Pura Vida-Teaching in Costa Rica : Viva Costa Rica!

It has been an exciting, fun week to celebrate the independence of Costa Rica. Each day this week at school, we had a program in the morning. Each grade level in Primaria performed a different part of Costa Rica's history. We, the 2nd graders, had the privilege of sharing about the national tree, Arbol de Guanacaste. Throughout the week, I became more familiar with the National Anthem, the Independence Day song, and learned about faroles and BOMBAs!

-- Mi Clase :) --

--2nd Grade Team--

On Friday, the students got out of school at 12, and the teachers had the afternoon off as well. We were going to return on Friday evening at 5:30 for the Acto Civico program, so the principal invited us over to his house for the afternoon. We had a nice relaxing afternoon up in the mountains... a home very opposite from mine in the city. Then we returned to school for the Acto Civico. The students performed musical pieces, and there were traditional dances as well. After the program, 6th grade and 11th grade students provided the meals. I had a tamale y arroz con leche. Que rico!

-- 3 of my chicas during the Acto Civico Friday night --

-- Un baile tipica --

-- At the principal's house --

On Saturday morning, I could hear bands playing starting around 8:00 am. So no sleeping in at this house! We had decided we were going to take the bus into San Jose, because my roommate hadn't been yet. So I showed her what I knew about downtown San Jose, and was excited to eat Pollo Campero since I hadn't had it since El Salvador 2013.... Unfortunately, the sandwich I got wasn't quite what I had remembered about Pollo Campero, but oh well! After lunch another teacher joined us downtown and we walked about a mile to find the Parque Nacional. On our way to Parque Nacional, we stumbled upon another park that was filled with craft stands, tents where you could sit and play chess, areas where people were salsa dancing, playing futbol, or hula hooping! We walked through, as it started to rain, so we decided to continue on to the park that was our destination. We got to the Parque Nacional, and it was beautiful! There were hardly any people there, and it seemed like a nice calm, serene area to rest and enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica. We took some pictures, and as it started to rain harder, we decided to walk back to the main part of town. As we walked back, and were pretty much soaking wet, we passed through the park that had activities. We decided to join in the dancing, as now it was more of a latin line dance class. We had a blast, dancing in the rain, and found out that she is there every Saturday teaching dances! So now we know where to go on Saturdays:) We also stopped and hula hooped for a minute before heading back. As we were getting back into downtown San Jose, we went to a coffee shop to rest, and wait out the pouring rain. We were just getting warm and dry when we realized it might not stop, and it was starting to get dark. So we headed back to the bus stop in the rain!

-- Parque Nacional--

-- Bailando en la lluvia --

-- Parque Nacional --

Sunday was quite an eventful day as well. After church and lunch, we were invited to join the Nazarene Missionary family for a "Tarde Tipica" (Typical Afternoon) at a local Nazarene church. The church had traditional food for sale, and music playing while we enjoyed the food. The food included empanadas, picadillos (ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables in a tortilla), a variety of postres (desserts), coffee, and agua dulce. After most people had eaten, a man was walking around with strips of paper. I politely accepted, then realized it was a BOMBA! and I was going to be expected to say it in a microphone for the whole church to hear. I wasn't so sure about that. A BOMBA! is a type of oral expression that is quite witty or funny, and rhymes. The kids had been saying BOMBAs all week so I was used to hearing them, just not used to reading them. But I made it through my first (and possibly last...) BOMBA! Some of the young ladies were dressed in the typical dresses, yet they hadn't planned on dancing. When we asked, however, two of the girls were willing to dance for us. After the "Tarde Tipica" ended, we got dropped off at home, and then went to church, a little late, but we can blame that on tico time :) After service, there was more traditional food to celebrate Costa Rica's Independence Day. I definitely haven't gone hungry at all this weekend!

--Tarde Tipica en La Iglesia Nazareno de Los Angeles--

Finally we arrive to Monday, the actual day of Costa Rica's Independence! I got up this morning to walk down to Tibas to see the parade. The streets were full of people and performers, ready to march the streets of Tibas. The parade consisted mainly of school groups, bands, "drill team" like dancers, and a few children dressed in traditional dresses and outfits. Red, white, and blue filled the air, and all were happy and proud of their country. It's been a very energetic week, and I have loved seeing the loyalty ticos have to their country!