I've been so preoccupied I haven't had a moment to write ~ so I'll do my best to recap the most recent events.
Another campus dog that I've been spending some time with is Kofu. We didn't meet Kofu until the second month of the program. Apparently, he doesn't come around very often but when he does, he follows any of us (especially females and especially those who feed him) in and out of the gate. He will intentionally follow us down the street, up stairs, into bars and restaurants, onto the dance floor, to the beach, and will wait outside of the grocery store until your ready to bring him back to campus. He loves going on adventures. He is the most loyal yet vile smelling dog I have ever encountered. From my understanding he has been hit by cars numerous times which leaves his left ear barely hanging on.. and often bleeding. Kofu definitely holds dominance among the other dogs on campus, they are sure to move when he wants to spend time at a specific house. I'm sure I've mentioned before that the dogs here are different in many ways - mostly hygienically but also they don't really respond when their name is called and they are extremely aware, independent and protective of those who are familiar and consistent in their lives.
The 'room temperature' (80-90*) fruit selection is always changing depending on the season and availability. Avocados, plantains, and limes are always plentiful. I'm usually hoping for bananas without fruit flies and crisp apples. I almost forgot to mention my morning addiction over ice ~ orange and carrot juice blend.. simply delicioso.
Another campus dog that I've been spending some time with is Kofu. We didn't meet Kofu until the second month of the program. Apparently, he doesn't come around very often but when he does, he follows any of us (especially females and especially those who feed him) in and out of the gate. He will intentionally follow us down the street, up stairs, into bars and restaurants, onto the dance floor, to the beach, and will wait outside of the grocery store until your ready to bring him back to campus. He loves going on adventures. He is the most loyal yet vile smelling dog I have ever encountered. From my understanding he has been hit by cars numerous times which leaves his left ear barely hanging on.. and often bleeding. Kofu definitely holds dominance among the other dogs on campus, they are sure to move when he wants to spend time at a specific house. I'm sure I've mentioned before that the dogs here are different in many ways - mostly hygienically but also they don't really respond when their name is called and they are extremely aware, independent and protective of those who are familiar and consistent in their lives.
Sometimes I'll treat myself to fresh orange juice on the corner when I'm feeling extra hot or low on energy in the afternoon. Noah recommended finding and embracing fresh-squeezed orange juice if I came across some. Lo and behold, three guys and a truck filled to the brim with oranges is often posted up on the corner of our school and town. You can practically taste the vitamin C. Nothing compares to real OJ. Find it. Get it. Do it. YUM.
Speaking of fruit, I'm f*ing allergic to pineapple. I basically gave myself this allergy by overdosing on fresh pineapple and therefor the enzyme, Bromelain. The corners of my mouth cracked and my tongue became inflamed. For about a week I wasn't sure if I was consuming too much salt or if it always correlated to pineapple. Sure enough, after a delicious frozen piña colada I had the same reoccurring reaction. So, I'll just add pineapple to my expanding list of allergies. Speaking of ODing on fruits, just as the mangos started to ripen and fall from the trees last week, three of the boys developed a very similar looking rash on their chest and stomach.. possibly related to the resin in the mango skin. Everything in moderation.
Once a week our house gets cleaned and a fun towel design appears on my bed. It's not necessary but I don't hate it.
Also, once a week we are responsible to work a shift in the student clinic. This includes giving three massages from 4-5pm -- 5:30-6:30pm -- 7-8pm. To ensure that this time is beneficial for my learning experience, I am always experimenting with new techniques and sequences. I always try to incorporate and therefor practice the most recent modalities that we've learned.. of course, only if my client is able and willing.
A few weeks ago we learned about Hydrotherapy within massage therapy. We practiced using heat packs filled with clay and experimented with ice treatments. The heat treatment was incredible, encouraging an increased blood flow to an area of the body which allows the muscles to relax and easily receive massage. It's like massaging butter. The ice treatment was interesting, almost a painful sensation, but afterwards felt amazing as it cooled down my body temperature. I can see how it would be beneficial for athletes or for injuries with an inflamed area. R.I.C.E. (Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation).
One afternoon, our class was dedicated to creating our own aromatherapy bath salts. I chose to combine Helichrysum, Neroli, and Ylang Ylang. The fragrance is very simple and slightly floral (orange blossom). To complete our second quarter, we exchanged a full-body pineapple and sugar exfoliant. Again, the enzyme in pineapple, Bromelain facilitated a reaction with the sugar to make our skin super smooth. I was hesitant about participating in this assignment because of my new found allergy, but external exposure was completely fine and totally worth the results.
Once we completed the pineapple/sugar scrub and our written finals, second quarter closed and we were off to Nicaragua - for a well deserved break but mostly because we had to leave the country for 3 days to get another 90 day stamp on our passports to complete the program in Costa Rica. The bus ride was a hot and dirty adventure that forced our group to bond in a different way. I quickly learned to limit my water consumption based on the scarce bathroom stops. It was about 2 hours to Liberia, another 1.5 hours to the Costa Rica/Nicaragua boarder, and then finally another 1.5 hours to our beautiful hotel in Granada, Nicaragua. Crossing the border was surprisingly easy and funny. There were literally tables set up as checkpoints to check passports and baggage, but as a large and somewhat americanized group they let us pass without inspection or hesitation. When the bus dropped us off as close to the border that was allowed, we continued on foot through 'no-mans land' where the land was ambiguous and not exactly claimed by either country. Our time spent in Nicaragua was colorful in many ways. Each building and church was painted a different color, the streets were filthy, the town was plentiful with street vendors, sleeping children, and horses dressed up with ribbons, and the men were extremely forward and disrespectful as they honked horns, made kissing sounds, and blatantly stared. It was actually refreshing to get out of Samara for a few days and explore new territory - it was the perfect intermission to our program.
As our Nicaraguan adventure ended, our third quarter promptly began with Shiatsu and Anatomy in Clay. I really enjoyed Shiatsu as it related to the meridians and systems within the body, the hara assessment of the abdomen as it related to physical and emotional indications within the body, and briefly touching on acupressure/acupuncture points and related supplemental techniques. Anatomy in Clay was a class that I was anxiously anticipating because I knew it would allow me to touch, visualize, and retain the muscles within the body. I would highly recommend this learning modality to anyone in the healthcare field - or any human being that wants to know how and why their body moves. In 8 days for 5 hours a day, we completed 1/2 of a model that was 1/3 to scale of a real human. It was satisfying, challenging, and certainly a lesson in letting go - just as we finished putting on the last muscle, within seconds we had to rip all of the clay off for the next class to use.
A couple weeks ago, I had an unexpected visit from Dylan! The wave of friends from home that have crossed my path in Costa Rica only further convinces me how strong the island connection is. Dylan was in town for about a week, I was happy to reconnect with him and show him around campus. It always feels great to have a piece of home when your traveling. International connections are so crazy and so meant to be.
For both 'travel breaks' in March, I decided to stay in Samara to catch up on sleep and sun. My time off was really quiet and relaxing, mostly spending long days on the beach. I would commit to the beach in Samara or walking ~45 minutes to Buena Vista.. the privacy is totally worth the trek.
It doesn't rain often, but last break it seemed to rain for about 30 minutes at sunset for 4 days in a row. When the rain came, you could find most of us in the ocean or the pool.. we celebrated and welcomed the warm rain showers with swimming, chicken fights, and watsu (water shiatsu).
Recently, we ended third quarter with Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) - Trigger Point, Myofascial Release, and Thai Massage. I found these techniques extremely useful and practical for most massage therapy sessions/goals. I discovered a greater understanding and appreciation for Myofascial Release - almost every population could benefit from this and it seems to support healthy lifestyles and aging. It's incredible the difference you can see and feel after an area is worked on.. you can even do it to yourself! Fascia is totally underrated.
To end third quarter and our long weekend/travel break, five of us decided to go banana boating for Jill's 19th birthday. I wish I had a photo to show our enthusiasm.. but we walked to the beach wearing simply a bathing suit and hopped on the banana boat for a hilarious 20 minute ride around the shore of Samara beach. We were bouncing and laughing the entire time. It was the best $5 (2500 colones) I've ever spent.
If my (lack of) blogging is any indication, third quarter was such a blur, I barely believe that it happened. The days were so full and the weeks went by so fast. I think I had class and went to the beach? It's impossible to put this experience, shifting emotions, personal evolution and gained knowledge into words. I often ask myself 'where am I', ' Is this real life' and 'Is this really happening' - it's unreal what could happen if you push yourself to live outside of your comfort zone - and why not? Everyone deserves to do exactly what they want.
As we begin our fourth and final quarter, the mangos and guavas are dropping from the trees and I'm trying to enjoy each day to the fullest by spending time outside and with those who surround me. I'm not ready to leave Costa Rica and have our close group of 20 disperse, but it's exciting to know I'll have at least 19 strong connections all over the world. Always a perfect excuse for more travel.
Also, once a week we are responsible to work a shift in the student clinic. This includes giving three massages from 4-5pm -- 5:30-6:30pm -- 7-8pm. To ensure that this time is beneficial for my learning experience, I am always experimenting with new techniques and sequences. I always try to incorporate and therefor practice the most recent modalities that we've learned.. of course, only if my client is able and willing.
A few weeks ago we learned about Hydrotherapy within massage therapy. We practiced using heat packs filled with clay and experimented with ice treatments. The heat treatment was incredible, encouraging an increased blood flow to an area of the body which allows the muscles to relax and easily receive massage. It's like massaging butter. The ice treatment was interesting, almost a painful sensation, but afterwards felt amazing as it cooled down my body temperature. I can see how it would be beneficial for athletes or for injuries with an inflamed area. R.I.C.E. (Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation).
One afternoon, our class was dedicated to creating our own aromatherapy bath salts. I chose to combine Helichrysum, Neroli, and Ylang Ylang. The fragrance is very simple and slightly floral (orange blossom). To complete our second quarter, we exchanged a full-body pineapple and sugar exfoliant. Again, the enzyme in pineapple, Bromelain facilitated a reaction with the sugar to make our skin super smooth. I was hesitant about participating in this assignment because of my new found allergy, but external exposure was completely fine and totally worth the results.
The bus ride to Nicaragua
Costa Rica/Nicaragua Border
Walking into Nicaragua
Girls in Granada, Nicaragua
For our first full day in Nicaragua, five of us decided to boat around Lake Nicaragua with the recommended tour guide, Ricardo.. who, by the end of the day, we dubbed Retardo. This is certainly an adventurous day that I'll never forget. It was a really fun way to spend our first day in a new country but we had a hard time shaking Retardo at the end of the day. The experience began when we piled into 2 cars as his 'drivers' drove us through town and down to the docks. We gave him money for the boat, that he immediately spent on drinks for us at the grocery store. I'm still not sure how he made any profit? When the boat ride was over, he wanted to get food with us, hang out, come back to the hotel, barrow money.. nothing seemed to add up. As a result of his sketchy behavior, the girls walked back to the hotel and the boys stuck it out for a couple more hours until they made an excuse to disconnect. We laughed about this experience for the next week.. at least it makes a good story. High-five for life!
The following day, I spent my time shopping and walking around the markets in Masaya, the town just 30 minutes outside of Granada. I found some beautiful wooden bracelets, a colorful hammock, an authentic blanket, a long purple skirt.. and a mandarin, watermelon (sandia), mango smoothie. Success! I also discovered what a cashew fruit looks like, I had no idea that 1 nut rested on top of the bright red fruit.. it all makes sense why cashews are so expensive.. the harvesting and roasting process must be extremely tedious. The prices at the market were reasonable, certainly not crazy cheap, and haggling only knocked items down a small percentage.. always claiming that they were giving YOU the best price. It was certainly stimulating to adjust to yet another currency (22 córdobas (Nicaragua) = 500 colones (Costa Rica) = $1 (United States).
It doesn't rain often, but last break it seemed to rain for about 30 minutes at sunset for 4 days in a row. When the rain came, you could find most of us in the ocean or the pool.. we celebrated and welcomed the warm rain showers with swimming, chicken fights, and watsu (water shiatsu).
To end third quarter and our long weekend/travel break, five of us decided to go banana boating for Jill's 19th birthday. I wish I had a photo to show our enthusiasm.. but we walked to the beach wearing simply a bathing suit and hopped on the banana boat for a hilarious 20 minute ride around the shore of Samara beach. We were bouncing and laughing the entire time. It was the best $5 (2500 colones) I've ever spent.
If my (lack of) blogging is any indication, third quarter was such a blur, I barely believe that it happened. The days were so full and the weeks went by so fast. I think I had class and went to the beach? It's impossible to put this experience, shifting emotions, personal evolution and gained knowledge into words. I often ask myself 'where am I', ' Is this real life' and 'Is this really happening' - it's unreal what could happen if you push yourself to live outside of your comfort zone - and why not? Everyone deserves to do exactly what they want.
As we begin our fourth and final quarter, the mangos and guavas are dropping from the trees and I'm trying to enjoy each day to the fullest by spending time outside and with those who surround me. I'm not ready to leave Costa Rica and have our close group of 20 disperse, but it's exciting to know I'll have at least 19 strong connections all over the world. Always a perfect excuse for more travel.
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