The 14th of July is approaching. And what do one do on July 14th?
One – I do not know. But I have to leave the US: my visa expires with this date …
For a long time I was thinking back and forth, and here and there, what the heck I should do.
Should I go home, back to Austria? – No, that’s just too far. So if Austria, then for sure not going but flying.
Or to my parents, to Germany? – At least I would have a roof over my head and three meals a day. And with a little smile and cute look, I am sure I manage to get some ice cream in the afternoon…
Pleeeeeease may I have some ice cream…?
Well and then? Should I stay in Europe and look for a job?!? Or return to California playing “Desperate Housewife”? 😉
Is the adventure California coming to an end?
Cheaper, and less distant from Sunnyvale, would be Canada or Mexico. Matthias and I could go there on vacation and afterwards back to the USA … Well, it’s not too cheap and there is also no guarantee if and how long I will be allowed to be in the US. Again for the maximum length of stay of a tourist B2 visa holder, namely six months? That would be awesome. But if and for how long a B2-visa owner may enter, the border officials decides all by himself ..
Well, time comes!
I remake my American CV. I have no work permit, but it does not hurt to have a current and perfected version.
And it has become so awesome! Thank you, my friend Marion for your great input and feedback! I am so satisfied and it benefit me to deal with my “skills”! I know and can do more than I thought 🙂
But, you can read in my curriculum vitae, black on white, that I am familiar with Spanish … it was a teaching subject in school. But school is a long time ago and since I’ve had nothing to do with this language for twenty years, my vocabulary has reduced to about ten words. Emmm. I do not want to lie in my résumé. Therefore: Get Spanish books and CDs in the library and cramming vocabulary.
And one day, while learning, I great idea popped up!
Since my time as a volunteer in Thailand I have been playing with the idea of doing this again. It was a very special experience to go to a foreign country (all by myself), not for vacation but to work for a good cause. One gets to know the country and people – as well as oneself – quite differently. Being stretched to your limits – and learning to overcome them. It was a terrible nice time!
And one day, while learning, I great idea popped up: why shouldn’t I volunteer in Latin America? I could improve my Spanish (well, only if I do not make the mistake of flying to Brazil) and gain new experiences. And since I have to leave the United States anyway, I can also get to know the world!
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssss!!!
Where should I go? It doesn’t matter. The main point is Spanish!
What should I work? Maybe in my profesion, as a veterinarian?Or maybe I find something else where I can also extend my professional horizon?
What I learn quickly is: numerous voluntary jobs have to be paid! Yes indeed! You volunteer and have to pay for it!?!? You are already paying your flight ticket, the accommodation (mostly dorm room) and your food. But in addition a weekly fee? Nope! Surely not!
I spend many, many, many hours online for research … and then – a silver lining in Costa Rica: Proyecto San Gerardo.
I like the project idea and I like that they are looking for someone who looks after the website. I want to do that! So I wrote an application and had a phone interview – and got job!
Costa Rica – geez! Should I really dare…?
And then I saw Jesus. There he lay, in the middle of the meadow, and the sun was shining on his belly. And just a few yards away, an alien embryo meditated on my way. This is a sign!
Jesus and Alien are both FOR the adventure Central America!
So I bought a ticket! And from June 29th I will spend two months in Costa Rica!
I’m looking forward to it – but it’s a bit exciting! I will arrive at San Jose on June 30th at 7am and have to take a taxi to the bus station. Hopefully I get the right bus to get to San Isidro. Here again I have to find the correct bus stop and bus and continue to San Gerardo. Arriving at the destination, I will live with a Spanish-speaking, Costa Rican host family. I need to use a “poop scoop bag” as toiletpaper clogs up the toilet. The shower water is at least lukewarm and internet is found in the local hotel. But I have my own room! And after two months I can in the ideal case also communicate with my host family 😉
Estoy lista para la aventura Costa Rica; para trabajar por la buena causa y aprender español 🙂
