It's All Good

Yup...that's about the best way to describe the first two months of my Costa Rica experience...it's all good.

For some time now, I have had random senses of “Damn, I feel good!”.

As far as I can tell, nothing triggered these out-of-the-blue sensations...they just happened.

Very early this morning...like at about 2:03 which is early even for me...I woke with one of those bursts of insight that I have from time.

I knew exactly what is contributing to my sense of well-being and feeling good. Specifically, three factors currently contribute to my feeling good.

1. Accentuate The Positive

I don't how, when or why it happened, but negativity has become a non-issue in my life.

It's as if my personal preference for positive things has taken root and burst forth in the fertile Costa Rican environment and vanquished the noxious weeds of negativity. (Wow...what an image!)

Among the most noticeable of the missing factors is negative stress.

Replacing this stress is a totally re-energized positive stress.

That's the life-force that energizes and drives me. It's what challenges me to continue to develop and achieve.

Welcome back.

2. Less Is More

As small and spartan as it is, my own space is a genuine source of pleasure.

My main space is a room about 12' x 15 ' with an uncovered floor of ceramic tile and bare walls painted off-yellow. Here there is a double bed, a desk, two chairs and a TV (in working order but unused).

Thanks to the 4' x 6' (barred) window and opaque glass door (also barred) this room is nice and bright during the 12 hours of daylight.

I also have the use of a 4-piece bath (one piece is a bidet) and what is called a kitchen equipped with

• apartment-size fridge
• sink
• coffee-maker
• hot plate
• 2 pans
• minimal cutlery & accessories
  

I think I may have cooked 2 meals here.

But it's all good. Definitely not overstocked with unused stuff.

3. Even Less Is Even More

I am also totally enjoying having fewer issues and concerns swirl around me, competing for my social, emotional and intellectual attention. Sometimes it's a problem not speaking Spanish...other times it's a huge benefit.

When I socialize, it's with like-minded people and we talk about things that interest us...not the latest breaking news item from CNN in either English or Spanish.

I have no idea what the political, social and other important issues of the day are here in San Jose. Furthermore...I really don't care.

Intellectually, I can devote my time and energy to doing what I love most: writing and teaching. And based on the feedback of my readers and students, I am quite good at doing what I love to do.

How sweet is that?

Perhaps the best part of the past two months is that it is not the end of the journey.

It's not even the mid-point: I still have about 2½ months left before my teaching commitment has been fulfilled.

Based on what has already happened, what will happen is going to be even better.

Sí ... es todo bueno!

Ballet With A Difference

The Festival Internacional de les Arts...or FIA for short...is currently in full swing in San Jose as well as two other nearby cities—Alejuela and Limon.

Low-Risk Exposure

One of the headline attractions was the Ballet Nacional de Espagne.

I've never seen a full ballet performance live and in person so decided that the National Ballet of Spain appearing before a mostly Spanish speaking audience might be a good place to start.

And the price was definitely right...3000 CRC or $5.76 Canadian. Apart from the time involved, this would most definitely have been a low risk exposure to a new art form if ever there was one.

While waiting for the ballet to start, I gave myself permission to leave at intermission if I felt like it.

Happily, I stayed until the final of what must have been eight curtain calls.

I have never seen or experienced anything like this performance...ever!!

Using words like awesome, fantastic and wonderful doesn't even come close to describing the event.

Yet again I witnessed the energy and excitement of what I am considering to be Latin American passion. This time of course there were major differences.

Passion & Precision

But it was after all the Spaniards who planted the seeds of passion...among other seeds...in Latin America way back when.

The 20 dancers comprised one of the most physically attractive uniform group of performers...or people for that matter...that I have ever seen.

All with the same colour skin and hair--which appeared to have been cut the same day—and size, the men could well have been a set of tentuplets.

Their drab, finally tailored costumes showcased...to use Jacques Brel's words...their little Spanish bums.

Similarly the women were all stunningly beautiful..each with identical make-up and black hair, but with slightly more variation in body shape and size.

No tutus and tights for these ladies. More colourfully costumed than the men, they wore long, flouncy and bouncy skirts...exactly what is required for flamenco dancing.

Certainly a ballet in name and staging, the performance was a big beautifully presented flamenco dance extravaganza.

2-3” Heels

Instead of ballet slippers, the women wore sensible shoes and the men wore boots...all with serious 2-3 inch heels, all the better for dancing the flamenco.

Overall the dancing was a combination of Stompin' Tom Connors and Lord of the Dance but with acute finesse and extreme precision.

Even with the full company, dancing, every single heel hit the stage at exactly the same time...usually several times each second. Add to that precision dancing the equally meticulous clicking of the dancers' castanets and ole...another wonderful evening of musical magic.

Then after the final curtain, back to the reality of vehicle horns arguing about non-existent road space and street vendors shouting above uninterested prospective customers.

That night, the joy of the dance inside the theatre more than offset the cacophony of Costa Ricans going about living their lives...normally and noisily.

Let's Get On With It

When I think back to my first 3-4 months of university, it seems that life was a constant blur of transitions.

Moving From The Real World To Awe & Wonder

The first transition was of course moving from the real world to the awe and wonder of university life.

After about six weeks, there was another major transition. This one was from the sense of awe and wonder to the reality of of living and working in the university environment.

About the middle of March, I experienced a similar shift in my Costa Rica experience. At that point, I had been in Costa Rica about 6 weeks.

My initial sense amazement gave way to a feeling of 'OK, let's get on with it.'

Some Lost Glasses

Get on with what, you ask?

Certainly get on with experiencing the country without the tourists' rose coloured glasses. Not sure where I lost these glasses but I no longer have them.

Even without the rose-coloured glasses, this is a beautiful country that I plan to continue to explore and enjoy. Obviously that's one element of getting on with it.

Also, I will get on with my commitment to Pro Language and to my students to continue the English classes.

Strangely, just as I have figured out the bus system to get these classes with a minimum of travel time and hassle, a new challenge has presented itself: canceled classes.

One student has already canceled 10 classes, for which we have scheduled make-up classes, starting tomorrow.

The other has canceled five classes, with one make-up class completed and the remaining four to be held or scheduled.

Having worked on my own for as long as I have, I have forgotten about the frustrations of trying to work to other people's schedules.

My refresher course in coping with the fallout of other people's schedules continues.

Work-Related Activities

In addition to continue working with my students and getting to know Costa Rica better, I will also get on with several work related activities.

I have already started the planned upgrade of my website.

I used to laugh at people who had snowmobiles and motor-boats, believing that these toys were great excuses to simply putter around.

Surprise, surprise...websites are like that too. Always something more to consume time, energy and attention.

As well as my own website, I have three new projects to start moving along. And earlier today, I got an inquiry from another school about teaching two classes each week.

So that's 6-7 other things for me to get on with.

Whoops...make that 7-8 other things. Still working on learning Spanish, but that seems to have fallen down the list.

The Next Three Months

Certainly the next three months in Costa Rica offer much to look forward to. Lots of opportunities to add new achievements to the experience mix.

Going to be a fun time...and in the words of one of my favourite songs...the best is yet to come.

Just heard that song the other day on my new workday companion: 'noventa et cinquo cinquo Jazz 95.5 Costa Rica.'

How sweet is that?

Memorable Musical Magic

Last night, I experienced one of those magic musical performances that are truly one of a kind.

“La Big Band Costa Rica con Eddie Daniels”

Earlier in the week, I learned that “La Big Band Costa Rica con Eddie Daniels” would be appearing at Teatro Nacional “12 y 13 marzo 8:00 pm”.

I had never heard of La Big Band Costa Rica nor Eddie Daniels, but love big band music so decided to go to the concert, if for no other reason to check out Teatro Nacional.

Constructed between 1830 and 1837, this building is one of the few unique and interesting buildings in San Jose. I'll write about that later.

In terms of expectations for the evening, I anticipated that La Big Band Costa Rica would rank somewhere between an average community band at the low end, and Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, at the top.

As for Eddie Daniels, I expected him to be an ex-pat gringo now living and performing in Costa Rica.

Wrong Expectations

I am happy to admit that I was dead wrong on both expectations.

When the orchestra took the stage there were 19 young Costa Rican men and their middle-aged director in crisp white jackets. One trombone player wore a tailored black jacket.

All the men wore neatly pressed black pants and polished black shoes. The only woman wore her basic black dress.

The last time I saw a big band look that good was when I saw Duke Ellington way back when.

If this group looked good, it played even better.

Talented, Professional Musicians

Within a few bars, it was obvious that there were 22 very talented, professional musicians on-stage.

What I love about well-known, highly regarded performers is how they build on their experience to engage their audiences in fresh new versions of their art.

Being young performers, the La Big Band Costa Rica is driven...and driven hard by their sheer energy. And being Latin, their individual and combined passion is the ideal catalyst for their energy.

Although I have not checked, I don't think Latin Americans have a term for mediocrity. They tend to be very passionate about absolutely everything they do...even if it's a taxi driver having a nap in his car.

Think of a really good all-black gospel choir belting out hymns, swinging 'n' swaying in their fancy robes. That's the closest thing I can think to describe the talent, energy and passion of La Big Band Costa Rica.

Not A Stage Hand...

Enter Eddie Daniels, the visually laid back but equally talented and intense guest clarinet/saxophone soloist.

Wearing jeans and a nondescript blazer, he looked more like a stage hand than a professional performer. But what an amazing performer he is.

Check out his website to learn more about him.

The synergy between Eddie Daniels and this group was absolutely awesome...in the true sense of the word.

You could feel the energy all the way up to the gallery where I was sitting.

When the planned program was over, no one, least of all the performers, wanted the evening to end.

Daniels would cue the drummer, who would start pounding a basic beat, which in turn got the audience clapping rhythmically. The director then gave hand signals to the band to show what he wanted....and the music went on and on.

Eventually Daniels slowed the tempo and lowered the volume until the hall was totally quiet...but only for a few seconds. Then everyone from the back row in the gallery to the back row on stage was on their feet cheering and clapping.

What an amazing experience!

Happy 20th!!

Oh yeah, one more thing.

The trombone player in the black jacket? As far as I can tell, he was the founder and first musical director of La Big Band de Costa Rica and currently a music professor at the University of Costa Rica.

Last night's concert marked the group's 20th Anniversary, so he was invited back as a guest performer.

What a celebration it was...and a great experience to savour. Glad I was there.

Local Addresses

For better or for worse, I am starting to appreciate the Costa Rican approach to local addresses.

In most of the country, there are neither street names nor house numbers.

Addresses refer to local landmarks.

For example, my address—as shown on my rental agreement is:

“San Francisco de Dos Rios, 300 mts Sur del Restaurante Tierra Colombia, Fente al Abastecedor don Bosco.”

Roughly translated into English this means

“San Francisco de Dos Rios, [the community in which I live, part of San Jose, the capital city] 300 metres south of the Earth Colombia Restaurant [which is now closed and renovated into a business centre] across from the merchant Don Bosco”.

There are two things I like about the Costa Rican approach to describing an address.

Local Landmarks

First it forces us to be aware of what's around us. Whether giving or receiving directions, it is important to be aware of local landmarks.

Moving around Toronto, whether on foot, public transit or driving is invariably frustrating.

It's like some kind of dance in which thousands and thousands of people move about so totally engrossed in themselves, their inner thoughts or wireless communications that they are totally oblivious to what is right beside them.

When looking for local landmarks, you are forced to be more aware of your surroundings. This of course includes other people, the second feature I like about the Costa Rican approach.

Whether asking for clarification or entirely new directions, the Costa Rican approach certainly facilitates connecting with other people.

And speaking of connecting with people, I've seen a couple of Mormons wandering around town, trying to do just that.

It was hard to miss them...clean cut handsome young gringos in crisp white shirts and subdued ties, matching backpacks with Bibles in hand. Very un-Tico.

Found myself wondering how they prospect for converts.

No Mail Delivery

There is no such thing as door-to-door canvassing in Costa Rica.

When people come calling they stand on the street in front of the residence and shout 'Hola' or 'Buenos'.

There is also no mail delivery.

Important communications are delivered by guys on motorcycles who stand on the street in front of the residence and shout the name on the envelop or parcel followed by 'correo' or something like it.

This of course attracts the attention of curious bystanders who no doubt wonder...aka gossip...about what was so important that it had to be delivered by correo.

Now I am wondering if there is no mail delivery because there are no local addresses..or there are no local addresses because there is no mail delivery.

Understanding ESL and TEFL..a bit

Having taught all of eight business English classes, I am still very much a rookie English teacher.

I am however starting to understand the twin phenomena of ESL and TEFL, or TESL if you prefer.

The ESL Phenomenon

I am well familiar with the ESL...or English as a Second Language...phenomenon.

It is an accepted fact of life in Toronto, where many new immigrants speak little, if any English. No doubt these people struggle with English as much as I continue to struggle with Spanish.

I am now seeing another side of ESL as well as the TEFL by product.

This other side of ESL is best illustrated by my two students.

Gilbert is general manager of a company that operates three automobile dealerships: Honda, Fiat and Alpha Romeo. In his day-to-day dealing with his staff, customers and local suppliers, his working language is Spanish.

However, when interacting with anyone from his key suppliers Honda, Fiat or Alpha Romeo, he is required to communicate in English.

My other student is Gustavo, who is an executive with Alacatel Lucent, a French-based supplier of electronic cables and equipment.

Like Gilbert, Gustavo speaks Spanish in his day-to-day work activities.

However, also like Gilbert, when interacting with people from Alacatel Lucent from outside of Central America, Gustavo must communicate in English, the common language of international business.

In order to improve their ability to communicate in English, both Gilbert and Gustavo have arranged for Pro Language to provide them with business English lessons.

TEFL Methodology

Pro Language is one of seven privately owned and operated English language schools in San Jose.

From what I can tell, Pro Language is a well respected organization that hires people like me to teach English to its clients' employees.

The magic factor that allows people like me to teach people like Gilbert and Gustavo is TEFL methodology.

TEFL...or Teaching English as a Foreign Language...is a huge industry.

Hundreds of organizations and agencies offer a wide range of courses and programs to help interested people learn how to teach English as a second or foreign language.

Realistically, what most people taking these courses and programs want is the TEFL certificate or equivalent. With such a certificate, they can get a job doing what I am doing (without a certificate) teaching English in a foreign country.

In fact, it is the same TEFL methodology that allows organizations like Pro Language to hire people like me, with or without a certificate.

Programmed Training

To this point, the TEFL process I am following is the most programmed training or educational process I have ever seen.

The text books, workbooks and instructors' manuals are carefully crafted and scripted. I won't use the expression idiot-proof, but quite honestly that is the term bouncing around in my head.

From an administration and teaching perspective, the TEFL methodology works well for organizations like Pro Language. It also works well for people with minimal teaching experience who want to teach English in foreign counties.

How well does the methodology work for people like Gilbert and Gustavo? At this point, both seem to find the material too basic.

At his last class, Gilbert, suggested that instead of only covering one lesson per class, the recommended approach, we do two.

So last night, without explanation, I guided Gustavo through two lessons.

This approach worked very well. It was a good class for both of us...and we finished early.

Gustavo was happy with many of my tips and suggestions. And I was happy to learn that even with the highly programmed approach, it is possible to customize the course to meet individual students' needs.