Someone show this blog to Grandma Bev)
Alicia speaks very little English which is perfect for me to practice my Spanish. She cooked a wonderful meal my first evening here and said it was her first time! It was a traditional Costa Rican meal with rice, beans, vegetables and chicken. La comida era deliciosa!
I also met Marco's 8 year old daughter Emily. She was very sweet and earlier in the day, when we woke up from the early flight, early pick-up exhaustion, she shared her hash brown with me. It really is the little acts of kindness that mean so much when you've left all your family and friends behind.

Ay! The driving! Unless it's an absolute emergency and I am the only able body to drive the vehicle, I will not be getting behind the wheel. It's crazy! People drive in and out, it seems there are very little rules and it includes honking codes. There are stop signs, but  they should be replaced with a yield sign or a "maybe if there's a pedestrian you should stop" but just maybe. There are so rules about jay-walking so Ticos cross the road whenever, as where I am looking and searching for a cross-walk. The rules have changed. When I was younger I was told to look both ways and hold someone's hand...San Jose rule "Don't get hit by a car." 

The house is located in Sabanilla, San Jose, Costa Rica. If I were to take a cab I would tell the cab driver that my house is 200mts para parque de Sabanilla. (200 meters from Sabanilla Park) Physical number addresses here in San Jose, perhaps in Costa Rica in total, are not common, and definitely not used. This is will an interesting aspect for me, as I feel like I am already directionally challenged...but I am up for the task. It also helps me to ask for directions, then I am using my Spanish and listening. 
No complaints on my house! It is different from what I am used to sure, but there is hot water and internet! You can also drink the water here in the city.
The bus stop is close to the house and yesterday Alicia accompanied me on my first San Jose bus ride. She took me to Mall San Pedro where I bought my new nokia phone for 10,000 colones (about $20).
We also stopped and met her friend who is a street vendor. He does hair wraps and bracelets and other crafts. Impressive items. I plan on going back and treating myself and he offered I could come by and practice my Spanish whenever. I also had the pleasure of meeting SOME of Alicia's family. Two of her Aunt's and cousins. They went in for hugs right away and again, so warm and welcoming!
 Alicia is very kind and whenever we had trouble understanding each other, we just laughed, which is comforting.  At one point I waved to a group of workers who had said hello. Alicia lost it and  starting laughing and said "No no no no! You can't wave to just anybody! If he's handsome sure. But not those guys!" She really got a kick out of it. I told her in Heppner, you wave to everybody. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl. ;) 

Today I ventured out on my own to meet Ali who is from southern England and has lived all over and seems to really enjoy Costa Rica. He showed me this reasonably priced restaurant and we ate there. My plate included rice, cabbage and french fries? I didn't want the fries, luckily Ali did! He is promoting a drop-in study lounge for people to come and learn English. I hope it works out! I did some promoting today on campus for it and that was helpful because it forced me to speak to strangers and not feel so much as an outsider. 

I am enjoying myself. I know I will feel better once I find some solid work, so I know I will be able to explore and learn here longer.