San Pedro is a suburb of San Jose where all of the participants of the program live. Even though every participant lives within a fifteen minute walk from one another, no one could explain where they live relatively. Streets have no names, three bus different routes service the area, and every building looks the same (barbed wire and wrought iron over pastel-colored concrete). My home stay address is reminiscent of a treasure map- “Del perimercado 300 este 100 norte 25 este Casa 15.C” (From the market, go 300 meters east, 100 north, 25 east: 15th house). It’s no wonder I haven’t yet received all of the care packages you’ve all sent!
I share my home stay with 5 other male participants, none of who speak Spanish. Our hostess, Flory Astorga, is very kind and somehow manages to feed the six of us twice a day. You can see the sky broke open just long enough for us to snap a picture. Flory´s grandchildren Antony, Jonathan, Esteban and Daniela (10 months, 4 years, 2 years and 2.5 years old) keep her very busy. I am still trying to make friends with all of them, although they are pretty bashful with the 6 giants that just moved in.
I feel very safe and comfortable in my homestay and the constant buzzing of the house with all of the people in a small area gives me energy. Only a few electrical issues are a cause for concern...
In the center of San Jose, we toured for a while to get some lunch and see the sights. We saw breakdancers on the Parque Central dancing to a remix of Jump Around and then checked out what was showing at the Teatro Nacional. 
5 comments:
Hi AJ,
Maybe you engineers can do something about the dangerous electrical connections for your host. Who are the two young ladies with you in front of the Teatro - volunteers or locals? I'm glad you survived the rafting trip!
Ajax,
What an exciting trip so far. Glad you got to see your uncle. Forget the medical career, your calling is travel writer. Unforgetable experiences...electrical fires, drowning in class Vs! Hope your Mom's not on here! Love ya! Tia
Hey AJ,
Sounds like you are having fun. For some reason, my browser is having trouble with your blog. The light blue print is not showing up on the background. I might have to try to use Explorer, yuck!
The lab has not burned down without you, and I am closer to getting the new soldering process to work.
Ned
hey AJ, sounds like a fabulous trip, and it hasnt even been a week. Don't forget the rafting pics ... and I want to see a demo of the Tequila Right maneuver when you get back. We're watching the Celtics smother the Lakers tonight. Thanks for sending your address ... but I'm having a hard time fitting it all on the wedding invitation envelope. Lois
Hey AJ - I hope you're busy and/or having a lot of fun - but please let us in on it! Do some more blogging on your blog - update your diary (el dia!), refresh your journal (du jour!)daily not weekly.
Love, Dad
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