Bienvenidos a SANTA ANA!

My HOME! I am now living in Santa Ana, Baru. It is definitely a new and different experience. I live in a dormitory with the other volunteers as well as teachers and medical students. Our rooms are at the school that I work in, called Barbacoas. We probably live in the nicest living facility in town. We don't have air conditioning or hot water and ants/other friendly bugs and reptiles run around everywhere... but we are lucky enough to have electricity and running water, unlike a lot of the town. We have tile floors and our own beds. Many families in this area have dirt floors and one room to sleep in. I feel fortunate to be living where I do. 

The school itself is the most beautiful part of town. The buildings are all open-air and mostly made from bamboo. Beautiful trees and flowers surround the school and cobblestone pathways serve as our hallways. Signs around school encourage a clean earth and healthy environment, they promote recycling and use of trash cans...

When you walk out of our lovely oasis, the environment changes quite drastically. There is trash lining the streets, animals roaming freely, dirt roads, animal poop and muddy green puddles everywhere. Although the town may not be the prettiest, the people in it are extremely happy, friendly and sincere. It is basically a rule that you have to say "buenas" or "hola" or my personal favorite,"adioooooossssss" each time you pass by a person. Music blasts on every corner... it is a small town but most definitely not a quiet one. Being the only gringos around here, we are definitely the town gossip and are intensely stared down by everyone we pass. 

Our only mode of transportation on the island is by moto-taxi. I have never rode on a motorcycle in my life and now it is the only way for me to get around. It was scary at first, but now I am comfortable and relaxed while on one. It is extremely refreshing to get on a moto and feel the strong breeze the whole way. I love it. I am, however, slightly afraid of running into a cow....

About a 15 minute ride on a moto and you will arrive at the most beautiful beach in the world.... Playa Blanca. I have already decided that when I'm feeling sad, lonely and/or depressed, this will most definitely be my happy place :)

The island is definitely one of a kind. I am looking foreword to spending a year of my life here and living in a small friendly town. Its definitely a unique experience to be able to run into your students every time you walk out of your house as well as be able to live with your coworkers. I am extremely nervous and even more excited to be able to have this experience.