Yesterday was my first cooking class. Six students and 2 teachers produced some fantastic frijitas. Due to lack of working space and plenty of cxooks it was a great time to hang out with the other students. Ross, one of the students who is working part time with the mission here, decided doing the Ramba in the kitchen would be great fun!
The teacher asked where we where all staying when we were eating, it turns out she is related to 4 out of 6 host families.... just like Worri Yallock again.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Another new enviroment.....
Another week, another town. I am now in rural west Costa Rica at language school. The main industry in this town is coffee and sugar. It is in a valley, surrounded by mountains. So it reminds my of the Yarra Valley, where I grew up.
We started classes yesterday. It is very relaxed, classes in the morning and free afternoon except for 2 days per week, when we have a cooking class or extra language classes. I am in a class with just one other which should increase my learning pace.
I am living with a local family, who are very friendly. My host mother cooks tortillas everyday, sometimes twice a day. Everyday I feel bad at the effort she goes to. Making the dough, patting it out into a round shape, dry frying in a pan, toasting over a fire.
Had my first hot shower since I arrived in Costa Rica today which was very exciting. There is no hot water, except for instant heating so it is still lukewarm, but I felt like I was at the Hilton, even though there was a gecko outside! These form of hot water showers are known as widow makers or suicide showers, but I am assured they are safe!
Apologies for the lack of contractions, this key board is a bit messed up. The question mark in under the underscore button and I can not find the apostrophy!
We started classes yesterday. It is very relaxed, classes in the morning and free afternoon except for 2 days per week, when we have a cooking class or extra language classes. I am in a class with just one other which should increase my learning pace.
I am living with a local family, who are very friendly. My host mother cooks tortillas everyday, sometimes twice a day. Everyday I feel bad at the effort she goes to. Making the dough, patting it out into a round shape, dry frying in a pan, toasting over a fire.
Had my first hot shower since I arrived in Costa Rica today which was very exciting. There is no hot water, except for instant heating so it is still lukewarm, but I felt like I was at the Hilton, even though there was a gecko outside! These form of hot water showers are known as widow makers or suicide showers, but I am assured they are safe!
Apologies for the lack of contractions, this key board is a bit messed up. The question mark in under the underscore button and I can not find the apostrophy!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Orientation and the arrival
On monday we finished up with our Orientation week in Colorado Springs. It was a great 4 days for me and 8 for everyone else. We went hiking at 2300m and i saw my first frozen lake! the altitude was difficult though. We had times with small groups (those of us going to costa Rica, another group of those going to Uganda etc) to talk about strengths, personalities etc. we also had plenty of time for prayer and worship and general getting to know each other.
The other Costa rica interns and i left mid morning on Monday. We flew first from Colorado Springs to Atlanta. The security checks were extreme, and i discovered travelling on an Australian passport is not always an advantage! Our flight was delayed by half an hour so we only had 24 minutes to navigate one of the world's busiest airports. but we managed it just. they we closing the door as we arrived. The rest of the journey went quite smoothly. the added advantage was that our luggage was the first off, probably because it was the first on.
As soon as we got through customs we were surrounded by hundreds of people wanting to sell us a taxi ride. The permanent staff were all there to meet us, which was lovely. That night we stayed with staff as we didn't get into Atenas until 11:30 pm and most people are in bed by 9pm.
Tuesday morning we came to see the office, had devotions went out for lunch and talked about cultural differences. Cultural differences was interesting for me, as i need to change things from the North American perspective. But I did remeber to refer to my jumper as my sweater yesterday.
In the evening we went to our host families. I was struck by how friendly and welcoming my host families and in general all Latins are.
More information coming soon! I'm off to language school on saturday.
Friday, January 16, 2009
The Castle
Without wanting to sound like that scene from "The Castle" when the main conversation after the sister returns from the honeymoon overseas and all the brother can ask is about the food here is my take on the flight.
We were contacted a few hours before my Sydney flight to say that the flight to LA would be delayed. So I got on a later flight to Sydney but still left sydney at 9pm after leaving home at lunch time. At least i got an emergency exit window seat next to someone who composes music for movies. After navigating through LAX, and finding the correct gate i boarded the flight to Colorado Springs. After quite a few hours alone it was great to finally make it. The other three Costa Rica interns came to meet me at the airport which was great!
So 31 hours after I left home, we arrived at "the Hideaway" where we are staying, to more friendly welcomes.
Today was the commissioning at head office, then 3 hours talking about the causes of poverty, God's response to the poor and then looking at good and bad example of relief.
In the afternoon we went for a walk around town, and then I had the unique American exerience of Wall-mart, which was just like Big-W.
The scenery here is amazing, the rockies are really close and there is lots of snow. I keep explaining that snow is actually exciting to me, because when I left Melbourne it was 40 degrees...and that is not Fahrenheit.
I'm really enjoying getting to know the other 21 interns and some permanent staff. But then again putting me in a room with a bunch of Christian engineers with a social conscious was bound to make me happy!
We were contacted a few hours before my Sydney flight to say that the flight to LA would be delayed. So I got on a later flight to Sydney but still left sydney at 9pm after leaving home at lunch time. At least i got an emergency exit window seat next to someone who composes music for movies. After navigating through LAX, and finding the correct gate i boarded the flight to Colorado Springs. After quite a few hours alone it was great to finally make it. The other three Costa Rica interns came to meet me at the airport which was great!
So 31 hours after I left home, we arrived at "the Hideaway" where we are staying, to more friendly welcomes.
Today was the commissioning at head office, then 3 hours talking about the causes of poverty, God's response to the poor and then looking at good and bad example of relief.
In the afternoon we went for a walk around town, and then I had the unique American exerience of Wall-mart, which was just like Big-W.
The scenery here is amazing, the rockies are really close and there is lots of snow. I keep explaining that snow is actually exciting to me, because when I left Melbourne it was 40 degrees...and that is not Fahrenheit.
I'm really enjoying getting to know the other 21 interns and some permanent staff. But then again putting me in a room with a bunch of Christian engineers with a social conscious was bound to make me happy!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Just about to leave...
After injections, passport photos, hours on the internet looking for travel insurance and flights, several lovely farewells I'm just about ready to go. Tomorrow morning I'll fly from Melbourne to Sydney to LA and finally to Colorado Springs for 4 days of orientation.
Thanks to everyone for your kind word, cards, presents and prayers over the past weeks. I really appreciate it. There will be another post once I get to Colorado!
Thanks to everyone for your kind word, cards, presents and prayers over the past weeks. I really appreciate it. There will be another post once I get to Colorado!
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