A year, and three months to be exact. In Costa Rica, in the city of San Jose, high in the mountains, getting the chance to adapt to a whole new experience a wholelifestyle. The date was August 31, 2009. The day I decided to move out of the country, and on a journey that was about to shape the way I felt and about the world ouside the US, which would eventually have an immense affect on the way I perceived and look at other countries. All I knew, I wanted go toCosta Rica, to get away from the economical crisis, and experience something different. This would enable me, to expand my mind and creativity as an artist.Along with my, Best friend Rohan, we took along with us, our courage and
curiosity, as we ventured off into the unknown, to learn about ourselves, and experience a whole new culture and lifestyle. As we were about to find out, it wasn't going to be going to be what we bargain for, because for one thing, we were foreigners, with no grasp or understanding of the language, which was a disadvantage for us. When it came to the music, we were out of sync, and we
weren't sure what the locals where into, which didn't help us with the night life initially, and most importantly, we didn't know anyone, except ourselves.That would eventually going to change, as were about to get acquainted with some really interesting and down to earth individuals, that would play a part in our spiritual and personal development. The first day was a little nerve wracking, As I remembered, coming out of the airport terminal, and eyes literally glued to us,if we were Aliens coming from outer space, as we were realized, we were nolonger in New York, because for the first time in a long time, we were the new kids on the block.As we needed time, to get affiliated with our new surroundings. The first taste was going to come at the institute we ere studying, called Maximo Nivel, as we were going to embark on a four week journey, filled with literature terms, we haven't used since college. The people at Maximo Nivel, gave off a genuine feeling, but like any other place you arrive to, for the first time, it was a matter of time,before you realized individual’s true colors, but for the most part, they madeus feel comfortable, and over the span of time, shaped my thoughts, to capturethe real Costa Rica. I wasn't sure at first, how Rohan and I were going toperceive the others, but for me, I knew my inquisitiveness was about to be answered. All Americans, I knew this opportunity bring us together somehow, so we had to take the time to discover each others, purpose and reason for wanting to leave the best country in the world, when it came to economical opportunity. Into a new one, where the term Gringo, meant outsider. This would help us make the connection quicker, because we took on the notion, even thought we stomp from different grounds, we were in different lands, amongst totally strangers. We were the new kids on the block. The only thing we can own up to was that wewere all gringos. This more so, made us get acquainted faster, knowing we all spoke English, as we were about to embark on this journey, that not a lot of people can say they experienced in their lifetime. As we got acquainted, we were beginning to come together, not for the purpose of the ESL course, but we soon found out, we had more in common, then what we realized even though our personalities varied, but we clicked, and over the two months, we form our own little crew. We came together because we seek adventure, which was the onlyother reason why we were there. When Rohan and I first got to Costa Rica, weknew it wasn't going to be easy, but the one thing we could depend on was our friendship to get us through. The first 3 months was diffidently a well proven test. For one thing, having the certificate to teach didn't mean we had a guarantee placement, so we spend the first three months searching for jobs that would enable us to teach at a institution or at a school. But we were unlucky,It was very aggravating and frustrating at times, but we held it together, and got through the process. We finally landed a teaching job in downtown San Jose.
When we first arrived, we got the typical gringo treatment. Taxi's drivers took advantage of us, every chance they could, not knowing any Spanish, put us at amajor disadvantage, as they hiked up the prices, charging us extra money in bars andrestaurants.The city of San Jose was very touristy in my eyes, so for me, it was hard to identify, or connect the county with something, until I explored the countryside,to get a better grasp. The city was American influenced, natives wearing the latest in American appeal, listening to American music, Eating American food, and more importantly, acting and behaving as if they were living in America, but once I left the city, it was a different story, as I discovered the peoplehad more cultured and more approachable . As the natives seem to appreciate the
beauty even more in the country, compared to those we came across in the city. The people in the city from my perception seemed more preoccupied with money and partying. As the people from the countryside, seem to take life more simple.To be honest, they seem more real. When Rohan and I first arrived on night scene, every night was packed with party goers. No matter if they had school or work, everynight was something to look forward to, as we found local bars, to vibe to the music. Whatever came from the night life, we got engulfed in it fast, as weloved every minute and every night we went out. Over the course of the threemonths, theexperience transformed us, before our very eyes, without us even realizing it, whenwe first arrived there; we got a task of the city life. The city life was hectic,as motorist passed by honking their horns, people yelling and screaming across the streets, andvendors in every street corner. Right from the jump, I took my ability to connect with people as I went around the city, talking to the natives. Along with Rohan, every night we went out, was anadventure. Especially when it came to talking to the ladies, but that is another issue I would address later on. From my point ofview, San Jose was very touristy, so it was hard to make a distinction of the culture,right off the bat. For the next three months, I tested my theory in every way. I approached the locals, trying to get correlation between the states and there, and how I was going to change and transform into the person I wanted tobe. Rohan and I took up Salsa dancing, which made every Friday night anexperience to look forward. As time went on, Rohan and I built a strong relationship with the students from our TEFL group. Along with Rohan, Doug,Travis, Shaina, Jamie, John, Carey, Shannon Lindsay, Jennifer, Aeron, everytime we linked up, we had something to talk about, as we shared laughs, andgood times. Forming our own special bond, this would make it difficult, when itwas time to say goodbye. The real experience was Rohan and I decided to move in with a host family, which enabled us to get the real Costa Rican experience. We ate real Costa Rican meals, consist of Gallo Pinto, chicharrones, Arroz conpollo, to mention others, were a real delicacy, because we were now getting the real experience. On weekends, we took trips outside the city to local community centers, and get away retreats, where we saw the countryside and the beauty ofthe country. We got acquainted with the locals, trying to get accustomed to the culture, they greeted us with their localgreeting, of Pura Vida, which meant,pure life. The host family, where we staying, were very nice and supportive in everyway, until we found out they no longer wanted us in their place of residency.
The mom struck me, as the kind of mother, you would see on 1950’s sitcoms, like Leave it to Beaver, as she was a cooking and cleaning machine, attending to every need and concern we had. The father worked during the week, he was very quiet man, not much to say, but once you got to know him He was funnier than what you realized. He was always preaching to us, telling us, certain things not to do, which was evident in his personality, because he was the type of father, who no longer had excitement in his life. He lived by the motto, Work and no play. Healways had a seriousness about him, that made him unapproachable, when it came to others in the community, because he didn’t seem to connect to the younger generation, which was evident in the way his son treated him or the wayhe dealt with his son, as his son controlled and manipulated every situation possible, to get what he wanted. This was the same factor that contributed to the fact that he was still married, separated with his wife, but yet, they stayed together for the sake of the kid, but I'm sure, the kid knew they weren't clicking on all cylinders, because for me, If I can pick up on awareness, IF I can others can surely pick up on the same things. As they shared, no kind affection in any manner. Not to mention,they had a 15 year agedifferent between them, which might have played a role in factor, Regardless ofthe situation, they were welcoming and hospitable, and they did their best to accommodate to our needs, until they eventually got tired of us living there.During the three months span, we got really close, but it was one of those things, like with life. Things sometimes happen without any real understanding of why, but for me, we were young adults, free wanting to do anything, without answering to anyone, so we felt we were being controlled, even though we had our owns section upstairs in the house. During the TEFL training, Rohan and I got a chance to bond with our students, they shared with us, their interest, from music, parties, nightlife, movies, TV shows, etc, and we felt then we were getting closer to more exposure to the culture, but as we were about to figureb out, things are not what they seem. The first three months, was an adjustmentperiod, and towards the end of that year, reality was about to strike us, as we realized, we were now far away from home.
