When you travel...

As I near the close of this chapter of "travel" in Costa Rica, I have been reflecting on the reality that although I will have lived abroad (in Puebla and later Monterrey, Mexico and now in Costa Rica) for a total of nearly three years, I am still on a quest to learn what it means to travel well. I don't have all the quirks figured out on how to gracefully survive life abroad. True, I could probably give a decent crash course entitled Living Life Abroad 101, but I am by no means an expert nor do I ever hope to be really. That might minimize some of those necessary stress-induced adrenaline rushes and painfully embarassing cultural faux pas that make for great story telling and great reflection and growth. Traveling, be it short-term or more extended journeys, is a part of my life that I have been so blessed by and have enjoyed tremendously. I have the desire and the will to commit to traveling my whole life long, si Dios quiere (God-willing).

I was recently rereading the inspirational words of Sami Sunchild (a name that also inspires, no?) and there are so many beautiful ideas to be lived out and incorporated in one's experiences while traveling... be that within one's home country or while experiencing life abroad.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have been given to "learn and to listen" --thanks to the support of the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship as well as the support of my loved ones.

When You Travel

When you travel

Take peacemaking

And friendship and learning

And listening as your sacred,

God given duty.

Refuse to carry with you

An empty head or an empty

Heart. Give thanks for every

Human encounter, every animal,

Bird, plant, that shares this

Gorgeous planet. Thank them,

Talk to them, nourish them.

Let no greed or selfish thoughts distract you. Let no

Anger, anxiety or bitterness

Accompany you. Travel

Unencumbered by too much stuff

Or by too many pre-

Conceived ideas. Enter every

New encounter with gratitude

For another opportunity

To learn and to listen,

To be the happiest and

Best travel ambassador on

Earth. Affirm your natural ability to balance out the

Injustices of the world.

Know that hate crimes will cease

When we listen to each other,

When selfishness and envy are

Replaced with

Compassion and when

Enemies become friends.

Hold in your mind a vision

Of a peaceful world

Where travelers are the

Sowers of the seeds of joy.

Sami Sunchild

Loving the "cow parade" that came to San Jose! Local artists were given the opportunity to design and make colorful a cow sculpture. There was so much variety, but the most commonly used themes were nature and coffee, which, of course, makes sense since Costa Rica is known for it's stunning natural beauty and eco-tourism as well as for it's production of quality cafe--some of the best in the world!

El Traspaso

My Rotary host counselor, Miguel, and his lovely wife, Emilia, recently became the new senor presidente and senora presidenta for their Club La Guaria, of which they are founding members.
Above: from the past senora presidenta to the current: the changing of the gold rose pin.
Below: post-ceremony and dinner, pictured with Emilia and Miguel.
Below: The members of the Rotaract club La Guaria were all in attendance

Year Numero Dos!

As I've now safely returned to the wonderfully warm Costa Rica after several months of travels, I thought it about time to write an update!

My dear roommate and amiga, Meghan, welcomed me back "home" to Costa Rica!

Here are a few highlights since the last time I wrote (back around Thanksgiving time):

--I have now completed more than half of my master's program... yesss!! Three trimesters completed and just two more to go!..oh, and then there's that thesis to finish, too!!

--My dear college friend, Ambercita, came for a visit and we enjoyed ferry rides, beaches, waterfalls and spending time with my friends and classmates in Costa Rica before embarking on our first border-crossing by bus. In Nicaragua, we reunited with college friends, Dan and Amy, and festively celebrated Amy's marriage to Gonzalo, and also the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary on December 7th. It also sounded pretty neat to "board" (slide/sled) down a volcano, so we did that too! At the bottom of the volcano we "boarded" down...fast!!! We wore these super suits and chemistry class-like goggles to protect us as we came down at an avg. of 45km/hr.

--I arrived home to a frigid Midwest and wasted no time in throwing on the long john's and winter coat to go cut down a snow-covered Christmas tree. --Christmas celebrations were wonderfully comforting, restful, food-filled and winter wonderland-esque.

A morning visitor at our house! I've loved showing this photo to friends here in Costa Rica. They all get a rather surprised look on their faces and then ask, "but, is that real?!!"

--Time with Dad and Mom, as well as many loved friends and extended family made for a very heartwarming 5 weeks at home. --My first caucus experience was one to never be forgotten! Made me proud to be an Iowan and have the privilege of participating in the nation's first caucus... go Obama!

--Upon arrival to Costa Rica, bus tickets were purchased to head south to Panama, where my Sugar Creek Camp bud, Keefe, and I enjoyed hiking through a beautiful cloud forest, the sites of Panama City including the impressive Panama Canal, and then 4 days snorkeling and soaking up the rays in a slice of paradise called the San Blas Islands.

Hiking in the Volcan Baru cloudforest, which encompasses Panama's one and only volano.

Here's what our little slice of paradise looked like... during the days we would be taken by a small motorboat to an island such as this one and spend the day there. This island had a sunken ship nearby, which naturally provided some amazing snorkeling.

The Kuna Yala indigenous people live on the San Blas Islands. The women make molas, a wonderful art form that is similar to quilting, which they then incorporate into the blouses they wear. A mola such as the one pictured here can take up to 15 days to complete.

That brings us, mas o menos, up to date, where I am now in the fourth week of classes and glad to be back in a normal routine again. It's been a great start to a second year, especially as I've reflected much on all of what last year held and also imagined all the possibilities for this year.

I will be in Costa Rica until December, completing my Human Rights and Peace Education degree and (cross our fingers) graduating in late November. My volunteer involvement with Rotary is continuing, although my scholarship year has ended. I feel incredibly blessed to be embarking on year numero dos in Costa Rica, and I am thankful for the momentous support and affirmation from all of you! Gracias!

As good as it is to be back in Costa Rica again, it just so happens that one week from today I will be boarding a plane and flying to Miami where the Nelson familia will meet up for the start of a 14-day trans-Atlantic cruise which will make stops in Portugal and end in Barcelona. We'll do the tourist thing around Barcelona for 5 days before then heading back to the U.S. and to Central America. We can't wait for the time together as a family, and are excited to finally live out our dream of another "family cruise". So, as far as travel dates, I will be mostly out of contact from February 27-March 18.
A cruise ship passing through the lock at the Panama Canal. Each ship passing through the canal pays according to it's weight--the average ship pays $30,000.

As far as contact info for the year...

I have a NEW CELL PHONE NUMBER: country code 506. 8381-4103

My mailing address is the same:
Megan Nelson
Programa de Intercambio--UNA
c/o Paula Vargas
Apartado 2598-3000
Heredia, Costa Rica
America Central


Pura vida,
Megan

gobble gobble gobble gringo-style!

Being away from the home for a holiday is probably one of the most difficult aspects of living life abroad. One misses not only treasured loved ones who gather together to celebrate but also the many familiarities of the sounds, smells, tastes, background music, game playing, conversation and laughter that accompany each holiday.

This year´s Thanksgiving holiday proved that there´s something special about uniting with one´s co-patriates when far from home... the celebration continues and, arguably, it is at an even greater level of celebration since all are giving 110% to keep traditions alive and well! So, suffice it to say, I ate WELL this Thanksgiving!!


Iowa Megan , Washington Jennifer, Minnesota Lance, South Dakota Meghan, Michigan Randy and Toronto (!)Grant (lucky guy got to celebrate Thanksgiving twice, since Canada celebrates earlier in November. We were also enlightened this year to learn that in Puerto Rico they also celebrate Thanksgiving).

Hosting the gringo-style Turkey dinner in our apartment meant you know what....the turkey was up to us! Meghan dutifully watched an MSN.com instructional video on how to prepare the bird, and I offered moral support and my photography skills! .... 6 hours of brine-ing that turkey turned out to be the special touch! That and then another 6 hours of cooking that turkey, due to the high altitude.

I should back up to say that we weren´t sure if we were going to eating any turkey at all this year, due to the significantly higher prices in Costa Rica. Thankfully we were able to find a cheaper price than the original $50 for a frozen bird at the nearby supermarket. We quicky discovered you have to get a bit creative when attempting to bring all the food traditions to fruition.... those same ingredients that you´ve seen purchased and used year after year at home might not be stocked on the shelves in the markets, and even if they are, chances are the dish will still end up tasting different!

With everyone contributing their favorite Thanksgiving dishes, our potluck-style meal was SO tasty, complete with Jennifer´s amazing green bean casserole and candied sweet potatoes! Yummmmmm! Here´s the whole spread--yeah, we´re good!.....turkey, garlic mashed potatoes and gravy, Stovetop stuffing, cranberry jelly, curried fruit and cornbread (made by yours truly!), olives, pickles and jalapeños. And, of course, pumpkin pie for dessert!

Check out my plate of food---oh, I was such a happy girl!---and check out my Martinelli´s Sparkling Cider....how stoked was I to find that Nelson family tradition!! :)
The night was made complete with reflections on the many things to be thankful for this year--some of us having spent all of 2007 in Costa Rica, others having just arrived--and then after pumpkin pie and coffee we got down on the floor to play SPOONS! Thanksgiving 2007 in Costa Rica was a good one!!

rain rain IS go(ing) away....!!!

It is with much joy and satisfaction that I announce that the RAINy season is just about over!! good golly, I've never experienced such a concentrated amount of rain in my life! GRACIAS Costa Rica! The "never leave home without an umbrella" rule is ceasing to be a habitual custom around here, and for that I am very glad!

Here are a few photos, taken from our apartment, of a typical afternoon downpour as well as the common flooding of the roads...

cAhUiTa by photos

As my trusty LP guide describes, "upon arriving at Costa Rica´s Caribbean Coast, visitors come to a delicious realization--they´ve somehow got into two countries for the price of one." It truly is a different world, folks. Compared to the majority of Costa Rica, the Caribbean Coast (well the little I know of it, to be more accurate) is noteably unique and, for that reason alone, truly intriguing. The climate is one that provokes constant perspiration, the food is popping with zip: spice and coconut milk are the favs, the spanish almost sounds like an entirely different language, the people are black in skin color, the music is reggae, dreadlocks are the norm, and the pace of life is muy pura vida... slow, relaxed, chill. After many months of waiting, I finally boarded a bus and headed to the Caribbean Coast, to the little town of Cahuita, which boasts a beautiful national park, refuge for this coast´s last living coral reefs, unusual black sand, and gauranteed relaxation.

***cAhUiTa by photos***

Cabinas Seaside.... just as the name claims, this great find is right on water front and is a crowd pleaser with hammocks strung beneath the coconut palms.
Total relax---loved it!

Our cabina, complete with mosquito nets for each bed!

Oh to have the ocean as your constant playground....!

My weekend travel pals, Michelle and Cindy, are both graduate students at The University for Peace here in Costa Rica, and Michelle is also a Rotary Scholar. We LOVED snorkeling over the largest living coral reef in the country. We climbed into a little boat at our hotel and were taken to several of the best spots to observe the incredible sea life that exists among coral reef.

After our snorkel fest, we were dropped off at Puntita Cahuita, the point of the area´s National Park. We hiked through lush coastal rain forest, stopping often to watch the many monkeys swinging from branch to branch, playing, munching, checking us out. Wonderfully, there were more monkeys than there were people!

To compliment the start of the photo montage, here´s a final picture showing the rastafari influence on the Caribbean Coast. Yup, that´s Jesus with dreads; rastafari Jesus.

Nearing the end

¡Pura vida!

As the holiday season is now upon us, I am especially thankful for so many things---for my family and friends back home (and around the globe!), for my health and safety, for an incredibly blessed year as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, and for upcoming travels here in Costa Rica and then to Nicaragua with my dear college friend, Amber, and THEN a much awaited return home to Iowa! Before then, there are papers to finish writing and a "gringo" potluck Thanksgiving Dinner to feast upon! Now if we can just find ourselves a turkey....!

It´s truly amazing how it seems like just the other day that I was arriving to Costa Rica, just in time to celebrate the new year with my new host family; and now, almost 11 months later I am a busy girl trying to "wrap up" the year, finishing all of the final term papers and projects of the trimester, final Rotary and Rotaract club projects for the year, scheduling in "goodbye" dates with friends and "family" here, and making lists of what to bring home.

The exciting part is that my Costa Rica journey will continue!! I am all set --thanks to the support from my steadfast family and close friends as well as receiving permission from the Rotary Foundation-- to extend my stay in Costa Rica in order to complete my Master´s degree program in Human Rights and Peace Education.

I will arrive to home in Iowa on December 15th and will begin accepting visitors the following day! ;) I will be freeeeeezing cold in the Midwest winter wonderland until January 17th, when I will then hop back on a plane to head south again....back to the warmer climate I am meant to reside in! I´m looking forward to spending time resting and relaxing, visiting and yes, studying some as well----there´s a thesis to be writing, people! :)

Please do be in touch---- by email, phone calls, personal visits!!

Thanks for all your support and love this year!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving---be thankful, and make sure you eat some turkey for me, just in case it is unable to be found here!!

With love, Megan The following is just for fun---a ´Top 15´ list put together by a former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar about some likely clues to identify those who have had "the amazing experiences, tried the weirdest foods and danced to the songs we all have come to love while living in another country through Rotary International." Anyone who has lived abroad can surely relate! ::

1. You ask for some type of food/snack/drink to be care packaged to you as your Christmas present.

2. You have problems understanding people in your native language because you instinctively assume they're speaking your host language and listen for words in that language.

3. Back home, you watch lame documentaries on the History channel in the hopes of seeing your host country or hearing your host language.

4. You speak the wrong language every time you open your mouth for the first few days you are back home after the first few days of speaking the wrong language, you speak your own language with a strange accent.

5. You always got out of punishment or being yelled at, or got out of school work because you didn't understand the language or pretended that you didn't.

6. You can sing all the Top 20 songs from your exchange year...even a year later....

7.You buy everything in sight with the name of the country you went to visit so when you go back people are bound to ask you about it.

8. You get letters and emails in a language that no one else can read.

9. You've have attempted to fit all your worldly possessions into 2 suitcases and a carry on. (And have succeeded, more than once!)

10. You cringe at the mention of 'baggage weight limit'.

11. You have 20 siblings and 8 parents.

12. You can describe in perfect detail every symptom of traveler's flu, but still travel anyways.

13. You worship Pepto Bismol.

14. People mistake you for a local until you speak (sometimes even after).

15. You help tourists because you know where the nearest bank is, how much it costs to mail a letter, how to use the pay phone, what bus to take, local customs, etc.