Arrival are now already past few days since I landed in Costa Rica and finally I arrived at my host family with whom I will spend the next 11 months.
But now first to the beginning of the whole trip. On 02.07.2010 was finally going on my flight from Frankfurt airport, which I have been waiting since long time. The transition period after graduation was pretty exhausting, as have plagued a continuous questions about the year in Costa Rica. At the airport we finally saw all the familiar faces that one has already met at the preparatory seminars. At the 8 Weltwärts learning were still 5 other girls who make a community service for 5 months. Our flight was first described by Frankfurt to Mexico City in a big machine Lufthansa. Once there we checked out quite by accident from the airport and got an impression of the terrible smog of the city. Checked back in the journey continued on to San José. This was not the most pleasant section because we have the opportunity to witness a storm were from the inside. However, we survived this, too, came in the evening and in total darkness in San Jose. At the airport waiting already two AFS volunteers who drove us to the Arrival Camp, in a kind of resort. Here I got my first sleep after a rather long time
The next morning it was the first time the national dish Gallo Pinto (rice, beans and eggs) and exotic juices for breakfast. We soon found out to make the five other persons from all parts of the world their community service in Costa Rica. The next 2 days we received a training in all possible topics that could be important for our exchange year and got to know us better.
Before the course went on, we went to the AFS office in the capital. There we were the Head of AFS Costa Rica presented. With a fully loaded bus we went to a small village of Paraiso in the middle of the mountains. Here we got a glimpse of the beautiful nature in Costa Rica. Forests as far as the eye and again isolated villages, in particular through its colored houses stand out. In Paraiso we had to quickly find out that the course is in a city to find organic finca. The director, who is a German who has lived 15 years in Costa Rica, you could very easily be confused with John Lennon. We were presented the plantation, which generates all its own food and to the biological and medicinal garden, its own forest, horses, goats, chickens, composting, cats and dogs. We soon found out that in addition to the 6 hours of English a day just a vegetable stand on the menu. However, I must say the course was quite effective. On the third day we went again on a trip to the capital, where we visited the German Embassy. Here, the Ambassador himself took several hours time to talk about Costa Rica, his work and his life. He was one of the first exchange student with AFS.
After 10 days meat withdrawal times, and very funny with the others, it went to the AFS office, where our visa was issued. The excitement grew when the first were picked up by their gas family. But it was some, including me, we would have communicated itself to take the bus to the host family.
arrived at Santa Maria de Dota also my host mother was waiting for me. After a friendly greeting, we drove to her house, which is 90% wood and directly associated with its bar, restaurant and kiosk. I wanted the real Costa Rican experience, which I will get it. Tita, my host mother knows almost everyone in the city, has 12 siblings and two daughters (Zyanya and Xochilt). Xochilt (21) lives during the week in San Jose, where she studied photography and Zyanya (11) goes into the local Escuela. Furthermore, living in "La Cueva" is the title bar, Kattia (24), which recorded before 8 years of Tita was, and Kattias 4 year old daughter Rosa. are
in the bar or restaurant to be found almost always local, which lend themselves to the national liquor "Cacique" and it is very easy to talk come to me as any kind with a "Pura Vida" greets and shakes my hand. I feel very happy and looking forward to my next 10 months in "la cueva"!
