Trials and Triumphs?

I missed bus stop on the way home today. My family suggested I take a different route because it would be shorter, but I didn't recognize anything so I passed my stop. I didn't realize it for 10 minutes. Once I finally got off, it was already dark and I had no idea where I was. I learned quickly that if you look scared, you become a target...so I pretended I knew where I was and walked with purpose until a taxi passed. It was scary, but I did it! The taxi driver took me back to Veritas. I ran into David, one of the boys in my program, and he made me feel a lot better. Every mistake is a learning experience, verdad?

Oh, I remembered more things about Tican life. Bathrooms. The toilet paper doesn't go in the toilet. I think I've clogged about three public restrooms now, solely because I forgot to put my toilet paper in the trash can. Also, everyone in my office brushes their teeth after lunch. If you don't, you're considered to have poor hygiene. Guess who is bringing a travel toothbrush to work tomorrow?

In Costa Rica, Tican pedestrians like to cross the street. In Costa Rica, Tican drivers like to drive quickly. Bad combination. Drivers DO NOT STOP for pedestrians. I'm serious. I almost got hit by a car this morning. It was an adrenaline rush, but I don't recommend trying it. Tican drivers also like to honk their horns. They honk when they're bored, they honk to say hello, they honk to tell you the light is green...all the time.

I also discovered that lines do exist in Costa Rica. People line the sidewalk while they wait for the bus, and you do not cut this line. Today while I was waiting for my bus (Zapote Pista), a homeless man camped out right next to me asking for money. Gringas are targets for homeless people and street vendors. It is clear that I am from another country. I wish I looked more like a local.

Taxi drivers also like to take advantage of foreigners. The second they hear your poor Spanish accent, they will tell you that they don't know where you live. Some drivers purposely take a longer route so they can charge you more than is necessary. Never sit in the front seat of a taxi, and always ask, "Tiene maria?" Do you have a meter? If they don't have a meter, do not get in the car. They'll rip you off.

After dinner, Natalie, Amy, Evan, David and I went to a local mall to see a movie. We couldn't find the movie theater, though, so we went to a bar instead. A woman at a table next to us was celebrating her birthday with her girlfriends. It was really cute and made me miss my friends at home. A lot of Tican women hold hands or link arms when they walk down the street. This also reminds me of my friends at camp. Que triste, pero ahorita estoy en Costa Rica!

Getting through two gates in the dark is a little complicated, but we managed after our evening adventure. Now I'm off to bed. Can't wait for my commute in the morning! Que tuanis! So cool!

Hasta luego,
Lauren