Life so far in San José

We’ve moved into our new quarters in San José.  They’re sparse to say the least.  We have twin size bunk beds and one other twin size bed, a small bathroom with a toilet and shower – no sink and a “living room” which is actually storage for La Escuelita de Esperanza.  That space also serves as our kitchen space and has a small stove a sink and a mini fridge that doubles as bathroom storage space.  We also have a multi-purpose table that is currently serving as our pantry, dining room table, laundry rack, extra storage space and desk.

Our Barrio

The barrio we’re in is literally right off the train tracks.  We have to walk down a dirt road next to the tracks to get here and the houses are on steep embankments perpendicular to the tracks.  Our dorm is the second story of the Escuelita so we have at our disposal loads of books, puzzles and about 15 sets of Uno cards.  This is quite a windfall since we don’t have a television or any real entertainment close by.

Our Living Space

We arrived to San José on the Fourth of July after attending a picnic for U.S. citizens.  The picnic was quite an experience and so here’s a haiku to sum it up:

Show your passport please.

Five dollars and you’re in.  Welcome!

So many gringos.

Free hot dogs and drinks;

Popcorn, ice cream and free beer,

Cotton candy too.

Square dancers spin ‘round.

Games for kids and a rock band

Celebrate the day.

Uncle Sam at the July 4th Picnic

Also, later that night after we started getting settled into the dorm I heard what sounded like fireworks in the distance.  Sure enough, over the rooftops you could just see fireworks going off on the other side of town.  That was a nice welcome.

Another fun fact about our barrio is that it is loud.  Here’s an example of one minute’s worth of sound in the morning when I am not ready to be awake yet and trying very hard to stay asleep:

Cock-a-doodle-doo!  A plane takes off overhead.  “Mami!”  Honk. Cock-a-doodle-doo!  Chug-a-chug-a-chug-a-chug-a. Rattle, clack, rattle, clack – a train comes down the tracks.  Birds start to chirp, almost in response.  Hoooooooonk. Cock-a-doodle-doo!  An iron gate scrapes open somewhere in the neighborhood. Cock-a-doodle-doo!  A dog barks in the distance.  “Kate, are you sleeping?” “Trying.” Cock-a-doodle-doo!  “Ahhhhhhhhh!”  “What’s wrong?” Cock-a-doodle-doo!  “I hate that rooster!” Cock-a-doodle-doo!

We’re adjusting though.