Yes, This IS Real Life......

So it's been exactly a week since I stepped off the cliff of life, and it has been anything but uneventful, in a good way. I am back to my usual self, and I feel healthy again physically and mentally. Seeing these places, people, and things again is so surreal! For the first two or three days, I felt like I was walking in a dream. I had been thinking about my life here for weeks since I left, and to actually be back when I never thought I would be is such an unusual (and welcome) feeling!

But first...Let's start back at the beginning of February. At this point, I am preparing to travel abroad by myself, with NO JOB, for an undecided amount of time, with about $200 in my bank account. It seems as if this would be the perfect time to panic. After all, I was on the verge of panic all the other times I've gone abroad...For those of you who have traveled, you know what I'm talking about. Those last few days before you leave are absolute chaos, and you feel like you'll never finish everything on your to-do list. For those of you who do not know what I'm talking about, it goes like this....For one, you have to pack, which is daunting all by itself. But it's much more than that, and the worst part is that somehow you don't feel the pressure until the last couple days, when it's too late. You want to make sure to see friends and family one last time before you leave, all in between a bajillion runs to a variety of stores for "supplies" you will need while you're gone. You start getting fraud calls from your bank because of that plane ticket you booked in another country, so you have to make sure to stop by the bank in person to tell them to expect charges abroad. Chances are, you have food that you need to hurry up and eat before you go, and loose ends that need to be tied up - make sure to do all your laundry before you pack, don't wear anything you want to pack with you, clean your room, change your sheets, park your car somewhere safe, among other things. And then comes time to pack. What job will you need to dress for? That could be anything from teacher to tourguide (literally! Haha we'll get to that...) Will you need rain gear this time or no? What can you leave behind that your mom can bring down with her later if you need it? Can you fit everything in your bags, much less do your bags meet weight standards for Delta? What if the second flight is full and can't take the weight of all your bags at once - do you have all of your essentials in the one bag you'd choose to check? Will that 10-pound tent be worth it's weight in the money it will save you on weekend trips? (The answer to that is yes.) Do you REALLY need nine pairs of shoes? (That's a no..) What can you pack that you can leave down there? After all, you're likely to buy some souvenirs, and you have already reached your weight limit, so a trade is in order. Lastly, do you have everything?? Did you forget something??? Can you even carry your own luggage?? OH THE ANXIETY!!!! All of this is nerve-racking on it's own, but then you remember that YOU HAVE NO JOB AND NO MONEY. Great.

The good news is, this is the first time I've moved abroad that I actually knew where I was going. I already knew what it was like to live in Jimenez. I knew the weather and the culture. I knew what I would and would not have access to. And most importantly, I knew PEOPLE. I had FRIENDS that would help me out and keep me from being lonely. People also translate into networking (aka JOBS!) so surely I would be able to find a job somewhere. At least this part of the anxiety was settled for once.

Early Tuesday morning, Mom drove me to the airport. Now that the chaos of my to-do list was over, I was unusually calm for the given circumstances. Excited even. Ready for the leap, if you will. The night before, I had hosted a chili dinner for a few of my closest friends, and it was a great success. Everyone showed up, my first attempt at venison chili rocked, and we had good, real friend time.

The plane ride was of course a drag, but at least no crying babies or snoring row-mates. Upon landing in San Jose, I caught a glimpse of those oh-so-familiar mountains, crisply outlined against a clear blue sky. I could just see how warm it was outside. My heart leaped with that kind of excitement you get when you're home. That same kind of excitement I get when I drive over the train tracks on North College as I pull into the greatest Village on the Plains. I was home in a way.

Thankfully customs was a breeze, and I found my domestic terminal easily. I set up camp in a corner, and settled in to check emails, texts, and listen to some music. About thirty minutes before takeoff, and familiar face shows up...Paco was there!!! He had been in San Jose to vote the past weekend, and he wanted to surprise me by booking the same flight down to Puerto Jimenez. WHAT?!?! I was so excited to see him again, not to mention that I am quite hard to surprise. Kudos to him! Unfortunately, the flight to PJ involved some unsettling turbulence, but we made it, safe and sound. I WAS BACK, and I felt like a giddy child.

Like I said, the first few days were dream-like. I unpacked in my new home (for those wondering, Paco is letting me stay with him at his apartment until further notice), and I got some errands taken care of on Wednesday and Thursday, and of course I ran into several people I knew. Before they could even ask me how I was, they'd comment on how white I was!! Haha thanks guys, nice to see you too. It's not like I'm a gringa that's come from the dead of winter or anything.

Soon, it was my favorite time of week. Can you guess? Yep, TIME TO GO TO MATAPALO!!! WHOOOHOOOO!!!!! I had zero cares that there wasn't supposed to be a swell. I was determined to go surfing, and I was excited to try out my new tent! Paco and I would camp on the beach to save money, and turns out, my ENO hammock is the best packing decision I've made so far. I threw it up between two trees right in front of the surf break at Matapalo, and between surf sessions, I spent the entirety of my weekend relaxing in my beach side hammock in the shade. I knew I had made the right decision to come back. :) The surf was good too, and I easily fell back into it. It was like riding a bicycle. Due to the awkward timing of tides, I even ventured out on the surf break right there at Cabo Matapalo which in my mind, is only reserved for pros. I made sure there were no locals in the water before I paddled out at high tide (when the sharp rocks are deepest..), and I actually surfed it!!! Waves were about head high, and it felt SOOOOO GOOODDDD to be back on my beloved board. All was right with the world.

As usual, Sunday brings me back to reality. After talking with Elmer (the school's director) last Wednesday, I was expected to be at school on Monday to begin subbing. In my mind, I was expected to sub for Materno and 3rd-6th grade, exactly how I had taught last year. Of course, Ticos never make it that easy, so in reality, I subbed for a combined class of Materno and Kinder/Pre-K for the morning section. I'm not the only one who thinks Elmer is nuts for grouping 3 year olds with 6 year olds. I had 12 of them, and clearly,  it didn't work out. I mean, I made it work, but my 3 oldest kids were bored out of their minds doing my planned lessons meant for the 3-4yr old group I thought I was gonna have. Elmer also decided to cancel afternoon classes for the week, which makes NO SENSE in my opinion, but like I said, Ticos never make things as easy as they could be...Ha....

Tuesday again brought 12 babies, but a different mix this time. The 3 older kids had been moved up to the older class, but I had a new girl that almost only spoke Czech (yes, you read that correctly) and two other newbs. All went mostly smoothly...Then today, the secretary, Lea, took over the Kinder/PreK, so I only had 7 true Materno kids. Another mostly smooth day, but at one point, I did find one of my little girls in the bathroom, wearing NO pants, and fishing in the toilet with both hands. WHAT IN THE WORLD!?!? Turns out, she was only trying to save a lizard (not poop) that was stuck in the toilet bowl. I never got an explanation for the pants though.....

Alllrighty the last order of business - BUSINESS. As in, my job search. So far, I have been subbing this week. I have been clear to Elmer that if he does not have a contract to me by the end of this week outlining my duties, pay, and length of stay, that I will not be able to help next week. I can't afford to "volunteer" at the school when it is possibly keeping me from working my other new job. YEP! NEW JOB! On Tuesday, I met with a lady from Destin, FL who just took over a boat tour company here. You are looking at the newest gringa tour guide on the Osa Peninsula! Haha! She wants to train me next week to lead boat tours that search for dolphins, explore botanical gardens or animal sanctuaries, and snorkel the reefs in the Gulf. It looks like I'll also be helping with the Facebook page, so I want you to do me a favor...Like our Facebook page "Changing Tide Tours" so that you can see the progress as I revamp the page!! I'm actually surprised at how excited I am to start! While it may be inconsistent, it pays way better than the school...And it looks like I may be able to be a private tutor on the side to supplement my income! YAY! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!! Keep fingers crossed that it all pulls through!

Banana Crepes made by Chef Paco

So, overall....I'M HAPPY. It's nice to see friends and students again, and I realized that I weirdly missed the grocery stores here. Paco and I are having fun challenging each other in our own home version of Iron Chef - we've made everything from Olla de Carne (like a stew) to banana crepes, homemade bread and pretzels, fresh caught lobster bisque, Gallo Pinto (of course), fresh basil pesto, and Pasta Bolognese!! (Fresh Parmesan cheese that I imported has been like gold haha.) I'm a 10 minute walk from the beach, and I can see the awkward "Barguatafok" and the main street from my apartment. My surfboard awaits me each weekend, and while it's blazing hot, the sun is shining, the bougainvillea is blooming, macaws are squawking, and dust covers everything like Southern pine pollen. Somehow, this dump of a town has captured a piece of my heart.