Just Schtuff

It’s true what they say about traveling…it will test you in ways you can’t imagine before you leave. It will open to you new things – ideas, people and ways of being. Small occurrences in each day will add up to challenge your stamina, discipline and ability to withstand change and letting go on your own.

Someone said to me while I was contemplating my stint in CR, “What’s going to be different in CR than here? You’re going to get up every day, go to class, check your email then do it all over again.” Well, punk, there’s a few things that are different. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not searching for water in the desert, I’m not living in a hut in the jungle, I’m not facing the complete and utter lack of logic found of India (however, a few situations have come close). I give kudos to my friend Christine that was able to spend an extended time period in India. It’s really not describable in words, you must go to believe it.

Anyhow, for the average US citizen that has everything at their fingertips I’m as close to the jungle and rain forest as many will ever get. It’s only been a little over a week, but I feel pretty proud of myself that I’m a woman that can put herself out there to try something new, that I’m a woman that doesn’t always need glitz and glamour (my makeup drawer would be nice though), that I can handle a little roughing it.

Here’s a snapshot of some interesting distinctions, tangible and intangibles:

-streets turn into rivers in seconds flat
-it’s so hot you can’t carry gum
-I encountered my first cucaracha, in my apartment (yes, that’s a cockroach and those fockers are fast!)
-some things just never get clean. I check the toilet seat every time for snakes. No snake, but there’s something, not sure what, equally as awful under there.
-I have hot water. Here, hot equals warm, kind of.
-Mosquitos carry Dengue Fever. (BTW several COSI students have it. Awesome)
-Bites, or should I say welts, on the body are a new fashion accessory. I’m wearing then well.
-Walking barefoot in my house is a thing of the past. I have MANY roommates now.
-Foreigners equal money to anyone selling anything. Female foreigners equal an even easier target. Haggling builds confidence.
-Food is NEVER left on the counter.
-You save EVERYTHING, just in case you need it for something. I feel like McGuyver.
-Toilet paper doesn’t go down the toilet, but rather it goes in the basket. I’m not very good at this one yet. Some habits are hard to break.
-No cell phone or internet within reach.
-Logic in basic everyday situations is just sometimes lost.
-Stray dogs and cats around you all the time become the norm.
-Bug spray is my new perfume.
-First and foremost…don’t get run over. No sidewalks can make for tricky navigating.
-Figuring out how to dry ALL the wet stuff with one fan is doable.
-Sand, rainwater and heat are inescapable.
-Running water on most days. Not sure what tomorrow will bring.
-I just got up and killed something else as I write this.
-A sunburn is for certain if you’re at the beach any time before 2:00 and not diligent with reapplication.
-Food shopping, no bags at the grocery store, a walk to the bus stop (in the rain). You just figure it out.
-Variety of anything – food, clothing, toiletries - gone.
-Being alert at ALL times is tiring, but necessary.
-Not getting annoyed with machismo is a requirement.
-For me, being OK with not knowing what is to come is a learned skill.
-A creature of habit must break old routines. Then, learn new ones or throw them out all together.
-English is widely available here as needed, but truly throwing yourself in to learn a new language immersion-style takes a pretty good amount of hootzpah. English is available, but Spanish is always used first, it can be nerve wracking not knowing what’s going on around you or how to respond quickly, politely, correctly.
-Climbing the wake up hill to start every day is a little different than setting the cruise control at 70 on the Pike.
-Leaving a network of a bazillion friends to creating a new circle by finding the courage to make friends with strangers will surface many feelings.
-Alone. Just try it.
-Opening yourself up and safeguarding yourself at the same time.
-Detachment. Try it and tell me about it some time.