Rainy days

The rainy season intensifies. We had a couple of weeks with hardly any rain, so I guess I was getting a bit complacent. Well, it bucketed down torrentially this week. The mornings are still usually good. But in the afternoon, and now often through the night, we’re getting really heavy rain. I’ve taught my students to say ‘It’s lashing’.

Feliz Navidad
-----------------
It looks like Christmas comes early to Costa Rica. There are cars that drive around fairly regularly with megaphones advertising something or other, or to issue a health warning about Dengue Fever. But the other day I laughed when I heard the song ‘Feliz Navidad’ being broadcast, figuring he’d played the wrong tape. But no, I’ve heard it twice since. And then I went to the supermarket and they’re selling Christmas trees, baubles and Santa candles. Maybe because they don’t have Halloween there’s nothing to stop the lead-up coming earlier?

Living solo
--------------
I’m still adjusting to solo living. I have to say everyone at work has been great, and they’re all enquiring if I’m ok, and what am I doing for the weekend, which is nice. But it’s very different being here alone and being part of a couple. I think it’s still a transition time as I get used to things.

The Tico handshake
-------------------------
One of my students had to mention to me this week that my handshake isn’t as strong as it could be! It’s the custom for guys to crunch each other’s hands when they part. In several of my classes all the guys come up to me one by one to shake my hand. And it’s bone crushing stuff. It’s like the tighter the grip the more important you are. I usually wear a ring on my right hand and it’s very painful in mid-grip. I try to remember to switch it to the other hand when I’m coming towards the end of class. But sometimes I forget, and my lack of enthusiasm for the shake is not appreciated. Freddy, my student, warned me that he wouldn’t think less of me for having a weaker handshake, but that some Ticos would, and it’s something I should be aware of. So I have been warned.

Spanish
----------
I was all set for getting back to Spanish lessons this week. However, I completely forgot to set the alarm, so I ended up sleeping late and missing enrolment. So I had a relatively easy week. But I’m definitely going back to class in the morning.

Bulevar
----------
My friend Anna, a fellow teacher, rang me to say that they were going to Bulevar, the local American bar beside the University, for a few drinks and some food this evening. She was going with her boyfriend John, and her friend Leah. Leah has just started working in Intercultura also. We arrived in the middle of the Costa Rica-Mexico world cup qualifier, which we hadn’t realised was on. They lost 3-1, but in an Irishesque style the Ticos still managed to have a few drinks to celebrate. I think qualification is still looking likely. They play USA here on October 9th, and several teachers are trying to get a ticket for the match. Apart from that it was a fairly usual Costa Rican night, lots of reggaeton music, a few beers, two power cuts …

OK, that’s it for now. I’m off to bed. The nights are continuing to get cooler. 20 degrees last night. If this keeps up I might have to get a blanket.