Friday the 28th of August

Friday I got up around 630am, packed and headed off to school. We got out of class early because we had to catch a bus out of San Jose @ 2pm going directly to Montezuma. Tyler, Pete, Eleanor, Ashley, Justin, Sonja, and I squeezed ourselves into a Conversa taxi and headed off to San Jose. When we were almost there, we found out that the bus station we were being taken to was the Coca Cola station, the most dangerous station in all of San Jose. We were getting a little bit nervous because 7 gringos were about to get dropped off at the most dangerous part of town with a bunch suitcases with us. When we got there we had to almost laugh because everything we had been told made this place seem like a living hell. I thought that there would be a huge rain cloud only over this small area of San Jose, but I was wrong. It was a normal bus station and there were many travelers there so I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. We waited in line to get on the bus because you pay the bus driver for the ticket. As we were waiting in line we knew we were getting on to the right bus, because half of the people waiting with us had surfboards of dread locks or were wearing swimming suits. We got on and the ticket cost about 12 U.S. dollars for the whole transportation which took 6 hours. We were on the bus for about 4 hours and that seemed like forever. There were no bathrooms of rest stops along the way of the trip. The only time the bus would stop would be to let people off. One stop a man came on and sold empanadas which were so good! It hit the spot after being on the bus for so long. Finally we arrived at the port of Puntarenas and got on a car ferry to take us to a port close to Montezuma. The ferry took an hour and we got in around 7pm. From there we took a bus for about 45min which took us to a small town were a city bus picked us up and drove us through dirt roads that were super bumpy. Also there were no lights because we in the middle of the country and the bus lights we not to strong so it was a little bit creepy. We finally reached Montezuma which was a very small town right on the ocean which was made up of two blocks of little surf shops and restaurants. I loved it and it felt really cozy. Our hotel located at the starting of the block so we were one block away from the ocean. We got into our room which was supposed to fit 6 people. There were two doubles one single and a lion king kids mattress. The room wasn’t all that but we made it work because there was an air conditioner. We got unpacked and went out to go exploring and search for food around 9 pm. The town was magical almost because it was a warm balmy night and the air was filled with this sweet smell of incense! There were street venders selling necklaces, pipes, bracelets and all kinds of surfer things. All the locals there were Surfer Bros as I like to call them and it was a good feeling to be there. I felt relaxed because it was a laid back sort of town that didn’t make it seem too touristy. We walked and saw a sign that said Co Colores. We decided to go there and walked down this small driveway with brushes on either side to make this place almost hidden. When we got there it was an open room restaurant with only a roof. You had to step down into the restaurant because it was a bit lower than the ground. This place was so cool because it was right on the ocean and you could hear the waves as you were eating. The place had the same incense smell as the town and it had a really cool vibe. I asked the waitress what the incense was and she said it was cannabis. I had grilled chicken with pina and it was amazing. After the restaurant we went to the only bar in town called Chico’s. We had a beer and then started to dance salsa. As we were dancing it started to down poor and it was so cool because everyone in this town was in the bar dancing as it was down pouring outside. After we all went to bed! What a fun night!

The week of the 25th Monday to the 27th Thursday

Monday at Conversa we got new teachers and I got my good friend Eleanor in my class and Navid my other good friend too. Our teachers name was Marlene. She was super nice and had a good sense of humor so I was happy with my new teacher. As the week went by I studied and played soccer during lunch with the grounds crew. On Wed night my firends Pete, Eleanor, Tyler, Sonja, and Ashle rented Forgetting Sara Marshall! I loved that movie and whoever hasnt seen it, I highly recommend it! Thurs My class took a trip to San Jose to look around the city and go to different museums. When we got there we didnt have much time so we only went to the National Museum and then walked through a market. That night, my firends and I planned a trip to Montazuma on the Pacific coast.

Sunday the 24th of August

Sunday we went to a parade of the houses called El Tepo. We got there 4 hours early to get seats. It was so boring and hot and I didnt like waiting for four hours to see horses go through the street. We were located at the end of the parade which took even longer for the horses to get to us. When the horses finally came they were tired, sweaty and drooling. It was kind of gross and I wasnt too impressed with the whole parade. After we went to a Chinese resturant. I tried to order egg rolls but the word for them done here is a chino taco. After dinner we went home and I went to bed.

Saturday the 23rd of August

Saturday I woke up and got ready to go to the farm to learn about horses. I ate breakfast and my dad sister and I were out the door right after breakfast! We got to the farm which is located on a hillside over looking the city of Santa Ana. Muy bonita! First we fed all of the animals and gave them fresh water. Then started taking one animal out at a time to clean them, and clean out there stall. We got the first horse out and my dad gave me two brushes, one which was a block of wood with 6 bottle tops nailed into it. This was used to get all the dirt and old hair loose on the horse. The second one was used to brush all of the dirt and hair off of the horse. I was suprised on how hard I could brush the horse becuase I thought they were super sensitive but I was wrong. I got the first horse done and was glad becuase he didnt like me becuase he knew I was scared. The second horse came out and I knew what to do so it didnt take as long as the first time. I was taught that to calm a horse down, you dont make the nuututtutut with you tounge but woooo woooooo woooooo sound. This is becuase the first sound gets them riled up and when you cleaning a horse that could crush you, the last thing you want is to get them riled up! I finished up with that horse and did three more including a colt. We cleaned out every stable and dumped all of the caca and old hay in the field to dry out and become good fertilizer. When we were all done My father took my sister and I down the mountain to a small house that was also a bar. We got soda and cooled down for a bit. After we took three horses that were from the barn next to the bar out for a ride. They were beautiful, clean, well trained horses that belonged to a doctor. We went through the street for a while and it was scary because the cars came so close to the horses and it seemed like the driver would have been willing to hit the horse just to get by. We rode through the street for a while and then through some dirt roads in the hills. We got back and went home. I was so sore from bouncing up and down on the horse and super hot when we got back to the casa. I wasnt tired and the one thing I wanted to be in was a pool! So I convinced my mom and sister to walk up the mountain for 45min in the sun to go to the pool at Conversa. We got there and jumped in the pool. It felt so good and we were only there for about 30min before we saw the afternoon thunderstorm coming. We were tired and didnt want to walk all the way back down the mountain. Right when we were getting ready to go we saw Gata, my tia just leaving the office. We were so lucky to see her becuase we got a free ride back down to our house right before it down poored. Later we rented the movie Hangover and watched it. Then it was off to bed.

This week!

Monday I was excited because we got new teachers and it was going to be another fresh start with learning spanish. We got there and there was a bunch of new students who looked exactly as lost as I was the previous week before! My friends and I meet all of them who are super nice people. We told them everything they need to know and made them feel welcome. The teacher rang the bell and it was class time. I found out my teacher was and older lady named Miria. When I got to the class it was just me and another woman named Susan. The class was horrible because right away I wasnt used to the way this new teacher was teaching and she wasnt very nice at all. Susan was getting stressed because her and the lady were not getting along and god it was horrible. I couldnt stop looking at my watch because I wanted to get out of there. Right when the teacher rang the bell for breakfast I ran to the directors office and told her that I wanted to switch because we were going over stuff from the week before and I was really unhappy. The director said she would talk to her and tell her to start on this weeks stuff. I still wasnt happy because I didnt want to be with that teacher at all. After breakfast I got back to class and the teacher apologized for doing stuff from the week before because she didnt know. We got through another long two hours and finally got to lunch. Susan came up to me and told me she was going to a lower class because the level was too high for her and she couldnt go on with this teacher. That made me feel better because it gave me hope that i could not be stressed out anymore with the teacher and Susan getting into arguments about stuff that Susan didnt get. The next day was better. I got to school and found a new person who took Susans place. It was a man named Navid from Washington. He was pretty quite at first but then opened up. It was his first day and I was the first person he met. As the week went on I learned alot from Miria and I started to like her more and more as the week went on. On Tues I walked to school with my friends. It is a 45min and it took us only 30min because as the teachers told us we were so young and fit lol! The same day after lunch I was messing around with the soccer ball in the plaza when one of the grounds crew came up and asked me if I play Futbol. I said si and then he yelled to the other grounds crew and they were happy. He told me the next day were going to play and I need to find student to play also. That was a big highlight for me. Wed after lunch the grounds crew came to the plaza ready to play. They brought out two small goals, big enough for two balls to fit through. I got my friends who were new this week and we played barefoot. The game was 3v3 and super fun. All the gringos including me became tired fast because of the altitude but got over it soon enough. There were two guys from the grounds crew Febreezio and Rudy, and then one maid, Sierra. The game got more intense when it started to down pore. People were falling and sliding and in was a huge muddy mess! After the game we went to the bathing room to wash up before the last hour and a half of class but the water wasnt working very well because the kicthen ladies were doing the dishes. I finished up the day by doing my homework, eating and going to bed! Thurs Navid asked my the day before to take him up the moutain and show him the way to school. I did it gladly and we got to school on time. The view is great and its always sunny in the morning which makes the walk even better. Again we played soccer and it was super fun. The class with Miria is perfect and I am happy. Today we had class and everyone left to go to the Caribean beach for the weekend. I didnt want to go because the whole trip was to expensive the way it was set up and I want to go there when I will have more time. So the last hour and a half of school I went to the pool and sat with my legs in the water. I chilled there for a bit then went back to see what Miria was up too. When I cam back she was asleep with her book in her hand. She woke up and then ask me what I wanted to do. We went on a walk and then got inspired to pick up fresh mangos that had recently fallin. We picked up about 20 or so and went down different trails to see if there were anymore. Miria told me to pick some unripe mangos from the tree because the juice from the unripe mangos helps take out stains from clothes. As we were getting to the end of our walk were heard thunder in the distance. Its really cool to hear because Conversa is on the side of a mountain over looking the city thats in a valley, so the sound echoed off the mountains and was alomost like surround sound! Tonight I am going to make Tres Leches with Gata my tia and buy pizza for the whole family for dinner! This weekend Venicio my dad is going to teach me all about horses and how to take care of them.
Chau

Sunday!

We woke up, ate breakfast, then swam for the rest of the time that we were in Arienal. There we water slides that went super fast, a fake hot spring that was super hot on one side and super cold on the other. I had a blast but honestly the whole trip was just was too touristy for me. We drove back then I got home to my tico family who I was happy to see becuase I was finally at home again!

Sat at Arienal

When I woke up it was about 610 am and I was ready to get my day going! The night before was fun but we couldnt see anything. When I walked outside I was amazed to see a huge volcano right outside of my hotel room. The top was covered but the front desk said it would clear up later. Ricardo and I got ready to go, ate breakfast at the hotel, then left for the front desk to wait for our ride. At 7 am the car micro bus came and we were off to do the canopy tour. When we got there we had to put on harnesses around our waist and then a leather glove thing to keep you from losing control while your zip lining. We drove for about 5 min and then arrived at the top of this huge hill. We all got out and the tour guide started to tell everyone what ant what not to do while your zip lining. It was in spanish so of course I didnt understand it so I pretended to and hoped we wasnt saying anything to important. I think the only thing that I got out of his speech was at the end when he said buenos suerte lol and after that he put the first person on and sent them off. I wasnt scared because I didnt really know what to expect. I was last in line because if there was anything I missed in the little speech he made, I wanted to catch it by watching how the other people zip lined. Now it was my turn and I felt pretty confident on what to do. I pulled myself on to the wire and held myself up while one of the guides clipped me in. He said tuck your legs in and lean back, I did then he let go! Before I knew it I was flying through the rain forest and it was so cool to be above the trees. I wasnt scared because when you that high up I guess you just dont get scared anymore. When I was reaching the end of the first course, the guide at the end was yelling at my to slow down. So I used my leather glove thing and put it on top of the wire and pressed down. I did it just in time to come to a safe stop. The guide said muy bien, uncliped me, then told me to walk to the next course. There where 9 courses all to gather and they zig zaged down to the bottom of the mountain. The guides were funny from what I could comprehend. For example, one lady asked what the red helmets were for and why did we have to wear them. The guide said it will be easyier to find you when you fall on this next course. Another time on the 6 course, The guide told us before we went on it not to break at the end. I went and at the end there was a stopper that brought you to a complete stop and made you swing forward because it worked so well. So I got off and the next girl was coming to the end and the guide started yelling to her that the stopper was broken and right when she was coming in he jumped out of the way and yelled POR DIOS!!! It was a huge joke but it was really funny to watch. The whole time the guides messed with us and it was great. The best part for me was the 7th course. We had the option of going upside down, so I did and it was the wierdest feeling ever! As your speeding through the forest everything looks different upside down and all the blood is rushing to your head at the same time. We came to the end and then went to the cliff that we were going to go down. It was so high up and this is when my knees were starting to give. I was freaking out inside but didnt make it obvious. It came to my turn and the guide got me all set up. He said go when your ready, I started leaning out with my back going out in to air. I started letting my self down just like they showed us. I pushed off with my feet, let go of some rope, then landed back on the cliff, pushed off again and kept the rythem going until I reached the bottom. That was scary but fun at the same time. After that we went to our last activity, horse back riding. That was horrible. It was a huge let down for me. I thought we were going to go on a huge ride but it only lasted for 10min until we got back to the building were we started the whole canopy tour. We went back to the hotel, swam alot more, went to dinner, then went to bed!

Catch up!

Last friday I brought my backpack to school because we were leaving right from the school. Class got out early and the people going to Arenal all went to the front of the school to wait for our private bus. We were wondering were it was but we didnt know that if was right in front of us. In front of us was big van that held 15 people. I was suprised and alittle dissapointed because I was expecting a huge bus were I would have my own seat and it would be so nice andd;agkhagakl. No it was a small bus that fit 15 people shoulder to shoulder. It turn out all right though because it was nice to get to know people better and everyone was in a good mood so it was good in the hood for me. The trip took about 5 hours because there was an earthquake and we had to take the back roads. We had a rest stop with about an hour left, then drove the rest of the way. The bus driver told us about a deal were we could do three activies for $60 dollars so I thought I would do that. The bus drivers name I dont remember and I didnt remember it at the time so I asked him what his nickname was. He said he didnt have one but he had white hair so I named him Don Blanco. So the rest of the trip Everyone called him Don Blanco. When we got into the town of Areinal it was around 830pm. The first place we stopped was this activity agency place were Don Blanco insisted for about 15min that we should go here. He talked so highly of the place for so long that I was starting to think that it was a scam. But I went with my gut and booked the three activities, the zip line through the canope, going down a cliff in a harness, and horseback riding. After we booked that we found out the hostel we wanted to stay at to save money cost 70 dollars a night and we couldnt believe that. So we went to the hotel Los Lagos. The hotel was goregous. The rooms were about a 5 kil walk from the check in building. Our room had 6 people with four beds. We did this to save money. We got there and ate dinner which was ok, Then hit the pools! They were awsome and super hot which was so relaxing and fun! the water slides were so fast and if they were in the usa they would have been illegal. Chau.

My First Few Days

On Monday I woke up one hour early for school because my alarm clock keeps getting messed up but that's ok because I am not using it anymore! Derek walked me to the Bus stop and dropped me off. There I met 5 students of Conversa who were very welcoming! I found out there was a group of 15 woman from NYU doing there masters and they came down for 3 weeks to go to Conversa. We took a micro bus which looks like a long van and can hold 15 people. From the bus stop we took a 5 min drive through the city which was very beautiful and then turned off into a smaller road. The road started to incline but I didn't notice for a while. About 3 min later the road became extremely steep and I thought is was steep enough that the bus would flip backwards! The road was at about a 50 degree angle and it was on the edge of a cliff when we reached the gate to conversa. I was happy that we got to the top because I didn't know how much more I could take. We drove through the gate and into a beautiful plaza. The was a main building with 7 hammocks on the deck over looking Santa Ana! I went on the first bus so arrived there 40 min early with some other people. I got into one of the hammocks and relaxed and met students until school started. Once school started I was taken aside by Don Vea and got the full tour of the place. Everything there is so pretty and I would love to go to school there my whole life! After the tour I was taken to my class. When I went in I met one student named Juna and the Maestra Sandra. My school day starts with 2 hours of grammar, then breakfast "my second breakfast", another 2 hours of grammar, then lunch, then 1.5 hours were its just the teacher and me talking. After my first day of school I went to my house and had dinner with my family. Then I went to a bar called AMIGOS " a gringo bar" with two of my friends Eleanor and Richardo. We had some drinks and then left to walk home. As we were walking we saw some other students in a restaurant we we sat and chilled with them. we saw a couple of men outside trying to get in but the staff wouldn't let them in because the were the town drunks. They had to were reflector vests whenever they were in public. Tuesday I walked to school with my new friends and I did the same thing at school. My Spanish had improved and I wasn't afraid to try to speak it and mess up. I met more people and felt more comfortable. After lunch Richardo and I played ping pong until class started. After class ended at 330 Gata invited some students and I to come to one of her cooking classes in the kitchen. We made coconut Flan and then left it in the fridge for the next day. That night I watched Jackass with my brother on the Internet and that was alot of fun and also really funny. Today I woke at 330 am because of the roosters yelling at the top of there lungs for 1 hour. Then I woke up at 6 because Gata invited My friends and I to walk to the school instead of taking a bus. The walk takes roughly 45 min and we would take showers when we got there. We were ready to go at the meeting point at 7 am but Gata had forgotten to walk. So we went to her house and she said she would take us tomorrow. We then took the bus to the school. Today was easier because I am picking up Spanish quickly. Poco de poco. Also we had a class on the vowels and pronunciation today. Also we had the flan at lunch and everyone got to have some. I loved it so much after school I went and bought the ingredients and went to Gatas house to make it. It just got finished so I have to go eat it!!! Also at 8 pm Costa Rica is playing Honduras so that is a big deal here. Tomorrow after school I am going to the dance class!!!

Chau

Bienvenidos

I made it into Costa Rica thank goodness because I had some trouble in Phonix! Right when I was about to check in to see if I was good to fy, the lady told me I had to buy a returning ticket to the U.S. but I didnt have one. So with 15min to spare I ran to the customer service desk and asked to buy one. I was happy to find out that I could buy a ticket that was fully refunable. ok so I got off the plane in Costa Rica and was relieved that I had made it. After getting my bag and going through Customes I went outside to where I was told to go by the email from Conversa, the spanish school I was going too. But when I got there no one was there to great me. I thought they might have left without me.. But right when that thought was going through my head a car came around a corner faster than a bat out of hell!!! The Jeep came to a quick stop and then a lady poked her head out of the window. I had no idea what she was saying until She pulled the Conversa sign out and then told me to go to the car. I sat in the back of the jeep also known as the trunk but there were seats on the side so it was cool. A very nice lady whos name was Gata was super nice and had so many questions to ask me. While we were talking every few seconds her phone would ring and throughout the who trip to my casa she must have had at least 14 calls in period of 20 min. All I could understand was her saying puta this puta that which means bitch so it was funny. I got to my house and Gata told me that I was going to live with her brother Venicio. We went through her house into a court yard and my house was in the back corner. There whole family lives in hosues right next to one another which is very nice. I got inside and said hello to the family. Sandra the mother offered my food and I had some rice and beans. I was taken to my room and I felt right at home. I meet both of the children and Derek who is 15 and Andrea who is 9. they were a bit shy at first but soon we were trying to create conversation. I got unpacked and went to bed. The next morning We had eggs for breakfast. Derek and I watch a kung fu movie and then chilled. After that the whole family and I went to where they own horses for a picnic. We got there at 11 and left at 7. When we got there we had to go over a small stream and up a hill with stones for stairs. The family was suprised because one of the goats had a baby the night before. it was very cute and we ate it. just kidding but it was really cute. some friends came and they were very funny. There was a professor who was 26 named Rusty and he was very nice. It was his last day and he celebrated with everyone and it was fun. My family's cousin Diego is super nice and likes to play a game where you make a circle with your pointer finger and thumb and out it below you waist and if someone looks then he hits the person on the shoulder lightly. I was good at the game so we got along just fine! Everything is goign well and Santa Ana is so pretty. I start school tomorrow so I am excited!

Chua