Yesterday in class we told stories for a whole hour. We were learning the difference between chistes (jokes) and anécdotas (anecdotes) in Spanish, so we got to tell different anecdotes to each other. And today she brought little trinkets from her house and we paired up, one person was the buyer and on the seller, and we practiced bartering in Spanish! Class is so great!
Afterward, we had cooking class tonight, which lasted from 3:30 - 7:30. Our guide Jorge, who drives us for our excursions, his wife taught the class. We got to go out to their house in the country which was SO nice. She was the nicest person I've met in Costa Rica so far (and there have been a lot). Flor has the biggest heart and was so funny and kind. We learned how to make a lot of typical Costa Rican dishes, and they were alright for the most part, but the famous Costa Rican dish, Gallo Pinto, was a slight disaster. My host mom made it yesterday morning, and it was fine, but in the afternoon, she put a ton of cilantro in it. So I definitely gag by just smelling a little cilantro. I felt so bad because every bite I took I literally almost threw up. I had to concentrate very hard not to. I could only eat about half the plate though. It was terrible. I'll make Gallo Pinto when I come back without cilantro. Es mejor :)
On the way back from Jorge and Flor's house, he asked us if anyone could understand what he was saying. Before Janiva had been telling us how good and respectful his kids were. So Jorge told us a story in Spanish about how when his eldest daughter was 19, the guy that liked her sent him an email asking to meet with him, and when they met he asked if it would be ok to ask his daughter out, but only if Jorge would allow it. Jorge siad yes, and the guy asked what his rules for the relationship would be. He said the boy could never go in his daughter's room, and would always have to bring her back by 10 and respect her and the family even though his rules were more conservative than those of the guy. He followed the rules for 4 years and then they got married. After the wedding, he thanked Jorge for having him follow the rules. It was such a great sorry!! Jorge is an awesome dad as well as guide for us. He's like our second dad while we're down here.
Afterward I translated it for Janiva, and I think she was very surprised. After most of the other students were dropped off she told me, "You know, you're very quiet, but you understand everything that's going on." It made me feel smart :)
Last night, I was just going to go to bed, but my host brother asked if I wanted to go get a beer or something. So we went out, and I had my first drink ever at a bar called Bulevar (one of the 3 main bars in Heredia). My first drink ever was Piña colada. And it was gross. But I drank the whole thing anyways because my host brother bought it for me. Some of the other students came and we played pool and fusbol. My host brother Carlitos said he'd make me some drinks at home so I can try different things. Pura vida!
And one more thing. So my roommate is crazy. She's 17, and at the same level in college that I am. Just finished sophomore year. Finished high school in 2 years. Lived in New York for a while working because she wants to be an actress. And now she's going to school to get a degree so she has a better chance at being an actress. She's so much fun though. We talk in Spanish to each other all the time.
En Costa Rica...
7. It's very rare to find a tico that likes peanut butter.
8. Directions are given by landmark only. Houses don't have addresses here.
9. Since the houses are so open here, for the most part people whistle for someone to come to the door instead of knocking.
10. When we close doors in the states, it's considered slamming the doors here, so you have to close them very very quietly otherwise it's considered rude.
I would have loved the photograph and cooking classes. You are learning so much!! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Aunt Linda