La Cadena Magazine - August 2015 Edition

PictureDesign:VictorPimentel
LA CADENAAugust 2015

DISCLAIMER
La Cadena is a paper-based and an online magazine published
triannually by and for Peace Corps Costa Rica Volunteers with the
intention of providing a venue for information exchange
between and among Peace Corps Costa Rica volunteers, staff and
other PCVs and staff around the world.
Any opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors
themselves and are not necessarily shared by La Cadena staff,
the Peace Corps, or the United States Government.
La Cadena welcomes pieces of the professional or creative genre,
but all articles submitted will be censored by Peace Corps staff.
In addition, articles may be edited for reasons of clarity and
space. All staff members are responsible for the selection of
articles published and/or not published in each issue.
La Cadena wholeheartedly acknowledges the assistance of Peace
Corps Costa Rica in publishing this magazine. We are grateful for
the use of the Peace Corps office, the equipment, and for the
special assistance of the staff in placing copies in PCV cubbies
and mailing copies to Peace Corps headquarters.
Submissions
Any piece of writing and photography may be submitted to:
lacadena@730gmail.com. A digital version will be available at
PCCR Google Docs. To request a hard copy please send an email
to La Cadena, once confirmed your hard copy issue will be left
in your Peace Corps HQ mailbox. Originals works will be returned
upon request.

Table of Contents
Cover ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
Disclaimer ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2
Table of Contents ---------------------------------------------------------- 3
Jurassic Park --------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Editors’ Note ---------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Letter from Our New Country Director ------------------------------ 6
Pan de Vida --------------------------------------------------------------- 7
TEFL for MEP --------------------------------------------------------- 8-9
VAC Update --------------------------------------------------------- 10-11
Up and Down ---------------------------------------------------------- 12
Día del Negro ----------------------------------------------------------- 13
Murphy’s Law ------------------------------------------------------- 14-16
Jaws ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 17
Two Poems by Evan Bryant --------------------------------------------- 18
Appreciate What You Have --------------------------------------------- 19
Netflix Pix ------------------------------------------------------------ 20-22
PC SAVES --------------------------------------------------------------- 23
Boletín de Español ------------------------------------------------- 24-25
Chef TED ----------------------------------------------------------- 26-27
International Music ----------------------------------------------- 28-31
Godfather ----------------------------------------------------------------- 32
TED Articles ------------------------------------------------------------ 33
Playlists by DJ LoSang ------------------------------------------------- 34
Recycled Art ------------------------------------------------------------- 35
5 Miunte Interviews ------------------------------------------------- 36-41
Star Wars ------------------------------------------------------------------ 42
How I Lost a Loaf of Bread --------------------------------------------- 43
Meet the Staff -------------------------------------------------------- 44-47
Tiedying -------------------------------------------------------------- 48-49
Escape a la Corea --------------------------------------------------- 50-52
Ghostbusters ------------------------------------------------------------- 53
TED Jokes -------------------------------------------------------------- 54
The Laughing Heart ----------------------------------------------------- 55
CED Achievements ------------------------------------------------- 56-61
Uncle Sam --------------------------------------------------------------- 62
PC Optimist ------------------------------------------------------------- 63
Back Cover --------------------------------------------------------------- 64

LACADENA
Submit to La Cadena
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Dear Reader,
The La Cadena crew is pleased to present you with the August 2015 edition of La Cadena! Thank you to
each and every one of you for sitting down to read this beloved tome of PCCR creativity, whether you’re
reading it in paper form as you lay in a hammock at the beach, scrolling through the PDF on your
laptop in your casita, or just idly flipping through at the PC office as you wait for a medical
appointment. We would also like to extend even bigger thanks to all volunteers who submitted their
fabulous pieces of creative art, literature, advice , recipes, pictures, rants and overall pieces of expression.
In true Cadena fashion, we tailored this issue to revolve around a central theme, and in this issue we
are proud to announce that our theme is... MOVIES! Classic films come to life, with a La Cadena twist,
throughout this issue. We hope you enjoy the iconic posters and that decorate the pages of this issue.
La Cadena is the traditionally the primary outlet we have to creatively express ourselves amongst
ourselves - to celebrate the collective experience of Peace Corps, if not life. We produce the content!
We format the magazine! We read and enjoy it! To maintain the longevity of this treasured chronicle of
creativity, we ask that you, our faithful readers, continue to submit materials to the magazine, so as to
create as full and impressive a magazine once every fourth months as possible!
We hope that you enjoy the pieces in this magazine and we look forward to your feedback as we - the
editors of La Cadena, PCVS and staff - work collectively to make this magazine as entertaining,
enlightening, enriching and educational as possible so that the Oscar for best La Cadena issue can go
to all of us!!
Now go pop some palomitas and enjoy your feature presentation!
Much Love,
The Editors of La Cadena
EDITORS’ NOTE

Dear Peace Corps Costa Rica,
I am thrilled to be returning to Peace Corps as Country Director in the land of La Pura Vida.
I look forward to getting to know each of you – learning about your work and projects, your dreams
and challenges. I am also eager to learn what it means to you to be a member of the PC Costa Rica
team.
Peace Corps is a challenging and life-changing experience. Each day we live a commitment to improv-
ing the life quality of the people with whom we live and work, by sharing skills and finding new ways
to contribute. As foreigners living abroad, we must build trust within our communities and strive
admirably to represent the people, culture, values and traditions of the United States.
The Peace Corps mission - to promote world peace and friendship – inspires our commitment. The
human side of this pledge is expressed beautifully by the words of Peace Corps founder John F. Ken-
nedy:
“The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light
our country and all who serve it -- and the glow from that fire can truly light the
world.”
When I joined the Peace Corps in Ecuador as a water volunteer (1987-1989), I entered with wide eyes,
an eagerness to use my new skills, and a desire to give back to the world. Little did I realize how the
world would give back to me in life’s lessons. In Ecuador, the humility of my counterparts and the gen-
erous spirit of the local staff motivated me to work harder. The commitment of the Peace Corps team
amplified my sense of contribution and that of so many other volunteers. When I returned to Peace
Corps to launch the Response Corps program in Guatemala (2005-2006), I was witness once more to
the courage, commitment and caring of local staff , Response volunteers, and PCVs as well.
Through Peace Corps and beyond, in my work with environmental consulting and with the Foreign
Service, I have had the pleasure of working in teams with a shared sense of purpose, where team trust
allows each member to contribute their unique, creative talents. When we connect our passions and
skills with team vision, I believe that amazing contributions are possible. In the words of Pablo Pi-
casso:
“El sentido de la vida es encontrar su don. El propósito de la vida es darlo.”
(The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.)
I look forward to getting to know you and listening to your ideas on how we can continue to make the
Peace Corps Mission a reality in Costa Rica. What legacy will you leave behind?
Les deseo los mayores exitos!
Anne Braghetta
Greetings from Peace Corps Costa Rica’s
New Country Director

TEFL for MEP is a collection of lesson plans for both elementary and high school
based on the Costa Rican English Curriculum and written in a 4MAT lesson plan
style. This guide is just that—a GUIDE. If the teacher waits to read the lesson
plan right before class they will find that it will be difficult to utilize it effec-
tively. Most of the lesson plans require materials, vocabulary lists or students’
homework from previous classes. It is essential for the teacher to look over the
lesson plans at least a couple of days ahead of time to be fully prepared.
These lesson plans and the 4MAT learning
environment encourage:
• Motivational activities that connect learning to the lives
of students
• Displays of student work
• Visual displays of key information and ideas
• Learning by doing
• Active projects, not desk work
• Key conceptual ideas that tap into the interests of
students
• Student initiated learning
4MAT lesson plans aim to minimize:
• Fragmented presentations that do not connect
• Skills and drills
• Rote memorization
• Long lectures
• Teacher-directed learning
• Students asking, “Why do I need to know this?”
• Knowledge for knowledge’s sake
Unless you’ve been a super big
site rat or you have absolutely
no TEFL PCV friends, you’ve
probably at least heard about
TEFL For MEP. So, what is this
project that Tico 25 & Tico 27
has been working on for more
than a YEAR?
In Summary...
TEFL for MEP, in conjunction with the 4MAT style of lesson planning, aims to provide students of all learning
types with interactive, engaging, and dynamic English lessons that result in successful English language acqui-
sition by Costa Rican students!

A huge shout out to all the PCVs who worked on this year-long project!
Coordinators: Thomas Marren, Alicia Potes, Brittany Stromko, Abby Taylor & Lousia Olson
Lesson Plan Writers:
Tico 25: Christelle Demercant, Richard Garcia, America Gonzales, Alicia Potes, Yessenia Prodero, Eve
Solomon, Brittany Stromko, Abby Taylor, Nicole Carrell, Nateara Gaston, Lauren Hatch,
Elise Kigner, Tara MacKinnon & Thomas Marren
Tico 27: Allie Bustin, Fiona Donovan, Lauren Sanguinet, Lindsay Horne, Taylor Jordan,
Ashley Knaggs, Louisa Olson & Rachel Pillion
Editing: David Burns, Peter Bohan, Brittany Stromko, Thomas Marren, Abby Taylor,
Alicia Potes, Louisa Olson & Emily Sanders
Formatting: Nicole Carrell, Fiona Donovan, Thomas Marren, Cory Sams, Nicole Carrell, Elise Kigner,
Ashley Knaggs, Tara MacKinnon, Lousia Olson & Lauren Sanguinet
As you can see, this project definitely took a village. Thank you to everyone above who played a vital
role in seeing this project through to completion. No more nagging e-mails from me! Hurray!
We did it!
I’m super happy to pass off this project to Louisa Olson in Tico 27 who will continue to expand this
awesome TEFL resource to the completion of the Second Edition in February 2016 along with the help
of her fellow Tico 27ers and the new Tico 29 TEFL PCVs!
(aka the nagging e-mails will come from her from now on.)
Thank you all again for your hard work. I’ll see you on the other side!
Pura Vida,
Brittany Stromko, Tico 25
Moving forward, please share these awesome resourc-
es with your local advisors, schools, and teachers!
Find the document on the PCCR Google Drive:
PCCR Docs -> TEFL -> TEFL for MEP ->
There you will find the 2 PDFs, one for elementary school & one for high school.

Lords and Ladies of the Seven Kingdoms,
Get ready for the Volunteer Living Allowance Survey (VLAS) beginning in October,
which provides PCCR with crucial information about our living expenses as compared
with our in-country allowances. You will receive more detailed instructions by e-mail,
but beginning to track expenses now is a good way to ensure you are prepared to accu-
rately report your spending.
If you do not read or watch Game of Thrones, you are a bit salado when it comes to interpreting
this VAC Update. But regardless of your allegiance—or lack thereof—to the current occupant of
the Iron Throne, we swear by the Old Gods and the New that the updates and reminders below
will prove worth reading for all members of the PCCR Realm.
First, VAC extends an enthusiastic welcome to the newest members of
PCCR’s staff team: Anne Braghetta, our new Country Director; Monica
Salas, our first Volunteer Support Manager; and Rocío Molina, our new
Executive Assistant. Both Anne and Monica will be attending all August
Regional Meetings so that volunteers have a chance to meet them.
Staff
Updates
The most recent VAC National Meeting with staff took place on Monday, July
27. While all relevant outcomes of the National Meeting will be discussed in
greater detail at each Regional Meeting, please keep in mind the new Regional
Meeting model, which will involve two standard RMs with all volunteers in the
region in June and October, and one round of “micro-regional” meetings in
February. The goals of these micro-regions are (1) increased intimacy among a
smaller group of volunteers and (2) less travel for PCVs. Micro-regions will be
determined, with input from volunteers, to ensure logical and practical
geographical and cultural groupings.
Regional
Meetings
We’re sure those of you who attended the Fourth of July Picnic at the Cervecería
will join VAC in saying it was a resounding success! The picnic was a great
excuse to enjoy unlimited hotdogs and Imperial (responsibly, of course), as well
as to meet Costa Rica’s community of RPCVs and other ex-pats. We encourage
all of you who will be in-country next Fourth of July to attend!
Fourth
of July
If you missed the Fourth of July, don’t worry. WelcomeVAC for
Tico 30 is on the horizon. Please join us on Friday, September 11
in welcoming the newest group of YD volunteers.
And get ready for Thanksgiving in Costa Rica with U.S. Embassy fam-
ilies! Tico 29, please note that your IST II, which provides you with
hospedaje in San Jose through the morning of Thanksgiving, sets you up
ideally to take part! Keep an eye out for a raven (an e-mail) with more
information on both these events.
WelcomeVAC
Thanksgiving
VLAS

And now, the answer to the pressing question:
Which GOT character is my VAC Rep?
Satchel Kaplan-Allen as Lord Commander Jeor Mormont
A great bear of a man, and a fearless leader
Igor Soares as Varys AKA Master of Whisperers
His “little birds” whisper next season’s polo colors in his ear
Sol Vilera-Ramos as Melisandre AKA Servant of the Light
She illuminates the needs of volunteers lost in Darkness
Dorotia Vieira as Cersei AKA The Queen Regent
She is a lioness—hear her roar in each VAC Newsletter!
Ruth Welch as Daenerys Targaryen AKA The (S)Unburnt
Breaker of Chains and gender stereotypes, Mother of Meeting Notes
Alyssa Taffaro as Ygritte AKA Kissed by Fire
A passionate fighter for her people, the Wildlings (AKA Zona Sur)
Taylor Jordan as THE PAGE
In hopes of one day achieving knighthood
Feel free to reach out to your VAC representative at
pccr.vac@gmail.com
Be sure to check out VAC’s new and improved newsletter, hosted by MailChimp and featur-
ing interviews with staff and monthly updates from the GAD, ITR, and Diversity committees.

Up and Down
15k. 33lbs. That is the amount of weight that I have
lost between my start of service in June 2014 and
February 2015. Crazy, right? I didn’t starve myself,
but rather followed a few really simple practical
steps to lose weight.
My sister told me about intermittent fasting, and I
decided to try it. This routine consists of fasting for
up to 18 hours a day. Now that may seem crazy, but
most of this time one is sleeping. The hours after
and before you eat, only 0 calorie beverages, water,
and black coffee can be consumed. Some people say
during the eating period you can eat anything and
other web sites encourage eating a balanced diet.
I will he honest and tell you I did not follow this
routine perfectly. After I woke up, I ate breakfast
around 10am and usually ate dinner in the 6 o’clock
hour. I eat mostly vegetarian and measure portions.
Also, I started Insanity in June of 2014 and thought
I was going to die. I could not make it through
the entire workout in the beginning. Afterwards,
I could barely put my hand to my face. Slowly but
surely, I learned how to pace myself and eventually
keep up with entire routines. The results speak for
themselves: I arrived wearing a 14/16. Now I wear
a 10!
What most people don’t know is that I have
struggled with weight for the better part of my life. I
have lost weight before and was so unhappy when I
gained it back before coming to Peace Corps.
I began part 1 of my weight loss journey in 2008
during my senior year of high school in a weight
training class, weighing 237 pounds. I went from
barely being able to complete the warm-up to
losing 40lbs by graduation. When I began college,
I continued my efforts and lost another 30lbs. I
was on a roll! And then graduation happened......
All of a sudden, I began picking up weight again.
I was still eating the same and exercising the same
and could not figure out what I was doing. The
worst and most depressing part was not
being able to fit in any of my clothes. I felt like a
complete and total failure for letting this happen.
However, I learned some lessons.
I am fabulous regardless of what the number on
the scale says. That number should not dictate
my happiness or self-esteem – that is a trait that
should project from the inside out.
Also, I at least tried to change my situation.
After sulking, I decided that was not the best
way to handle my situation and had to make this
change for me. I recognized the problem actively
sought a solution.
Wherever you are in your weight loss journey,
stay encouraged. It may be hard, but you are at
least doing something to change the current
situation. As a result of my success, many people
in my community want help to lose weight, too.
Your actions may be an inciter of change!
- Desirae Suggs

Día del Negro
El Día del Negro is Costa Rica’s largest
celebration to recognize and preserve the
Aftro-Costa Rican culture. This celebration
is held the last weekend of August each year
and offers a wide variety of activities for
participants, such as painting exhibitions,
educational charlas, food, music, and most
notably the Grand Parade.
The Grand Parade was started 15 years ago.
This particular festivity stands out because
the participants are dressed to depict
African immigrants from different periods,
including slavery and colonization, as well
as, traditional African attire.
Source: Zanca, Liliana Ramos. “Day of Black People and Afro-Costa
Rican Culture.” Production Sicultura. 2013.
http://si.cultura.cr/expresiones-y-manifestaciones/dia-de-la-perso-
na-negra-y-la-cultura-afrocostarricense.html
The Diversity Committee
is making plans to attend
this event. Stay tuned for
more information!
El Día del Negro, and the Grand
Parade, take place in the streets
of Limón Centro.

MURPHY’S LAW
Amanda Rabinowitz
For those of you who have ever spent time in my office waiting for me to finish an email or wrap up a phone
call, you may already be familiar with the Murphy’s Law wall-hanging on display. I recently received a visit
from an RPCV who served several years ago who said he still associates Murphy’s Law with me. Murphy’s Law
offers some important life lessons, many of which feel particularly relevant to us while we serve in the Peace
Corps. As my last submission to La Cadena in the capacity of Director of Programming and Training (DPT),
I want to provide some insights into how Murphy’s Law can inform the way you approach service and define
success.
Murphy’s Law
Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
• Expectations, when not met, cause disappointment.
• When our expectations are based on an end rather than a means, we put significant value in a
pre-determined outcome and we limit our ability to appreciate and see value in the process.
• If you shift your expectations to align with Murphy’s Law (e.g. assume things will go wrong), it
allows you to perceive unforeseen issues as an integral part of a transformational process, rather
than obstacles to a development outcome.
Friends come and go, but enemies accumulate.
• You never quite know when or how you might need support, or from whom.
• If you go through life thinking everyone could be a resource, you invest in the quality and kindness
in all of your interactions.
• We all have bad days. The important thing is how we react when we’re in that negative space. When
you start feeling like you can’t be nice to someone, try to avoid conflict and create space for refletion.
During reflection, consider what values are at odds, how the other person may feel/what they may
perceive, and then map the potential consequences of different types of responses. While you may
not make a friend when you engage that person, you will mitigate the odds of making an enemy.
If everything seems to be going well, you obviously don’t know what is going on.

• There is always more to the story than what we can initially or independently perceive.
• It’s important to engage others routinely and sincerely in feedback processes to ensure you have
enough input to make informed decisions.

The light at the end of the tunnel is the headlamp of an oncoming train.

• This analogy works well for COSing PCVs. We often perceive service as exceptionally difficult and
assume that, once it’s over, life will be easy and enjoyable again.
• While there are many things to look forward to post Peace Corps (privacy, independence, food you
crave, proximity to loved ones, opportunity to make more money, etc…), there are also a lot of
challenges.
• It’s important to prepare yourself mentally for challenges that are inherent in the transition and
readjustment post Peace Corps, lest they hit you head on.
No matter how long or hard you shop for something, after you’ve bought it, you see it on sale
cheaper elsewhere.
• The grass-is-always greener concept is a ruse.
• Your Peace Corps experience may not be exactly what you thought it would be. Perhaps it would
have been different if only you had been assigned a different country, a different sector, a different
site, a different host family…
• Unfortunately, if we spend all of our time and thoughts invested in imagining what the experience
could have been, we deny ourselves the opportunity to appreciate the experience for what it is.
• While you can’t control many of the factors that led to you to this place, you have complete control
over how you interpret and react to what the experience has to offer.
Anything you try to fix will take longer and cost more than you thought.

• This is the perfect analogy for any development project.
• Change takes time, particularly when it involves people.
• The cost is relative when the change is sustainable.
• The “fix” will always be more sustainable when people are engaged throughout the process and
invested in the outcome.
Beauty is only skin deep, ugly goes to the bone.
• When something looks too good to be true, it usually is.
• Take time to get to know people before succumbing to their charms.
A shortcut is the longest distance between two points.
• Change takes time, and the process is rarely linear.
• Consider all routes to achieving the outcome before committing to one
• Create safe spaces for inclusive participation – it takes longer, but the results are enduring.
Never play leapfrog with a unicorn.
• Use RADAR to identify the risks and make informed decisions accordingly.

The repairman will never have seen a model quite like yours.
• A community member will never have seen a gringo quite like you.
• While it may be frustrating to explain yourself, remember that you are a novelty.
• Take time to explain yourself and help people understand how you operate and what your
machine is capable of.
In order to get a loan, you must first prove you don’t need it.

• In order to get other people to collaborate with you, you must first prove that you are capable of.
• By finding ways to demonstrate your skills, you help people develop confidence in your abilities.
• Once people are confident in what you have to offer, they will be better positioned to not only
leverage your skills, but also more motivated to try new things together.
Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.

• Don’t indulge people who want to engage you in nonsense.
• Walk away and process your thoughts privately or with confidantes.
Murphy’s Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold makes the rules.
It’s been a pleasure to share this journey with you. I am proud of the exceptional ways in which each of makes
a difference in your communities. I am inspired and amazed by the ways in which each of you has embraced
change in yourselves. I am grateful for your confidence and kindness. Thank you for your commitment to
service and for choosing the road less traveled. We are all better off as a result.
Amanda’s Golden Rule:

Whoever has the influence guides the process.
Amanda Rabinowitz

LA CADENA
LACADENA730@GMAIL.COM

Mama Tata
by Evan Bryant
Deep in the sun
there lives a young one
who dances with fire
and longs for company.
We call him Tata.
On the other side, without,
deep in the nothing
there lives an old one
who sleeps in the night.
We call her Mama.
Once she visited Tata
and danced but could not stay.
Before she returned to sleep
she asked Tata,
“How do you know you are?”
Tata danced with bright wings
beating in his endless day.
“I burn.” Then he asked Mama,
“How do you know you aren’t?”
Mama stretched her black wings
echoing into her endless, quiet night.
“You are.”
Palms
by Evan Bryant
I awoke on the street
roots pushed through rocks.
I felt into the sandy pores
but I could not rest there.
I let an old man pick me.
He had one good eye,
one eye closed.
I asked him,
“Where will you put me?
I cannot live in the rock.”
He looked at me
with the eye
that could not see.
“Before you were a seed
earth was all rock.”
My roots grew longer
in his hands.
“But what did
my grandfather drink?”
He shuffled his shoulders.
“Your grandfather drank
the Chicha of the clouds
that fell upon the rock.”
My leaves shook
to his breath.
“And my grandmother?”
“Your grandmother ate
the hearts of Palm
that fell upon the rock.”
My arms burst
into flowers
with sweet sap.
“But where will
you put me?”
He leaned over me.
“I will put you
where you are.”
My hands grew heavy
with seeds and love.
The old man smiled.
“You have lived in the air.
Now you are ready.”

appreciate
what
you
have.
by Ashley Knaggs
from www.miniature-earth.com
want more?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4639vev1Rw

LoSang’s
PIX
TV SHOWS:
Currently watching: Parenthood (2010-15) 6 Seasons
Seasons on Netflix: 1-5
Netflix Synopsis: Four grown siblings juggle parenthood, relationships, careers and
more as they cope with life’s ups and downs in this drama set in Berkeley, Calif.
Rating: 8.1
Tomatometer: 100%
LoSang’s Commentary: A heartwarming series with loads of excitement inter-
twined with great character development. Have you seen Shameless? If not, get on it!
Parenthood is similar as it follows the dramatic lives of a large yet complex family, but
with a lot less nudity, swearing and drug use.
Previously watched: Orange is the New Black (2013-)
Seasons on Netflix: 1-3, season 4 is currently being filmed
Netflix Synopsis: A privledged New Yorker ends up in a women’s prison when a past
crime catches up with her in this Emmy-winning series frm the creator of “Weeds.”
Rating: 8.4
Tomatometer: 95%
LoSang’s Commentary: If you’re looking for something spicy, OITNB is sure to
kick it up a notch… or 10. This series is filled with lots of drama, creativity and manipula-
tion that turns you into an addict. Season 3 was a bit slow compared to previous sea-
sons, but when Ruby Rose makes her appearance…well it’s worth the wait.
#TEAMSTELLA
Always watching: The Office (U.S) (2005-2013)
Seasons on Netflix: 1-9
Netflix Synopsis: This hit comedy series chronicles the daily foibles of office workers at
the Dunder Mifflin paper company, where deluded boss Michael Scott attempts to shep-
herd his employees as a documentary film crew captures every wince-worthy moment.
Rating: 8.8
Tomatometer: 81%
LoSang’s Commentary: This quirky mockumentary is filled with witty sarcasm
and painfully awkward moments much like your Peace Corps Service. If you need a
good laugh, all 9 seasons are just a click away. And try not to fall in love with Jim Halp-
ert—he’s mine!
Information based
on U.S. Netflix
I use ZenMate
to view my U.S.
Netflix in CR

LoSang’s
PIX
MOVIES:
Lasted watched: Jobs (2013)
Netflix Synopsis: Ashton Kutcher delivers a tour de force performance as Apple founder
Steve Jobs in this biopic that spans three decades of the entrepreneur’s life.
The story follows Jobs from the obscurity of a Palo Alto
garage to global fame as a technology icon.
Rating: 5.9
Tomatometer: 27%
LoSang’s Commentary: This wasn’t best picture material,
but I would have to disagree a little with the Tomatometer
numbers. It’s an interesting take on Steve Jobs’ character,
and I was intrigued the majority of the plot. Maybe it has to
do with my lack of a social life, but it’s worth a watch on a
boring, rainy day.
Next up: Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)
Netflix Synopsis: Determined to fall in love, 15-year-old
Adele is focused on boys. But it’s a blue-haired girl
she meets on the street who really piques her interest.
Rating: 7.9
Tomatometer: 91%
Information based
on U.S. Netflix
I use ZenMate
to view my U.S.
Netflix in CR

LoSang’s
PIX
MOVIES:
Lasted watched: Living on One Dollar (2013)
Netflix Synopsis: : Four American friends travel to rural Guatemala, where they attempt
to exist on a dollar a day for two months to experience life in extreme poverty.
Rating: 7.7
Audience Score: 75%
LoSang’s Commentary: This uplifting documentary is
a fantastic pick me up. Yet another opportunity to
practice your Spanish, these brave souls’ two-month
journey in Guatemala is very PC relatable. Now two
months are no 27, but hey…not everyone has those
huevos.
Next up: Chef’s Table (2015) Season 1
Netflix Synopsis: Find out what’s inside the kitchens
and minds of six international culinary stars in this
Netflix original six-part docu-series.
Rating: 8.9
Want to See: 100%
Information based
on U.S. Netflix
I use ZenMate
to view my U.S.
Netflix in CR

CHEF TED...
Cheap and Delicious
Some of my go-to recipes that keep a
volunteer fed and happy.
Egg Avocado Salad
Eat it alone, or on a toasted tortilla.
MMM!
Ingredients:
- 2 hard boiled eggs
- 1 avocado
- salt
- olive oil (optional)
- black beans (optional)
Meditarrenean
Tuna Salad
Ingredients:
- 3 – 4 ripe tomato
cut in large chunks
- 1 cucumber cut in large chunks
- 1 small onion thinly sliced
- 1 pepper sliced
- 1 can tuna
- olive oil
- vinegar
- salt & pepper
- optional: 2 hardboiled eggs cut in
large chunks
- optional: artichoke hearts (delicious
but hard to find)
Gazpacho Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 kilo tomato
- .5 kilo cucumber
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 pepper
- 1 small red onion
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Directions:
Cut up all of the ingredients and throw
them in a blender. Its as simple as that!
Chill before eating. Will be even more
delicious the following day.

Simple Tomatoe Sauce
There are different ways to make Ital-
ian-style tomato sauce. This requires the
least ingredients and is so good. Your
friends in town will think you’re a genius.
Ingredients:
- 5 – 10 Garlic cloves.
- 3-4 kilo ripe tomato, halved
- 1 kilo pork bones (That have some meat
on them. Should be less than 2.000 per
kilo)
- olive oil
- basil
- salt
- pepper to taste
Directions:
Cook the garlic cloves in olive oil on
very low heat for about 5-10 minutes,
enough for them to get a little soft. Add
the tomato, pork bones, basil and salt.
CONTINUED...
Mix well, and raise heat. Bring to a
boil, and then lower the temperature
so that it simmers for as long as you
can afford cooking.
Preferably, at least 30 minutes. Re-
move the lid, and continue cooking
so that some of the water evaporates
and the sauce can thicken.
Remove all of the pork. If you can,
remove the tomato skins. Put the
sauce through a blender so that it is
soup-like. Return sauce to pot. Re-
move any meat from the bones, and
add it back to the sauce.
Notes: The longer it cooks, the more
flavor will come out of the pork. If
you don’t eat pork, you can use an-
other kind of meat. If you don’t eat
meat, add more vegetables.
- Christine Tornabene, Tico 27
If have any recipes you would
like to share or see in the next
issue. Be sure to send or request
them to:
lacadena730@gmail.com.

‫ىقيسوم‬ - ‫הקיסומ‬ - MUSICMUSIQUE-MÜZIK-音楽-MÚSICA
DAVID DUESING
Music is an awesome thing. It’s entertaining, it’s
evocative, it’s consoling. It can make you want to
dance, it can make you want to cry, and it often
makes us want to sing along. As speakers of (at
least) English and Spanish, we PCVs have the
ability to sing along to most songs that are out
there, as songs in English and Spanish seemingly
dominate the music industry.
America has pumped out more music than any
one of us can count, from Frank Sinatra to
Simon and Garfunkel to Britney Spears. The UK
has blessed the world with artists such as the
Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Adele and Coldplay.
Australia gave us AC/DC and Iggy Azalea;
Canada Justin Bieber and Drake; Jamaica Bob
Marley; Barbados Rihanna. Music in English is
rife, and we are all surely familiar with
thousands of catchy Anglophonic tunes.
Like the well-integrated volunteers you all are, I’m
sure you’re also versed in more than a few songs in
Spanish. I mean, who can serve in Costa Rica and
not hear Romeo Santos, Enrique Iglesias, Sahakira,
Don Omar or one of a thousand different ranchero
singers on a daily basis?
While the catalog of songs in English and Spanish
is admittedly huge, that doesn’t mean they have a
monopoly on the market! Music is universal, and
there are tons of jams out there to for you to
discover! From German rap to Korean pop to South
African... whatever Die Antwoord is, countries
around the world boast a wealth of music that often
goes unappreciated by us gringos. But not to
worry! Yours truly is about to walk you through a
list of great songs and artists from across the globe!
So pop in your headones - here we go!
** This article contains a lot of YouTube links, so umm... sorry to those of you reading this in paper form
ITALY
Fabri Fibra -
Ciao belli, e benvenuti in Italia! We’ll start our world tour in the bel paese
with Fabri Fibra. Believe it or not, Italian rap is a thing, and its posterchild is
Fabri Fibra. Fabri has a few good hits worth checking out, such as Il rap nel
mio paese and Le soluzione, but I’d say his best hit is self-proclaimed piece of
“rap futuristico” called Tranne te e te. Check it out below -
Tranne te e te - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T0wpA4I040
Tiziano Ferro - Are you ready for the dulcet tones of Tiziano Ferro? You’re probably not. While
this Italian-born singer does dabble in Spanish, he’s best known for his love songs
in Italian, which are epitomized by the seductive Hai delle isole negli occhi (which
sounds much less sexy in English - You have islands in your eyes), found here -
Hai degli isole negli occhi -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKWakGg94Cg
Eros Ramazzotti-
Eros Ramazzotti is a well-known name in Italia, and you’re welcome to knock
yourself out on YouTube with his songs, but I would most recommend this
bilingual duet with Nicole Scherzinger (more poppy than his usually style)
called Fino all’estasi -
Fino all’estasi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omPsnsh8d5M

-MUSIK-МУЗЫКА-음악-MUZIKI- NETHERLANDS
The Opposites -
Welkom in Nederland, and say begroeting (hello) to the tall/short, white/
black, rap/techno duo that is The Opposites! Willem de Bruijn and
Twan van Steenhoven’s jams are so good you’ll eventually find yourself
trying to sing along with all the gutural, sounds-like-English-but-isn’t
noises of Dutch! Or maybe that’s just me...
Check out these choice pieces -
Op Een Level - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGcCZuHmcIk
Slapeloze Nachten - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnlam8eJw1E
Held - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNV4vgWBf5g
Laatste Keer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrK58MHYcWo
Hey DJ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAe2NWXqeBs
Dom, Lomp en Famous - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsTYev-jiII <--- A personal favorite
SOUTH AFRICA
Die Antwoord - Welkom by Suid-Afrika! There’s no way around it, Die Antwoord is weird.
But give Ninja and Vi$$er a shot and they’ll grow on you. And if nothing
else, their “zef side” style is an interesting train wreck to watch from a
distance. This zeffed-out duo throw in a lot of English in with Afrikaans,
but with their thick accents it’s hard to tell what language they’re even
singing in in the first place. Fans can also check out Die Antwoord play
themselves in the South African flick Chappie.
¢HE¢K OUT THE$E
$ONG$$ --->
I Fink U Freeky - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uee_mcxvrw
Cookie Thumper - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8nrF5aXPlQ
Baby’s on Fire - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma6c7pXDi1Q
FRANCE
Lescop -
Vive la France! There are a lot of French bands out there who veer away from their
Francophone roots - Daft Punk, Justice, M83, Air, Phoenix - but this group reps the
land of wine and cheese in their native tongue in this chanson très bonne -
La Foret - https://youtu.be/Njpw2PVb1c0
Ce Jeu - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QOxKCKC09A
Yelle -
You know how you live 80s synth pop and the French language and always wanted to
marry the two in an awesome song? Well wait no more, Yelle’s Ce Jeu is a great throwback
to sounds of that marvelous decade of neon colors and acid wash jeans. Profitez!
BONUS: Check out “Travailler” by TTC for some French techno beats!

-MUZYKA-GLAZBA-ÂMNHẠC-
Waffles and chocolate and beer, oh my! Although based on his strikingly
skinny figure, this half-Rwandan, half-Belgian singer probably isn’t eating
much of those! Stromae (an anagram of “maestro”) has taken the European
stage by storm with his poppy hits filled with social critique. But even if you
can’t understand his French lyrics, his beats are enough to keep you coming
back! Check out these recommendations -
BELGIUM
Stromae -
Alors on Danse - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pKrVB5f2W0
Tous les Mêmes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAMWdvo71ls
Te Quiero - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7YLWQNw7lM
Papaoutai - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiKj0Z_Xnjc
SOUTH KOREA
한국에 오신 것을 환영합니다! Everyone knows about the better Korea’s music scene after Psy’s hit
Gangnam Stlye exploded a couple years ago, but whether you love it or hate it, Psy is just the tip of
the Korean pop (K-Pop) iceberg. There’s an uncannily huge world of K-Pop out there, but here are a
couple groups that stand out among the ocean of happy, bubbly, Lisa Frank-esque Korean pop.
2NE1 - This South Korean girl band is crazy huge in Korea, and might be making their way to
the Western Hemisphere as one of its members, CL, replaced Fergie in the Black Eyed
Peas most recent tour. They dabble in pop and hip hop -
I am the Best - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7_lSP8Vc3o
The Baddest Female - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LP4foN3Xs4
Gotta Be You - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdKTgwffmdo
HYUNA - Not to be confused with the South Korean car company Hyundai, this solo artist
is all about the pop scene, as seen in his number one single’s very one name (if not
also its happy-go-lucky beat and bubblegum music video) -
Bubble Pop! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw9CALKOvAI
ROMANIA
O-Zone - LEST WE FORGET THE NUMA NUMA SONG!! Although its
15 minutes of fame has already come and gone, the gem will truly
never be forgotten.
Dragostea Din Tei - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRx5PrAlUdY

-MUZICĂ-MUSIIKKI-MUUSIKA- GERMANY
Sportfreunde Stiller -
Wilkommen in Deutschland! Believe it or not, Germany
boasts many more bands than just Ramstein! A lot more,
actually. Let’s kick off our Deutschlandrundreise with this
Bavarian rock band, Sportfreunde Stiller -
Alles Roger! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKWANVi4Zyg
Ich, Roque - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1t3mkaZ4Sg
Seeed - This Typ (guy) has a few jams that land somewhere between rock and indie and pop,
but this artist with one too many e’s in his name is best known for this Lied (song) -
Augenbling - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qttGJ3il62Y
Cro - Although not all of this alter’s (dude’s) songs fall into the “elevator music meets rap”
category, Easy does, and it makes for a surprisingly good combo -
Easy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wOoLLDXbDY
Ich + Ich - Maybe don’t put this song’s lyrics through a translator, they’re cheesier than pizza. But hey, even if
you can’t understand the lyrics in their original German, you can at least enjoy the easy listening
Vom Selbern Stern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9VOo112F7M
Alex C. - Maybe DO put this song’s lyrics through a translator. Welcome to German techno.
Du hast den Schönsten Arsch der Welt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQian1hYNaA
Deichkind - This jam probably fulfills whatever stereotypes about German music you have.
Techno plus Deutsch makes for an awesome rager of a song. Yippie yippie yeah!
Remmidemmi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TYwvmwZrVk
Нефт - http://youtu.be/EucLgHzuZaw
RUSSIA
DJ Smash - Turns out our Cold War enemies know how to party! You might need some good
Russian vodka to get through the talk-singing though. Things get weird when you
watch the music video for this song, whose title “Нефт” translates to “oil.” Is it a
satirical take on wealth in Russia or is it just an ode to oil and oppulence? With Russia
being what it is, I could really see it going either way...
INDIA
There is quite possibly an infinate number of songs that have come out of Bollywood, and to dedicate so
little space to the genre is admittedly a shortcoming, but here at least is one song, Ghanan Ghanan, taken
from the movie Lagaan (a movie about a cricket tournament #india), that is pretty emblematic of your
typical Bollywood song (and dance) -
BONUS: Check out “Atemlos
durch die Nacht” by Helene
Fischer and get ready zu tanzen! Junk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsdgiM_Y8lg
Ghanan Ghanan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JF3JM6_Yh4

TEDArticles
HOW TO MEASURE TIME
Before it was common to wear a wristwatch,
Americans had to either purchase he correct
time at a time parlor or, if they lived in a rural
area, wait until the time-peddler came to town.
Those who could not afford this luxury relied
instead on fold wisdom, deriving these meth-
ods of time approximation that you may still
find useful.
◊ It takes exactly five seconds to read this sen-
tence aload.
◊ Find a cesium 133 atom. It will take ex-
actly half hour for it to oscillate between
the two hyperfine levels of its ground state
16,546,737,186,000 times. Most car dashboards
now come equiped with a cesium 133 atom for
just this purpose.
◊ Using only the twigs around you, it will take
you exactly 120 minutes to construct a work-
ing sundial.
◊ When you realize you should hae simply
apologized, it will be exactly 11:50 P.M. Need-
less to say: too late.
◊ When you are driving at night, the ghostly
hitchiker will reappear on the side of the road
exactly once per hour, for exactly for hours,
before giving up.
◊ A “fortnight martini” when properly made,
will not reach room temperature for fourteen
days.
“HOW TO MEASURE TIME.” The Modern Gentleman’s Guide to
Complete World Knowledge (Oct. 2005): 214. Print.
HOW TO TIP TO ENSURE PROMPT
SERVICE
Doorman Tip $2-$5 for unloading your
luggage or hailing a cab.
Concierge Tip $10-$20 per day for aiding
with social/business itinerary.
Lullaby Tip $5 per lullaby. I cannot stress
Service this enough: Each lullaby deserves
its own gratuity. Add $2 if the
llullabulist uses a harp.
Phrenologist Tip $5 per session.
Muralist Tip $15 on top of hotel fee for a full
wall, color pastoral mural; $25 for a
mural depicting the struggle of
labor in the twentieth century; add
an additional 10 percent for a
trompe l’oeil on the ceiling.
24 hour Tip $20 for forty-minute routine;
Magician $30 if demon summoned.
Startling Boy Tip $1 for chasing startling from
room.
Porte-a-Merde Tip $5 night.
Sculptor Tip $25 per bust of self.
Blesser Tip $5 for blessing the room and
checking closets for the undead.
Melancholier Tip $10 to have the melancholier
help you to stop laughing.
Feral Tip $1-$2 to have a bed made on
Turndown the floor of leaves and dense
Service grasses if you were raised by
creatures in the wild.
“HOW TO TIP TO ENSURE PROMPT SERVICE.” The Modern Gentle-
man’s Guide to Complete World Knowledge (Oct. 2005): 213. Print.

Playlists by DJ LoSang
Mixes for every mood during the Peace Corps rollercoaster ride of emotions.
Whatever you’re feeling just put on some jamz, then
breathe, listen & feel.
Chill Vibes Vol. 1
(When you need a breather after someone calls you
gordit@ or tells you tranquil@!)
• Guiltfree—Bootstraps
•It Pulls Me Under—Butterfly Boucher
• A Bitter Song—Butterfly Boucher
• Years (Acoustic)—Matthew Koma
• See You Again—Wiz Khalifa Ft. Charlie Puth
• I Know Places—Lykke Li
• I’m Waiting Here—David Lynch & Lykke Li
•Hello My Old Heart—The Oh Hello’s
•Rivers and Roads (The Doe Bay Sessions)—The
Head and the Heart
• Goodbye Geoffrey Drake—Graffiti6
• All Wash Out—Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic
Zeroes
• Cigarette Daydreams —Cage the Elephant
•When We Were Young—Lucy Schwartz
• Catch The Wind—Donovan
• Darling I Do—Landon Pigg and Lucy Schwartz
• Sweet Dream—Greg Laswell
•On My Way Back Home—Band of Horses
•Gardenia—Landon Pigg With Mae Whitman
• Burn—Ray LaMontagne
• Live Forever—Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
•Falling Short—Låpsley
Pick Me Up
(When you need to add a little hop to your step.)
• Country Calling—Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic
Zeroes
•I’m Amazed—My Morning Jacket
•Left Hand Free—Alt-J
•Peace, Love and Happiness—G. Love & Special
Sauce
•Out Of My League—Fitz and the Tantrums
•Simple Girl—Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
•One Bye One—The Black Seeds
•Sea Hare—Dirty Gold
•California Sunrise—Dirty Gold
•Can’t Feel My Face—The Weeknd
•Truth—Alexander Ft. RZA
•New Morning—Alpha Rev
•Learn Me Right—Birdy & Mumford & Sons
•Don’t Worry Be Happy—Bobby McFerrin
•Walking On The Moon (Acoustic)—Cas Haley
•Son’s Gonna Rise—Citizen Cope
•My Love Is Real—Divine Fits
•Ain’t Messin ‘Round—Gary Clark Jr.
•Stone In My Heart—Graffiti6
•Don’t Say Oh Well—Grouplove
•Diyo Dayo—JJ Grey & Mofro

Recycled Art: How to Make a Tropical Bird Tire Planter
1. Find and wash a tire with mild detergent.
2. Puncture the tire at a point where the sidewall meets the tire tread using a punch tool or a screw-
driver.
3. Insert a sharp, serrated knife and cut along the side tread seam about 3/4 of the way around the tire.
Repeat this on the other sidewall-tread seam.
4. Cut across the tread—from sidewall to sidewall—about 2/3 of the way along the cut portion of the
circle. This separates the cut portion of the circle to allow one-third for the head and two-thirds for the
tail feathers.
5.Turn the tire inside out.
6. Cut the treads on the longer (2/3) side into 2-inch strips to make the tail feathers. Bend the thin feath-
er strips back so the treads face out and curve downwards.
7. Cut the other portion of the tire so the edges are rounded and resemble a bird’s head. Cut a beak
shape from this piece or use a scrap from another tire.
8. Cut a slit in the bird’s head that is the same length as the beak height. Pull the split pieces apart and
sandwich the beak in the middle. Glue the beak in place.
9. Paint the bird of your choice with acrylic paint.
10. Spray a protective clear coat to protect the paint.
11. Poke a few drain holes in the well inside the tire so potting soil can drain.
12. Place soil and a plant of your choice inside the well.
13. Gather the sidewalls together at the top just as you would bring together handles on a bag. Place
these over a hook, or tie them together with a rope to hang the tropical bird planter.
by: Ashley Knaggs

COUPLES EDITION
5 MINUTES
INTERVIEWS
Starring:
Kristin and Patrick
Chris and Francis

Welcome to La Cadena’s 5-minute interview, couples edition! To recognize the married volunteers
in our Peace Corps family, this issue’s volunteer interview section is dedicated to two married couples
in Peace Corps Costa Rica. But not only does couples edition mean that we’re going to get to know those
volunteers in the throes of marital love, but also that we’ll get to see how well they know each other,
as each spouse was asked to respond to certain questions as if s/he were answering on behalf of his/her
spouse! It may sound confusing, but you’ll see what we mean. Or just think of the Newlywed Game.
Now say hellow to our frst lovely couple....
FRANCIS GAEBLER CHRISTINE GAEBLER
Name: Francis Gaebler
Hometown: beautiful Fort Collins, Colorado
Education: Doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of
Denver
Work Experience: Math, Science teacher and Clinical Psychologist
specializing in Children and Couples for 34 years
Tico Group: 28
Project: YD
PC Site: San Marcos de Tarrazu, Los Santos – “Little Switzerland”
Time in Country: 11 months
Who do you live with? Chris Gaebler, my wife of 38 years, and my host
family, Vilma and her 13 y.o. daughter, Monica
Current Projects: Circulos de Amistad in the Escuela. A 10th grade
Hora Guia, a 10th grade Orientacion class, a 10 th grade Sevicio Co-
munal class who is working at CENCINAI, a 10th grade mentor guía
program as well as projects with PANI and CENCINAI. Never a dull
moment!
Favorite Spanish Word: Zanahoria
Three words to Describe....
1. Your site – beautiful, cool, welcoming
2. Your transportation situation – consistent, winding, nausiating
3. Your community – warm, welcoming, friendly
4. A typical Saturday night in your site – early to bed

What you miss most from back home? My children.
Would you ever do Peace Corps again? Most certainly! Is there an age
limit for volunteers?
Finish these sentences!
• Peace Corps is like… a “white elephant gift” at Christmas. You never
know what you are going to get!
• I’ll never forget the first time I…. (and the second time) I ate food
from a street vender and got a deadly case of food poison. I am a slow
learner.
• As long as I live I will never again… eat food from a street vender.
Name: Christine Gaebler
Hometown: Grew up in St.Louis, then transplanted to Ft. Collins,
Colorado to go to CSU and never turned back.
Education: BS and MS in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State
University
Work Experience: 38 years as Occupational Therapist in Pediatrics;
from the NICU (that’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - teenage)
Tico Group: 28
Project: YD
PC Site: San Marcos de Tarrazú
Time in Country: 1 year
Who do you live with? Mi esposo, Francis (we have a little apartment
attached to our host family); it’s a great set up; we share dinner every
night, taking turns cooking
Current Projects: Mentor Guia Program at the Liceo, Servicio Comunal
Project with 10th graders from Liceo who are doing a big landscape/
pila/mural project at the CENCINAI; Conflict Resolution Class with 4th
and 5th graders at the escuela ; Teach an Orientacion class in Life Skills
topics weekly; helping science teacher with Sex Ed
Favorite Spanish Word: Voy
Three words that describe….
1. Your site – beautiful, mountainous, perfect
2. Your transportation situation – walk everywhere awlays
3. Your relationship with your community – friendly, bien, integrated
4. A typical Saturday night in your site – quiet, tv/movie, all alike
What you miss most from back home? Seeing my kids and friends
Would you ever do Peace Corps again? No, once is enough, for the
length of time being away. I would do short stints though, if they were
available.
• Peace Corps is like…. I recently had 2 Tico teachers give me advice
regarding my frustration with the school system and working with
students. Their advice was: (1) Don’t waste your gunpowder on the
vultures. and (2) A Bird in hand is worth more than 100 Flying. To
me, Peace Corps is like working with the “vultures” and the “100 flying
birds.”
• I don’t remember the last time I… drank a good glass of wine
• I’ll never forget the first time I…. drank boxed wine
• As long as I live I will never again…do a VRF, MRE, 4MAT(post PC,
of course)

Lessons learned: Wake up each morning with a smile on your face .
Friends and family can be gone quickly so be sure you tell them often that
you care for them. Be prepared to “expect the unexpected”.
Post PC Plans: Enjoy my time with my children, return to my clinical
psychologist practice in Fort Collins, volunteer in some way that uses my
Spanish and travel more.
Give us a haiku!
In Peace Corps you plant
Seeds of compassion and love.
Be patient with self.
Lessons learned: always carry toilet paper
Post PC Plans: car trip around the country visiting my family; ride
my bike everywhere in Ft. Collins, go backcountry skiing; eventually,
when I’m done visiting, I’d volunteer at some facility in town specif-
ically for the Spanish speaking population, before and after school
program
Give us a haiku!
I want to believe
That I can make a difference
And that it’s worth it
Now, dear reader, our lovely contestants will answer a few questions about themselves, and then
answer the same questions as if they were their spouse. We’re putting these couples to the test
Peace Corps style! Let’s see how well they do!
Francis’s Responses
(answering as himself)
Chris’s Responses
(answering how she thinks Francis would)
What do you do when you are bored? I wash clothes and dishes , do a
house project ,go for a hike or cook., something that has an immediate ,
observable outcome .
Fun fact about yourself: For the first third of my life I wanted to be-
come a Trappist Monk and eventually became a Trappist novice. I could
not live with the celibacy clause .
Embarrassing Peace Corps moment: Some local women frequently
asked me where I was going and I responded with a words I thought
meant the name of a town but my mispronunciation actually meant “ Im
going to have sex”. They had a good laugh off me for a couple of months
before a fellow teacher informed me of my error.
What keeps you sane? Walking or hiking everyday, yoga, meditation,
having a job to do,and writing to my family and friends.
Favorite place in Costa Rica: Cahuita
Favorite thing to do in San Jose: Find new places to eat.
Go-to drink: coffee
Go-to snack: Postres at Musmanni
Food you miss the most: Thai green curry, Pad Thai, and authentic
Mexican food
Dream job: I have my dream jobs as a Clinical Psychologist and a PCV.
Celebrity crush: Annette Funacella , an original Mousecateer
If I had a million dollars the first thing I would buy myself would be:
a new road bike and donate the rest. That much money could complicate
you life.
If I could change my name, I would change it to: Francis Xavier is not
bad. I think I’ll keep it.
If I could travel in time, I would visit: my Irish ancestors
If I could magically learn one skill, it would be: to speak Spanish
fluently
If I could meet one living person, I would meet: the Dali Lama and
have some tea and just chat.
Currently reading: The Zahir by Paulo Coelho & The Gift : Poems by
Hafiz
Currently listening to: La Sole & Horacio
TV show you’re currently watching: None at this time
Movie you’re currently watching: Just finished” Car Toys” and” Red
Lips” in Spanish
What do you do when you are bored? 4Mat plans
Fun fact about yourself: I burned my draft card when the Army came
looking for me when I was in the Peace Corps the first time, in 1969 (in
Nepal).
Embarrassing Peace Corps moment: There are too many to recount.
not really, it’s my wife who gets embarrassed for me.
What keeps you sane? Doing the laundry, scrubbing the toilet, cook-
ing breakfast , repairing things, hiking
Favorite thing to do in San Jose: Have coffee and pie at El Tostado
Go-to drink: Coffee
Go-to snack: Nuts
Food you miss the most: Grilled salmon, cranberry sauce
Dream job: Working with couples in private practice , as a Psychologist
(what he’s been doing for the past 35 years)
Celebrity crush: ???
He wouldn’t buy himself anything, he’d donate it
If I could change my name, I would change it to: Francisco
If I could travel in time, I would visit: Ghandi in India
If I could magically learn one skill, it would be: How to dance
If I could meet one living person, I would meet: Barack Obama
Currently reading: Pantalones Cortos, by Laura Ríos
Currently listening to: Spanish pronunciation CD
TV show you’re currently watching: Disney, Hannah Montana
Movie you’re currently watching: Spanish movies
Looks like Christine knows Francis very
well! Way to go, Chris! Now let’s see how
well Fracnis fairs...

Francis’s Responses
(answering how he thinks Chris would)
Chris’s Responses
(answering as herself)
What do you do when you are bored? The word “bored” is not in my
vocabulary, but if I was asked: What do you do when you are waiting for
Francis? read, exercise, look at the plants in the garden, cook, write…
Fun fact about yourself: I’m discovering my inner artistic self while
getting involved with art projects!
Embarrassing Peace Corps moment: Since I didn’t want to be seen
buying beer at my site, I sent in my younger, PCV cohorts to buy it and I
felt like an embarrassed, weird, underage teen.
What keeps you sane? Yoga; Tico female friends to get out of the house
with and do mosaics; found a Tico hiking group to go on rigorous hikes
with on a regular basis
Favorite thing to do in San Jose: Stay at the Hotel Aranjuez
Go-to drink: Agua dulce
Go-to snack: Chiky
Food you miss the most: grilled salmon
Dream Job: I had my dream job as an OT for many years; now I’m ready
NOT to have a job
Celebrity crush: George Clooney
a piece of property in Estes Park, Colorado
If I could change my name, I would change it to: I did change it! From
Chris to Christine
If I could travel in time, I would visit: my grandparents when they were
children
If I could magically learn one skill, it would be: how to play the fiddle
If I could meet one living person, I would meet: Michelle Obama
Currently Reading: Veronica Decides to Die, by Paolo Coelho
Currently Listening to: all Latino music
TV show you’re currently watching: Disney Channel or Nat Geo in
Spanish
Movie you’re currently watching: whatever’s playing (I only watch
Spanish movies)
What do you do when you are bored? I like to shift to do mosaics,
watch a movie in Spanish, read, or go for a walk
Fun fact about yourself: I come from a family of 8 kids & I have crossed
the Rocky Mountains several times on my touring bicycle.
Embarrassing Peace Corps moment: When I mispronounced a Spanish
word and it had a negative meaning .
What keeps you sane? Doing mosaics with my Tico women friends &
hiking, writing to friends and family & blogging..
Favorite thing to do in San Jose: Eat , stay at Hotel Aranjuez , and most
of all leave San Jose
Go-to drink: any where for a beer or glass of wine
Go-to snack: Mussmani
Food you miss the most: Mexican & any type of Asian Food
Dream job: I had it working in a Neonatal Nursery Unit with Premature
infants.
Celebrity crush: never had one.
a trip with my children
If I could change my name, I would change it to: I like my name.
If I could travel in time, I would visit: with my parents again.
If I could magically learn one skill, it would be: to speak better Span-
ish.
If I could meet one living person, I would meet: with my children.
Currently reading: VERONIKA DECIDES TO DIE by Paulo Coelho
Currently listening to: Any songs in Spanish
TV show you’re currently watching: any thing that shows up on TV in
Spanish, e.g. Disney Channel & National Geographic Channel
Movie you’re currently watching: Any that showed up that night.
Good job Francis! A big round of applause to our first couple, Francis and Christine! Thank you
both for playing along with our PCCR Newlywed-style interview, and now, on to our next lucky
contestants from Tico 29, Patrick and Kristin!!
PATRICK STECK KRISTIN KRENZ
Name: Patrick Steck
Hometown: College Station, Texas
Education: Economics undergrad at Texas A&M and
Master’s in Public Affairs at Univ. of Texas
Work Experience: 3 years with City of San Antonio
Tico Group: 29
Project: CED
PC Site: Coroma
Time in Country: 4 ½ months
Name: Kristin Krenz
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Education: Texas A&M University - BA English; BA Women’s and Gender Studies
(minor Spanish); University of Texas at Austin - MA Women’s and Gender Studies,
Nonprofit Portfolio
Work Experience: University of Texas at Austin (2011-2012) – Teaching Assistant,
Department of English; AmeriCorps (2012-2013) – VISTA Volunteer, Communities
In Schools of San Antonio; Communities In Schools of San Antonio (2013-2015) –
Grants Coordinator; Peace Corps (2015 – Present) – TEFL Volunteer, Costa Rica
Tico Group: 29 Project: TEFL
PC Site: Coroma, Telire, Talamanca Time in Country: 4 months

Who do you live with? Kristin and a big host family
Current Projects: The CASA, accounting classes with a women’s group,
and community computer classes
Favorite Spanish Word: Mishka (ok, it’s Bribri)
1. Your site –Bribri, Bananos, Barro
2. Your transportation situation – Walking, Ríos, Barro
3. Your relationship with your community – Stares, Patrik!, Mishka!
4. A typical Saturday night in your site – Dark, Movies, Asleep by 9…
maybe 8
What you miss most from back home? Food
Would you ever do Peace Corps again? Ask me again later
• Peace Corps is like…. A rollercoaster
• I don’t remember the last time I…had clean feet
• I’ll never forget the first time I…. Took a bucket shower with a spider
and two frogs
• As long as I live I will never again… eat rice and tuna
Lessons learned: In just a month and a half at site, I’ve learned how
to cross rivers, walk through mud, and more importantly, am in the
process of learning to let little things go
Post PC Plans:
Find a job in the U.S.? This is another “ask me again later”
Give us a haiku!
Is be’ shkena? Ye
Shkena buae. That’s most of the
Bribri that I know.
Who do you live with? Husband, Patrick; Host family – Sandra, Elena,
Elias, Jariel, Jacob; ~20 chickens; 3 pigs; 2 dogs
Current Projects: Co-teaching at the Liceo Rural de Coroma; Communi-
ty English Class
Favorite Spanish Word: cochiwoki (BriBri)
1. Your site – BriBri, Green, Muddy
2. Your transportation situation – Ridiculous, #4buses2rivers10hours,
Botas de Hule
3. Your relationship with your community – Teacher, Sikwa, Super
popular with dogs and kids
4. A typical Saturday night in your site – Dark, Mosquito-net movie
night, 9pm and done!
What you miss most from back home? My family
Would you ever do Peace Corps again? Ask me again in 2 years
• Peace Corps is like…. crossing a river on foot (one of the many lessons
I’ve learned at site) – Even though you’re facing the current, remember to
go with the flow. Crossing is always easier with others, especially holding
hands. Remember to look up, appreciate how far you’ve come, and keep
your eyes on the shore.
• I don’t remember the last time I…ate a spinach salad.
• I’ll never forget the first time I….saw Costa Rica from the airplane
window.
• As long as I live I will never again…order a Dos Pinos granizado
Lessons learned:
- Embrace vulnerability – it is the source of courage, empathy, creativity,
and connection.
- Be patient, with yourself and others. Take time for self-care – it’s part of
the job.
- Never come to Talamanca without a good pair of rubber boots
- Don’t look in the pit toilet with a flashlight
Post PC Plans:
- Drive to Patagonia
- Attend my sister’s MBA graduation at Stanford
- Eat all the things
- Find a job at a university or nonprofit agency, working on gender em-
powerment, literacy, and international education
Give us a haiku!
Rios, barro, bugs
Talamanca PCV
Be’ shkö wöbla wa
All right! Great answers Kristin and Patrick! But now it’s time to put you in the hot seat! Let’s
see how well these two Bri Bri-speaking Talamancan transpalants know each other!

PATRICK’S RESPONSES
(Answering as himself)
KRISTIN’S RESPONSES
(Answering as she thinks Patrick would)
What do you do when you are bored? Eat
Fun fact about yourself: I used to wear bowties as a kid
Embarrassing Peace Corps moment: Having to wear super short swim
trunks
What keeps you sane? Going to the river
Favorite place in Costa Rica: POPS
Favorite thing to do in San Jose: Go to POPS!
Go-to drink: Imperial
Go-to snack: Pretzels
Food you miss the most: Bagels
Dream job: Astronaut
Celebrity crush: Ron Swanson
A nice suit
If I could change my name, I would change it to: Patrick Pemberton
If I could travel in time, I would visit: My grandparents
If I could magically learn one skill, it would be: Futbol
If I could meet one living person, I would meet: Beyonce
Currently reading: Taylor Branch’s America in the King Years
Currently listening to: Phoenix
TV show you’re currently watching: nada
Movie you’re currently watching: Harry Potter
What do you do when you are bored? Browse food blogs
Fun fact about yourself: I’ve played in an orchestra for most of my life
Embarrassing Peace Corps moment: During my first LPI, I somehow
managed to say that one of my goals in the Peace Corps is to get pregnant.
What keeps you sane? Talks with my boo; meditation & exercise
Favorite place in Costa Rica: The river by our house
Favorite thing to do in San Jose: Search for the best craft beer and
patacones
Go-to drink: Cappuccino
Go-to snack: Peanut butter
Food you miss the most: Indian food
Dream job: Professor
Celebrity crush: Rachel Maddow
If I had a million dollars the first thing I would buy myself would be: a
herd of bedlington terriers
If I could change my name, I would change it to: something Ticos could
pronounce
If I could time travel, I would visit: Gloria Steinem’s apartment in the 70s
If I could magically learn one skill, it would be: Bluegrass fiddling
If I could meet one living person, I would meet: Beyonce
Currently reading: Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States;
Harry Potter y la Camara Secreta
Currently listening to: Old Crow Medicine Show
TV show you’re currently watching: nada
Movie you’re currently watching: Harry Potter
PATRICK’S RESPONSES
(Answering as he thinks Kristin would)
KRISTIN’S RESPONSES
(Answering as herself)
What do you do when you are bored? Go to the river to read
Fun fact about yourself: She’s run a thousand half-marathons
Embarrassing Peace Corps moment: I don’t know. She’s pretty chill
What keeps you sane? Patrick, of course
Favorite place in Costa Rica: Monteverde
Favorite thing to do in San Jose: Definitely something to do with
food
Go-to drink: Water
Go-to snack: Fruit, when she finds it
Food you miss the most: Kale, spinach, or vegetables in general
Dream job: Running a university international program or working
for the UN
Celebrity crush: Benedict Cumberbatch
If I had a million dollars the first thing I would buy myself would
be: Probably Oreos for me
If I could change my name, I would change it to: Maria, and if she
says anything else, she’s lying
If I could travel in time, I would visit: 1970s Gloria Steinem
If I could magically learn one skill, it would be: Probably Bribri
If I could meet one person, I would meet: Benedict Cumberbatch
Currently reading: Harry Potter y la Cámera de Secretos
Currently listening to: Salsa mix on Pandora next to me
TV show you’re currently watching: None
Movie you’re watching: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
What do you do when you are bored? Go to the river to read
Fun fact about yourself: Gregg Popovich once waved at me.
Embarrassing Peace Corps moment: Walking around with our training host
family’s stuffed Wookie at Lincoln Plaza Mall for the Star Wars “convention”
What keeps you sane? Going to the river to read.
Favorite place in Costa Rica: I like Puerto Viejo down here
Favorite thing to do in San Jose: Anything to do with food
Go-to drink: Unsweetened water
Go-to snack: Chikys
Food you miss the most: A Dairy Queen Cookie Dough Blizzard
Dream job: Running a fancy foundation… or a bakery
Celebrity crush: Penelope Cruz
If I had a million dollars the first thing I would buy myself would be: A pack of
peanut M&M’s to think about how to spend the other $999,999
If I could change my name, I would change it to: I like my name
If I could travel in time, I would visit: Christopher Columbus to tell him to take
it easy
If I could magically learn one skill, it would be: Bribri would make things a lot
easier
If I could meet one living person, I would meet: Obama
Currently reading: Pillar of Fire – America in the King Years
Currently listening to: Wilco and The Shins keep coming up on iTunes
TV show you’re currently watching: None
Movie you’re currently watching: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone because
this overachiever I know just reads it in Spanish
Great job Kristin and Patrick! A couple that reads Harry Potter in Spanish together is a couple that is surely gon-
na go far! Thank you both so much for your participation, and all the best with the rest of your time in Coroma!!

Late one afternoon as I was returning to my apartment from
the gym, I walked past the local panaderia which is about 300
meters from the apartment. I could no more resist the tempta-
tion of the aroma of freshly baked bread any more than ancient
Greek sailors could resist the wail of the Sirens. Still wearing
gym clothes and feeling a little tired, I entered this little bit of
heaven.
How I Lost a Loaf of Bread
A True Story
By Gerry Lester
I slipped one strap of the backpack over my left shoulder, follow-
ing backpack protocols that we learned in training. But, and this is
a big but (take it any way you wish) I pushed the backpack so that
although it was on my left shoulder, the back part of the backpack
covered my derriere. I was wearing tight gym pants, and well, you
know, false modesty and vanity prevailed. You see, when you be-
come a person of a certain age, your chin isn’t the only part of your
anatomy that goes south.
I purchased a precious baguette and placed it in my backpack.
It was too long to fit inside completely, so about five inches of
the bread (inside a plastic bag) remained outside the backpack.
I closed the zippers as close as I could to keep the bread sta-
ble inside the backpack. I daydreamed about how delicious the
hot bread would taste dripping with butter and strawberry jelly.
I made another stop at the verduleria next to the panaderia. Two
and half more blocks and I would be home free to execute my
plan to eat the bread. So far so good. I crossed the street, walked
another half block to my apartment and entered. I began unload-
ing the contents of the backpack and looked for the bread. Noth-
ing. Nada. I found the vegetables and an empty bread bag. Once I
recovered from my state of temporary disbelief, I pieced together
all the steps I had taken, the places I had been and realized that I
was reconstructing a crime scene. Some insensitive thief needed
that bread more than I did. I recovered my composure completely,
and had to admit that I had learned a very inexpensive lesson: that
is, keep your eyes on the bread and forget about covering your ass.
I bet you didn’t see that line coming!

Meet the Staff
Ana Lucía Mayorga Álvarez, MD
Peace Corps Medical Officer
amayorga@peacecorps.gov
Monica Salas
Volunteer Support Manager
msalas@peacecorps.gov
Laura Borel
Training Manager
lborel@peacecorps.gov

ANA Mayorga
Hometown: Curridabat, San José
Education: Medical degree from University of Costa Rica
Work Experience: General practitioner at Clinica Biblica
Who do you live with? My husband and 10 month old daughter
Favorite Spanish Word: Fe (such a small word with such great
meaning)
I don’t remember the last time I… read a book that wasn’t related to medicine.
I’ll never forget the first time I…. saw my daughter. She was the most beautiful
thing I have ever seen.
As long as I live I will never again… wait until the last minute to refill my gas
tank.
Fun fact about yourself: I like cooking gourmet dishes
Lessons learned: Always try to be calm in a stressful situation/ keep your
family close/ dedicate daily quality time to your husband and kids.
Favorite place in Costa Rica: Playa Flamingo
Favorite thing to do in San Jose: Going out for a good meal
Go-to drink: Glass of cold white wine
Dream job: My current job!!!
Currently reading: An article, “Acute and Chronic Pelvic Pain In Women”
Currently listening to: Spotify’s list “Totally Stress Free”
Last Movie you watched: Steve Jobs

Hometown: Heredia
Education: Background in in Psychology, Master in Social Change and
Development from Newcastle University , Australia. Currently finishing my
thesis for obtaining a Masters degree in Gender and Peace Building from The
United Nations Mandated University for Peace.
Work Experience: Regional Program Director in Central America for the local
Non Profit NGO Reto Juvenil Internacional. I started as volunteer in this organi-
zation working in Makengal de Guatuzo , Zona Norte.
Who do you live with? I live with the best roommate ever, my Dad.
Favorite Spanish Word: DIAY!
I don’t remember the last time I… sun bathed myself to the point of getting
burned.
I’ll never forget the first time I…. visited Guatemala.
As long as I live I will never again… do canopy/zipline.
Lessons learned: Avoid street food while traveling and always carry mosquito
repellent no matter where you are planning to go.
Favorite place in Costa Rica: Manuel Antonio National Park
Favorite thing to do in San Jose: Festival Internacional de las Artes (cuando
es la temporada)
Dream job: The one that allows me to travel around the world
Currently reading: “En dos Talegas de Pita”. Autora: Ana Piza
Currently listening to: Cesaria Evora
Last Movie you watched: The Imitation Game
MONICA Salas

Hometown: Curridabat
Education: Universidad Latina: Bachelor degree in Tourism with emphasis on
Hotels and Restaurants; Instituto Tecnologico de Costa Rica: Engineer in Labour
Security and Environmental Health; Universitat Rovira I Virgili & Universidade
do Porto: Master in Training of Trainers with emphasis on Adult Education and
Local development
Work Experience: I’ve worked in many different jobs and places: from being
a cleaning lady, waitress, cooking assistant, English and Portuguese Teacher,
travel advisor, receptionist, trainer, operations assistant, safety and security co-
ordinator, emergency planning and biological risk trainer, co-trainer in a course
of labour safety, Kundalini Yoga teacher, and project manager.
Who do you live with? By myself
Favorite Spanish Word: Chunche
I don’t remember the last time I…was in Nigeria
I’ll never forget the first time I…. saw the Atacama Desert
As long as I live I will never again…eat escargot (snails)
Fun fact about yourself: I studied mechanics automotive while in my year of
exchange in New Zealand
Lessons learned: Keep up!, Look for the learning experience in every moment,
Allow yourself to change, an change to happen, Life is meaningful when you help
others
Favorite place in Costa Rica: the beach
Favorite thing to do in San Jose: Be with friends and family
Go-to drink: Any nice little coffee place where I could sit down drink coffee and
read a book
Dream job: Training and teaching yoga (Yay!! Already doing that!!)
Currently reading: Women’s body women’s wisdom
Currently listening to: Cidade do Samba
Last Movie you watched: Jurassic World
LAURA Borel

BORED OR RESTLESS?
Have some free time on your hands? Need
something to do with your only friend that is 10
years old? Are you a PCV? Then grab your old
sweaty t-shirt, pants, sock or whitey tighties and
tie dye your day away!
TIE DYING 101
Materials:
-Tinta para ropa (You can find this
at your local farmacia.They should
have a variety of colors ranging
from 600-650 colones.)
-Empty water bottles for each col-
or of dye--the ones with the squirt
top work best.
-Bucket or bowl
-Rubber bands
-Plastic bags
-Rubber gloves
-Fork (optional)
-Salt
Directions for the Dye:
•Boil 2 cups of water
•In a bowl/pot that won’t stain (the dye is fuerte!), add
a splash of cold water and then dump the dye packet
(tinta para ropa) and mix.
•Add the boiling water to the cold water/dye mix.
•Let cool and add to the empty water bottle.
•You can add a little more cool water to the mixture,
but don’t add too much because it will dilute the dye.
Directions for Pinwheel/Spiral Pattern:
•Soak the clothing for 10-15 minutes in cold water with a
spoonful of salt (the whiter the better, but other light colors
will work. Cotton shirts absorb the dye the best. Some writ-
ing on the shirt is ok & shirts with stains are even better—
the dye will cover them up!)
•Ring it out and place on a flat surface.
•Pinch the middle and twist in a circle creating a tight spiral.
If you can’t get a good grip you can use a fork.
•Wrap rubber bands around the spiral to keep it tight (diag-
onally—the tighter you make it the tighter the spiral will be.)
•Next choose your colors and squirt sections of the shirt.
(Now is a good time for the rubber gloves.) Use your hands
to rub the dye into the creases—make sure to get all of the
white, unless you want some white to show.
•Put in a plastic bag and let sit in the sun (or store in a dry
area).The longer you wait the better—if you can, let it sit
over night, but if you’re short on time let the dye sit for at
least an hour.
•Rinse the excess dye out of the shirt with a cold water--be
careful not to stain the sink. Rinse until the water runs clear.
•Hang it out to dry and strut around town in your new swag.
oHand wash a couple more times to make sure all the dye
is out, but after a couple washes it should be ok to throw in
your washer (if you have one).
-Get creative! Twist and wrap your
clothes using different techniques
for different patterns.
multiple designs: http://www.drea-
malittlebigger.com/post/tie-dye-
patterns-great-for-kids-part-1-2.
html
ombre patterns: https://www.you-
tube.com/watch?v=pdAEsE3LVbc
bullseye pattern: http://www.
nhtiedye.com/diy_instructions/
Bullseye.html
with LoSang (Lauren Sanguinet)

Al abrir la puerta se escuchaba música coreana al fondo del sótano, Catalina ya
estaba en su cuarto. Alejandro fue corriendo hasta las escaleras y las bajó dos a la
vez con un movimiento tan veloz que Catalina sentía que una morsa había llegado
a su guarida privada, la cual era guardada por un perro bravo pomimo (medio
pomeranio y medio esquimal americano) que se llamaba Brokk, el más feroz en
todos lados.
“Por Dios Alejandro, no sabés tocar la puerta?” Le dijo Catalina a Alejandro
mientras él empujó la puerta abierta con una sonrisa pícara.
“Hoooooola!” Alejandro gritó como saludo a su hermana. Ella era repleta con
molestia, la tensión en su serie coreana había estado aumentando y ella tenía que
quitarse una lágrima acumulando en la esquina de su ojo derecho para que no se
le cayera. Sin embargo, ella siempre se ponía bien contenta al ver a sus dos her-
manos, aún en los momentos menos oportunos como aquello. Ella tuvo que es-
conder su placer de verlo con una mano sobre su boca mientras sus labios se esta-
ban convirtiendo en sonrisa.
Alejandro exclamó, “Por qué te gustan tanto esas boludeces?” A él le parecía que
ella siempre estaba viendo una serie coreana u otra, y todas terminaban igual, el
protagonista o su pareja desarrollaba un cáncer y fallece.
“Largáte ya!” Ella le exigió.
“No!” Alejandro protestó, “Vení a sacar los perros a pasear por el parque un ratito
conmigo.” Ya eran las 18 horas y la oscuridad estaba consumiendo el día.
“Dame un momento, vos salí de mi cuarto para que pueda cambiarme la ropa.”
Alejandro accedió y fue a su cuarto para dejar su mochila que había tirado al sue-
lo en el cuarto de su hermana.
“Ya estás vestida?” Alejandro le preguntó 30 segundos después.
“No! Esperáte! Alejandro!”
“Voy hacía arriba, apuráte che!”
La puerta de la casa fue abierta otra vez y Catalina sabía que su hermano menor,
Andrés, había llegado, sin mencionar la risotada estruendosa que se escuchaba
arriba en la cocina donde seguramente sus hermanos habían empezado a tirarse
comida entre sí.
Escape a la Corea
ZACARíAS JOHNSON

“Vamos, estoy lista” Catalina dijo interrumpiendo el caos que había tomado con-
trol de la tranquilidad de la cocina. Los dos se acercaron a ella corriendo como si
fuese una carrera – Andrés ganó.
Alejandro silbó una melodía que a los perros les servía para anunciar una opor-
tunidad de escapar de los confines del cubo de madera que los seres humanos
llamaban su hogar.
De diferentes lados de la casa llegaron tres perros corriendo maneando las colas.
El último en llegar, Mac, era el perro de Andrés, no podía pararse sobre el piso de
madera, motivo por lo cual usó las piernas de Andrés para ayudarle a parar.
Los tres perros salieron contentos al parque con sus dueños.
--
Alejando era alumno de una universidad que está situada en las Montañas Ro-
cosas. Él seguía siendo tutor de matemáticas e inglés para chicos en el segundo
grado en escuelas ubicadas en la capital, Catalina solía acompañarle, pero todo
cambió un día.
Alejandro estaba en el camino para llegar a la capital desde su universidad y le
mandó un mensaje a su hermana para preguntarle dónde iban a juntarse para que
pudieran llegar juntos.
“Estoy en el aeropuerto” le respondió
Catalina había expresado interés en solicitar para aeromoza pero por la duda Ale-
jandro le llamó.
“Estás en el aeropuerto para solicitar al trabajo?”
“No, voy a volar” le contestó directamente.
Su corazón se detuvo al escuchar esas cuatro palabras.
“Pero, a dónde vas?” Le preguntó con una voz marcada por la confusión y la in-
certidumbre.
“Voy a Corea del Sur.”
Alejandro sabia a que su hermana le gustaba mucho la cultura coreana y podía
hablar el idioma, pero de tomar el paso caprichoso de mudarse ahí si ningún avi-
so, fue muy chocante para él, tan chocante que no podía controlarse. Las lágrimas
empezaron a escapar de sus ojos tan rápido que le costaba ver.
En el silencio Catalina agregó, “hoy tuve una pelea con mamá.”
Tratando de contener las lagrimas, Alejandro le preguntó, “Te puedo despedir…”
Él había fracaso, otra oleada de lagrimas cayeron de sus ojos enrojecidos y hume-
decieron sus mejillas.

Alejando siguió, “Te puedo despedir en el aeropuerto por lo menos?”
“Por supuesto que sí.”
“Dale, ahora voy a recoger a Andrés y nos vemos ahí, no te vayas hasta que llegue-
mos! Júramelo.”
“Te lo juro Alejandro” Le aseguró.
“Ya voy.”
Alejandro cambió la ruta para llegar a casa mientras le avisaba a la directora del
programa, que estaba experimentando una emergencia familiar y no podría ir esa
noche.
Afortunadamente estaba cerca de su casa y solamente duró 15 minutos, pero eran
los 15 minutos más difíciles de su vida y al llegar a casa sintió que había estado
manejando por horas aunque manejó lo más rápido posible.
“Andrés estás en la casa?” Le inquirió con un toque de pánico.
Era un día cualquiera, qué le pasará a Alejandro para hablarme en ese tono An-
drés se preguntó a si mismo.
“Pues sí, todo bien?” le contestó mientras se aceraba a él.
“Catalina está en el aeropuerto. Ella compró un boleto de ida a Corea del Sur. Ten-
emos que ir ahí ahora mismo!”
“CÓMO!?” Le interrumpió su mamá mientras llegó corriendo de la cocina donde
estaba preparando la cena, era una mujer carismática con 45 años y recién divor-
ciada.
“Qué dijiste?!” Le preguntó Andrés a Alejandro mientras empezó a sollozar.
Ya todos estaban llorando.
“Ella tuvo una pelea con vos hoy, y por eso se va!” Le gritó Alejandro a su mamá.
Sabía que ella no tenía toda la culpa pero en los momentos desesperados de pér-
dida, los humanos buscan echarle la culpa a alguien, aún cuando no sea adecuado
ni correcto.
“Andrés vámonos ya!”
Los dos se subieron al auto de Alejandro mientras su mamá tuvo que irse sola en
su auto.
Los tres corrieron a ver a Catalina, su hermana e hija, una vez más sin saber cuan-
do sería la próxima.

CEDJUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT
UPDATE
Five CED Volunteers are participating on a program that we work in
with Junior Achievement called “Empresarios Juveniles.” This program
introduces high school students to the essential elements of a practical
business planning and then challenges them to start an entrepreneurial
venture. Students are introduced to the elements of successful busi-
ness start-ups, entrepreneurship, and product development. Then they
create their own product and participate in the national competition for
the prize of the best mini-company. Prizes include full University schol-
arships.
On Saturday June 20th Chris Bair, Mark Bauer, Joovane Coria, Gabriel
Cuadra and Andrew Kabue brought their students to San José to pres-
ent their products in the competition “Feria del Producto” on Plaza del
Sol. They direct seven groups of students, who presented products and
services as landscaping, modified clothes, mosquito repellent candles,
recycled paper keychains, Lemon-pineapple jelly, aromatic ornaments
and new versions of the traditional tamal.
The feria was a success, many people who were interested visited the
fair and purchase products form our stands. We want to recognize our
participants’ effort and hard work and share some pictures with you.
The winners of this contest will be announcing on July 21st during the
closure ceremony in San José.
Good luck to all of them!!!!!!

Junior Achievement - Christopher Bair, Gabe Cuadra, Andrew Kabue, Jo Coria and Mark Bauer from
TICO 26
Mark Bauer and his team
Gabe Cuadra and his team

Chris and his team
Jo and her team
Andrew Kabueand his team

CEDPUBLIC LIBRARY
UPDATE
Another CED volunteer that had a great day on June 20th was Mark
Green, who is doing an outstanding work. Mark, in coordination with
other organizations, accomplishes the creation of a public library for his
community.
As how he recently told us: “We have received a very large amount of
community contribution, much more than what I had anticipated. Addi-
tionally, we have the support of several organizations who are donating
books, providing volunteers, contacting a local author to come read to
the children, and much more. It has been very exciting to see all of the
pieces come together for our inauguration on Saturday. As far as im-
pact goes, this should help spur an increase in positive reading habits
amongst the community members as well as an increase in their com-
puter skills which should help the 20 or so tourism projects in town.”
The library was constructed by community members and with the help
of one volunteer from “Un techo para mi país”. Organizations like “ISL”
and “Fundación Horizontes” donated 1800 books to supply the library.
The inauguration ceremony was a big community event that involves
different activities during the day, like the visit of the Costa Rican writer
Ani Brenes, who read for the kids of the community and the must do
soccer game.

Community construction
Mark Green “Chris Pratt” beginning of
construction

PUBLIC LIBRARY
INAUGURATION
RANCHO QUEMADO

Design borrowed from the National Peace Corps Association’s store
Shirts with this design can be purchased at -
http://peacecorpsconnect.shop.musictoday.com/Product.aspx?pc=QPCT033

HASTA LUEGO
TICO 26
Pura
Vida
Felicidades
Suerte
en su
nueva
aventura!

La Cadena Magazine - August 2015 Edition

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La Cadena Magazine - August 2015 Edition