Sentor Visit

I actually wrote this post a few months ago but hadn`t finished it until a few days ago, so here it is!

This past Saturday morning, I found myself in one of the nicest hotels in San Jose having breakfast with the senator of Connecticut, Chris Dodd. Talk about a cool opportunity! Earlier this earlier week, I received an email that Senator Dodd, along with Senator Corker from Tennessee, would be in Costa Rica as part of a tour of Central America and were interested in meeting Peace Corps Volunteers in the country. And so, with my fellow Connecticut PCV friend from West Hartford, Victoria, as well as a few other volunteers and PC/CR US citizen staff members, we enjoyed a delightful brunch with the senators. We learned that Senator Dodd served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic in the 60’s, so we were swapping stories. It was fascinating to hear about his Peace Corps experience from “back in the day” when one was not permitted to visit home during the 2 years nor had the luxury of keeping in touch with fellow volunteers via cell phones. Times have certainly changed! But I would like to write about something that really struck me from our conversation. Something that I think can be considered a universal Peace Corps ‘truth.’

We were telling the senator that when considering one’s lasting impact achieved throughout service, while infrastructure projects serve as physical testaments to our service abroad, that has not been the “take away” from our experiences here. The take away comes from something completely intangible but, perhaps for that very reason, all the more powerful: the relationships formed with members of our communities. The senator told us he was delighted to hear us say this, as that has been the case in his experience; all these years later, he has kept in touch with several members from his village, including one who ended up living in the US. Out in the field, one sometimes feels like she can be doing more, instead of celebrating all that has been accomplished, specifically in terms of personal relationships. However I think this realization becomes more clear towards the end of service, which is a time of reflection and answering the questions, “what have I been doing all this time?” and, “was it worth it?”

It is hard sometimes, being in the thick of it, to step back and think about this in a big picture comprehensive manner, but in doing so, I have come to realize that the relationships I have made during this time will be one of my lasting ‘legacies’ as well as what will stay with me long after I leave Costa Rica. In answer to those questions: What have I been doing all this time? At the most basic level: living and working side by side with people who have a different culture, language, and religion, than myself and becoming a part of this community. Has it been worth it? As I constantly have said, this time is best described as a roller-coaster… but isn’t that life in general? There have been low times when I have wondered what I was doing here away from everyone I love for 2 years, but overall it has been an amazing learning experience in so many ways. In the end, more than any project I have been involved with during the past 2 years, I am confident that pretty much every member of my town will remember me fondly as ‘la gringa’ who, among other things, was always out running, loved working with kids, didn’t like ‘typical’ American fast food and always drank water instead of the sugary drinks they have here, and looked more tica than some of the ticas in town. Likewise, I will think back on my time here and remember the kindness and generosity that so many families showed me, this gringa who came out of nowhere to work on ‘community development’ in their little town and became another member of it. That is the beauty of Peace Corps: for the stranger to become a friend--- someone to laugh with, cook with, dance with, run with, chat with, work with, and all the other 1,001 things we do in our day-to-day life. So yes, it has been worth it.

I am really happy to be posting the long awaited pictures of the playground today! The company came March 17th to install it and the kids of my town-- as well as a few teens and adults, which may or may not include yours truly-- have been delighted, playing on it ever since. All during the installation the neighborhood kids were there watching and helping out where they could. One of my chica´s poderosas´s said, `Tesa, who would´ve thought that here we´d ever have a playground!` It was so sweet. Every time I pass the soccer field there is always a bunch of kids playing, and many times there are little kids with their parents, which was one of the goals of the project: encourage families to spend time togethere in an active way, as well as develop friendships between familias in town. I believe it has been quite successful on that account and am excited to plan an inauguration with the development association to take place in the coming weeks.

On another note, I have been blown away by the response of family and friends in support of the book drive for the elementary school. It means so much to me-- and I know it will mean a lot to the kids of my town who will benefit tremendously. I am looking forward to going to San Jose this coming week with the school principal and a parent of one of the students to pick out the books. The children and I plan to write thank you notes to each of you, but for now I want to say muchisimas gracias to everyone for your generous donations.

Time is flying by as I´m finishing up my time here. I will be flying home to the US on May 15th-- almost a month away. It is really bittersweet-- everyone here is constantly saying how they can´t believe I´m leaving and I think part of me doesn´t believe it either. I´ve been here for 2 years and have truly acclimatized to life in the country. On the other hand, I have my family and friends to get back to and I´m anxiously eager to begin ´anew´ after my two-year hiatus. I believe the key, which I try to do with every experience in my life, is take it day by day and appreciate the moments each day brings, because very soon it will all seem like a distant memory. Here´s to `carpe diem.`

Pura Vida,

Tes