4/12/15
Thousands of years of breeding and evolution has created a
human (me) whose body should never be able to survive in Central America. If it
was 1859 Charles Darwin would be shaking his head at the silly American girl
who thought she could survive in Central America. When I mentioned my “hives”
to my mom she reminded me that part of the reason I hate summer so much is
because since I was a kid I’ve gotten terrible heat rashes. Not only have they
persisted, but they have spread.
Besides the heat rashes (that now cover about 30% of my
body) my hair has turned into a fluffy mess, it’s a good day when I can get a
brush through it. My milky white skin seems to turn tomato red after just a few
minutes in the sun. My blood seems to be a rare treat that local bugs (not just
mosquitoes) are lining up to taste. My light eyes can barely stay open in the
bright sun. I have chosen to move to a climate that was not made for light
skinned, light eyed, mosquito delicacies. Clearly I didn’t pay enough attention
to the whole “survival of the fittest” part of Evolution in high school.
Lucky for me I live in 2015 where the magic of science has
created things to help silly American’s like me be able to live our traveling
dreams. I am constantly covered in—and
reapplying—sunscreen. The anti-itch medicine has made the bites bearable and
has even helped with the rashes. Unfortunately, I discovered TSA confiscated my
Benadryl (really?), but I was able to buy more here. Bug Spray is my new best
friend. I carry it with me everywhere (I have 2 regular size and 2 travel size
bug sprays). Thanks to my amazing sunglasses, I can see and enjoy the views
around me.
The farmacia has become one my favorite places in town. If
you are traveling (especially in Costa Rica, but everywhere else too) try to
make sure you know where a local pharmacy or doctor is. In Costa Rica, the
farmacias have trained staff that can do things that in the US only doctors can
do (like prescribe medicine). Here, the idea is that going to a farmacia is
usually as effective as going to a doctor. It’s quite convenient and has really
enhanced my trip. There happens to be one two doors down from my new apartment,
which makes it even more convenient.
Speaking of my new apartment, my life here is coming
together quite nicely. This weekend I got a cheap hotel room in town so I
wouldn’t be trapped all the way out in Aguas (this is the town I was
technically living in, I don’t think it would even show up on a map). I
splurged for the extra $4 a night so I could get AC. It was the first time in 8
days I had AC and it was completely worth the money. When I checked in, they
seemed confused that it was just me. I didn’t realize why until they showed me
the room. There 3 beds! 3 BEDS!! From no bed to 3 beds in one day.
my room with three beds
I had gotten very little sleep leading up to my trip, even
less while traveling, and I hadn’t really slept since I’d gotten to town. The
first afternoon I checked in, I passed out and didn’t wake up until 9 the next
morning. It was exactly what I needed. That afternoon I went and got a SIM card
for my phone and activated it. I guess it’s now official, I live here.
I had a very low key day. I decided to be a tourist in the morning so I took my camera around town to take pictures. I got some good ones that I'll have to post eventually. It has started raining most
afternoons here. I decided to relax at a restaurant with ceviche and a beer and
watch the rain. It’s a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. Later in the
evening my new roommate invited me over. She made homemade sushi (it was
amazing) and then we went out. I met quite a few great people. There is an interesting
international community here. Everyone comes with their own history, their own
experiences, and their own baggage. I loved hearing people’s stories and
learning about the journeys that brought them here.
This morning (Sunday) I moved into my new home. I will have
a bed in the next few days, but at least I have a mattress now. The upstairs is
air-conditioned. The apartment is nicer than anything I lived in during my
years in SLO/ Paso. It is right downtown, so I can walk to and from anywhere.
It is gated and locked at all times, which is probably not necessary, but makes me feel
incredibly safe. I’m about a block from the main market and two blocks from the
fruit market. My roommate has already shown me a couple local sodas which are
less expensive than the ones on the main road and tend to cater to the local
residents as opposed to tourists.
I may still look like I don’t belong here (my yoga pants, Osprey backpack, and pink laptop are probably a dead giveaway) but people have stopped treating
me like a tourist. The local taxi drivers that sit on a corner and ask every
touristy looking person if they need a ride haven’t asked me in a few days. The
owners of a few local stores have started to talk to me and introduce
themselves. Although my Spanish is still lacking, I am starting to find the
words to be able to communicate. I feel like I have begun to my place here.
On Saturday night one of my new friends told me “This place
changes everyone, there is just something special about it. Every single person
that comes here, even if only for a few months, changes forever. I can’t wait
to see what it does to you.” Well, me neither!
Until next time,
Love you!
-Al
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