Getting caught up!

Oh hello all!
Sorry I've been slacking on the blog posts but I've been busy! For starters my classes are going really well but they are challenging. More homework than I expected and some intensive Spanish lessons. But luckily my teachers are awesome and both very concerned with weather or not we understand (slowly but surely, I'm getting there).

I left you last week, and what a week it was. Thursday night there was a patio barbecue at the university for all us international students. Free food and beer, and beer was the ONLY beverage option. Later in the night there was a surprise performance! The drum line was awesome. But as you can see the girls (dressed in traditional festive wear) were not excited to be there at all. They're job was mainly to pull people into the ridiculous chacha line. That's why beer was our only option I guess.

After the fiesta, I learned a few salsa moves on the patio with some friends and we followed another group to this discoteka called Castro's. Holy hell. I had heard tico men knew how to dance but Miguel really proved it to be true. Everyone was sweaty and gross and spinning and twirling all over the place! Some of the most fun I've ever had, and the most spinning! We're going again this Thursday :)

Friday we left for our first excursion to Tamarindo Beach, which my host family nicknames "tama-gringo beach" the term couldn't be more appropriate. Definitely a slightly over-priced tourist town but so beautiful. The bus ride took five full hours and it was storming like crazy when we arrived. My roommies and I got dinner, read for a bit and went to bed. But the exhaustion was worth it; I felt real sand for the first time in years and my goodness, the water, who could believe the Pacific could be so warm. Incredible. Like bath water, with perfect waves, and completely clear. We floated for quite a while before getting sunburnt and hunting for seashells (gifts for everyone!)

That night we hit the tow. All the bars were having special deals (free drinks for all the ladies) and huge parties. Needless-to-say we took advantage of those benefits. The night ended around 2am and by that time I was so ready for bed. Sunday was very relaxing, hopped on the bus at 2 and the most exciting thing happend. At our scheduled rest stop I checked quite a few things off my list. I saw monkeys! Real ones, some howlers and spider monkeys. And Macaws, huge and beautiful. There must have been 15 in one tree! And even better, a Tico saw my astonsihment and asked if I wanted to see the other anmals. Talk about the right place at the right time. Two other friends and I saw a cage full of black Tucans and some crazy afro-chickens. He also had peacocks and a pet deer, so calm and sweet she came right up to lick the salt off our hands.
Pretty amazing.

And I'm really sorry but this picture deal is giving my trouble and I have plans this evening. So, bummer but I'll include them somehow.
Love and miss my friends and fam. :)
Adios!

So far...

Hola
Today has been very busy. I learned this morning that my schedule would not actually give me any Spanish credit, so the first few hours were very hectic and a little emotional. Not sure how that all happened. But Everything is fine now. I had to drop my fun electives (Health and Dance) so I could join the intermediate class, 8 in the morning till noon! And then Spanish Phonetics. The good news is, now I'll be going home with nearly 15 Spanish credits. Oh hello double major, you are a possibility, yet again. :)
It's just after 4 and I am tired! Prime siesta time. And it looks like it's about to storm :)
Oh yeah, you ca see the lightning light up over the mountians almost every night here. Pretty cool.

More later!

Finally here

Hola Todos!
Well, today is day two of this adventure. Costa Rica is more beautiful than the pictures, and so colorful! My host family is amazing. My mama, Sara, is a teacher so very patient with me. I have a 24 year old older sister, and a 13 year old younger one. My papa works with computers, his name is Roberto, and he forces me to have a positive attitude, which is really good for me.
I've met quite a few students at the school but not many locals yet. I'll get a chance to go downtown later today and tomorrow. Everyone is really nice. We're travelling to Tamarindo Beach in Guanacaste on Friday for three whole days! Very exciting. I also learned we are going to zip line through the jungle canopy later this month! And visit some natural hot springs!
I also met a girl who has been her for a month and she mentioned a few volunteer opportunities in the city. classes start tomorrow, four hours of Spanish in the morning, and then three electives in the afternoon. Busy but exciting!
I am happy to be here. Still pretty nervous but am determined to learn the language and enjoy myself :)

Pretty wild. Pictures coming soon I hope!
Hasta Luego!