I was about to undergo changes, not from a setting standpoint ,but from a mental and physical aspect. As Rohan, Travis, and myself would soon find out, sometimes, the battle we seek to conquer, sometimes requires a price
and a personal sacrifice within its self, as well as headaches, decision and tough choices, we make in the end. We decided to move into another host family, taking the notation ,we would not get too comfortable ,because we neededour own space. From the start, we were welcome into their home, and they try tomake us feel as a part of the extended family, in every possible way. We danced to different styles of Latin music, eat all sorts of food, and interacted witheveryone we saw in the community. We were taken in and love as if we were there own, but soon, we found out, we over stayed our welcome. During the time, we got to know different parts of their extended family, going on family outings with them. Talking and joking with the neighbors on a everyday basis, as webecame a part of their daily interaction. On the other end, work was beginning to pick up, and we felt good about the impact we were making on our students. At times, it was difficult, because there were some students more advance than others on otherlevels, but it was a comfortable environment, so the studentswere patient with the process. They found the class interesting and funny, everytime they came to class, I could tell the look forward to learning and being entertained, because for me, I always believed no matter what project or profession you take on, you should make it fun, for the interest of others,because only then, they can see you enjoying something you love to do. As faras the nightlife, it remain the same, from work, we felt we owed it to ourselves to stop at the local bar and have a beer or two, and listen to some reggae/Latinmusic. As time went on, it became our routine, Along with Rohan, Travis, Romain and I we began making friends with the locals, as they showed us a great deal of love. The ladies were also beginning to admire us as well, but for me, the few months of being there, I was still kind of unsure the reason behind their motives, because at times, I felt like I was walking with a dollar sign over my heads. In the back of my mind, we were Americans, with a cloud hanging over our heads, which signified we had money. I approached everything situation differently, believe it or not, I don’t believe in using people for the interest of others, but I still had fun regardless, as I needed to be free; and at ease with myself. What made the beginning of that period difficult, I had personal issues at home to deal with, and it weighed heavily on me, which resulted in excessive drinking at times, to take away from the fact I wasn't in the position to help them. Rohan was discovering his own personal virtues, as he and I became really good friends with Travis, who we met through the TEFL program. We were living with him prior, with the other host family. We were the three musketeers, within the short time; we became closer than the Osmond’s or even the Jack sons. Doug was the only other person left in the TEFL group that we hung out with.The others either went back to the states or had teaching position in other countries or teaching elsewhere in Costa Rica. As time went by, we became really close, but adversity was about to question rather or not we were closer than what I had thought. As time went by, we sense we were no longer welcome in the home, and the stress mounted. As pressure came upon us to find an apartment, but I Travis was back was against the wall, and decided to go off first, leaving Rohan and I between a rock and a hard place. During that time we found out something about ourselves and how others can change on you when you least expect it, but we still stuck together like how best friends should, and handled it to the very end. We eventually found a place, thanks to our boss,who we were working for at the time, but things were about to take a turn for the worst, as we were about to find out. We stayed a total of three months with the host family, even though I was happy to leave. As time went by, I reflected on the situation, as they helped us out momentarily, so there were no personal grudges, other than, we became lazy and content, even though I didn't hold any personal feelings, but I still felt we were taken advantage of, because we were gringos with money. We moved into a motel that our boss Romain recommended for us, he was looking out for our best interest, until we had enough money scraped up, to find an apartment of our own place. The first impression of the place, we thought to ourselves, it fit us well, and we got the space and relief that we were looking for. At least for the moment, as we were about to find out, adversity sometimes has a way to hitting you, which makes you hit rock bottom, with no vision or point of return. We still found a place of residency, for the moment thanks to Romain. We were in the heart of the city, constant honking, people shouting, bus and cars passing. That was the only fault we had, but as the saying goes, beggars and can't be choosers. Things were beginning to make sense again, as for Rohan; he was starting to find faith again, as he fell for love quickly, which was written all over his face. He was a chick magnet, everywhere we went, woman would be drawn to him, but from his point of view, it wasn’t so, because he was shy and calm individual, that didn't seek attention. He found a girl, just before we moved out of our second host family. which alter his feelings both good and bad, as the transition would affect him later on. I was happy for him, but at the same time, she more time he spend with her, the more time I had to myself, which made me feel alone at times. I tried to stay busy and active, exploring other parts of the city, and connecting with other locals, that I had a chance to know. Time past, and tension was beginning to build in the motel, the ladies that work at the motel were getting on our last nerve, pressuring us to pay money that we told them we would pay. Advising us, we were not allowed to have people at motel at a certain time. They became noisy, snooping around our room, when we weren't there, and finding ever excuses in the book to get us out. Rohan and I were beginning to question rather or not, coming to Costa Rica was a good idea, because everywhere we went, drama followed us. We told Romain about the situation,but he addressed it as a matter of us leaving, because the owner of the motel,no longer wanted us living there as well. I was beginning to question things,people's loyalty and motives, as I began to think, who was the enemy and who was the friend, especially when Romain came to us, and said, the institute was going to close down, because he no longer had funding to keep it going. We had asked him for solution, and he had none, we were still living in the motel with no means of income, and we were pressured to leave, because we no longer had the funds to pay them. We had asked Romain, to ask his father who associated with the person who owned the motel, to cut us a break, until we found another employer, but we felt we out to dry,so Rohan and I became really depressed, as we no longer had a job or a place to live... What to do now, I ask myself, but give it one last try. Rohan had asked his girlfriend, if he could move in with her, but for me, I did not anyone, except Doug. Travis was the only other person I knew, but I haven’t seen Travis since the last place we lived. From that point, the stress accumulated, resulting in me losing 30 pounds. My back was against the wall, and I had to do something quick! I ended up finding a jobelse where 2 week after the institute closed down, but I still needed a place to live, thanks to Doug; I stayed at his place for a few days. Doug was a true friend, lending me a helping hand, until I figured out what to do next. I finally got a hold of Travis, who helped me, by making him stay at his place or a night. I had no place to live at this point , and I had to do something, I went around San Jose, looking for hostels, that would accommodate me, I was basically homeless at this point , but I remembered seeing this place Rohan and I had saw months earlier. The place was called Hostel Bekuo, I remembered going there months before, and seeing a very nice lady working at front desk. I recalled her telling me, her name was Stephanie, she was very helpful and very nice, I thought I would give it a try, by this point, I had no other option, other then to throw in the towel, and go home, which I wasn’t about to do just yet, upon going back, I met a guy by the name of Brian, who was working there at the time. I had no impression of him at first, other than he was friendly and very helpful person. I told them about my situation, and they decided to take me in, which was going to be the the start of a something , but not before a little turbulence along the way. but soon reality will hit be once again, as I was about hit the bottom, rock bottom, but I was about to learn an valuable lesson, thanks to a set of people that took the time to understand me and let me into their world.
and a personal sacrifice within its self, as well as headaches, decision and tough choices, we make in the end. We decided to move into another host family, taking the notation ,we would not get too comfortable ,because we neededour own space. From the start, we were welcome into their home, and they try tomake us feel as a part of the extended family, in every possible way. We danced to different styles of Latin music, eat all sorts of food, and interacted witheveryone we saw in the community. We were taken in and love as if we were there own, but soon, we found out, we over stayed our welcome. During the time, we got to know different parts of their extended family, going on family outings with them. Talking and joking with the neighbors on a everyday basis, as webecame a part of their daily interaction. On the other end, work was beginning to pick up, and we felt good about the impact we were making on our students. At times, it was difficult, because there were some students more advance than others on otherlevels, but it was a comfortable environment, so the studentswere patient with the process. They found the class interesting and funny, everytime they came to class, I could tell the look forward to learning and being entertained, because for me, I always believed no matter what project or profession you take on, you should make it fun, for the interest of others,because only then, they can see you enjoying something you love to do. As faras the nightlife, it remain the same, from work, we felt we owed it to ourselves to stop at the local bar and have a beer or two, and listen to some reggae/Latinmusic. As time went on, it became our routine, Along with Rohan, Travis, Romain and I we began making friends with the locals, as they showed us a great deal of love. The ladies were also beginning to admire us as well, but for me, the few months of being there, I was still kind of unsure the reason behind their motives, because at times, I felt like I was walking with a dollar sign over my heads. In the back of my mind, we were Americans, with a cloud hanging over our heads, which signified we had money. I approached everything situation differently, believe it or not, I don’t believe in using people for the interest of others, but I still had fun regardless, as I needed to be free; and at ease with myself. What made the beginning of that period difficult, I had personal issues at home to deal with, and it weighed heavily on me, which resulted in excessive drinking at times, to take away from the fact I wasn't in the position to help them. Rohan was discovering his own personal virtues, as he and I became really good friends with Travis, who we met through the TEFL program. We were living with him prior, with the other host family. We were the three musketeers, within the short time; we became closer than the Osmond’s or even the Jack sons. Doug was the only other person left in the TEFL group that we hung out with.The others either went back to the states or had teaching position in other countries or teaching elsewhere in Costa Rica. As time went by, we became really close, but adversity was about to question rather or not we were closer than what I had thought. As time went by, we sense we were no longer welcome in the home, and the stress mounted. As pressure came upon us to find an apartment, but I Travis was back was against the wall, and decided to go off first, leaving Rohan and I between a rock and a hard place. During that time we found out something about ourselves and how others can change on you when you least expect it, but we still stuck together like how best friends should, and handled it to the very end. We eventually found a place, thanks to our boss,who we were working for at the time, but things were about to take a turn for the worst, as we were about to find out. We stayed a total of three months with the host family, even though I was happy to leave. As time went by, I reflected on the situation, as they helped us out momentarily, so there were no personal grudges, other than, we became lazy and content, even though I didn't hold any personal feelings, but I still felt we were taken advantage of, because we were gringos with money. We moved into a motel that our boss Romain recommended for us, he was looking out for our best interest, until we had enough money scraped up, to find an apartment of our own place. The first impression of the place, we thought to ourselves, it fit us well, and we got the space and relief that we were looking for. At least for the moment, as we were about to find out, adversity sometimes has a way to hitting you, which makes you hit rock bottom, with no vision or point of return. We still found a place of residency, for the moment thanks to Romain. We were in the heart of the city, constant honking, people shouting, bus and cars passing. That was the only fault we had, but as the saying goes, beggars and can't be choosers. Things were beginning to make sense again, as for Rohan; he was starting to find faith again, as he fell for love quickly, which was written all over his face. He was a chick magnet, everywhere we went, woman would be drawn to him, but from his point of view, it wasn’t so, because he was shy and calm individual, that didn't seek attention. He found a girl, just before we moved out of our second host family. which alter his feelings both good and bad, as the transition would affect him later on. I was happy for him, but at the same time, she more time he spend with her, the more time I had to myself, which made me feel alone at times. I tried to stay busy and active, exploring other parts of the city, and connecting with other locals, that I had a chance to know. Time past, and tension was beginning to build in the motel, the ladies that work at the motel were getting on our last nerve, pressuring us to pay money that we told them we would pay. Advising us, we were not allowed to have people at motel at a certain time. They became noisy, snooping around our room, when we weren't there, and finding ever excuses in the book to get us out. Rohan and I were beginning to question rather or not, coming to Costa Rica was a good idea, because everywhere we went, drama followed us. We told Romain about the situation,but he addressed it as a matter of us leaving, because the owner of the motel,no longer wanted us living there as well. I was beginning to question things,people's loyalty and motives, as I began to think, who was the enemy and who was the friend, especially when Romain came to us, and said, the institute was going to close down, because he no longer had funding to keep it going. We had asked him for solution, and he had none, we were still living in the motel with no means of income, and we were pressured to leave, because we no longer had the funds to pay them. We had asked Romain, to ask his father who associated with the person who owned the motel, to cut us a break, until we found another employer, but we felt we out to dry,so Rohan and I became really depressed, as we no longer had a job or a place to live... What to do now, I ask myself, but give it one last try. Rohan had asked his girlfriend, if he could move in with her, but for me, I did not anyone, except Doug. Travis was the only other person I knew, but I haven’t seen Travis since the last place we lived. From that point, the stress accumulated, resulting in me losing 30 pounds. My back was against the wall, and I had to do something quick! I ended up finding a jobelse where 2 week after the institute closed down, but I still needed a place to live, thanks to Doug; I stayed at his place for a few days. Doug was a true friend, lending me a helping hand, until I figured out what to do next. I finally got a hold of Travis, who helped me, by making him stay at his place or a night. I had no place to live at this point , and I had to do something, I went around San Jose, looking for hostels, that would accommodate me, I was basically homeless at this point , but I remembered seeing this place Rohan and I had saw months earlier. The place was called Hostel Bekuo, I remembered going there months before, and seeing a very nice lady working at front desk. I recalled her telling me, her name was Stephanie, she was very helpful and very nice, I thought I would give it a try, by this point, I had no other option, other then to throw in the towel, and go home, which I wasn’t about to do just yet, upon going back, I met a guy by the name of Brian, who was working there at the time. I had no impression of him at first, other than he was friendly and very helpful person. I told them about my situation, and they decided to take me in, which was going to be the the start of a something , but not before a little turbulence along the way. but soon reality will hit be once again, as I was about hit the bottom, rock bottom, but I was about to learn an valuable lesson, thanks to a set of people that took the time to understand me and let me into their world.
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