La vida normal...

While I usually write about my travels or exceptionally bizzare things happening in my life I decided I would take a moment to convey what is my new sense of normal here in Boruca...

I am usually awoken at six o'clock in the morning to the sound of the national anthem blaring on the television. They stop programing everyday at this time to have a dose of patriotism. This peppy little tune wakes most everyone in the house and I get out of bed. I then take a few moments to realign my spine as the bed slates coming through the thin matress have done quite a number throughout the night.

Breakfast is gallo pinto (day old rice and beans prepared with special seasoning)and either bread, plantain, or my favorite fried eggs. I chase this all down with my first cup of coffee of the day while watching the news on television. Usually, I am in time for the sports report which is basically just a report on the most popular team in the country, Saprissa. Reporting on Saprissa is very in-depth and has in the past included interviews with the stadium grounds keepers. Apparentally he got a new lawn mower and there was speculation on how this might affect the grass and the movement of the ball. After I get my fill of Saprissa I wait for the opportune time to sneak into the bathroom that is currently being shared by the eight residents of my house.

Once ready and dressed I put on my black rubber boots. It is now the raining season and the streets are often mud pits. Nevertheless, the other teachers tease me for my boots because they are considered footwear for the lower classes only. At least the lower classes know that it is horribly impracticle to walk through mud in high heels. The special ed teacher then tries to explain to me that I won´t atract any girls with these sorts of boots. I remind him that Cuando tengo una cara como mio, no nesecito zapatos bonitos.

At this point the cleaning lady rings the bell and I walk over to my classroom. Usually we start class with conversational practice and the introduction of new material. Afterwards there is usually written work and I will pull kids out to work with them individually during this time. We then finish up with a game or two. Recently I have been singing more. The songs are rather repetative so we try singing in different voices. The hardcore death metal version of 10 Little Monkeys is a big hit with the first graders.

In between the eighty minute classes there is always a scheduled recess for the kids and coffee break for the teachers. Unlike the States recess is not supervised. Thusly, the most popular game among the children is what I like to call "chase and beat." Interestingly enough no one ever gets seriously hurt. While the kids are running around the school in circles the teachers take about thirty minutes of the twenty minute break to catch up the latest gossip. Also of enjoyment for the teachers recently is teaching Teacher bad words in Spanish and occasionally Brunka as well. This always gets a laugh among the staff.

After teaching some more I go home for lunch. It is a two hour break so I take my time. This is also the hottest part of the day so I have adopted the local custom of stripping down to a pair of shorts, sitting in a chair in the shade, and stare at people walking down the street. I then return to the school and finish up my classes for the day.

Now some teacher friends of mine may be jealous from what seems like an excessive amount of break time. Well, they probably should be. While I actually teach about an hour more in the day than I did in the States I feel lest exauhsted at the end of the work day. I contribute this to the extra downtime to destress between classes and about 5 cups of black coffee a day.

On Mondays and Wednesdays I teach English classes to adults in the community. I am working with the new Peace Corps volunteer in town. Classes are going fairly well and I have managed to meet a few new people.

After dinner I usually call my girlfriend. Despite having a phone in the house I usually go to the public phone because there is more privacy. If I speak inside my host family listens to my conversation, corrects my Spanish, and suggests sweet nothings to whisper. This of course while Nuevo Rico Nuevo Pobre is on the TV at about full volume.

At the end of the day I go into my room and lay down on my bed slates. I try to tune out Los tacones de Eva that is on the television at full volume. I've become rather good at sleeping through loud sounds. Telenovelas, howling dogs, roosters, and singing drunks don't phase me too much. I have never grown accoustomed to cat sex however. It is a horrible and terrifying sound that is imposible to sleep through.

I've grown rather accoustomed to my life her over the past nine months and I have a new sense of normal and have stopped seeing how strange things are sometimes. So someone tell me, is making paper latterns with lit candles inside a dangerous project for kindergardeners?

posted by k meadows @ 6:20 PM