I've formed relationships with many remarkable people in my time here so far.

One thing I've thought a lot about is how different people's expectations and attitudes toward life here are... and I have thought a lot about what "better" means, in regards to education, work ethic, and lifestyle. There are so many differences between the systems that are in place here and the attitudes towards life versus those where I come from... and although there are definite advantages and disadvantages to both, I find it difficult to judge what is "better". For example, the pace of life here is much slower. And there is less structure. Pura vida -- pure life... people here take life slowly, don't worry so much about doing doing doing all the time. This translates into fewer checkmarks on a daily task list, but more time to talk with neighbors, sustain relationships, and just relax. It also translates into things not getting fixed, and less time in school, and a less-developed infrastructure. And, this is reciprocal. The systems aren't in place to facilitate a busy, super-efficient life pace, and in turn people don't worry as much about all the things we feel we need to accomplish in a day on U.S. time. Hard to tell what the better trade-off is... there is much less stress here, but it is sometimes hard to take the laxness in stride, as Americans who are used to things working smoothly and efficiently and conveniently. Also, at least at Escuela Serapio Lopez Fajardo, this means that some kids don't know the alphabet by grade 2... (although that particular example has much more to do with apathetic teachers and corrupt administration than a typification of Costa Rican culture in general). I think a balance can be struck between these two lifestyles. But I must admit that something is appealing to me about the idea that the world can work more on the basis of community relationships and slow enjoyment than on the basis of progress for progress' sake. Lots to chew over, there.

Right, so, this post is supposed to be about friendships I've made here. A significant topic!
People I admire and like here:
Saedy
Carmen
Freddy
Luz
Che and Jose
Tito
Keani and Zamira

It hasn't been difficult to form relationships here, as I talked about before... I've had some really good, deep conversations with Luz and Che in particular about matters pertaining to education, differences between life here versus what I know in the States... etc. Speaking Spanish helps a whole lot.
Keani, who is 5, has shown me her dance moves and WHEW can that 5 year old whip out some hip rolls. She's a better dancer than most grown Americans I know. I think Costa Rican babies come out of the womb knowing how to dance. I also spent 4 hours helping her learn to swim and carrying her around on my back in the pool and watching her play see-food with refried beans and learning some Eenie-Meenie-Meinee-Mo-esque Tican kids' games from her. Fun times, even though it was also exhausting for multiple reasons
(1 because she would be practically drowning if I looked away for 10 seconds while she was in the pool. pretty terrifying; 2 because her father was just stabbed completely randomly in the street about a week ago, and she kept saying things like "did you know my papi is dead? that means he's not coming back" and playing dead in the water, and things. it made my brain shut down a little, to watch her processing it. long story there, that i won't get into in this blog... but i was watching keani that afternoon to get her out of her house and away from my host family's grief for a bit, and to let her mom sleep a little. 5 year olds have a very different way of processing loss).

Zamira is Luz's other granddaughter, who I've played dominoes and talked with and spent time with along with Keani. The three of us went on walks to the bridge by Luz's house over the river with tilapia and egrets... and played by the water's edge and watched monkey families and talked. One thing that makes me proud here is that I can actually understand most kid-speak, now. I never had that talent or ability before, in Spanish! And it helps me out a lot, as a teacher.

Carmen (new president of the patronato -- the school board -- and mother to 2 students) and Saedy (Ella's pre-K teacher, the visionary behind the parquecito we are building for the school) are ridiculously strong women. Both extremely sharp, hardworking, and caring. Both defying a long history of school corruption and swindling, in the face of personal threats, to make sure their children and the community's children get the health, resources, and education they deserve.

Tito is one of the most generous young men I've ever met -- my host brother, he's given me rides anywhere I've needed to go this whole trip if he's found out I needed one, and makes sure I'm safe and talks to me about his life (while patiently tolerating my broken Spanish) and kids me like a little sister. Great, great guy.

Jose and Che I just admire so much for how loving and responsible they are... a host brother and sister, and parents to Nahyma, their 5-month old baby. Che is 21 and Jose is 26... very shiningly good people.

Freddy, I admire mostly from afar... he stood up at the school meeting to throw questions in the face of the school administration about money disappearing, fomenting some heated arguments through the whole assemblage. A role that earned him some disapproval, but that was desperately necessary to be taken on by someone... someone needed to start the drama, after 16 years of rule by a despicably corrupt administration and principal. Freddy is a very smart, philosophical man, and easily a community pillar, from my point of view.

Luz, my host mom, I've had countless great conversations with... going on long walks with her, sitting at meals (which she cooks amaaaazingly)... as well as trying the best I could to be a support when her daughter's husband was killed. It's an impossible thing to do. But she is so strong and supportive of her family. Good, beautiful woman.

Many good people here. And, boy are they needed. Especially in the face of the bad bad things some people here are capable of...

So, yes. Yep. There be it. Irie.