quick

This next week could be my make or break week in Costa Rica. I've been invited to work with a brigade from the US who are going to be participating in a housing project all next week in Sarapiquí, a country area in Northeast Costa Rica. I'll be helping in translations and organizing all the construction activities with the constructor and the brigade. It should be pretty interesting/challenging. Interesting that the brigade of 23ppl are all at least 60 years old and retired, and challenging in trying to keep them healthy as a lot of the activities involve a shovel and dirt and /or concrete. They are all big donors so there are going to be a lot of special activities throughout the week that are going to involve the families who are going to receive the houses. I went yesterday to visit some of the families and it will be great to see how much their situation is going to improve once they move to their new homes which should hopefully be in time for Christmas.

It is hard to explain in a blog but this is really what Habitat is about. Providing families with a means to secure dignified housing. My co-workers do so much for these families in getting them enrolled in the government housing voucher program and are very passionate in this aspect of their job. Yesterday we went and told the families that they had been selected to receive these houses and my co-workers were so emotionally involved that there were tears in their eyes as we read them the letter of acceptance. That is the kind of job I want, where the only time I cry is for joyous situations.

Anyways I look forward to working with this brigade because it takes a certain type of person to gear up for a week of hard labor when the majority of everyone else their age in Costa Rica would be at the beach or bird watching. And I'm getting a free t-shirt too!

In other news I'll be spending my birthday (thanksgiving) on a bus for 12hrs on my way to Panamá for the mandatory tourist exit every 90 days. Next time I live more than 6 months abroad I'm getting a work permit because these trips are getting a little burdensome. At least this time there will be a lot of birthday parties where I'm going and the next time will be for my very first carnaval in February. After that time will really start to fly.