Growing up in Virginia, you become accustomed to certain Southern comforts that are really hard to find anywhere else. For example, as John and I found out during our recent vacation, it is nearly impossible to find a glass of sweet tea anywhere in Southern California. I'm excited to say that after a few days here in Costa Rica, I've found little hints of some of these Southern comforts.
Today was my first day at my internship at Hogar de Ancianos. I arrived at 7, exactly when I was told to be there, only to find out that the physical therapist would be running late. Southern comfort #1: Tico time is just like Southern concept of time. For my generation, everything has a set time to start and to end and we get frustrated when things don't go our way. Earlier generations, though, are so much more relaxed about everything and know that things will get done when the time comes. They made time to stop and smell the roses. Here in Costa Rica, there is a definite delay with things starting and there isn't a set time for things to end. We just need to enjoy the time that we're given! Having the physical therapist arriving late gave me a chance to get to know one of the other volunteers so, Tico time was definitely helpful!
The other volunteer and I didn't get started until 7:30 when we helped with serving breakfast. Southern comfort #2: Say good morning to whoever you see. When going for a run through the park back home, it didn't matter if you knew the person you were running by, you say "good morning" and give them a smile. Same rules apply here in Costa Rica. The patients that were able were quick to give you a smile and say "Buenas dias."We quickly adapted to try to lengthen the conversation a little more by asking "como estas hoy?" or "how are you today?"
Southern comfort #3: Use a name of endearment when you can. During my time in Richmond, Virginia and the recent visits to Boone, North Carolina, I've gotten quite used to the idea of being called sweetie, honey and many other names of endearment. It was wonderful to hear the nurses hear at Hogar de Ancianos call all of the patients "mi amor" or "my love." During the 4 hours I was there this morning, I rarely heard the nurses call the patients by their first name, it was always "mi amor. On a related note, my host family has been so welcoming to us by providing such a cute room to stay in, making all of our meals and making sure we take part in many of the daily Costa Rican customs that happen in the home. We've become big fans of coffee and bread time around 10:30 and 4:30 each day!
Southern comfort #4: There's always room for sweet tea with your lunch. I know I've only been here for 2 whole days but, let's be real, I've loved having sweet tea with lemon with my lunch each day.
Southern comfort #5: Country music. Okay, Megan and I haven't found any country music here in Costa Rica but we always have it on in our room. It helps with any feelings of homesickness and it's just fun to sing-a-long to. We're wondering what our host family thinks of us and our beautiful singing voices!
There are plenty of cultural differences between Virginia and Costa Rica but I'm happy to have found some little reminders of home :)
No comments:
Post a Comment