This morning was amazing. All of the girls who came to Costa Rica decided that we were going to go ziplining. We talked to our trip leader that lives here in Costa Rica and she got us an amazing deal. We got a horseback ride, ziplining on 25 lines, swimming right next to a waterfall, and lunch for only 55 dollars per person. It was so much cheaper than their usual price.
I will recommend this place to anyone that comes to Costa Rica. It is so very safe and the tour guides are so much fun. At first I was a little nervous because I have a terrible fear of heights, but I honestly felt so safe that I ended up having a blast. We ziplined over 12 different waterfalls and were able to stop and swim at the bottom of one. It was incredibly beautiful!
The horse ride up to the ziplining was a little scary at first since the horses were trying to butt in front of each other. It was not like we had an organized line of horses, it was just a jumble of horses walking on the same path. Then our tour guide made them trot and it was so much fun. Then toward the end of the horse ride there was a steep hill and my horse kept wanting to stop in the middle of the hill. I think I wore him out. He was a good horse, unlike one of my friends horses who tried to bite all of the others. It was a good time...
The whole morning wore me out and I took a really long nap. Then I was going to go out to a karaoke and dancing place up in the mountains with some friends, but instead decided to stay at home with my host family and visit. I showed my host dad the google earth of Wisconsin and where I live and then a little bit later we had a conversation about the history of Costa Rica. Yeah, me who doesnt like history brought up the conversation- because it is interesting and Ive been learning about it in class this past week. It was nice to relax for a night...
Tomorrow morning I am going to Laguna with my host family. I dont even know what it is exactly- all I know is that it is up in the mountains. My host dad tried to explain it to me, but I just nodded my head and pretended to understand his Spanish (but I didnt understand). Sometimes I get tired of trying to listen so hard and intently, so I just pretend I know. It can be funner that way because what we are doing tomorrow will be a suprise for me.
Anyway, I need to get to bed since I have to wake up early again tomorrow. Sweet Dreams!
P.S.- Ill post pictures as soon as I know how....
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Another day in paradise
Its been a while. Ive been really busy getting adjusted and spending time with my host family, but I am loving every minute of it. It has been challenging, but a lot of fun. Where to begin...
The first few days with my family were pretty hard since there is such a huge language barrier. I realized that I didnt know as much spanish as I thought. They were very understanding and patient with me, which I am very thankful for. Im now able to communicate a lot better and am able to carry a very basic conversation about my day and what I am planning on doing. It has been very interesting to say the least. I have a host cousin who is about 8 years old and thinks that I am the best thing ever. She tries talking to me and teaching me things withher rapidly chattering spanish, and I do my best to understand. She is so cute- the other day she bought me an icee type thing and then gave me bubblegum and a sucker. Shes my little friend. (by the way, the reason I am not using apostrophes is because I dont know where to find them on a spanish keyboard)
Sunday. I was able to go to the ocean with my friend, Korenas family. The beach was a little bit dirty but it was still very beautiful. I learned how not to get pushed over and drown in the waves. It was pretty crazy. I also met more family and earned the nickname "duck" and it makes me laugh because my aunt Mary used to call me Duckie.
Monday was my first day of classes. The way of teaching here is so much different than in the U.S. I felt like I wasnt in class because we just sat there and had a group discussion about the topic of the day. There was not lecture. Even in Spanish class, all we did was converse in spanish. I learned a lot more than having a lesson or lecture. We have classes outside in a little hut, which only has a roof. It is nice and cool under there- because it is usually in the high 80s and humid everyday. My host mom packs a lunchbox full of fruit for me everyday. They have the best pineapple ever. Then for lunch I come home and have more food. It is crazy.
Tuesday through Thursday are a blur for me. Everyday blends together because it seems like Ive been here for months. During these days I went to a Costa Rican wake because my host dads uncle died of prostate cancer. It was very different and similar to visitations in the U.S. The biggest difference is that the visitation started around 10 PM and went until early the next morning, such as 6 AM. It was crazy, but I didnt stay there for a long time because my host brother was falling asleep standing up. What else? I went swimming inbetween classes on Thursday and got burnt. There is a pool at the place we have school, so we can just jump in whenever we want inbetween classes. Its the life. I also went on a walk with a friend yesterday and saw the most beautiful, hidden stream I have ever seen. I need to go back and take pictures because it is gorgeous. I love the unspoiled beauty of this country!
Anyway, after classes today I was able to go with my friend to a house that had 2 pet monkeys. They were so cute and would hold your hand through the cage. There were also parrot-like birds that would say quiero comida...which means I want food. It was cute. The house that these monkeys belonged to was gorgeous. It looked like a recently built house, but was about 36 years old. After playing with the monkeys for a long time I drove up into the mountains with a friend and her host family. We went down a very steep, scary road and I thought we were going to die. Then we drove way up in the mountain and saw the most beautiful view Ive ever seen. I took a picture or two, but it isnt even close. You could see the ocean and mountains that were part of the bay. I cant even explain. Now I am home writing this and hoping to do something with my friends tonight. I might go out dancing with my friends host sister.
The food here is so delicious. Ive been fed way too much and they actually want me to gain weight before I go home. They think that if I go home skinnier that my parents wont think they fed me. But every morning I have gallo pinto which is rice and beans, every midmorning I have fruit, every noon I have a meat with rice and beans, midafternoon I have coffee and a dessert and at night I have more rice, beans and meat. And thrown in there is food that my family is constantly feeding me. Its crazy. There are somethings that I am learning to love, like avocados with every meal (yum), and new fruits like agucates and mamones. I dont even know how to explain them....they are very different. It has been interesting eating the new food- and thank God I havent gotten sick yet.
I should probably get going. I need to take a nap. Learning all these new things and having a completely different environment to explore is so tiring. As well as the warm weather and having to wake up early everyday. However, I am absolutely loving it here.
As the Costa Ricans say "Pura Vida"
The first few days with my family were pretty hard since there is such a huge language barrier. I realized that I didnt know as much spanish as I thought. They were very understanding and patient with me, which I am very thankful for. Im now able to communicate a lot better and am able to carry a very basic conversation about my day and what I am planning on doing. It has been very interesting to say the least. I have a host cousin who is about 8 years old and thinks that I am the best thing ever. She tries talking to me and teaching me things withher rapidly chattering spanish, and I do my best to understand. She is so cute- the other day she bought me an icee type thing and then gave me bubblegum and a sucker. Shes my little friend. (by the way, the reason I am not using apostrophes is because I dont know where to find them on a spanish keyboard)
Sunday. I was able to go to the ocean with my friend, Korenas family. The beach was a little bit dirty but it was still very beautiful. I learned how not to get pushed over and drown in the waves. It was pretty crazy. I also met more family and earned the nickname "duck" and it makes me laugh because my aunt Mary used to call me Duckie.
Monday was my first day of classes. The way of teaching here is so much different than in the U.S. I felt like I wasnt in class because we just sat there and had a group discussion about the topic of the day. There was not lecture. Even in Spanish class, all we did was converse in spanish. I learned a lot more than having a lesson or lecture. We have classes outside in a little hut, which only has a roof. It is nice and cool under there- because it is usually in the high 80s and humid everyday. My host mom packs a lunchbox full of fruit for me everyday. They have the best pineapple ever. Then for lunch I come home and have more food. It is crazy.
Tuesday through Thursday are a blur for me. Everyday blends together because it seems like Ive been here for months. During these days I went to a Costa Rican wake because my host dads uncle died of prostate cancer. It was very different and similar to visitations in the U.S. The biggest difference is that the visitation started around 10 PM and went until early the next morning, such as 6 AM. It was crazy, but I didnt stay there for a long time because my host brother was falling asleep standing up. What else? I went swimming inbetween classes on Thursday and got burnt. There is a pool at the place we have school, so we can just jump in whenever we want inbetween classes. Its the life. I also went on a walk with a friend yesterday and saw the most beautiful, hidden stream I have ever seen. I need to go back and take pictures because it is gorgeous. I love the unspoiled beauty of this country!
Anyway, after classes today I was able to go with my friend to a house that had 2 pet monkeys. They were so cute and would hold your hand through the cage. There were also parrot-like birds that would say quiero comida...which means I want food. It was cute. The house that these monkeys belonged to was gorgeous. It looked like a recently built house, but was about 36 years old. After playing with the monkeys for a long time I drove up into the mountains with a friend and her host family. We went down a very steep, scary road and I thought we were going to die. Then we drove way up in the mountain and saw the most beautiful view Ive ever seen. I took a picture or two, but it isnt even close. You could see the ocean and mountains that were part of the bay. I cant even explain. Now I am home writing this and hoping to do something with my friends tonight. I might go out dancing with my friends host sister.
The food here is so delicious. Ive been fed way too much and they actually want me to gain weight before I go home. They think that if I go home skinnier that my parents wont think they fed me. But every morning I have gallo pinto which is rice and beans, every midmorning I have fruit, every noon I have a meat with rice and beans, midafternoon I have coffee and a dessert and at night I have more rice, beans and meat. And thrown in there is food that my family is constantly feeding me. Its crazy. There are somethings that I am learning to love, like avocados with every meal (yum), and new fruits like agucates and mamones. I dont even know how to explain them....they are very different. It has been interesting eating the new food- and thank God I havent gotten sick yet.
I should probably get going. I need to take a nap. Learning all these new things and having a completely different environment to explore is so tiring. As well as the warm weather and having to wake up early everyday. However, I am absolutely loving it here.
As the Costa Ricans say "Pura Vida"
Saturday, May 23, 2009
First day with Host Family
hola! I am having a great time, but it can be very frustrating because I do not understand or speak english very well. My host family is so very nice and I really feel like part of the family already. I wish I knew spanish better so that I could speak with them more fluently, but it will come with time. Today I met my family and we had a potluck with a ton of costa rican food. Muy Rica! Then we drove around town to see where the other students lived and visted a relative of my host family, which is also hosting another student. One of their nieces speaks english so it was very helpful in communicating with my family. It is an adventure. :)
I am excited because I have the internet at my house, but I will not be able to Skype because they do not have wireless and I would rather not bother them with hooking up my laptop. I am very happy that I can post messages on my blog whenever I want though...
It is so warm here, but I will not complain because I love the warm weather much more than the cool wisconsin weather. I also took pictures today, but will post them later when I use my computer.
Tomorrow I am going to meet more family and probably explore the city more. Then on Monday I start classes. I better start unpacking and getting settled.
Buenos Noches!
Hasta manana!
I am excited because I have the internet at my house, but I will not be able to Skype because they do not have wireless and I would rather not bother them with hooking up my laptop. I am very happy that I can post messages on my blog whenever I want though...
It is so warm here, but I will not complain because I love the warm weather much more than the cool wisconsin weather. I also took pictures today, but will post them later when I use my computer.
Tomorrow I am going to meet more family and probably explore the city more. Then on Monday I start classes. I better start unpacking and getting settled.
Buenos Noches!
Hasta manana!
Friday, May 22, 2009
I'm here!
Hola!
I arrived in Costa Rica around 1pm today and it is really warm and humid, but I love it. We went to one of the program coordinator's farm and had orientation. We took a swim in her pool, which was up on a hill in the middle of her land- we could see volcanoes, mountains and farmland from the pool and it was really cool. I am mad now that I didn't bring my camera with to take pictures, but tomorrow I will begin documenting my adventures with photos. I get to meet my host family- pray that I will be able to communicate with my rusty spanish speaking skills... Sorry this is short, but I need to get some sleep since I've probably only had a total of 4 hours of sleep since Thursday morning.
Buenos Noches!
I arrived in Costa Rica around 1pm today and it is really warm and humid, but I love it. We went to one of the program coordinator's farm and had orientation. We took a swim in her pool, which was up on a hill in the middle of her land- we could see volcanoes, mountains and farmland from the pool and it was really cool. I am mad now that I didn't bring my camera with to take pictures, but tomorrow I will begin documenting my adventures with photos. I get to meet my host family- pray that I will be able to communicate with my rusty spanish speaking skills... Sorry this is short, but I need to get some sleep since I've probably only had a total of 4 hours of sleep since Thursday morning.
Buenos Noches!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Procrastination Adventures
Welcome to my blog! I will be periodically updating my Costa Rica study abroad...
Instead of spending hours packing for Costa Rica yesterday, I spent the majority of the day with my boyfriend, Arron. It was quite an adventure...
It was such a beautiful day and all we wanted to do was spend time out on a boat relaxing and soaking up the sun. So we called a few people and tried to borrow a boat- and nothing worked out. We even looked into renting a boat and realized that we were college students and way too poor to pay that much money for a few hours. So we decided to rent kayaks from the student rec and wellness center. We started out down the Fox River and then decided to venture into the mighty waters of Lake Winnebago. I must mention that there were 40 MPH winds that day and the waves were white caps. It was strenuous paddling and the waves were rocking our kayaks, but we were making ground. Until Arron flipped his kayak and it began to fill with water. Good thing we were only in waist deep water. We ventured over to the nearest bay area and ended up with our kayaks in a random person's back yard. A man came out of the house and we told him our story. I was scared that he was going to yell at us, but we asked if we could leave our boats in his backyard while we walked to Arron's truck. Instead, the man offered to drive us to the truck. He was very helpful and didn't even mind that I was sitting in his backseat in soaking wet clothes. His kindness really made me realize how nice and helpful strangers can be and that people can be so willing to help others.
So then we got our kayaks, loaded them into Arron's truck and ventured down the road only for one of the kayaks to fly out of the back of his truck. It was pretty comical. We then tied the kayaks down (learned our lesson) and returned the kayaks. We had a picnic on the beach and built a tiny little sandcastle with a monstrous mote. Then we headed to hit some golf balls at a driving range and played mini golf, which I must brag that I won.
It was then time to have dessert with two good friends. We at many good sweets and we had some good times and conversations....then it was time to pack- and finally finish packing today.
I headed to Amy and Jon's place today and they were so nice to cook me my last U.S. meal before I leave for Costa Rica. And it was very delicious! I am so excited to go, but so nervous as I am not sure how well I will be able to communicate with my host family at first. I know it will be beautiful and I will make many memories and develop lasting friendships. I leave at 5:40 tomorrow morning. I will update with stories and pictures when I am able.
The adventure begins...
Instead of spending hours packing for Costa Rica yesterday, I spent the majority of the day with my boyfriend, Arron. It was quite an adventure...
It was such a beautiful day and all we wanted to do was spend time out on a boat relaxing and soaking up the sun. So we called a few people and tried to borrow a boat- and nothing worked out. We even looked into renting a boat and realized that we were college students and way too poor to pay that much money for a few hours. So we decided to rent kayaks from the student rec and wellness center. We started out down the Fox River and then decided to venture into the mighty waters of Lake Winnebago. I must mention that there were 40 MPH winds that day and the waves were white caps. It was strenuous paddling and the waves were rocking our kayaks, but we were making ground. Until Arron flipped his kayak and it began to fill with water. Good thing we were only in waist deep water. We ventured over to the nearest bay area and ended up with our kayaks in a random person's back yard. A man came out of the house and we told him our story. I was scared that he was going to yell at us, but we asked if we could leave our boats in his backyard while we walked to Arron's truck. Instead, the man offered to drive us to the truck. He was very helpful and didn't even mind that I was sitting in his backseat in soaking wet clothes. His kindness really made me realize how nice and helpful strangers can be and that people can be so willing to help others.
So then we got our kayaks, loaded them into Arron's truck and ventured down the road only for one of the kayaks to fly out of the back of his truck. It was pretty comical. We then tied the kayaks down (learned our lesson) and returned the kayaks. We had a picnic on the beach and built a tiny little sandcastle with a monstrous mote. Then we headed to hit some golf balls at a driving range and played mini golf, which I must brag that I won.
It was then time to have dessert with two good friends. We at many good sweets and we had some good times and conversations....then it was time to pack- and finally finish packing today.
I headed to Amy and Jon's place today and they were so nice to cook me my last U.S. meal before I leave for Costa Rica. And it was very delicious! I am so excited to go, but so nervous as I am not sure how well I will be able to communicate with my host family at first. I know it will be beautiful and I will make many memories and develop lasting friendships. I leave at 5:40 tomorrow morning. I will update with stories and pictures when I am able.
The adventure begins...
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