Through new eyes

Throughout the last week and a half, I was gifted tremendously with the visit of my California cousins—my cousin Scott, his wife Trina and their two precious sons, mis primitos, Shea (age 4) and Matthew (age 2). It was a gift to be with family whom I love dearly. It was also a gift to travel to parts of Costa Rica both new and known to me and to see and feel these parts through their eyes.

As I wrote in the previous blog, travel is something that I consider integral to who I am, as I was blessed to be bitten by the travel bug at an early age. Travel is something I feel has shaped who I am, has shaped my worldview and has impassioned me in countless ways in the past, present and, undoubtedly, will continue to do so in the future.

When I first arrived to Costa Rica, I imagined it would be fairly smooth sailing. I had lived before in Mexico and I had traveled to other parts of Latin America. I knew Latin culture and spoke Spanish decently enough to get around safely, to make friends and engage in meaningful conversation, to get the gist of historical happenings and current affairs. And yet I began to experience homesickness. For the first significant time in my life, I experienced homesickness…badly. It was humbling, in the least, as I had taken pride in being someone who could adapt to another culture and who, additionally, could feel impassioned by it. It was that excitement and newness and energy that had so deeply drawn me into life abroad in previous occasions. So what was going on with me this time around?!?

I realized that there were a few major differences that made this time around unique in comparison to my prior experiences. I was entering into life abroad for a longer period of time than I had experienced previously. I was faced with graduate school in Spanish, something for which I was not prepared. I easily became frustrated with the aspects of Latin culture that didn’t coincide with my U.S. culture. But wasn’t I already aware of those differences, if not accustomed? I was constantly comparing and contrasting my home culture with my host culture, something which is necessary in processing your lived reality (and the emotions that accompany that reality) but if taken to the extreme it can be damaging to one’s attempt to authentically live in their host country. I realized that at times I made blanket assumptions about and even statements to Costa Ricans about those comparisons my brain was now so intentionally noting.

I was experiencing culture shock. I was experiencing culture shock when I thought I had already been there and done that in my previous experiences in living and traveling abroad. I mistakenly thought I was beyond culture shock.

Life as a graduate student quickly required incorporating some sort of rhythm and routine if I were to function well in my new “home away from home”. I remember a phone conversation with my brother that took place in my second or third month of living in Costa Rica. I was overwhelmed and flustered with my reality and feeling depressed about my seeming lack of ability to cope with and enjoy and succeed in that reality. Besides telling me to “quit sleeping in so much!”, he asked me, “are you working out?”. “No.” “Start working out regularly. Find yourself a routine for your daily life.” And so I did. And it helped immensely.

Not only did I find myself in a routine but I also found myself in a state of near constant stress with my studies. Occasionally I was able to get away on weekends or short breaks between trimesters to travel to a beach town (a sure fix for this Calgal!) or to one of Costa Rica’s lush rain forests. I spent 5 weeks at home during Christmas and New Year’s, which was one year after my original arrival in Costa Rica, and it was the emotional, mental, spiritual and physical renewal I was so seeking and needing at that point in time in order to come back for year numero dos in Costa Rica.

And what a difference year numero dos has been. I have felt so much more confident in my academic life and in my Spanish. It was as if things started to really “click”. I have felt less frustrated and more joyful. I have critiqued less and lived more. And yet I have still lived a routine that has looked very much like the first year—a routine that has consisted of much time spent sitting in front of my laptop, typing away on papers or my master’s thesis, all of which induced stress and anxiety. Is that really how I envisioned my life abroad?? Didn’t feel all that exotic to me!

It is true that my life abroad in Costa Rica has certainly been very different than my time as a student in Puebla, Mexico, where I traveled every single weekend of my semester and experienced far less academic responsibility and stress. I acknowledge that life as a full-time graduate student, no matter where you are, is not one of excessive free-time. But I am in beautiful Costa Rica—the “pura vida”! Even in the “pure life”, however, it is often just “getting through each day” that fills up one’s time and requires much energy. Numerous conversations with fellow gringos living here in Costa Rica has confirmed this. When asked by our family and friends back home, “but seriously, what is it that you do in Costa Rica every day??”, there’s no better reply than: “I just get through the day. I survive.”

And so, with my classes finished and my thesis defense complete, I entered into this time of travel with my California cousins with much gratefulness and relief. I knew I would enjoy the company immensely, and that I would also enjoy the travel, be it to the familiar or otherwise. And I saw the beauty of this country through their eyes—a beauty that was fresh and exciting. A beauty that captivated and enticed; a beauty that provoked new insight and conversation and even dreams of living life abroad.

I feel as though I have just been romanced anew by this country I have lived in for nearly two years now. Costa Rica is a country that truly does have much beauty—natural beauty as well as a beauty found within its people. It offers waves for my surfer cousin to brag about in the waters back home; it offers lush rain forests and cloud forests which are home to millions of species; it’s full of monkeys and birds, snakes and insects; it’s national beer is worth drinking and it’s gallo pinto of rice and beans and Salsa Lizano for breakfast is worth incorporating into one’s diet back home. The people are friendly and laid-back and sincerely hope you enjoy their country, which they are so very proud of.

As the remaining weeks before my departure are now few enough that a countdown could begin, I am grateful that I have reentered (a revisiting of sorts) that first stage of culture shock: excitement. It is described as the “honeymoon” stage of culture shock. Culture shock is something one experiences and processes through not just once within a certain culture, but many times, each time presenting itself a little differently and, thus, continually allowing for more growth and insight, more challenges and memories, additional opportunities to “learn and listen, to be the happiest and best travel ambassador on Earth”.

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.