27 October 2007
Friday
Nice dog.
Mean dog.
Reaching and revealing. 
Tune-up.
24 October 2007
Tuesday
A double photo. Maycol and his compadre.
Elvin.
Another double photo. Brother and sister. These are amazing kids. 
Taking advantage of a rainless day.
22 October 2007
A few from Coronado proper
Cathedral reflection. 
Blue on blue. 
Quaint.
Lost in Translation
"Really Sweated Over"
Around San Jose
Backdrop for a commute. 
Spectator Sport.
National pride. Can you find the other flag? *click to enlarge photo*
Two tone.
Taxis and propaganda.
Down the hill.
Photog hotspot.
In the cup.
21 October 2007
Some selects
One of these things is not like the others. 
Man vs. Nature.
A boy and his dog. Maycol is on the top ten most photogenic kids in La Carpio list. 
Bridge Boys.
Bad carburetor. 
Cookie line. 
Cookies.
An afternoon hand.
20 October 2007
Repairs
Bike envy. 
Antonio, bike repairman extraordinaire. Good looks AND a handy man too. Look out, ladies. 
Maycol, making it happen.
Meeting the Neighbors - from a field trip to Costa Rica's National Museum
Columbus: "Hey guys, my name is Chris, and we're just here to look around a little bit. I'm sure you don't mind, right?
Unsuspecting native 1: "I don't know about this."
Unsuspecting native 2: *cough, sneeze, sniffle* "I don't feel so good."
Unrehearsed awkward.
Three families live in one house. Twenty kids in total. Here's almost everyone. These kids are great. Played catch with a marble with the little boy on the left. 
Double fisting.
Serenade to go.
18 October 2007
Observations of little consequence
Youthful antennae adjustment. 
Dolly had a bad day. 
Nelson's style of work. 
Lady.
Plantain Purchase.
17 October 2007
The flustering birds make you blink
16 October 2007
Construction-less
14 October 2007
Saturday scenes
Brothers. 
Shy.
Jerel lost in the scenery. 
Future professional.
Three
Eating oranges.
Guillotine?
Three lápices.
13 October 2007
Best Guitarist in La Carpio
"Manillo" playing a classic tune. I think it's worth three minutes of your time.
A Few
Light-up Lollypop.
Tearful Teddy.
Billiards Bout. -Photo by Carlos Enrique (Lapiz).
Emphasis Added
10 October 2007
Robbery, Recovery, Retribution
So I got robbed. And there was a gun involved. But I'm okay. And my stuff's okay too. But there might be a Costa Rican youth behind bars this very evening (if the justice system's worth a flip) as a result of some very helpful friends of mine.
So I'll explain. 
The setting takes us to a neighboring town called Alajuelita. Not overly interesting. But certainly a name I'll never forget. Our younger kids soccer team had a match there on Saturday morning, so that's where we were when the robbery went down. 
If you'll entertain my high-tech diagramming, then please, continue reading. Two guys approached me and roommate Steve from behind (dotted line). We were sitting under the little awning thing (circled), just absorbing a beautiful Costa Rican Saturday morning. Robber No. 1 grabbed ahold of my camera bag, eternally slung round my neck. Thinking this was a child I became annoyed and looked behind for an explanation. The revolver of the other robber stationed nearby did the explaining. Steve jumped back and shouted something at the gunman along the lines of "WHAT ARE YOU DOING, BUDDY?!" Sadly I don't think it rattled him.
So robber No. 1 deslung my camera bag and Flo Jo' ed it toward a nearby neighborhood as means of escape (solid arrow). The armed robber remounted his bike and rode in an opposite direction. A decision that would lead to the capture of his cohort. But let's not get ahead.
So I stood there for three quick breaths, stunned that I'd just been robbed and had a Bang-bang pointed in my immediate direction in the process. And then I turned to see a flash run past me. And that flash was my roommate, giving chase to the swiftly retreating camera thief. Oh my, I thought, as I watched the sprinting males disappear around a corner in the distance. Certainly these are interesting times.
And as I reached down to pick up my video camera that had fallen in the mud (fortunately Robber No. 1 didn't take this one too) there came a thunder. And it was the footfalls of 20 young soccer warriors who had just figured out what happened. So the whole of our soccer team ceased regulation play and without a single formal request, took to the streets after Steve and the robber and my Canon 30D. A few kids from the other team took up the cross too, bless them.
And so we flash back to Steve.
He rounded the corner after the robber. Running down the unknown street Steve thought he lost him. Steve came upon a church and entered, thinking the robber might have ducked inside. No robber there, but a wedding was in progress. No lie. I think we were all just reading a movie script or something. I think I got a pretty humdrum part though, so I'm going to talk to the writers...
Anyway, Steve didn't find the criminal inside the church. Dang. So he exited (perhaps around the time of the wedding vows, we'll say). But the winds of providence gusted. Just as Steve excited the church doors, the robber ran past. Both men were surprised at the other's presence and the chase was on again.
The robber jumped down a slight ledge from sidewalk to street. A crucial error. He landed with a falter and didn't recover. Steve vaulted the ledge and took him to the ground. There was some brief scuffling and then Steve constricted and the arm lock was clasped tight.
So the cops appeared shortly after, with help from the children who were on the scene moments after apprehension. So the metallic clink of the cuffs held Robber No. 1 fast and the cop-car door slammed shut with him inside. And Steve too. He needed a ride also you see.
But what happened to the camera?
Well, the robber feared his impending capture after rounding the first corner with Steve on his heels. Using low-tech methods he hid the camera in some bushes and then hid himself. It worked and Steve galloped past his hiding place, unawheres.
But then the robber didn't count on Steve entering the church and so ran past him at the church entrance, and the rest you know.
So, post-capture, the robber fessed up where the bag was. And we (they, actually. i was still clueless back at the soccer pitch just following the script plot cues) recovered everything and returned my prized burgundy man-bag to me with a mint and a toothpick.
But just to be sure we had to test the camera to be certain it worked. So we did. And the robber seemed like a good test subject to photograph. So we did. And here's what we got. 
Robber No. 1 was just a kid. Probably not 20 years old and barely tipping the scales at 120 lbs, I'd say. Steve acted as an honorary Marshall temporarily. 
The cops asked me to write my name and passport number on a ratty notebook they excavated from the bowels of the squad-car glovebox. Who knows where that information will end up or accomplish.
The robber asked the cops for some water. They laughed him off. So we gave him some from our soccer bottles. Steve also offered him a quick word on the fact that Jesus loves him despite his mistakes. But also that he is in need of some serious repentance.
The whole chase scene lasted probably 20 minutes (but the film editor is thinking of shortening it, the jerk).
The robber with the gun got away. He's probably still pedaling about somewhere, looking for a place to hide. Who knows. 
After the robbery the game was decidedly OVER. But the kids were amazingly pumped up about the capture. And along with Steve, the team was solely responsible for finding the robber and recovering my equipment. These kids were raised in La Carpio. They know how things work on the street. Here's the celebration in the bus on the way back to La Carpio. 
The plain-clothes officers. 
The shoes of the man who chased down the robber. 
Once back in La Carpio I got The Man a special donut pastry thing for his efforts. Thanks, Steve. You were awesome. My camera would be on its way to the shadetree market right now without your feats. Word on street is that The Academy has you on their short list of potential little gold man recipients for your performance. 
And for the team, a cake sounded good. So I offered it as a means of saying thanks. The lady at the local pastry shop even put a special message on it for me (Para mis amigos de Juan). "For my friends of John." Not perfect, but it got the point across. The 20 adolescent mouths didn't care either way. And not a crumb was left over.
So that's the story of robbery, recovery and retribution. I feel incredibly fortunate that all goods were returned (including my measly mechanical pencil that one of the kids found in the bushes near the soccer pitch). I was/am truly moved that my roommate and fellow soccer playing friends would go to such lengths to help me. They are loyal friends indeed.
And things could've gone differently and it could've been a lot worse with the whole firearm business. I'll certainly be more careful in the future. I'm forever a skeptic now, I think. And that's probably a good thing.
I'm pretty much fine about the event. It was scary initially, but having captured one of the bad guys and seeing his humanity up close and his feebleness has removed a lot of the fearful intrigue. He was just a punk kid trying to make a fast score. He scored his way to the local P.D. in the end.
But I'll say I hope it doesn't happen again. And I hope you never experience a robbery such as this. Not overly fun. But who knows, it could be a stepping stone to landing me a major role in the next action-packed Costa Rican screenplay. Only time will tell.
09 October 2007
Downtown San Jose Street Music
Locals trying to make a living from passersby like myself.
08 October 2007
Super Bubble
Shades
Roberto w/a Manuel backdrop.
06 October 2007
GO BIG RED
We're supporting the cause down here too, just in case you're worried. I can only hope for a W at the Cottonbowl, and we're not talking presidents.
RAH Oklahoma!
05 October 2007
Textual Update
The most recent update from 'round these parts, from my perspective. If you care to do some reading instead of just looking at photos then please, dive in. It's kind of long, but just remember all those posts of photos with no text that gave you an instant blogger fix. Perhaps I've earned a few minutes of your time...?? If not, there are new photos below to satiate your A.D.D. needs.
_______________
September saw us do many activities with kids in La Carpio: pro soccer games, eating out in San Jose, flying kites in the park, go-kart racing, bike repairs, routinely making coffee in our community center kitchen (personal fav), Saturday afternoon Bible studies, seeing a movie on the big screen, the usual soccer games in the park, trampoline jumping, a trip to the Museo Nacional, visits to the hardware store (the kids always make a beeline for the free coffee bar), numerous games of pool in the local hangout (I lose most of the time), arts and crafts with visiting missionary groups, potato-sack races, skateboarding ventures, the launching of an English class and probably many more things big and small that don’t readily come to mind.
So it’s been quite an eventful month and a definite joy to give previously unattainable opportunities to some of the kids and people of La Carpio. It’s hard for someone like me to appreciate what it must be like for an average La Carpio 10-year-old to be driven out of the neighborhood for a visit to the National Museum and treated to savory pastries afterward. However, it does remind me of when I was a kid and being ecstatic to merely visit the Ace Hardware store with my dad on Saturday mornings. All kids like to go on adventures, I guess.
And it’s been truly touching as I’ve observed the faces of the kids when we’ve been to a few Saprissa games (one of Costa Rica’s premier professional soccer clubs). A ticket only costs us $3, but is worth vastly more to a La Carpio youth who has grown up cheering for his team and who can now say he’s seen them play in person. That’s a neat gift to give, and like most of these activities, costs very little monetarily. (And it’s been strange to be suddenly plunked down in a place where I am comparatively monetarily wealthy. That’s been an interesting paradigm to experience)
And most of the time the kids are very receptive and thankful. Giving audible appreciation for the sundry activities and happenings that take place. They are good kids in this regard. And well mannered to perform the requisite courtesies. And it’s easy to give when they say thank you, when they acknowledge something was sacrificed (if only time in the schedule) for their benefit.
This week, following the trip to Museo Nacional, our little troupe (Steve, me, and three other kids) enjoyed some tasty cheese empanadas and soft drinks. As usual, the monetary drain of the purchase was negligible, and we happily obliged to treat the kids and ourselves.
And as he finished his last bite of cheesy goodness, Jorge, an upstanding 12-year-old who’s kind of on the fringe of the usual La Carpio pack, turned to me and offered his explicit thanks. “Muchas gracias, John,” he said as he looked me in the eye and gave a nod. A smile came easily to me, and I returned the gesture with a “con gusto” (with pleasure). My spirits were warmed, and it felt good to be contributing to the cause, even in a small way such as this. It’s easy to give when there are thanks in return.
And these kids are precious and uniquely wonderful. That much is certain. But sometimes there’s not always a thank you in return. Sometimes there’s not so much as a nod or a sniffle of appreciation in response to a gesture of good will. And suddenly it’s not so easy to give. Not so easy to have the pot-o-gold feeling that comes when a simple thank you is uttered.
And then other times, those who have received a blessing have the audacity to ask for more, or simply respond with an ungrateful attitude. A casual asking for money immediately after being treated to a stunning soccer game, the coveting of the new experiences of others, indifference to a friendship being extended. And the manifestations of discontent continue.
On Thursdays, a group of missionary students from a local Spanish language institute come to La Carpio to help out and do activities for the kids. Their desire to serve is evident, and their love for the people touching. And usually the group brings some kind of food for the kids. This week it was popcorn. And the dispersal of Mr. Redenbacher’s buttery finest was orderly at first, but soon the kids swamped the dispersal stations, pulling on each other and all saying “Me! Me!” An organized chaos you could say. And we see this in the States too. Little kid birthday parties come to mind…
So these things happen too. The negative alongside the positive. The sin with the sanctification. And such is the reality of the fallen and yet redeemed life. But how are we to respond? Should we always show grace and passively let things happen? Or should we always hold the line and demand “proper” order and a thankful heart? It’s hard to know how to react at times.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers these words:
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matt. 6:2-4)
So, we are to give to those in need. And we’re not to be proud about this. And invariably there will be times when our sacrifices will be simply consumed and unappreciated. I don’t think this suggests we should manage our resources loosely by any means. But ultimately we aren’t giving to others for the personal enjoyment that goes along with it (though that is a part of it). Our acts are for God and for His glory.
I pray that we would know how to relate to the people here, and respond in grace when it is needed. And still offer ourselves and services and resources even when it seems there are unappreciative hearts amongst the thankful ones. And I pray that our deeds would reap a harvest for the Kingdom, even if it is a harvest unseen by our eyes.
But then I think about my own life. I think about the blessings I’ve been given, the innumerable good things that have been purposefully gifted to me at the hand of the Almighty. God has given me my own Saprissa games, my own trips to the museum, my own cups of free, undeserved coffee (with milk and sugar, of course). And He’s endowed so much more.
And yet, like the children, at times my heart is clouded and unimpressed by God’s blessings for me. I am bored and hard and largely unthankful. And I wonder if, when I’m in the popcorn lines of my own life, that I realize I am also pushing my neighbors aside and shouting “Me! Me!” If I am honest, I have to say that I rarely notice my own brazen offenses.
So I am humbled and given a fresh perspective on the reality of my own discontent and need of repentance. I need to recognize all I’ve been given and further realize I deserve none of it. I need to say thank you more. And I need to offer further appreciation for the prodigious favor I’ve been shown by God. And what freedom and peace of mind and contentment there is with a grateful spirit.
And ultimately, I pray that the ministry could be one that empowers the people of La Carpio to empower others. A chain reaction of service. I pray that we would be about more than giving simple excursions or meals or experiences, important as those are, and that we would be about teaching the people in La Carpio to realize their blessings and talents and to use those things to pass the lesson on to others. There is a myth in La Carpio, I think, that suggests life here is underprivileged. Most people don’t wallow in self-pity, but a feeling of collective powerlessness does appear at times. A self-defeat that is enhanced by comparatively less-opulent living conditions, and discrimination from Costa Rican society.
But a real power of the ministry here, I think, is in helping people to realize the blessings they’ve been given, and the ability they have to serve one another through those blessings. The real power is in fostering a sustainable, appreciative worldview that seeks to feed the shouting mouths that cry “Me! Me!” and does so dutifully and all for God’s glory alone.
Family Portrait
A touch of the Pine Tree State in Costa Rica
This is Deb, everyone. She's from Maine. Pretty cool, huh? But I'll explain.
Every Thursday there are some students from a Spanish language institute in San Jose who come and help out with the kids in La Carpio. And so I met Deb this week. She's new here. Only been in CR for a few weeks. And yes, she's from Augusta, Maine. The capital of with 30,000 peeps. Anyway, it was cool to meet a Mainer, especially here in CR. We talked Maine things. She's heard of the town I lived in when my fam called the Pine Tree State home. But everyone has heard of everywhere up there. It's small.
So that's that. Deb's nice. Go Maine.
p.s. my hair is longer than it's been in four years. thank you uncle sam. obviously i have to keep it growing to see what kind of head foliage I can amass. i'll keep you posted.
04 October 2007
Liberty, Freedom...and Bean
Light-up banners depicting Independence day slogans: "Where there is a Costa Rican, there is liberty (foreground sign). "Long live work and peace" (background sign). 
Didn't know Mr. Bean is also an active-duty Costa Rican police officer. Got this one from the hip, hence the cropping/angle...
03 October 2007
Two for Tuesday
Film niña.
Manuelito the 'Shark. (it didn't go in)
02 October 2007
More Sweeties
Torta.
Emaciation vs. Gluttony
Here and There
"One-Eyed Jack." He lives at Coronado with the kids. Lost his eye in a bar fight. Should'a seen the other pooch...
Roberto and The Double.
Apparently AMWAY continues to reel in followers, only in Central America now too. Still think they're kind of shady...
Dairy lady. Bought some creamy yogurty type stuff from her today (called Natilla). Quality, full-fat dairy products all the way, people...
Hooligan's easel.
Orange juice to go. 
A senior (and señor) enjoying an iced cream cone at 8:50 a.m. That's a good life to work toward I think.
01 October 2007
Jonah & his Whale
On Thursday afternoons a group of gringo students from The Institute (sounds like they're getting psychiatric help. but they're not) comes to La Carpio for asundry activities with the kids and older folks. This week we read about Jonah and did a craft. There were small, ingestible parts involved along with Elmer's finest adhesive. But the kids mostly crafted well. Note: NO compounds were ingested during the activity. And we had a good time. FREE COOKIES!
Antonio the orator. Brushing up on the story. 
Carlos crafting. 
Finished product. 
The cool group (Gringo Juan, supervisor) and the labors of their fruit. Sadly the craft only depicted Jonah being ingested. Perhaps we need another day to craft him getting barfed up all the way to Ninevah. That could get messy though.
We played a game before arts and crafts. Perhaps you can guess which game this is. (?)
Sweet Teeth
Local confectionery fare.