Finally back in South Carolina. After being in Central America the heat here is nothing and I'm having a good time just relaxing. I had a proper Southern breakfast of eggs, grits and biscuits and gravy. I'm just excited to be back in a place where it's all about Southern style. Central American actually reminds me a lot of the South. The people are SO nice, food is great and the unique language and dialects are so interesting.
Also interesting the things you do see here. Por ejemplo: Laser, Dentistry, Implants.
Only in the South.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
El ultimo dia
Today is my last day in Central America and in the Latino American culture. After a rough time in Panama city I'm glad to be back with some Ticos and in a place that is a bit quieter than San Jose to just collect myself and feelings. I really have loved my time here. Everything has been such an experience and has added to my need to do something worthwhile in my life. Just learning about the countries in school you never really understand how different each is and what a different feeling you get just crossing a boarder. I only went to Costa Rica and Panama but both countries are immensely different and should never be mistaken for the other.
What I love about being here is that everyone is proud of who they are and what they are. Sometimes in the States you come across people who are not what they are or who they are and more often everyone looks to trends and whats popular to determine how they should act. Down here there is a universal culture that governs a lot of things which is nice. Each country has their own special events, dances and styles that separate them from others; but they are unified by language and being Latino.
I also have loved meeting so many different people. I'm super good at reading personalities and most of the people that I have met and will continue to keep in contact with have been amazing. I feel so humbled when I meet people and maybe my Spanish is better but then I realize that they speak English and their third language, French is their second, they normally speak Swiss-German but can switch to German is they need to. I definitely need to refresh my language skills. On the plus side I can understand most Spanish (Buenos Aries accent still is not very nice to me) and have had good hour long conversations. Win.
I'm really going to miss it here and the thought of looking for a job isn't that enticing to me but I now have a goal in mind for when I do have a job and my passion for wanting to help others hasn't been subsided.I'm only sad that everyone couldn't see this for themselves. I'll be home soon though and have some AMAZING pictures to show. To my family and friends I miss you all and can't wait for a trip down South where I belong.
What I love about being here is that everyone is proud of who they are and what they are. Sometimes in the States you come across people who are not what they are or who they are and more often everyone looks to trends and whats popular to determine how they should act. Down here there is a universal culture that governs a lot of things which is nice. Each country has their own special events, dances and styles that separate them from others; but they are unified by language and being Latino.
I also have loved meeting so many different people. I'm super good at reading personalities and most of the people that I have met and will continue to keep in contact with have been amazing. I feel so humbled when I meet people and maybe my Spanish is better but then I realize that they speak English and their third language, French is their second, they normally speak Swiss-German but can switch to German is they need to. I definitely need to refresh my language skills. On the plus side I can understand most Spanish (Buenos Aries accent still is not very nice to me) and have had good hour long conversations. Win.
I'm really going to miss it here and the thought of looking for a job isn't that enticing to me but I now have a goal in mind for when I do have a job and my passion for wanting to help others hasn't been subsided.I'm only sad that everyone couldn't see this for themselves. I'll be home soon though and have some AMAZING pictures to show. To my family and friends I miss you all and can't wait for a trip down South where I belong.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Vagabonda
I've been away from Samara for a few days now and my heart is absolutely missing it. I guess the big reason is that I made such great friends there and now I miss them a lot. The other is that here in Bocas del Toro...life is very different. It's fun there are a lot of bars it's definitely more built up and stuff, and honestly reminds me of a beach town on the Jersey shore. Except for the fact there are locals just chillin outside most of the day. It's harder to speak Spanish here because they just answer you in English no matter if you asked in Spanish. It seems a bit cheaper and less authentic here as well. Just much more commercial.
I was speaking with a local from here who loves his home but it's upsetting watching the place you live and love turn into something you don't like. The culture here is still laid back and people are nice but it's a lot more in your face hustling and wanting your money then in Samara, even compared to Tamarindo. I like it it's different. The colonial and Caribbean styling of buildings are really pretty. It's all how you want to take it in although I couldn't see myself living here as I could in Samara. Though there were a lot of travelers most of them were in for a chill time and not partying every night like they do here. I'm not really into the whole "Spring Break" scene anymore and like to just walk around and chill on a dock.
The locals here are fun if not a bit more aggressive then Ticos...hard to believe but I guess they just see so many travelers that its become culture. People are more of the beach bum type here. Which is perfectly fine with me. I've learned some Panamanian slang which at the moment don't remember, so a lot of good that'll do me. But they're fun here and love to talk.
I'm also doing Scuba diving which for me is amazing. Yesterday I saw a shipwreck and a octopus...awesome! Its really fun and interesting all of the things you need to learn to be certified. I like it though as a swimmer its a totally different scene under the water than it is above. I'm so glad that I'm doing this. You meet so many people that are into diving it's a great community.
So I'll be here for a few more days then head out somewhere else. I'm thinking Panama City but honestly who knows, maybe I'll go back to Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica. Either way it's been wonderful.
I was speaking with a local from here who loves his home but it's upsetting watching the place you live and love turn into something you don't like. The culture here is still laid back and people are nice but it's a lot more in your face hustling and wanting your money then in Samara, even compared to Tamarindo. I like it it's different. The colonial and Caribbean styling of buildings are really pretty. It's all how you want to take it in although I couldn't see myself living here as I could in Samara. Though there were a lot of travelers most of them were in for a chill time and not partying every night like they do here. I'm not really into the whole "Spring Break" scene anymore and like to just walk around and chill on a dock.
The locals here are fun if not a bit more aggressive then Ticos...hard to believe but I guess they just see so many travelers that its become culture. People are more of the beach bum type here. Which is perfectly fine with me. I've learned some Panamanian slang which at the moment don't remember, so a lot of good that'll do me. But they're fun here and love to talk.
I'm also doing Scuba diving which for me is amazing. Yesterday I saw a shipwreck and a octopus...awesome! Its really fun and interesting all of the things you need to learn to be certified. I like it though as a swimmer its a totally different scene under the water than it is above. I'm so glad that I'm doing this. You meet so many people that are into diving it's a great community.
So I'll be here for a few more days then head out somewhere else. I'm thinking Panama City but honestly who knows, maybe I'll go back to Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica. Either way it's been wonderful.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
La clima, lugares, el partido y soy Tica
La clima, it's a cognate for climate. Apparently one of the downfalls of team U.S.A last night was that they weren't used to the disgustingly humid climate of Costa Rica. I guess it's the same as the Argentina game when they played Bolivia in a higher altitude. Personally I love it. It just makes you more chill. No need to walk fast and get all sweaty or if you do walk fast, prepare to be miserable.
Lugares, I'm in CR. I love it here. Yes, it's super expensive and in most places completely for tourists and you can see the wear its taking on the country. But, you need to see the beauty in everything. Even San Jose is dramatically and tragically beautiful. Most people I've spoken to hate it. It's dirty, and dangerous and just not where they want to be. Which is true but, most of the reason it is that way is because of them. Imagine giving a 5 year old $1000. Obviously they're not going to save it. They probably wont know what to do with it and buy whatever they think is fun. Same as with CR or even Asia. A generation or two ago the countries had nothing in the way of factories their culture was more authentic. Because of tourism and money corruption trickles down because it's human nature. You have to accept the whole country. Yes, Tamarindo isn't really CR but still beautiful in its own way. CR has been in the mainstream vacation for so long I think people forget that it has it's own culture and it's not American or European. Costa Ricans are different from their surrounding countries and their people. Come and have a good time but also realize that just partying and not actually getting into the culture or just speaking English and minimal Spanish wont get you to the real Costa Rica. Or any country for that matter. TO not be a tourist takes actual thinking and hard work. I'll get off my soap box now.
El partido, the U.S.A. soccer game against Costa Rica was pretty intense. Me and a few friends just went to a bar to watch. Of course I wanted the U.S. to do well. Sadly it wasn't the case. The styles of play were super different as I already knew. The climate took it's toll and some calls were a bit off. But it was exciting. Coastaricense love their country, as they should.
Soy Tica, alright people in CR call themselves Ticos. I think it has to do with the way you say CR fast, it sort of comes out that way. My skin is so dark right now that I get mistaken a lot until they see my face. Pretty much everyday it's been happening. Honestly I'm going to go to Panama and sound Tico too b/c they use a different sort of system for speaking., Always with third person singular, no one ever uses second person so it's very distinct. The accent and other words are different too. Spanish like Korean is just normal now. My friends and I were laughing that we can't remember if we spoke to someone in Spanish or English. Yea, we could be speaking more Spanish but we have our own language of Spanglish that is suiting us quite well.
Con gusto
Lugares, I'm in CR. I love it here. Yes, it's super expensive and in most places completely for tourists and you can see the wear its taking on the country. But, you need to see the beauty in everything. Even San Jose is dramatically and tragically beautiful. Most people I've spoken to hate it. It's dirty, and dangerous and just not where they want to be. Which is true but, most of the reason it is that way is because of them. Imagine giving a 5 year old $1000. Obviously they're not going to save it. They probably wont know what to do with it and buy whatever they think is fun. Same as with CR or even Asia. A generation or two ago the countries had nothing in the way of factories their culture was more authentic. Because of tourism and money corruption trickles down because it's human nature. You have to accept the whole country. Yes, Tamarindo isn't really CR but still beautiful in its own way. CR has been in the mainstream vacation for so long I think people forget that it has it's own culture and it's not American or European. Costa Ricans are different from their surrounding countries and their people. Come and have a good time but also realize that just partying and not actually getting into the culture or just speaking English and minimal Spanish wont get you to the real Costa Rica. Or any country for that matter. TO not be a tourist takes actual thinking and hard work. I'll get off my soap box now.
El partido, the U.S.A. soccer game against Costa Rica was pretty intense. Me and a few friends just went to a bar to watch. Of course I wanted the U.S. to do well. Sadly it wasn't the case. The styles of play were super different as I already knew. The climate took it's toll and some calls were a bit off. But it was exciting. Coastaricense love their country, as they should.
Soy Tica, alright people in CR call themselves Ticos. I think it has to do with the way you say CR fast, it sort of comes out that way. My skin is so dark right now that I get mistaken a lot until they see my face. Pretty much everyday it's been happening. Honestly I'm going to go to Panama and sound Tico too b/c they use a different sort of system for speaking., Always with third person singular, no one ever uses second person so it's very distinct. The accent and other words are different too. Spanish like Korean is just normal now. My friends and I were laughing that we can't remember if we spoke to someone in Spanish or English. Yea, we could be speaking more Spanish but we have our own language of Spanglish that is suiting us quite well.
Con gusto
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