yesterday i came to realize a few things...
first is that there is few things worse than being lost in a foreign country. not only do i not speak good spanish but every street looks the same and no streets have names or signs. addresses are given in relation to major landmarks instead of with numbers and street names---it's very difficult to understand, especially when you're trying to tell someone where you're trying to get to! so tonight when i got on the wrong bus and rode around san jose for over an hour, it was the most frustrating and nerve-wracking feeling ever. i came to realize as one by one everyone got off the bus, that i was not in the right place and that i have absolutely no idea where i was or how to get home. fortunately, the bus driver spoke a little english and was nice enough to let me ride back to the central avenue with him for free and start back at square one and find the *correct* bus to take home....and an hour and 20 minutes later, i arrived home for dinner!
i also realized today that as i am struggling a lot with the language barrier, so are others---and not only just tourists but the "ticos" (as native costa ricans are called) are feeling the same way too. after dinner last night i sat down to do my homework for my spanish class and fernanada (one of the girls that i live with) sat down next to me doing her homework for the english class she is in. we went back and forth quizzing each other with spanish and english words and it made "studying" entertaining for us both and we could learn from each other.
these two incidents made me realize that life is all about perspective....yeah, we all have a lot going on in our own little "bubbles" but if we take a minute to look around, we realize that many others face the same struggles as us and that more often than not, there is someone there to help you overcome those struggles.
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Beth, your pictures look a lot like some of the scenes we saw in parts of Indonesia. But, the children's smiles are the same worldwide. And, that's what we all should focus on. Yes, there are differences in language and culture and customs, but we are one people! You are helping us all to see that.
ReplyDeleteLove, Uncle Dave and Aunt Linda
you can teach my baby spanish when you come back ;)
ReplyDeleteBeth,
ReplyDeleteI saw a quotation the other day - if we all took our troubles and put them in a pile - then looked at everyone else's, we'd realize ours weren't so bad and take them back.
Love,
Dad
Hi Beth,
ReplyDeleteI have tears in my eyes just thinking about how much this experience will enrich your life. That is only one of the reasons we love you so much-you are always finding ways-big and small-to enrich yourself and those around you. Those you touch in Costa Rica will be forever grateful for all the goodness you bring to them. You will persevere through the language barrier quicker than you think! The kids are adorable!