Hello! I have officially completed Week 1 of Peace Corps Training! This past week, I have been busy with Spanish classes and technical training! My Spanish class has four other volunteers and our teacher. Topics this week have included learning directions, explaining Peace Corps in Spanish, and becoming familiar with our town. We have learned a lot of new words and phrases! Lots and lots and lots of Spanish!!! On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we have technical classes with all of the other Youth Development Volunteers. This week we talked about methods and techniques for community integration, as well as designing and facilitating youth development workshops. We have class from 8:00am until 3:30 or 4 every day. After class, sometimes I'll go get some ice cream or a coffee with friends, or I'll come back to the house and catch-up on emails and such. In the evenings, I'm usually doing homework at the kitchen table and conversing with my host family! Conversations are fun! I'm learning a lot about Costa Rica, and my family is learning a lot too.
The town of San Isidro has multiple little shops and stores to explore. One of my favorite places is a panadería (a bakery), of course. They have a lovely selection of pastries, cakes, and ice cream. It's a perfect place to hang out with friends or grab a dessert and a coffee to do some homework. (We have lots of homework for our classes...Spanish lessons and writings, and readings for our technical classes. We stay nice and busy during the week!) San Isidro also has a nice plaza, where, of course, the popular game to play is soccer! Every Sunday, San Isidro has an outdoor market, with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. This weekend is the anniversary of San Isidro, with multiple events going on in the plaza. Tomorrow there will be a dance and painted ox carts (a traditional Costa Rican craft). I'll be sure to post some photos!
Outside of classes and training, this week I learned how to make some traditional Costa Rican food! I made arroz con leche, which is a popular dessert. It's like a rice pudding with raisins and cinnamon. I also had some friends over at my house, and we made tortillas! All the food has been delicious, and I really enjoy learning new recipes!
Every week is filled with new adventures. Next Monday, we are going to the capital, San Jose, to see the Peace Corps Office and to see some famous sites. Then, next weekend, we are also traveling to another Peace Corps Volunteer's site for four days.
The town of San Isidro has multiple little shops and stores to explore. One of my favorite places is a panadería (a bakery), of course. They have a lovely selection of pastries, cakes, and ice cream. It's a perfect place to hang out with friends or grab a dessert and a coffee to do some homework. (We have lots of homework for our classes...Spanish lessons and writings, and readings for our technical classes. We stay nice and busy during the week!) San Isidro also has a nice plaza, where, of course, the popular game to play is soccer! Every Sunday, San Isidro has an outdoor market, with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. This weekend is the anniversary of San Isidro, with multiple events going on in the plaza. Tomorrow there will be a dance and painted ox carts (a traditional Costa Rican craft). I'll be sure to post some photos!
Outside of classes and training, this week I learned how to make some traditional Costa Rican food! I made arroz con leche, which is a popular dessert. It's like a rice pudding with raisins and cinnamon. I also had some friends over at my house, and we made tortillas! All the food has been delicious, and I really enjoy learning new recipes!
Every week is filled with new adventures. Next Monday, we are going to the capital, San Jose, to see the Peace Corps Office and to see some famous sites. Then, next weekend, we are also traveling to another Peace Corps Volunteer's site for four days.
Learning how to make tortillas!
Mi casa en San Isidro
Hope you enjoy some photos!
Pura Vida,
Emily
Pura Vida,
Emily