Home-stay visitation—what to expect

MANY of the parcelero families welcome short-term and long-term visitors, for stays as short as two to four days and for as long as several months in their homes. Visitors pay to stay in a "spare" room, eat meals with families, play with children, milk goats, pick coffee (December and January), hike up and down hills, play cards in Spanish, attend church, ride horses, make tortillas, work in the tree nursery or Kinder or on other projects for the farm.

Visits are arranged by contacting the Monteverde Institute, <www.mvinstitute.org>, 011 506 645-5053 or -5219. There is a small placement fee and a daily rate of about $12 per person per day at Finca la Bella. Placements are made with different families on a rotating basis.

Be prepared for...

• Lots of children.—They’re curious and want to share everything. If you have something very special, i.e. camera, Walkman, etc. Explain that they can only touch it when you are home.
• Strong extended family.—They will be visiting frequently and in some instances several generations live in the same house.
• A diet of rice and beans.—There is some variation, but not much. Breakfast is usually gallo pinto (rice and beans mixture) and the other meals consist of rice and beans served with other food items.
• The radio/television running constantly.—Look at it as good Spanish practice.
• A very traditional roleof women. Respect it, you aren’t here to redefine social structure or gender roles.
• Rural families are reserved—Go out of your way to know them. Share photos/recipes from home, talk about yourself, and ask them questions about the community/farming.
• The houses are typical, rural Costa Rican homes: small, rustic, and very clean, often painted pink or blue with a profusion of flowers. Almost all homes have running water and toilets. Sometimes the water is hot, sometimes not.
• It's almost always damp, if not actually raining, cool in mornings and sunny in the afternoons. The night skies are clear and brilliant.
• Respect the Costa Rican culture and your family:
• Be neat.—Costa Ricans pride themselves on cleanliness. The houses are usually small and neatness reflects care (do laundry, make your bed, shower every day).
• Take off muddy shoes before entering houses. Women take pride in neat houses and will be ashamed if someone stops by and it is messy, even if it is your mess. Your host mother will sweep out your room, so be sure to keep it organized.
• Personal hygiene is very important.—Look and smell clean.
• Costa Ricans are modest.—Don’t walk from bedroom to bathroom in towel or vice versa.
• Keep the common areas of the house clean (living room, kitchen, etc.)
• Respect religious differences. Sometimes it is best not to argue.
• Be flexible when working.—Adjust your plans to theirs.
• Be polite if you don’t like the food or the monotony of it.
• They may serve you meals at different time then the rest of the family, usually done if there are young children. Let them know if you’d like to eat with the family or if you won’t be home for a meal.
• Offer to help clean, wash dishes, sweep, etc.—Your host mother will appreciate it.
• Telephone calls are expensive.—Please use a calling card or call collect for non-local calls.
• Let your host family know when you will be out late or not returning for the evening. Give them and idea of your schedule; they feel responsible for you.

Volunteer Responsibilities

There are an infinite number of activities that volunteers may assist with and the following is just a sample list of what volunteers have done in the past and what currently needs to be accomplished. Willing souls are needed to:

• Clean walks and paths.
• Collect waste and recycle it.
• Carry out studies; collect and organize existing information.
• Teach English classes and other activities for young and old.
• Complete community work through the Asociación de Desarrollo Integral San Luis (San Luis Integrated Development Association);
• Work in the communal area of La Bella where the Casa de la Finca (Farmhouse) and the Marcelino Cruz Community Center “Casa Maple” (Timberframe House) are located.
• Assist the parceleros with cultivating, planting, weeding, harvesting, and other agricultural activities.
• Also, visitors are encouraged to contribute according to their expertise and interest.

In March 2001, parceleros and students from the Fox Maple School of Traditional Building in Maine, U.S.A., built a post-and-beam community building, using local renewable materials near the Farmhouse, christening it the Marcelino Cruz Community Center “Casa de Maple (Maple House).” A few years ago, other volunteers helped community residents construct and pave a much needed road up the mountain to Monteverde, know locally as la Trocha (the winding road).

Suggestions from past volunteers and students:

• Have fun. The first couple days will be a bit awkward, but it gets easier.
• Be open-minded. Check expectations at the door.
• Break the ice by cooking for them.
• Take the time to be with your family and to get to know them.
• Attend family gatherings.
• Try everything once and the fun things twice.
• Communication will help a lot.

Welcome to Finca La Bella! As a volunteer here on the farm I have observed and learned some things that I hope will help you to have a more enjoyable time here no matter how long you plan to stay. This is just an informal opinion but as you probably know, any information makes the transition to new surroundings much smoother. I cannot emphasize enough that the enjoyment of your stay here is based entirely on your attitude. No matter if you are here to learn Spanish, study biology, or just help out, an effort to meet the people of San Luis will help make your stay enriching and fulfilling.

–Erika Gingerich 1/22/99

Tips and Advice

If you are lucky enough to have en electric shower to “heat” the water in your home or at least take the edge off the freezing mountain spring water. Remember: Don’t touch the shower head unless you want to be jolted and have all the lights in the house dim. Electricity is fairly new here and they have not yet perfected the safely features that we are so used to. Your family will get a kick out of it and it doesn’t hurt too bad but it is something to avoid. Also, make showers quick (you will want to after you feel how cold the water is). If you shower too long the element will burn out and the family will not be able to replace it. As a general rule make your showers as long as the natives make theirs.

The greater attempt you make to communicate with your family and others the more fun you will have and the more you will learn. You will also find that communication is reciprocated.

The families of La Bella farm are warm and friendly and are willing to help you out. Take advantage of this opportunity!! Go to the grocery store with your new “mom,” play with your brothers and sisters, and talk to your grandparents. Many of the families have told me several times that they do not want their volunteers to feel obligated to work all the time. If you want to travel for the week just let them know. Perhaps you don’t want to do a certain job such as weeding etc. They want volunteers to let them know what kind of jobs they enjoy and what they are there to learn about. Your family wants to help you accomplish your goals just as much as you want to help them out working.

General respect and courtesy is important in family life and all aspects of a different culture. Tell your family where you are going when you leave and when you plan on being home. You don’t have to be exact but they just need an idea so that if something happens they will know your general whereabouts. Always make an attempt to speak Spanish with everyone even if you are just learning. They are so pleased at any attempt and they will tell you how wonderful you speak even if you are horrible.

Costa Rican women pride themselves on their clean floors. You must always take your shoes off before entering a home. Take your cues from the locals. Food is delicious and arrives on your plate in huge quantities. Meat is very expensive here so it is a rarity and not served often. The women always appreciate any compliments to the chef.

If you are young, you will find that San Luis has a fun youth population. Hanging out with them really improves your Spanish, and it teaches you a whole new vocabulary. Go dancing at the local disco with them or play volleyball and soccer in the evenings when the work is done.

Additional travel information

Here is some additional travel information, edited from our work camp trip this past year’s end. Please consult a travel guide for general information, including transportation, lodging, and recommended.

• Family Gifts: Small, low-key host gifts will probably be more equitable (and easier to transport). Some suggestions:
  • Spanish/bilingual age-appropriate books. Art/craft supplies for children. Souvenirs—t-shirts, mugs, magnets, tea towels, wall calendars, posters—of your home place/region. Good quality raincoats/pants for adults and children (Check used clothing stores. Insulated raincoats are good for older adults).
  • Soaps/lotions/perfumes for women or men.
  • Any small gift that you would enjoy giving!
• Money: Travelers checks are secure and can be cashed at most banks and hotels, given a willingness to stand in line. One such bank is at the airport, where a large commission is charged. Most ATM Visa or Mastercards work in ATMs in cities, including two in Santa Elena, an hour from San Luis (for amounts up to $200). US bills up to $20 will work at hotels (saves having to pay tax), in San Luis and the Monteverde area. As always when traveling, leave travelers’ check and credit card information with your contact person in the U.S., in case.
• Budgeting: Home stays cost about $12 per day. About $1/day should go to the Farm’s board. My brother reminds me that there is a $26-$27 per person departure tax at the airport.

What an individual should bring

• Flashlight.
• Toiletries: include sun screen, insect repellant, small first aid kit.
• Any regular or occasional medications, vitamins.
• Earplugs for small, partitioned, tin-roofed homes.
• Shoes: hiking boots, sneakers. One pair should be water resistant. Flip-flops or house shoes (most Costa Ricans are worried by bare feet, indoors or out). Rubber boots can be purchased in Santa Elena.
• Liner socks for hiking boots.
• Towel and washcloth.
• Pocket Spanish/English dictionary
• Excellent sun hat.
• Raingear Pajamas.
• Clothes—cotton or fast drying material (we will be able to do laundry).
  • Long pants for work. (Shorts are all right, but you should count on getting thoroughly bitten by everything under the sun—chiggers, ticks, mites, etc.!)
  • Short-sleeved tops.
  • Long-sleeved shirts.
• Warm jacket/fleece/sweater/sweatshirt One casual dress-up outfit (for community gatherings, Meeting for Worship, etc.) Spending money Optional:
• Photos of where you come from (great conversation starter for those with limited Spanish).
• Musical instrument.
• Journal.
• Camera (Most people are fascinated by photos. Sent after, they make great gifts).
• Camping mattress (“crash pad”) to supplement often thin mattresses.

Despite this laundry list, remember you may need to carry whatever you pack a considerable distance. Lighter is better!

See if you can pack everything you need in one airplane carry-on bag. Check your airline’s baggage limits.