Week #2: Broken Noses and the Museum of Gold

Personal Journal Week #2

Having arrived last week, this week was spent traveling in and around San Jose looking at various museums and other cultural sites. But first a short story about a broken nose. Denise Childess another student here at Conversa was playing soccer with some other players when she broke her nose during the game. The staff at Conversa responded quickly and took her to the best hospital in the city where she received X-rays, had her nose reset, and set a cast. Over the next five weeks she will be monitored by doctors. Denise also reported that she is in contact with her doctor in the United States.

The fact that she chose to seek treatment and stay in Costa Rica illuminates the quality of healthcare available here. In other countries and injury like this might be cause for returning back to the United States early. David Kaufman, the director of Conversa, discussed healthcare in Costa Rica with me during this week. The hospital she went to was one of the best in this region. International patients receiving care can expect to pay money for medical services but it is much less than similar care in the United States. In fact, Kaufman said that had he taken her to a regular municipal hospital the service would be free. An interesting difference when compared to the United States.

While in Mexico I came down with typhoid (and I am sure Sheila will correct me on this) and had to go to the hospital. If I remember correctly the visit to the doctor was free or at an extremely low charge. Most of my expenses were for the antibiotics ($20-$40). While not looking like the set of ER, I was impressed with my care as well. And like the case of the broken nose, similar care in the US would be significantly expensive. These direct experiences affirm my belief in greatly increasing American access to universal health care services.

Onto other topics. Over the past two days I visited several museums and cultural centers in Central San Jose while staying at a local hostel (the surrounding street and nightlife is interesting to say the least but that is another story). The three most important sites I visited are the Museo National de Costa Rica, Museo de Oro Precolombino y Numismatica, and Teatro Nacional.

The Museo National de Costa Rica is located in the former headquarters of the army (which was dissolved in 1948-Costa Rica currently does not have a standing army). It is a good place to get up to speed on the history of this country. Just below it is a vibrant little Mercado (now I know where to buy all those trinkets and hammocks I will be purchasing but I have to check in with LA ESPOSA first).

For those people who thought Costa Rica only had coffee and bananas (imported from Asia of course), there is a lot of gold around here as well. This is not surprising considering all the volcanic activity in this region. I found the gold work more detailed and sophisticated when compared to other cultures in the north. However, there are no large ruins similar to the grandeur of the Mayans or Aztecs in Mexico. Many of my photos are available in the slide show to the right.

Finally, I visited El Teatro Nacional. Located in Plaza Central the Teatro Nacional is one of few historical buildings that have survived numerous earthquakes. It is 111 years old and I popped in for a quick peak and some photos. The tour guides were happy to take my five bucks and move onto larger groups. However, before doing so they did point out where the president sits when he comes. If time and my budget permit, I am planning on sitting in on one of the numerous performances available later this summer.

Back to Santa Ana! Next week the coast (I think)!

Week 1: Arriving and Settling In

Personal Journal: Week 1

It was a long but exciting process of traveling from Denver International Airport (DIA) to San Jose. I am in a small barrio outside of San Jose called Santa Anna where the language institute I am studying in is located. The institute is called Conversa Linguistico and more information about this beautiful facility can be accessed in my links to the right.

On Monday our language skills were assessed and we were divided into groups. My wonderful language instructor this week is Professor Grace . Another student in my course is Marie who is a 16 year old twin from North Carolina. She is a bright young student and represents the diversity of students here at Conversa. I have interacted with elders, other educators, college students, American Latinos wanting to learn the language of their cultural heritage and middle schoolers from Oregon. The facility is well prepared to meet the unique needs of this diverse population. Most of my time during this first month will be spent in classes (6 hours/day 5 days a week) and on homework.

I am living with a wonderful host family in Santa Anna. Christin and Ana Traña Sibaja are a couple about my age with three bright children ranging in ages from 12 to 17. You will learn more about their stories as I spend more time with them.

Several interesting events occurred this week. On Thursday a major power transformer blew near my house knocking out our electricity and creating quite a buzz. During the same time two ladrones (thieves) were caught by a crowd of people in front of my house as well. There was no violence directed against these chicos (youths). The adults were lecturing them and telling them to remain calm while waiting for the police (which took quite some time). Some of my neighbors think the electrical short and the thieves are connected but I think it was a coincidence.

During the weekend a group of students headed into La Selva y El Rio (the tropic forest and a river) to explore, zip line, ride horses, and descancar (relax). There are many fotos (photos) of my experiences in the slide show area.


More next week!


Michael