Climb every mountain, ford every stream...

¡Hola! :)

It has been a few days since I have last posted, and I have a lot to talk about, so this will be a lengthy post... Sorry not sorry. ;)

Last week was very tough for me, in regard to adjusting to my job--and everything else at once. It is very challenging, as is the nature of a consulting firm. There are many different projects at once, and as a grunt intern, I get asked to do a lot of little things for multiple different projects. On Friday, there was a bit literature review due regarding a project in Malawi. I don't know many of the details about the project, but it involves helping with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I had not worked on the literature review, but there was a plethora of last-minute edits that needed to be made, so I was pulled in to work on the project. I helped write a blurb on the current HIV/AIDS situation in Malawi and a section on ABC (activities based costing) and why it is a good costing method for HIV/AIDS programs. It was really, really interesting! Also, since I assisted with the lit review, my name will be mentioned (probably in very, very small font) in a World Bank document! :O Even though I only wrote about five whole paragraphs. :P At any rate, it is pretty cool! Now, maybe when you Google my name, you won't just find horrendous pictures from my high school volleyball days. Here's to hoping, anyways.

On Friday, I was also asked to convert a 3-page document into a graph. The document was discussing capital investment planning for China's health services (basically, working on bettering the hospital system in China). It was an interesting task, but I think I managed it well. I was also able to help finish up some research involving social health insurance in former Yugoslavia. Today I also helped reorganize a spreadsheet with HIV/AIDS data--Excel skills, coming in handy at last!

While the job is hard, I am glad I am being kept on my toes. Monotony in a job would be terribly difficult for me; it is exciting (albeit trying & stressful) to come to work every day not really know what to expect.

Also, on a side note, working in a bilingual workplace is exceptionally challenging. Even with the other analysts who are nearly fluent in English, language barriers still exist. I certainly will hone my communication skills while I am here. I am also working on speaking more slowly so others can understand me--my mom will be happy for that one!

Okay, enough business.. Let's talk about my weekend! :)

I've been blessed with a couple of friends here, thankfully! The hostel life is cool for that reason; you meet so many really interesting people! On Friday night, I went out to dinner with 3 new friends: Eve (from France), Faye (from Toronto, also my fellow Sanigest intern!), and Alex (from Quebec). We had a lot of fun, and I was able to try casado (the typical Costa Rican dish) for the first time! It was good.. I'm still getting used to eating a lot of beans, but I am very proud of myself for the effort I have put forth!

Early early early on Saturday morning, Eve, Faye, and I hopped on a bus to La Fortuna, near Arenal, a volcano in Costa Rica! Back to my earlier comment about language barriers: this weekend was another interesting experience with language. Faye and Eve both speak French, but I obviously don't. Faye and I speak English, by Eve's English is a little broken (although she still speaks it very well). Eve and I speak Spanish, but Faye does not. Anyways, do the math, and you can see that there is not really a common language among all three of us. It worked out just fine, but it was interesting!

Nice countryside view from the bus

"Jesus yo confio en ti"--tons of buses had this on the back. Perhaps because only Jesus can protect these bus drivers from the crazy routes and traffic. I really did like this--a nice little reminder of what's important!

The drive to La Fortuna was beautiful, but the winding hills proved a little too much for my stomach; I didn't throw up, but I certainly felt queasy!

Upon arriving to La Fortuna, we grabbed a quick breakfast before heading off to see the amazing waterfall!

The typical Costa Rican breakfast... Gallo Pinto, eggs (well, I don't know if that is typical, but it came with the meal), and a plantain! Talk about hearty! I had it both mornings in La Fortuna. 

We were told by the man at the hostel that the hike to the waterfall was only about 45 minutes away--an instance in which I found Costa Rican time is much different than real time. :p I'm not sure how long we were walking for, but it was definitely more than 45 minutes! Finally, we saw a cab coming & we hopped in--a solid investment, because the rest of the ride was up a very steep side of the mountain.

The waterfall (in Spanish, la catarata) was STUNNING. Absolutely breathtaking. I could post a million photos (on Facebook, I did! So check them out!)

La catarata and me!

Faye, Eve, and me! La catarata (why call it a waterfall when you can call it a CATARATA?) is in the background!

Hello, gorgeous!

There are tons of rocks surrounding the waterfall; they were very slippery, and one did get the best of me--I lost my footing and slipped down. Luckily, the rocks weren't jagged and I didn't get cut, but my left shin is completely bruised all the way up! It hurt, BUT I didn't cry.. ;)

The river a bit down from la catarata; we were able to swim in it! Despite being very cold, it was a great! Quite refreshing.

I was not brave enough to venture closely to the waterfall. As I mentioned earlier, I took a pretty hard spill on the rocks. The current was really strong. I will try to upload a video of the waterfall to Facebook!

Okay, enough about the waterfall! After that, we took a sketchy cab back to the hostel, and then we left to go to the natural volcanic hot springs! It was quite relaxing! :) And the water was SO WARM!! Like a big, natural hot tub!

You can see the steam!

Ahhhhhh RELAXING :)

Another highlight from the day: Spanish mass, round two! I got bits & pieces of the mass, but I was still pretty lost with the language. I was just happy I was able to go!!

La Parroquia de San Juan Bosco--very beautiful church, right in the center of La Fortuna!

¡Qué bonita!

Sorry.. I told you this would be a long post! 

Onto Sunday, by far my most favorite part of the trip! We decided to do a hike up Cerro Chato, one of the dormant volcanoes near La Fortuna. Holy cow, WHAT. A. HIKE. The goal was a swim in the green lagoon at the crater on top of the mountain. But first, we had to endure a ~2 mile hike up the volcano.

And when I say up a volcano, I literally mean UP. The hike was the most physically exerting activity that I have done in a LONG time. But, man, do I feel accomplished after taking on that monster of a hike! :O

The "before" picture... Well, actually the third-of-the-way picture. At this point, we were almost into the jungle 

Ah, yes, this is the trail. As you can see, it is not flat, and it is very UP. What a workout!! I felt like a true jungle warrior.

Yes, this is also the properly marked trail. 

Down down down to the green lagoon I go!

I MADE IT!!!

Look at how green it is! It is naturally this color.

The hike probably took ~4-5 hours, round trip. And I am feeling it today!! So sore!!

Yepp, we sure did! I didn't carve this, but I definitely appreciated the sentiment.

And, finally, the "after" shot.. I felt/looked drained! This was the BEAUTIFUL center of town. In the background is the volcano Arenal! STUNNING!

Here's the view, without sweaty me ruining the photo.. GORGEOUS!

Well, phew, that's all for now!! :) Here's to hoping for a good week at work! Maybe going to the Pacific next weekend.. :)

Peace!

amdg.