Soccer and Squatters

So this morning my padre is cleaning the sewer type system under our house…this means no water, then the power went out my madre was laughing and laughing because we couldn’t do anything. I think my classmates might be upset with the no shower part haha.

So Yesterday after my morning class a group of us went to the local private school and played soccer with the 4^th graders. We played a game of world cup where you have a partner and the two of you need to score a goal. The boys were really good at soccer and the girls tried hard… but eventually it became time for eliminations and the girls were dropping like flies (which included me and my partner Carolina). I then attempted to start a game of monkey(mono) in the middle and was actually successful! It turns out jumping up and down and making monkey sounds is universal the kids loved it. They were all laughing and running and I felt like I was at camp again.

Then we played a little scrimmage it was Gringo girls and Tico (Costa Rican) boys versus Gringo Boys and Tico girls. We made cheers and attacked the kids with joy when they scored. I soon got distracted though and was just talking to the girls about their siblings and school. Ya know telling them things like Science is the best.

After the clinic we went on a boat tour. Visual aid my teacher and very knowledgeable Tico set this up with two local fisherman so it is the 20 of us in two little dingy boats. We talked a lot about an upcoming resort development that poses quite a threat to the environment and infrastructure of Puntarenas but will also bring in a ton of capital. Unfortuately it may be creating local jobs but most likely all the capital will leak back to developed countries like America because the project is funded internationally. Coldwell Banker is a huge backer.

Also we learned about the fishing ban they have in Costa Rica for June, July, and October. This is spawning season so they say no fishing. This puts thousands of Ticos out of jobs, including those that gave us the boat tour. The Government attempts to compensate them but only gives them roughly $100 dollars a month, now food is cheaper here but for a family of probably 5 or 6 that is only enough money to maybe eat beans twice a day. The government is attempting to go green and protect the environment but is prioritizing against peoples way of life. These men have fished all their life they don’t know how to do anything else… The system makes sense but the execution doesn’t work.

The last part of our boat tour we went to a squatter community. A group of people who just went to live on a coastal island because they had no land or money to buy part of the main land. These people are then termed squatters and after living on a piece of unowned property for an extended period of time it becomes yours. I learned about squatters when I read the Grapes of Wrath in 10th grade. At that time Mr. Christian said that in America you have to squat for 8 years. Not sure if that is a verb...haha.

Here they life in shacks constructed from sheet metal and whatever washes up from the ocean. Their floors are dirt and they are a 20 minute boat ride from civilization.And currently they are all out of work for the next two months. It was like being in a tribal community in Africa so far away from the structure right across the ocean it was wild.  I guess most Costa Ricans don’t even know they are there. Another student Erica took pictures of both activities and will share them soon.

And now my house! From visiting other students’ houses mine is older and smaller but from walking by other houses mine looks great!

My room. My madre cleans it and washes the bed three times a week. I told her last semester I washed my bed once and she thought I was crazy.

This is like the front porch/garage they pull the car in every night. My family is more relaxed and there is this gate and front door that they only lock at night. Some families lock three things all day long.

This is like a shot from the front door the living room, dining room and my madre in the kitchen at the back. Our rooms are off to the left. My brother is using the computer on the right.

The porch in the back. This is actually outside under a lean too type thing. You can see the start of the clothes lines that fill the backyard.

And my madre with an avocado you eat them green here. She made sure I took a picture of that.

And last but not least the bathroom. So the first week I was here I had no clue you weren't supposed to flush the toilet paper. When I found out I tried real hard to stop but it is just habit, I am getting better but oh man was I nervous when they said they had to clean it this morning I thought maybe I broke it! My house is further from school than most but still only a 10-15 minute walk. I love my familia and I am pretty sure I eat the best food :)