Sorry I haven't posted in a week! Life here sure will keep you busy. This past weekend, I got the chance to go to El Museo de Los Ninos y Manuel Antonio (Parque Nacional). (The Children's Museum and Manuel Antonio National park and Beach). It was a blast!
Children's Museum was for my Spanish class. We got to view the world from the eyes of a child again, in a place that used to be a national prison! It was very interesting, and I have many pictures on my shutterfly. My specific goal there was to learn more about Costa Rican history, as I have a presentation on Thursday for my class on the topic.
After the museum, I got another bus for another very long ride to Manuel Antonio. When we got there, we were in for a rude awakening- 90 and 90% humidity at night! We also got our first experience with the Pacific tropical beach-- QUE CHIVA! The water was about the same temperature at the air, and before this, I had only been to the Atlantic in Maine! What a difference!
After a little bit of swimming, we called it a night. The next morning, we hiked through the national park to another one of the beaches, where a group of us was able to swim out about 100 meters to a rock formation. No surprise here when I managed to cut myself up pretty badly and had to swim back in. However, little did I know that swimming back in would be the reason I got to see WHITE FACED MONKEYS! live and in person. I also got to see some very brave racoons attempting to steal food RIGHT OUT OF PEOPLE'S BAGS AND HANDS!
After this, it was time for the DOLPHIN CRUISE! We all boarded a catamaran- my first time on a boat with a motor- and travelled out into the big blue ocean. We almost had the chance to see a whale, but apparently he (or she!) was pretty shy. However, we did get to see some dolphins swimming, but not very close. but it was still awesome to finally see dolphins in the wild! After this, we had the chance to do a little bit of snorkeling, where I saw a bunch of different kinds of fish and some coral formations. it was fascinating, and I am much less afraid of the ocean now.
Finally, we came back to the hotel and went for another night swim. I swear, it was so nice I could have stayed in that water forever. However, the sun and the day's activities had tired me out enough to make me go to bed around 10 pm. The next morning we spent again on the beach, and I was able to go to a tent-shop area, where I bought the most BEAUTIFUL dress after bargaining down the price from 10,000 colones to 7- in USD, I went from about 18 to about 12 dollars~ and then the long bus ride home.
Now it's crunch time- my one month course draws to an end, but the work load exponentially increases- gotta love college! I've definitely gotten into the swing of things here, but I always make sure to leave time to appreciate the culture all around me. Being a student here offers a unique perspective where I am not merely a tourist only appreciating the sites- I am emerged in a completely different culture with the view of an insider for a short time. A unique experience that I would recommend to ANYONE!!!
MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE PICTURES AT MY SHUTTERFLY! VIDEO TO COME LATER!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Arenal, etc.
Hey all! Sorry I didn't get a chance to post for a while. The end of last week was pretty busy, then I had a weekend excursion, and then no internet when I got home Sunday :(
I went out last week and realized that NEVER AGAIN will I sit in the front seat of a taxi driving in Costa Rica. That sh*t is SCARY! But I survived yet another taxi ride, only to realize I miss my car. I saw a movie and found out that movie theaters here get packed way more frequently than ours. FYI, Couples Retreat is way funnier than you probably think it is, check it out! Also, Wednesdays here are two for one movie nights- a ticket only costs $2! How crazy!
This weekend we took a trip to Arenal Volcano, but never really got a chance to see the volcano through all the cloud covers, que lastima. However, I did get to see a waterfall, adventure in its river and currents, swim in hot springs, and even order a drink from a wet bar in a sauna temperature pool! It turned out to be a nice, relaxing weekend, with the exception of the first drama of the trip. Hopefully, that can be avoided from here on out. We did get to go out to a dance club, first time here for me, and got to dance with some natives, which was pretty fun!
Since I got back, its back to the normal grind of school. Strangely enough, I think I find solace in having a regular class schedule- its something like home, and makes it easier for me.
In terms of the trip, I've taken to looking at it from a different perspective- while it seems like I am here for a long time, I'm realizing that in the big picture, this is no time at all, so I need to enjoy it and immerse myself in it while I can :)
Check out my shutterfly for pictures!
I went out last week and realized that NEVER AGAIN will I sit in the front seat of a taxi driving in Costa Rica. That sh*t is SCARY! But I survived yet another taxi ride, only to realize I miss my car. I saw a movie and found out that movie theaters here get packed way more frequently than ours. FYI, Couples Retreat is way funnier than you probably think it is, check it out! Also, Wednesdays here are two for one movie nights- a ticket only costs $2! How crazy!
This weekend we took a trip to Arenal Volcano, but never really got a chance to see the volcano through all the cloud covers, que lastima. However, I did get to see a waterfall, adventure in its river and currents, swim in hot springs, and even order a drink from a wet bar in a sauna temperature pool! It turned out to be a nice, relaxing weekend, with the exception of the first drama of the trip. Hopefully, that can be avoided from here on out. We did get to go out to a dance club, first time here for me, and got to dance with some natives, which was pretty fun!
Since I got back, its back to the normal grind of school. Strangely enough, I think I find solace in having a regular class schedule- its something like home, and makes it easier for me.
In terms of the trip, I've taken to looking at it from a different perspective- while it seems like I am here for a long time, I'm realizing that in the big picture, this is no time at all, so I need to enjoy it and immerse myself in it while I can :)
Check out my shutterfly for pictures!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Swing of Things
13 days in, it's hard to believe it's been that long already! Apparently, I went through the majority of my homesickness kind of early. Ever since our first excursion, I feel like I'm having an easier time settling in. I'm making friends, I'm getting homework :( and all around getting used to daily life. I haven't really had the chance to go out much yet, but I've been making the best of most of my time. I'm about at that point where it's time to start doing things :)
Tonight we are going to the "Dos por Uno" movie night- it's like buy one get one free movie tickets, and regular price is only four dollars! So I'm going to the movies for less than the price of popcorn back home! We're going to see Couples Retreat as a group- I think it's in English with Spanish subtitles, but we will see! Friday we are either going to the beach or the zoo (hopefully the beach) and this weekend is the excursion to Volcan Arenal- we'll get to see a volcano, swim in a lake, with waterfalls, and in natural hot springs in our resort hotel :) Pictures when I come back! In the mean time, check out my other pictures on Shutterfly
Tonight we are going to the "Dos por Uno" movie night- it's like buy one get one free movie tickets, and regular price is only four dollars! So I'm going to the movies for less than the price of popcorn back home! We're going to see Couples Retreat as a group- I think it's in English with Spanish subtitles, but we will see! Friday we are either going to the beach or the zoo (hopefully the beach) and this weekend is the excursion to Volcan Arenal- we'll get to see a volcano, swim in a lake, with waterfalls, and in natural hot springs in our resort hotel :) Pictures when I come back! In the mean time, check out my other pictures on Shutterfly
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Monteverde- my first weekend excursion
Monteverde, the cloud rainforest here, was SO AWESOME. We took a four and a half hour bus ride north into Puntarenas, one of the provinces here, and had dinner at our hotel as soon as we got in. Compared to American buffets, it was more like a banquet- and we had six meals there! After that, we checked into our (five star) rooms that were HUGE. I've never stayed in a hotel so large in America, that's for SURE. The next day, we got up early for breakfast and the zipline tour. The zipline tour included 12 zip lines, the longest of which was a tandem that lasted for a full minute, a free-fall rope where they dropped you to just above the ground, a wooden foot bridge, and a tarzan swing, which was MUCH bigger than I expected. The whole thing was an exhilerating trip, offering MANY bird's eye views of the forest and adrenaline rushes.
After the tour was over, we had a half an hour before the optional ATV tour, which I went on with three other girls. Of course, I forgot my sunscreen and earned myself a stripe of red across the middle of my face during the one and a half hours we spent in the sun learning how to ride. The first part was following our instructor around the hill, learning how to switch between gears and brake. The next part put us on a three-circle course, with an intentionally muddy area, an intentionally bumpy area, and a steeper area. Me, being the klutz I am, almost found a way to go over a ten foot drop-off, and instead chose to hit a tree and sprain my thumb and wrist, in a minor way- got right back on and kept going. I learned how to jump an ATV and we even took them on the trails. These were the highlights of the weekend, as the Sunday part had to be cancelled due to excessive rain.
After the tour was over, we had a half an hour before the optional ATV tour, which I went on with three other girls. Of course, I forgot my sunscreen and earned myself a stripe of red across the middle of my face during the one and a half hours we spent in the sun learning how to ride. The first part was following our instructor around the hill, learning how to switch between gears and brake. The next part put us on a three-circle course, with an intentionally muddy area, an intentionally bumpy area, and a steeper area. Me, being the klutz I am, almost found a way to go over a ten foot drop-off, and instead chose to hit a tree and sprain my thumb and wrist, in a minor way- got right back on and kept going. I learned how to jump an ATV and we even took them on the trails. These were the highlights of the weekend, as the Sunday part had to be cancelled due to excessive rain.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The Flow of Things
Second morning of classes. Breakfast is actually at 7 now, and it is such a drudge for me to routinely get up as early as these people... after another slow start I'll have class 8-12 and then two more hours of the day. Monday and Wednesday I have yet another two hour class, and they aren't shy about giving you homework. I think I'm starting to settle in pretty well after some initial homesickness. I don't think I'll ever get over missing people back home, but it's diffeent for everyone. I'm a homebody, family girl. This coming weekend is our first excursion, Monteverde :) I cannot wait- zipline through the rainforest is the main highlight.
My first priority right now is to stop losing things! Yesterday I lost (and found) my student ID and last night I left my jacket at dance classes (free salsa and meringue lessons!). But for now it's time to walk to school. Ciao all!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Life without the internet...how it kills me!
The beginning of an Adventura…
What a day! After two connecting flights yesterday, I stayed overnight in Philadelphia before my first ever international flight. It wasn’t really that scary after all, and security wasn’t nearly as terrifying as they are cracked up to be. After a five hour flight behind someone who insisted on reclining his chair, I finally arrived in Costa Rica- WARM AT LAST!
I met some other students while waiting for baggage, and then came the scary part- I had to figure out who was looking for me. After getting with the wrong group (CEA) I met up with the person looking for ISA students. I was the first of 11 to show up, and ended up waiting outside for two and a half hours while other students showed up- which was nice, since it was a balmy 75 degrees out. We all met and chatted about where we were from, how we were nervous, and how we all know we are going to get homesick- some sooner rather than later.
The bus that picked us up took us to the school area, where our host moms picked us all up. My housemate and I met Ana Luisa, our house mom- who is a whole foot shorter than me- who took us to her home in Zapatos. We spent some time all getting to know each other, and I found out my housemate knows less Spanish than me, and our house mom knows very limited English- great way to practice my Spanish.
After a crazy and somewhat stressful day, it’s off to bed for me- orientation at 9:15 am, and finally internet tomorrow!
Day two- still no internet for my laptop makes me sad. I got a little homesick today, mostly because it feels unnatural to not spend quality time with both my cell phone and my laptop. ISA orientation was today, and provided mostly information I already knew. It was also the first time I used “the great gringo killer”- aka the shower. Here, they combine electricity and water- sounds deadly, right??? But apparently you just don’t touch the shower head and it won’t kill you. It’s interesting because the heat of your shower varies with the water pressure- so when I use no water pressure, I get hot water J Started making friends today, and went with them to the shopping center in San Paulo, one of the closer ones.
(Blog entry written a night before it was actually posted)
Day three- much busier. I spent the morning at Veritas (mi escuela) for orientation after a traditional Costa Rican breakfast of eggs, rice, and beans with toast and orange juice. After orientation, we had time for lunch at a pizzeria before our city orientation. San Jose is a crazy place! Definitely very different from all the other cities I've been to. It really exposes the third world situation of Costa Rica. After our city tour, I had another traditional Costa Rican meal for dinner, and now I finally have internet at home!!!
What a day! After two connecting flights yesterday, I stayed overnight in Philadelphia before my first ever international flight. It wasn’t really that scary after all, and security wasn’t nearly as terrifying as they are cracked up to be. After a five hour flight behind someone who insisted on reclining his chair, I finally arrived in Costa Rica- WARM AT LAST!
I met some other students while waiting for baggage, and then came the scary part- I had to figure out who was looking for me. After getting with the wrong group (CEA) I met up with the person looking for ISA students. I was the first of 11 to show up, and ended up waiting outside for two and a half hours while other students showed up- which was nice, since it was a balmy 75 degrees out. We all met and chatted about where we were from, how we were nervous, and how we all know we are going to get homesick- some sooner rather than later.
The bus that picked us up took us to the school area, where our host moms picked us all up. My housemate and I met Ana Luisa, our house mom- who is a whole foot shorter than me- who took us to her home in Zapatos. We spent some time all getting to know each other, and I found out my housemate knows less Spanish than me, and our house mom knows very limited English- great way to practice my Spanish.
After a crazy and somewhat stressful day, it’s off to bed for me- orientation at 9:15 am, and finally internet tomorrow!
Day two- still no internet for my laptop makes me sad. I got a little homesick today, mostly because it feels unnatural to not spend quality time with both my cell phone and my laptop. ISA orientation was today, and provided mostly information I already knew. It was also the first time I used “the great gringo killer”- aka the shower. Here, they combine electricity and water- sounds deadly, right??? But apparently you just don’t touch the shower head and it won’t kill you. It’s interesting because the heat of your shower varies with the water pressure- so when I use no water pressure, I get hot water J Started making friends today, and went with them to the shopping center in San Paulo, one of the closer ones.
(Blog entry written a night before it was actually posted)
Day three- much busier. I spent the morning at Veritas (mi escuela) for orientation after a traditional Costa Rican breakfast of eggs, rice, and beans with toast and orange juice. After orientation, we had time for lunch at a pizzeria before our city orientation. San Jose is a crazy place! Definitely very different from all the other cities I've been to. It really exposes the third world situation of Costa Rica. After our city tour, I had another traditional Costa Rican meal for dinner, and now I finally have internet at home!!!
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