“A Lost Soul”
Now, let me tell you, I get lost a lot. New York is big, and I could remember countless times going to events, job interviews or restaurants and being unable to find my way. I even get lost going to places I have already been. It happens guys, one wrong turn and then Boom! You have no idea where you are. But there is nothing like getting lost in a foreign country where you do not fully understand the language that makes you fear for your life.
The thing about being independent and getting lost is that you do not like to ask for help. I like to do things on my own but I discovered there are times when you have to let your pride go and ask. That was hard for me to do, so imagine my disappointment when I do this and still receive no help! Follow along as I tell you one of the many instance I got lost in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Basic English + High Beginner Spanish= Confusion
My host mom is wonderful but her “basic English” and my “High beginner” Spanish do not mix. The first day we met she is speaking to me in Spanish very fast and I just did not understand. And I get it, when you are fluent in a language you can talk a mile a minute. However, when your only knowledge of Spanish is from classes in school twice a week, I think I have a reason to be confused.
The day before my first class at ULACIT my host mom and I went to visit my school and the town shortly after. She showed me the bus stop that takes me home from the town but not from the school. So the next day when I am coming home from Ulacit, I was not exactly sure how to get home. I knew I lived in Tibas so when I saw the bus with that name I thought it was the right bus. Wrong. Later on I discovered there are four different buses that say Tibas on it and only one that actually takes me directly to my house. After making it to the last stop on the wrong bus and crying my troubles out to the bus driver, he kindly points out the right bus to me. I had no more colones at the time but the next bus driver kindly let me on.
Problem solved right? Wrong again. As I finally found similar landscapes I got off the bus at the stop I believed was relatively close to my house. Only now, I am unsure of which corner to turn to get to my house. I walk around the block a few times, ask a few police officers, show them my address and still no help. I do not know who created the Costa Rican map system but if I did I would tell them that basing addresses off of nearby buildings are not ideal. After much frustration, I hopped in a cab.
The cab driver, similar to the rest do not know where my house is either. He ended up calling my host mom who ran down some block unbeknown to me and paid the cab driver for his help. I was actually pretty close to my house, and that was just the first time I wasted money traveling in Costa Rica.
Missing the NYC Subway system
Now for Uber troubles. Uber is that new sensation that are putting taxis out of business. I do not really use them in the city because I am FrugalFran and my monthly MetroCard needs to be used. However it is really helpful for those late nights when you do not feel safe on public transportation. So when I heard it was here in Costa Rica as well, I knew all my transportation worries would be avoided.
Wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong, WRONG! These Uber drivers like many others in Costa Rica do not know where they are going. I do not understand, if I put in the address why are you asking me what is my destination? I am a foreigner, I do not know! Twice so far I have been overcharged because my Uber has went to the wrong location. A little tip though, if you complain, you may get your money back.
I write all this to say that getting lost, no matter where you are, is frightening. Looking back on it does not seem so bad but when I got lost that day in San Jose, I was ready to pack it up and go home. Now as I go along the same route almost every other day, I realize that a little help goes a long way. I will probably get lost again as I continue to go to new places. Heck, as I write this I am on a bus to Puerto Viejo and will probably be confused again once I get off this bus. And yes I may cry or get angry, but I am also optimistic. I am determined to get over the hurdles that come with studying abroad, and I believe this is just one of them.