Los Romeros

(Just a little more Umbrella Culture for you)

Today I have reached single digits in counting down to go home. Can you tell I'm ready?  I feel like I have had a lot going on the last week or so to share with you.
I had my final observation from Educators Abroad/ Hamline. Everything went great, the kids acted a bit different having someone else in the room, they were doing things like screaming randomly etc. It definitely threw me off gaurd, but that is what teaching is all about right?  In the end I received an outstanding job and great work from my observer and am now wrapping up my final steps of Student Teaching.   Hamline has already sent in my licensure papers and submitted my final passing grades, so needless to say I'm feeling pretty good about becoming a teacher.

In Costa Rica I have realized they have a lot of holidays, many holidays are ones surrounding the catholic religion.  Today, August 2nd, Is "Day of the Virgin of the Angels".  This is what I believe to be the largest religous holiday here in Costa Rica, and here is why;  people walk to Cartago, from ALL OVER. People fill the streets, they are called romeros and they walk.  Some say they walk from Panama and from Nicaragua and from all over Costa Rica. It is really quite amazing that someones faith and belief leads them to do this.  The romeros have come in all different sizes, shapes, and ages.  I have been lucky enough to see the main road where everyone walks as it goes directly through Tres Rios.   So everyone walks to this big church, kneels up to the alter and asks the Black Virgin for something.  Then they turn around and I would guess take public transportation back to their homes. This is a huge deal, the schools are closed today, to honor the holiday. 



                                                                                  This last weekend I headed to Jaco beach to try and

 keep myself busy.  It really is the hottest place I have ever been. I don't know why it get's so hot, but it is HOT all the time.  I stayed in a hostel and really enjoyed myself. It was nice to not be running on anyone elses schedule.  I met up with friends who are also part of the program, DJ and Janelle, on Sat. night for a couple of cocktails and a beautiful sunset (the only sunset I have seen while I've been here).  I soacked up a bit of sun, just to make sure I am tan for my return to the states.

I have been continuing with my private Spanish Lessons, working on the subjunctive. It has been going really well, the problem is, the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know. It can get quite frustrating at times.

Five weeks from today is the first day of school, so I am really trying to wrap my head around everything and start preparing.  Soon enough I will be back on Minnesota ground, and am more then excited to get back to my life back in the States, and start the next chapter.