Costa Rica has been great. I can hardly believe it is almost over. Only one more day for me and then it is back to the U.S. At least I will only have to be in freezing temps for one day before I head to AZ for the month of January. I am looking forward to it.
Last time I posted, I was getting ready to go horseback riding. That was quite an adventure. I saw tucans, a view of the Turrialba Volcano and a boa constrictor. Our guide actually picked it up...EWWWW. It was cool though. There were some great views on the trip. I had the chance to eat a macadamia nut right from the tree and sugar cane straight out of the field. YUMMY!
For Christmas weekend I went to a place called Corcovado. Its a national park with several different areas that have beach resorts. We stayed in a tent resort and spent lots of time in the sun. I was very nice since it rains in Turrialba quite a bit. In fact, we call it Turriagua. At Corcovado, I had the chance to see macaws, white faced monkeys and dolfins. I also saw many different fishe when I went snorkeling. I ate a termite (tastes like wood). Drank Guaro which is alcohol made of sugar cane. It tastes like Ouzo for those of you that have had that. For those of you that havent had it, I imagine that Guaro is good to use as a paint remover.
I had a laid back 30th birthday here in Costa Rica. My new friends and I headed out to a local bar and had a few drinks and good conversation. I had my birthday shot of tequila, complete with lime and a candle. And I got a nifty ashtray from the bartender. I even got gifts from my classmates and other friends. I got plantain chips with chile and lime flavor. They are sooo good. And some chocolate suckers. The best gifts I got were from Dianna. She made me bring my gifts with me to Costa Rica so I would have somehting to open on my birthday. I got two books. One on running for those people like myself who are not completely convinced that running is for them and another on triathlon training. I started the running one. I hope to use the info to start running again when I get to AZ.
That all in the world of my Costa Rican adventures. I hope to share all the great pics I will have when I get back.
Pura Vida!
Dr.T
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Yo estudio mucho español
Me gusto much La Turrialba. Im having a great time here in Costa Rica. My host family is great. Daniel, the older brother, at 11 years old, speaks English very well. He translates when the mom needs to say something she wants me to understand that she is unable to express in very simple spanish. The father in my family is an electrical engineer for the countrys power company. We have a little dog that likes to get into everything. His name is Skippy.
I have been on many adventures since I got here. My first day with the host family, there was a birthday party for a 3 year old girl at our house. That was a bit overwhelming since I spoke no spanish. Tuesday I went to a serpentarium. Yes, it is what is sounds like. A zoo for snakes and there were frogs too. It was actually pretty cool. Then I went to a graduation party for my host moms niece. Today I went canyoning, it involved rapelling down waterfalls, doing a zipline through the forest and walking over a rope bridge. I was a blast. Then, this evening, I just finished a dance class. There was a whole lot of butt shaking going on. I am glad I am going into medicine and not aspiring to become a dancer.
Tomorrow will be another great day. I will be horseback riding through some coffee plantations. It should be pretty neat. I cant wait to share y next round of adventures with you all.
Dr.T
I have been on many adventures since I got here. My first day with the host family, there was a birthday party for a 3 year old girl at our house. That was a bit overwhelming since I spoke no spanish. Tuesday I went to a serpentarium. Yes, it is what is sounds like. A zoo for snakes and there were frogs too. It was actually pretty cool. Then I went to a graduation party for my host moms niece. Today I went canyoning, it involved rapelling down waterfalls, doing a zipline through the forest and walking over a rope bridge. I was a blast. Then, this evening, I just finished a dance class. There was a whole lot of butt shaking going on. I am glad I am going into medicine and not aspiring to become a dancer.
Tomorrow will be another great day. I will be horseback riding through some coffee plantations. It should be pretty neat. I cant wait to share y next round of adventures with you all.
Dr.T
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Not so hot, but very wet
Rafting was a great time today. We had three guides...Ronald, Pablo and Luis. Luis was actually a kayaker who went ahead of our raft and made sure that it wasn´t too dangerous for us to pass. All the guys were great. Pablo was entertaining and constantly making jokes. I had the luxury of sitting in front of him, so I experienced splashes or helmet fulls of water rather often.
The river we were on was the Pacuare. It´s toward the Carribean side of CR. The weather was mild. Cloudy most of the time and sprinkled of and on. The view on both the 2.5 hour drive and along the river were awesome. Didn´t see too much wild life. Just a few birds. In the middle of the trip we stopped for lunch. The guides actually brought it along in this water proof barrel and then prepared it for us. Th place we stopped had these sleeping tents and a cabana type area for cooking and eating. We had to climb a good distance to get to the area, but the views from above were breath taking.
The rest of the trip was just a good as the beginning. Although, I was a bit more prunned at the end. I highly recommend rafting. It doesn´t have to be in Costa Rica, but it´s not a bad place to experience it.
Tomorrow I head of to Turrialba abd begin the stay with my host family. I am a little worried cause I don´t know ANY spanish, but I am also very much looking forward to it.
Dr.T
The river we were on was the Pacuare. It´s toward the Carribean side of CR. The weather was mild. Cloudy most of the time and sprinkled of and on. The view on both the 2.5 hour drive and along the river were awesome. Didn´t see too much wild life. Just a few birds. In the middle of the trip we stopped for lunch. The guides actually brought it along in this water proof barrel and then prepared it for us. Th place we stopped had these sleeping tents and a cabana type area for cooking and eating. We had to climb a good distance to get to the area, but the views from above were breath taking.
The rest of the trip was just a good as the beginning. Although, I was a bit more prunned at the end. I highly recommend rafting. It doesn´t have to be in Costa Rica, but it´s not a bad place to experience it.
Tomorrow I head of to Turrialba abd begin the stay with my host family. I am a little worried cause I don´t know ANY spanish, but I am also very much looking forward to it.
Dr.T
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Bienvenidos a Costa Rica
I made it to CR safely on my non stop flight. Met my contact, Carlos and his wife, Francini, who was holding up a sign with MY name on it. That´s only the second time someone has done that for me. It was the first time it really counted. My friend Mari did it for me as a joke when I flew out to London to meet her while she was studying there. Then there was Carlen. And American who studied here in the past and was asked to return and help with the program. So she is living here for now, deciding if she wants to stick around. She´s a hoot. She´s very friendly. Very likeable. Easy to connect with. She drove me and the other two program partipants back to the house.
Right now I am staying in San Jose. I wont go to Turrialba (where my school is) until Sunday. The first evening here was pretty laid back. I walked down Avenida Central in San Jose to a local park with two other girls (Kristen and Sapna) who are part of the program. Kristen is a school psychologist from Oregon who is working on her PhD. She will be going to Turrialba with me. I like her so far. She´s actually a hoot with great stories to tell. I am glad she is going with me. Sapna is, not unlike myself, a fourth year medical student from Texas. She seems very intelligent (was eligible for Mensa as a child) and is very personable. She will be a great doctor.
On day two we headed on a walking tour of the city. There was so much to see. We went to the zoo, which takes only about an hour to walk through, but we saw the lions at feeding time. Note to self...I dont ever want to meet one of those things in the wild when it´s feeding time. We went into the National Theatre. It reminds me of Carnegie Hall, but seats about one third the number of people. And then there was the walking, and the walking, and the walking. Not sure if I told you all, but I have a sprained ankle, and usually I enjoy walking. But I was hurting yesterday. I was glad to get back to the house with my cerveza in hand.
Today´s activity...RIVER RAFTING!!!
Can´t wait.
Dr.T
Right now I am staying in San Jose. I wont go to Turrialba (where my school is) until Sunday. The first evening here was pretty laid back. I walked down Avenida Central in San Jose to a local park with two other girls (Kristen and Sapna) who are part of the program. Kristen is a school psychologist from Oregon who is working on her PhD. She will be going to Turrialba with me. I like her so far. She´s actually a hoot with great stories to tell. I am glad she is going with me. Sapna is, not unlike myself, a fourth year medical student from Texas. She seems very intelligent (was eligible for Mensa as a child) and is very personable. She will be a great doctor.
On day two we headed on a walking tour of the city. There was so much to see. We went to the zoo, which takes only about an hour to walk through, but we saw the lions at feeding time. Note to self...I dont ever want to meet one of those things in the wild when it´s feeding time. We went into the National Theatre. It reminds me of Carnegie Hall, but seats about one third the number of people. And then there was the walking, and the walking, and the walking. Not sure if I told you all, but I have a sprained ankle, and usually I enjoy walking. But I was hurting yesterday. I was glad to get back to the house with my cerveza in hand.
Today´s activity...RIVER RAFTING!!!
Can´t wait.
Dr.T
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Getting the heck out of Dodge!
I´m sitting in the JFK airport awaiting my flight to Costa Rica. I was picked up by the Super Shuttle at the nice early hour of 4:30AM. I am a morning person, but 4:30??? Geez! My flight isn´t til 8:30. Nonetheless, I am looking forward to this trip. Let me tell you how it came about.
I have been wanting to learn medical Spanish for quite some time. I was plannig to go somewhere tropical in April 2005 to learn it and enjoy my last few weeks of medical school. Recently, I had been contemplating whether or not to plan a relaxing, warm weather vacation for my winter break or to get ahead in my electives and spend time hanging out in the hospital. And then, about two and a half weeks ago, it hit me. I can vacation AND get elective credit. I started out wanting to go to S. America, namely Peru, but the plane tix were way too expensive. I began looking for less expensive Spanish speaking places. That´s when Costa Rica came to mind. I contacted a language shool that I had been eye balling a few months ago and said, "I know it´s late notice, but can I come study with you?" They said no prob. The whole process from coming up with the idea to go "somewhere" to purchasing my non-refundable plane ticket and giving a non-refundable deposit to the program took 4 days. I told myself I need to be more spontaneous...I hope this will be worth taking my own advice.
Most people I talked to about the trip asked who I would be travelling with. "No one" has been my answer, but I partially lied. I do a have a travel companion. His name is Gil- my big green back pack. Large enough to fit a average sized dismembered body in. Maybe even two if you zip open the extendable compartment. Not sure why I am referencing things only a serial killer should be able to identify with. I assure that I don´t know this from first hand experience. And if you ask me for the brand and model number for Gil, I will become very concerned.
So here are the answers to the other questions you are probably asking right now:
You´re gonna be there for Christmas?
Yes, and my birthday. I´ll return New Years Eve. Early enough to still ring in the new year in Manhattan with Erin, at my friend Christine´s in Brewster, NY or with my Sis Dianna in CT. I have yet to decide.
Where are you staying?
With people I have yet to meet. I am participating in a homestay program to really immerse myself in the experience. All I know of my "family" there is Ana Lia (mom), Claudio (dad) and I have two brothers I always wanted, Luis(11 years old) and Javier (8 years old).
Well, until the update from CR itself, that´s all I have to say.
Adios Amigos!
Dr.T
I have been wanting to learn medical Spanish for quite some time. I was plannig to go somewhere tropical in April 2005 to learn it and enjoy my last few weeks of medical school. Recently, I had been contemplating whether or not to plan a relaxing, warm weather vacation for my winter break or to get ahead in my electives and spend time hanging out in the hospital. And then, about two and a half weeks ago, it hit me. I can vacation AND get elective credit. I started out wanting to go to S. America, namely Peru, but the plane tix were way too expensive. I began looking for less expensive Spanish speaking places. That´s when Costa Rica came to mind. I contacted a language shool that I had been eye balling a few months ago and said, "I know it´s late notice, but can I come study with you?" They said no prob. The whole process from coming up with the idea to go "somewhere" to purchasing my non-refundable plane ticket and giving a non-refundable deposit to the program took 4 days. I told myself I need to be more spontaneous...I hope this will be worth taking my own advice.
Most people I talked to about the trip asked who I would be travelling with. "No one" has been my answer, but I partially lied. I do a have a travel companion. His name is Gil- my big green back pack. Large enough to fit a average sized dismembered body in. Maybe even two if you zip open the extendable compartment. Not sure why I am referencing things only a serial killer should be able to identify with. I assure that I don´t know this from first hand experience. And if you ask me for the brand and model number for Gil, I will become very concerned.
So here are the answers to the other questions you are probably asking right now:
You´re gonna be there for Christmas?
Yes, and my birthday. I´ll return New Years Eve. Early enough to still ring in the new year in Manhattan with Erin, at my friend Christine´s in Brewster, NY or with my Sis Dianna in CT. I have yet to decide.
Where are you staying?
With people I have yet to meet. I am participating in a homestay program to really immerse myself in the experience. All I know of my "family" there is Ana Lia (mom), Claudio (dad) and I have two brothers I always wanted, Luis(11 years old) and Javier (8 years old).
Well, until the update from CR itself, that´s all I have to say.
Adios Amigos!
Dr.T
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Airplane Buddies
Sorry its been a while folks. I have been busy writing the script for the next chapter in my life.
So here is the first of many "more on that later" updates.
My airplane fun from a few weeks ago began when I was on my way to Orlando. I was seated next to a tall, black gentleman sitting in a nice business suit. I was in the window seat, he sat in the middle. The aisle seat remained empty. As the plane continued to board, we glanced at each other with that, I hope no one else sits here so we can spread out look. As we waited for the "The main cabin door has been closed. Please turn off all cellular phone and electronic devices" announcement, we started chit chatting.
"Off to Orlando?"
"yup."
"Business or are you from there?"
"Business, I just changed jobs and am going dowm for some training."
"Have you been to Orlando before"
"I've taken the Family. We go every year. But on the last trip I decided I was going to Vegas and they could go to Disneyworld."
And so it began. A non-stop conversation on a non-stop flight from DC to Orlando.
I learned how much I enjoyed listening to what goes on in people's lives. And also, how uninterested many people are in others' lives.
Coach Chris got his name when he started a community track club in Northern VA. His son was in middle school at the time and had competed a little bt and done very well. So someone recommended to Coach Chris that he put his son on a youth track team and if there wasnt one in his area, he should start one to get his son some exposure as he got older. Well, now it is a full club that takes kids around the country to compete in track competitions and even the Junior Olympics.
Chris son is a great track athlete, but like your average teenage high schooler, he's a bit lazy, sometimes irresponsible Like the time he left his track shoes behind before a national competition), has a need to be cool (I can't get grades that are too good. I dont want people to think I am a geek.) Is that what its like to be a teenager these days?
The last thing that I found interesting about Chris, is that he was willing to share some personal stuff with me... a complete stranger! HE told me how he had just reunited with his dad over Thanksgiving weekend after several years. He was in tears as he told me about it. I can't remember why he hadn't spoken with his dad. But he was glad to have him back in his life.
My other airplane companion was the first class guy who had never flown first class. He was just as much a kid in a candy store as I was about the whole thing. We spoke about life in general. Why we have accepted it as ok that our kids listen to lyrics with swear words or that talk about "my hoes and my bitches". I am not sure why. The changing society, the changing norms. It used to not be ok to get a divorce. Now no one whinces much when it gets announced. I still whince. It's NOT ok!
That's it for now. I am off to Costa Rica tomorrow for two weeks. I will be doing an intensive spanish course for the time I am there. Should be fun...and warm! Yay!
Until then.
Dr. T
So here is the first of many "more on that later" updates.
My airplane fun from a few weeks ago began when I was on my way to Orlando. I was seated next to a tall, black gentleman sitting in a nice business suit. I was in the window seat, he sat in the middle. The aisle seat remained empty. As the plane continued to board, we glanced at each other with that, I hope no one else sits here so we can spread out look. As we waited for the "The main cabin door has been closed. Please turn off all cellular phone and electronic devices" announcement, we started chit chatting.
"Off to Orlando?"
"yup."
"Business or are you from there?"
"Business, I just changed jobs and am going dowm for some training."
"Have you been to Orlando before"
"I've taken the Family. We go every year. But on the last trip I decided I was going to Vegas and they could go to Disneyworld."
And so it began. A non-stop conversation on a non-stop flight from DC to Orlando.
I learned how much I enjoyed listening to what goes on in people's lives. And also, how uninterested many people are in others' lives.
Coach Chris got his name when he started a community track club in Northern VA. His son was in middle school at the time and had competed a little bt and done very well. So someone recommended to Coach Chris that he put his son on a youth track team and if there wasnt one in his area, he should start one to get his son some exposure as he got older. Well, now it is a full club that takes kids around the country to compete in track competitions and even the Junior Olympics.
Chris son is a great track athlete, but like your average teenage high schooler, he's a bit lazy, sometimes irresponsible Like the time he left his track shoes behind before a national competition), has a need to be cool (I can't get grades that are too good. I dont want people to think I am a geek.) Is that what its like to be a teenager these days?
The last thing that I found interesting about Chris, is that he was willing to share some personal stuff with me... a complete stranger! HE told me how he had just reunited with his dad over Thanksgiving weekend after several years. He was in tears as he told me about it. I can't remember why he hadn't spoken with his dad. But he was glad to have him back in his life.
My other airplane companion was the first class guy who had never flown first class. He was just as much a kid in a candy store as I was about the whole thing. We spoke about life in general. Why we have accepted it as ok that our kids listen to lyrics with swear words or that talk about "my hoes and my bitches". I am not sure why. The changing society, the changing norms. It used to not be ok to get a divorce. Now no one whinces much when it gets announced. I still whince. It's NOT ok!
That's it for now. I am off to Costa Rica tomorrow for two weeks. I will be doing an intensive spanish course for the time I am there. Should be fun...and warm! Yay!
Until then.
Dr. T
Saturday, December 04, 2004
All I Want for Christmas...
As you all should have figured out by now, while I am what I would consider a pretty low maintenance friend and family member, I can be one of the toughest people to shop for when it comes to getting gifts.
This year I have decided to challenge you all (even if you aren't someone who would have normally bought me a gift) to donate to your favorite charity this holiday season or get a gift for a Holiday Angel, or adopt a family in your office or with your own family.
For those of you that would normally get me a Christmas gift, I ask that you take on this task in lieu of presents for me.
Once you have completed this mission, I would love hear about what you did. Please post on the website about whose holiday season you made brighter. Or what it felt like to give to those in need.
So, in keeping with the tradition of making a Christmas wish list, I am listing a few charities that I wish would get some support this holiday season.
Tamieka's Christmas Wish List
for donations of time or money or gifts to the following groups:
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tucson, AZ
Christmas Angel Tree found at most local malls
Serve Christmas Dinner at your local soup kitchen
Donate your old coats and blankets to the homeless
Genesis Youth Center- short-term 12 bed facility for children who have endured the negative effects of violence, neglect or sexual abuse. P.O. Box 546, 535 Hornor Ave, Clarksburg, WV 26302
Please feel free to post names of groups and charities that you would like to see be helped by some of the people that visit my site.
And dont forget to tell us who you helped this holiday season.
Happy Holidays!
Dr. T
This year I have decided to challenge you all (even if you aren't someone who would have normally bought me a gift) to donate to your favorite charity this holiday season or get a gift for a Holiday Angel, or adopt a family in your office or with your own family.
For those of you that would normally get me a Christmas gift, I ask that you take on this task in lieu of presents for me.
Once you have completed this mission, I would love hear about what you did. Please post on the website about whose holiday season you made brighter. Or what it felt like to give to those in need.
So, in keeping with the tradition of making a Christmas wish list, I am listing a few charities that I wish would get some support this holiday season.
Tamieka's Christmas Wish List
for donations of time or money or gifts to the following groups:
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tucson, AZ
Christmas Angel Tree found at most local malls
Serve Christmas Dinner at your local soup kitchen
Donate your old coats and blankets to the homeless
Genesis Youth Center- short-term 12 bed facility for children who have endured the negative effects of violence, neglect or sexual abuse. P.O. Box 546, 535 Hornor Ave, Clarksburg, WV 26302
Please feel free to post names of groups and charities that you would like to see be helped by some of the people that visit my site.
And dont forget to tell us who you helped this holiday season.
Happy Holidays!
Dr. T
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Life as a "First Class" Citizen
I wrote part of this on paper as I was traveling up the east coast Tuesday night. All I had was a pencil. I hate writing with pencil. But things were coming to mind and had to be written while they were fresh. So here it goes.
I'm sitting on a plane enroute to Pittsburgh or Philly. They become one in the same when you are simply passing through. La Guardia is my final destination. I am a first classer for the first time in my life. My flight through Charlotte was delayed for at least 2 hours, so I asked if they could get to my New York any other way since I would have missed my connecting flight. I was put on the next thing smokin' out of there. "Here you go. Seat 2F. It's in First Class." I wanted to be like a kid who just found out she was going to Disneyland and say something like, "Oh boy!" or "SWEET!" But I nicely thanked the guy and went to the plane. I pretended like I really knew what I was doing and that I flew that way all the time. I ordered wine when they asked for my beverage order, and knew how to pull out the fancy tray tables and drink holders when the time came cause I had scoped it out when I sat down. The guy next to me seemed to do everything I did, including order red wine, but he did it about five seconds after me. Later, I realized, it was his first time there too. His dividend miles were going to expire soon, so as his family sat behind the curtain, he tried to recover from yet another trip to Disney World with the family. I don't remember his name, but he is an engineer. We'll call him, Engineer Eric for now. More on him later. I alos have a story of Coach Chris from my flight down to to Florida
Daytona was great. Right at the beach. Nice folks. Beautiful weather for most of the year. And when its ridiculously hot and humid...there's the beach. I think I may miss having four seasons if I were there. But I do love my sun. So now there are three programs I have seen that are all tied for first for their own reasons. Moses Cone in Greensboro, NC. Lawrence in Massachusetts and now Halifax in Daytona. I'll have to give you all the whole rank list run down sometime.
Unfortuantely time is calling and I have to head off to my Geriatrics rotation. Look for my next post about my conversations with Coach Chris and Engineer Eric.
I'm sitting on a plane enroute to Pittsburgh or Philly. They become one in the same when you are simply passing through. La Guardia is my final destination. I am a first classer for the first time in my life. My flight through Charlotte was delayed for at least 2 hours, so I asked if they could get to my New York any other way since I would have missed my connecting flight. I was put on the next thing smokin' out of there. "Here you go. Seat 2F. It's in First Class." I wanted to be like a kid who just found out she was going to Disneyland and say something like, "Oh boy!" or "SWEET!" But I nicely thanked the guy and went to the plane. I pretended like I really knew what I was doing and that I flew that way all the time. I ordered wine when they asked for my beverage order, and knew how to pull out the fancy tray tables and drink holders when the time came cause I had scoped it out when I sat down. The guy next to me seemed to do everything I did, including order red wine, but he did it about five seconds after me. Later, I realized, it was his first time there too. His dividend miles were going to expire soon, so as his family sat behind the curtain, he tried to recover from yet another trip to Disney World with the family. I don't remember his name, but he is an engineer. We'll call him, Engineer Eric for now. More on him later. I alos have a story of Coach Chris from my flight down to to Florida
Daytona was great. Right at the beach. Nice folks. Beautiful weather for most of the year. And when its ridiculously hot and humid...there's the beach. I think I may miss having four seasons if I were there. But I do love my sun. So now there are three programs I have seen that are all tied for first for their own reasons. Moses Cone in Greensboro, NC. Lawrence in Massachusetts and now Halifax in Daytona. I'll have to give you all the whole rank list run down sometime.
Unfortuantely time is calling and I have to head off to my Geriatrics rotation. Look for my next post about my conversations with Coach Chris and Engineer Eric.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
