Time for some pictures!!

Below are some pictures of where I've been recently. And some of the scenery I see almost daily - and it is still always breathtaking. Even as I get accustomed to the landscape, the colors somehow never fail to amaze me. Blues and Greens and Grays have never been so beautiful (and these were always my favorite colors! .. well, maybe not always gray - but now it is!)

This first picture is the view of the Gulf of Dulce on the southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica - it is taken from "Paul's place" one of the buildings on the Ighani farm. This is where we often have Ruhi classes (which we are taking to help practice our spanish - and because it is quite probable we will tutor this book at some point and it's good to be familiar with it)


These are the people I live with (minus Anne who is taking the picture). Left to right: Parviz, Laura (from Greece), yours truly, Komron (from TN), and Linda (from Iceland).




This spot is about midway through the walk from Conte to the farm. I love the mist!

Below is a view of the sunrise. I've made the walk down to Conte starting at dawn many times now. And it is always a beautiful morning (.. likely because if it wasn't we wouldn't head down - partly because who would want to walk in bad weather but mostly because that usually means the rivers are high and either dangerous or impassable)

One day we walked about two hours in the opposite direction from Conte - heading further into the mountains. We visited the old Chief and his family. This man has an amazing garden and this woman makes the traditional crafts of the Guaymi people. She asked us to put on the dresses - and I am also wearing a hat the Chief made (though usually only the men wear those). And, by the way, the woman in pink is lovely Anne.

And this beautiful place is the beach, Zancudo. It is quickly becoming one of my favorite places on earth. Beautiful soft sand, waves that are fun but not too powerful or dangerous and comfortable lodgings with great food. Whoever comes to visit me definitely deserves a stop here.

My Day

This morning was an interesting morning. I woke up at my usual time (around 5:15) to the sound of the cat rustling my tent. For some reason I wanted to sleep in... so I tried... and failed. I got up - and I'm always glad when I do because I love my mornings before the others get up. I washed my face and brushed my teeth and then sat in the hammock with my new novel. I have two books that I am reading. One I keep down at the main house - The Prophet's Daughter, and the other I read only in the mornings in my hammock - at the moment it's The Memory Keeper's Daughter. I don't have a watch anymore (my new Guaymi friends like to tease me about it because I wore it into the ocean.. and water proof does not mean saltwater proof) but I am usually exactly on time in the mornings because I have discovered that when the sun tops the tree and the rays begin to shine brightly into my eyes it's 7:00 and time to start the day. But this morning it was very cloudy.. still bright, but very cloudy. So I guessed. I think I was very close to the right time, but when I got up I noticed what the cat must have been occupied with the night before... I found a rat skin and some of the insides left outside my tent. So, I had to clean up that mess. I wonder what happens to the bones because there are never any left there. Strange. So, I made it down to breakfast - I was still first, but I was 13 minutes late (not that we really have such a strict schedule.. we just like to have some bit of order).

Then, a rather spur of the moment idea (at least to me) we decided to take a trip down to Conte to spend some time on the internet. So, we took off right away and spent 2 hours walking down. Near the end of the walk we met Don Freddy who I've heard much about (though, to be honest, I don't really remember who he is) but I was glad to meet him. He said that he has been good friends with Parviz for about 10 years and that we are welcome to visit him at his house anytime. This past week I feel like I'm finally getting to know the people in the community. I'm starting to really remember people's names and their relationships to each other. Before it always felt a little like a blur. Now I just wish my spanish would come faster. I talk with people, but still, at times I'm not really sure I am responding correctly to their questions or if I really understand them or I just think I do. All I can do is keep up what I am doing - continue to read Harry Potter ;) and study with Anne (the youth are doing Ruhi 1 in spanish to improve our language skills) and most of all continue to talk with people.

But back to my narrative: the little cafe only had two computers. So, Laura and I waited at a bar while Linda and Komron used the computers for 1 1/2. And now I'm here, using it myself. I've been trying to follow up with my ideas for the enrichment center of using some of the old Montessori materials for math and reading that I used as a kid to use with the kids up in Progresso. I think I can make a lot of the things - right now I just really need to remember how to get them to use it. What do I have them do? Eh, I'll figure it out. I guess I'm actually getting ahead of myself. I should be figuring out how to make the materials because they don't even have a chance to use them until I make them! So, besides the garden (which we've gotten the first batch of plants in the earth) my other main project will be to get some of these materials ready.

Here we go again

I'm back in San Jose and leaving again for Progresso in the morning. For some reason I cannot get used to using the extremely slow internet connection that is available at the Ighani house... I guess I just don't have enough patience. So, I write when I'm here. It's not a good system because I haven't felt like posting all weekend - and to be honest, I'm still not sure I do. But this is me trying to keep in touch.

So, a (relatively) quick update on some of my activities, and then perhaps a nod to news from the US. In Progresso it's always an interesting mix of not much going on, nothing to do, and completely occupied. The year of service youth, along with the help of one special neighbor, has started a garden. We have planted seedlings of cucumber, tomato, okra, red pepper, and one or two other things in little containers we made out of paper which we will, once they have grown a little, plant into one of the two plots we've dug up. We are hoping to have a successful little vegtable garden - but it's a hope because it's in the middle of the rainy season and it may be a lot of work to keep all the plants and the soil from washing away. We've dug trenches around the plots in an effort to ward off erosion, but we'll see how it all works.

Also, last Wednesday we started teaching English classes at the local school. Laura and I are teaching the 5th grade class, Anne is teaching the 6th grade, and Komron and Linda will be teaching the 4th grade. I was a bit nervous going in because our spanish is not really all there yet and I'm not sure I've ever really taught a class in the same type of setting - proper chalkboard, students in desks... I mean, it's the whole nine yards. But I think the kids enjoyed it and I know I really did. I am looking forward to planning class and teaching it.

Another project we're hoping to get up and running soon is the, well, to be honest I just forgot the name. But basically it is going to be an enrichment center of sorts. A big part of the culture and of everyday life in Progresso is visiting. Lots of people stop by every day and rather than simply sitting and doing nothing we will be doing something while we visit. Also, it will be the base of operations (there is another building being built where we house supplies or simply be a station for this) for our tutoring. For instance, three of our top priorities at the moment is teaching one little girl to read and helping two boys with their math skills. But it's for everyone. At the moment it's still more of an idea than a plan - but that's one thing we will focus on when we get back.

Other things that take up my time: dishes - somehow there is a never ending stream (ok, I can tell you... we have to cook each meal - there is no refrigerator, so three meals a day; plus, we have visitors - and for each visitor, even the tiny little kids, we serve them either coffee or juice, depending on the time of day, and if they are there during lunch or dinner, or sometimes even breakfast time, we also serve them a meal, so dishes can be, and are done all day long); laundry has to be done at least every other day just in case we have a bad week of rain and clothes don't dry; Laura and I run quite regularly, almost every day; for my downtime I read - I have read Reading Lolita in Tehran, which is a great book about a woman who lived and taught in Iran before and after the revolution, The Alchemist, a great book about a boy finding his path in life, finding his purpose and joy, Anna Karennina, a classic Russian novel about a few aristocrats trying to find happiness, Angela's Ashes, a heartbreaking story of a boy's life growing up in Ireland in the mid-20th century. But perhaps the hardest read - It's the first one I started in July and I am still only halfway through - is the 3rd book of Harry Potter. I kid you not. Of course, it is in spanish. And, to clarify, my downtime is usually between 6 and 7 in the morning, after I wake up, but before it is time to go down to breakfast - and that's on the mornings that Laura and I don't run (sometimes we go in the afternoon). At night, after dinner, Anne and Parviz and us youth have a devotional. At the moment we are reading A Century of Light. So, there you have it.

Bonus: one morning, Laura and I gave poor Puppy a bath. She was filthy and tick and flea infested. I showered directly afterwards.

And I came here to San Jose and whenever I have the remote for the TV I turn on CNN. I saw the first Presidential Debate, and I wish I could be in a position to catch the rest. And I found out about the slight difficulties Wall Street is having - it's crazy how separated I am from that down here. I had no idea. It's funny, when I'm in Progresso I do not miss movies, TV, radio, or even the internet, except at times to be able to keep in touch a bit more. But I come here and it is overload on CNN and the internet.

Well, I need to pack for tomorrow... and think about calling a cab for 4:30, or 5? better make it 4:45 in the morning... hmm.. ok, hasta luego.

I'm a bit behind

I always feel I'm a bit behind and I keep writing only long narratives - and this one is no different. I plan to briefly describe the last ten days since my last post; but first, I have news to share: the Ighanis have spoken (apparently for five hours) with the counselor and they have decided not to rush the move away from Progresso. A pioneer family from Panama is coming on the 20th of September and we thought we'd leave for Guanacaste a few days after but it has been decided to wait and see. Therefore, for an undefined amount of time I get to stay in the lovely Progresso.


Okay, for the long, but hopefully not boring, sequence of events. Last week, when we all still thought we would be moving at the end of September, Jason came with the hope of helping his parents make the move. So, he came and we headed out on the long bus ride the next morning - but instead of going directly to Progresso we went to a beautiful quiet beach - the beach we see from one of the views from the Ighani's house (hopefully someday I'll insert some pictures because it's absolutely stunning). We had a nice long walk on the beach that night and the next morning we played in the great waves of the pacific ocean.

Then we headed up to Progresso. In Progresso we continued helping Anne go through things - cleaning and organizing and just generally trying to be helpful. But we also had some fun... of sorts. A few times Laura, Jason and I ran down the mountain and back up - I described that beach walk right? Well, yes, we took that path - not the whole hike... just the hardest part - barefoot. Fun, right? But to make up for it we did make chocolate. First we roast the cocoa beans, then rub the roasted beans between our hands to take off the shell. Then we grind them and then we add milk and sugar over the fire. I say we - mostly it was Jason and Laura (there's a picture on facebook - note what I am holding... not exactly helpful). Jason also cut down some coconuts for us to drink one day - yum. Oh, and I would just like to share, Laura made the most amazing Spaghetti. I am constantly amazed at the food here - yes, often we have the rice and beans that I expected, but also, quite often we have amazing tasting food! There was talk of killing a chicken (Laura really wants to pluck the chicken!) but that didn't end up happening - maybe it we'll do that in the upcoming weeks.

Then, all too soon, we left for San Jose once more. For some reason, that particular ride seemed extremely long to me - but we made it to San Jose. Our days here have also been quite eventful. One night we stayed at Saba's (a good friend - she served at the Ighani's a few years ago and decided to return to Costa Rica to study), one night we stayed at Julie's (a pioneer to Costa Rica and good friend of Anne), and a couple nights now we're back at Hesh and Zarrin's. We spent one day at the mall - no shopping, just sitting and talking. We've gone on errands, met friends for lunch (so tasty!), farewell party - that, for a few of us, lasted until 3:30 when they headed for the airport to send Jason away, other party.. well, the one that's always here the the house (for instance, Zar cooked dinner last night and about 7 people just walked in and sat down with us - good times).

So, we leave for Progresso in the morning and we don't know when we'll be back. The internet sitiation (hopefully family members catch that and don't just think I can't spell) is also undefined so I don't know when I'll be writing again - but don't let that deter you from communicating with me - eventually I will read and respond to everything. Nos vemos!

Before we go..

Well, our week in the San Jose area is almost at an end. We came up to San Jose for a doctor's appointment for Parviz, then we stayed to the weekend because Anne and Parviz had an NSA meeting, and then we were waiting for today because Jason (the oldest Ighani child) is flying in from the states. So, tomorrow we will be heading back down to Progresso. So... what we did in San Jose:

Well, Laura and I have been staying at a young couple's house - and it's been great. Hesh and Zarrin are good friends of the Ighanis and it's not hard to see why. Their house is always open to their friends and almost every night there were people over - whether it was just a night to hang out, or there was a devotional or dinner. Also, lucky for Laura and I, they both speak English and most of their friends do as well. So, we've been having a good time meeting new people and hanging out - at least at night. During the day, when everyone is at work, we've had to think of things to fill up our time. One day we went into downtown San Jose with Anne - we saw the open market and the craft markets and just walked around. One day we went out to a nearby Volcano - apparently it has one of the largest craters formed by a Volcanic eruption. One day we just went to downtown Heredia (the town/subdivision where we have been living) looked around and then when it started raining found a little "Cafeteria" - a coffee shop - and studied spanish. Other days we just hung out here and watched some movies. Unfortunately, Laura and I both got sick two nights ago and we spent yesterday recuperating. But we're better now and all ready for the party we're throwing for Jason's return. We've also been to a few friend's houses for devotionals, dinner and hanging out. Oh, and on a spur of the moment thing - we gave an improvised children's class... with no materials, not even a story in spanish, and little language. Laura has been taking lots of good pictures and has been putting them up on Facebook, so if you want to see some pictures I'm afraid you'll have to check it all out there.

Back in Costa Rica...

... but we're not settled yet. At the moment we are all sort of floating in Costa Rica. The first week we returned we stayed in Progresso. Anne started going through her things, trying to decide what she should and could take with her when we move. Parviz visited with neighbors and tried to fix some of the solar panel units that either weren't working or weren't working very well. Laura and I did whatever we could that would help them. We've done some cleaning, organizing, cooking and visiting neighbors. One day we walked down to the bay to buy fish (and swim in the ocean). That was a fun day - Anne had warned us that it was a rather difficult hike, especially on the way back. Well, going down Laura and I thought "this isn't too bad." On the way back we decided never to doubt anything Anne says. The walk back is pretty much straight up without stopping - for about 2 1/2 hours. And it didn't help that we walked back in the middle of the day without much water. Another day, Laura and I went to a friend's house to ask her to make Guaymi dresses for us. I don't know when they'll be ready - but I can't wait!

But I'm ahead of myself - Laura is from Greece, but has German parents, and has been working in England for the past few years. She will be staying with us for about 6 months - until she decides where or whether to do her doctorate. She's great... actually we're going for a run at the moment so I'll finish the stories of our adventures another time.

But very quickly, at the moment we're in San Jose and will be for a few more days yet.

Hola Todos!

Well, it's been about three more weeks and my time in Colombia is almost at an end.  I have met some wonderful people, had some wonderful times, and have really learned a lot.  The first week here at the institute in Cartegena, Colombia was spent learning about the process - especially the importance of keeping detailed and accurate notes and information about what has been done and who you've spoken to.  In addition, we studied Conozcamos (basically the Spanish version of Anna's Presentation) and some other deepening themes to help us prepare for going out to the towns.  Which is what we did for most of the second and third weeks.  Last week, on Tuesday we went out to the villages, mine was called Santa Rosa, where we stayed until Friday.  This was the teaching part of our trip.  Our goal was 50 new Baha'is - and we reached that goal in two days.  Mind blowing, right?  The people are simply ready.  The people we shared Conozcamos with were people who already knew a little bit about the faith - they had kids in childrens classes or they were or someone in their family had started Ruhi books - but we simply shared with them some of the main beliefs and a little history of the faith and at the end we ask "so, do you believe in Baha'u'llah" and almost every time they said yes.  I think four people total in Santa Rosa said no, they didn't want to sign a card... but everyone that I saw simply said yes.  The other two days were spend starting the consolidation process, the deepening the new believers.  One of the main things that struck me was the confidence that the other members of my group had in the process.  For instance, they pushed me to give part of the presentation, even though I have very bad spanish - they trusted that the message is so powerful that my broken spanish can't mask the truth.  This past week was the other part of the consolidation process.  We took the bus every day to the village and tutored Ruhi books or deepened new believers.  I gave my first Ruhi class in spanish.  And now, I have had three different Ruhi classes - alone.  Yesterday, I spent an entire day with one family.  In the morning I continued Book 2 with a girl, Cindy, who I had tutored the week before.  They had invited me to eat lunch with them - so I ate soup with cow stomach.. it was actually quite tasty but I had to not think about what it was.  And for the rest of the day, when Cindy had to go to colegio (high school) I sort of tutored Book 1 with an uncle of hers who is not a Baha'i.  It was interesting because he kept saying "There's not enough time!"  so he wanted to skip the reading (which is my favorite part because that's easy - no thinking, just reading!) and go straight to answering all of the questions.  Plus, he wanted to discuss all sorts different topics - especially politics (he is a fan of Obama).  It was a good day, but by 4 o'clock, about the time we needed to leave to catch the bus back to Cartegena, I could barely understand him any more.  I was so tired - everything he said I would have to ask him to repeat it.  That was my first entire day of only spanish.  All the other days I would have short conversations in English, or at least know that I could ask someone else to tell me what was said.. but yesterday I was alone with only spanish speakers and no English at all.  Good day, but hard.

This afternoon we are supposed to get together with the other members of our countries and begin our teaching and consolidation plans for our respective areas.  I don't know how that is going to go for us Costa Ricans, since none of us know exactly where we will be, what it will be like, or who we'll have to work with.  But I know that once we get there we'll be doing all sorts of good things for the Baha'is in that area.