La Fortuna day1

So last night I had to get off of the computer rather quickly and was not able to share my wonderful adventure of getting to La Fortuna, so here it goes. So I met a few people at the hostel who were also going to La Fortuna and we all decided to take the same bus. Buying tickets wasn´t a problem and we all checked our luggage and got on the bus. The bus originated from the station that we got on at so there were plenty of empty seats and room for us to stretch out in, so we all got our own row and got ready for the 3.5 hr bus ride (it turned out to be around 5.5). So we drove for about 30 minutes and then the bus stopped and a ton of people started to get on, which was something that none of us had planned for because we bought the ¨direct¨ticket to La Fortuna. We thought that ¨direct¨meant no stopping, hence the 3.5 hr travel time, but we were wrong as the Bus to La Fortuna also serves as public transport between towns along the route. So after the first stop, one of the people that I met at the hostel and I were the only people with empty seats next to us, and on my empty seat was my backpack. At the next stop a few people got off, but more got on, and a girl came up and asked to sit in the seat where my bag was, so being a stupid American I said ¨sure¨. I guess at this point I need to set the scene a little more, the bus was about the size of a greyhound but there were probably 5-6 more rows that had been squeezed in so that my knees were firmly in my chest even when the seat next to me wasn´t occupied (oh, and it rained all day, meaning closed windows(there´s no airconditioning on these busses(it was around 95 degrees in the damn thing))). So when she asked to sit where my backpack was I picked up my bag, moved to the aisle, and contemplating whether or not to hold my bag in the super hot, crowded bus or place it above my head I chose to put it in the space above me. REALLY FUCKING STUPID right? So within about 15 minutes she said she had to sit in the aisle seat because she was getting off at the next stop, again as a stupid (polite) American I traded seats with her and was essentially out of the line of sight from my bag. So she got off as promised and a new guy sat down next to me, about ten minutes later I was hungry so I asked him to step into the aisle so I could get my bag. I stood up, looked in the overhead compartment, and voila no bag... This all transpired within the first hour of being on the bus so that left me with the next 4 hours to panic/think of where my bag could be (did the bus driver move it? maybe someone needed the space and it was now under the bus) but sadly my bag was gone. I guess I got lucky compared with the other people who got robbed yesterday. Oh I forgot to mention that I was 1 of 4 to get robbed on the bus. Two of the other people lost their credit cards (they´re fucked) and passports (they´re Really fucked). I on the other hand only lost all of the gifts for the host family, both of my ipods, my new phone (sorry mom),my camera(sorry again mom I guess i wont have pictures), and most importantly my knee brace. So it could have been worse. So then I arrived in La Fortuna and met with the police, who were very helpful in getting me to my new house and helping me fill out a police report, which I filled out in english and then they gave it to me so I think that was more a cathartic exercise then actually useful in recovering my bag. FYI there is 0.0000000 percent chance im getting anything back. Then I met Luke the other volunteer, he has been here for a month and has been teaching them crime terms like arson and burglary. He can´t speak Spanish very well either so we´re quite a pair, but it is nice to have someone to talk to. After class, I met Kirstin who was a volunteer here with Luke for the first month he was here and we talked about how GeoVisions is basically a scam (good call Rachel). We each paid around $1300 and the police don´t get anything (they actually PAY OTEC (the incountry coordinaters)) and the host families recieve $100 per month for putting us up. She then told me that there isn´t an actual process for finding the families, when she got here the original family didn´t want to host her so the OTEC guy walked her across the street and asked the family if she could stay there. She said the same thing happened with my family and now I live about 15 minutes from the station where as Luke lives right next door. I can´t live with Luke because OTEC doesn´t want to pay the family more money, but I asked them if I can move after he leaves. I guess we will see what happens. BUT the police officers are very nice and eager to learn, Luke is nice and is happy to have someone to do ¨tourist¨ things with, so I guess it could be worse. Sorry Andy I don´t know if I want to stay in Costa Rica after the program ends, although I know it is early to make that call. Today I plan on exploring La Fortuna, and trying to buy some of the things I lost/need for teaching. Oh and I lost my rainjacket and it hasn´t stopped raining since I got here. Im staying positive though, so don´t freak out too much (mom, aunt margie) It will be ok. hasta luego