12 days in!
I had to double count on the calendar to make sure I counted correctly. It has only been 12 days but it feels like 30 days! I have participated in so much school work and outside excursions, I cant believe I'm not even half way done! Here's to 3 more weeks!
This is what my classroom white board looks like every day, and erased and rewritten on 30 times over. It's scattered and sometimes hard to follow, so I always pay really good attention in class. My teacher does not speak any English to us, and if we do not understand something in Spanish, she uses other phrases and actions (in Spanish) to help us figure it out. Or I just use my handy Spanish dictionary. My school, CRLA, provides awesome textbook and workbooks for students so I can always use those pages for extra assistance if my professor, Jenifer, is busy with another student. Although I do take a lot of notes in my notebook that I brought from home. Today we wrote 6 pages of notes! I am also preparing for my first exam while I am here and that is on Wednesday, June 7th. My second and final exam will be on June 21st.
On Wednesday May 31st, my classmates and I visited the History Museum in San Jose. It was very interesting to learn more of Costa Rica's history in depth. This is a picture of some of my classmates and I outside the museum with the beautiful mountains behind us (and a storm blowing in.)
On our way to the Arenal Volcano, we made two stops. First we visited the Ox Cart factory in a town called Sarchi. Here we learned about the history of the Ox Carts since that was mainly used before cars were invented and introducted to Costa Rica. We were also able to witness how they are made and hand painted. They are beautiful pieces of art!
We then stopped in a town called Zarcero where we saw a tree garden and gorgeous church. We were only able to stop for a few minutes, but I'm glad I was able to witness it!
We then stopped in a town called Zarcero where we saw a tree garden and gorgeous church. We were only able to stop for a few minutes, but I'm glad I was able to witness it!
On Friday, June 2nd, we finally reached our destination at the Arenal Volcano! We stayed at a BEAUTIFUL resort called Los Lagos. The resort had many pools that were hot springs, heated by the active volcano! We spent two nights at this resort and participated in many outside activities.
First thing Saturday morning, a majority of our group went to the Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Here we hiked around 2 miles and walked among the tree tops on the hanging bridges! It was quiet the experience. We saw many cool creatures as well including a full size and baby venomous snakes, leaf carrying ants, hummingbirds, an owl, and more! Following the hanging bridges, I had lunch and then went zip lining at our resort! There were 13 cables to zip line across and the views were spectular. I wish I could have brought my camera but I was afraid I would lose it in the jungle! We also saw monkeys hanging out in the trees with us!
To conclude the weekend, 8 students and our 3 directors went to a little town named La Fortuna, for a church ceremony. It was very interesting, even though I could not understand a majority of it. We stood for a few songs, listened to some prayer, sang again, and then sat after about 15 minutes for more reading. It was a little different because in my home church, a majority of the message is done by my pastor. In this church, there were about 3 more speakers reading before we had to leave early. The beautiful church was packed full, which also means it was blazing hot! One of my directors was sweating through his pants. But through the fullness of the very large church, it was clear to me that many people worship God in Costa Rica. I have passed by many churches during my time here and that indicates to me that God and his message impact many lives here.
Although we are of different ethnicities, we are all God's children.
Although we are of different ethnicities, we are all God's children.
I spoke a little bit about transportation in my first post but I would like to elaborate a little bit more. This is what the public transportation buses look like here in Costa Rica, not much different than in Chicago. You will see the tariff is 360 colones, which is equal to about 60 cents in USD. I have seen about 5 different tariff rates. There are many different buses here and I personally can take 3 that will stop closest to my house (about 5 blocks away.) But I have some classmates who can only take one bus and they must wait over 30 minutes at times for their one bus. Public transportation also means that I could have a 15 minute bus ride or a 2 hour bus ride (and that has happened!) I have come to understand the phrase, "tico time!"
Another way that transportation is different in Costa Rica is there are many motorcycle and scooter drivers as well. In addition, people also drive dirt bikes and four wheelers (is that even legal in the US?) All the motorcycle drivers weave throughout traffic and it can get very scary at times because of how close they come to the cars and buses.
Before and after I take the bus to school I walk a few blocks. I have to be really careful when walking and watch the entire way because most of the sidewalks are not taken care of like in the US. I could very easily twist or even break an ankle because of the ridged and jagged pavement.
Another way that transportation is different in Costa Rica is there are many motorcycle and scooter drivers as well. In addition, people also drive dirt bikes and four wheelers (is that even legal in the US?) All the motorcycle drivers weave throughout traffic and it can get very scary at times because of how close they come to the cars and buses.
Before and after I take the bus to school I walk a few blocks. I have to be really careful when walking and watch the entire way because most of the sidewalks are not taken care of like in the US. I could very easily twist or even break an ankle because of the ridged and jagged pavement.
Why am i so tired all the time?!?!?!?!
Every day, no matter how busy I am or if I only have class, I am always so tired, which is a little out of my character. Today I have finally figured out why that is. Here in Costa Rica there are only two seasons; rainy and dry. The month of May began the rainy season here. This has not been a huge problem for me, but I must carry a rain jacket and umbrella with me at all times, which can be a little inconvenient. I actually do love rain and the sound of thunderstorms so I enjoy being here during the rainy season and not the extreme heat dry season. With that being said, I LOVE to sleep in the rain! I find it so relaxing. When I am home in the US and it rains, we say its a rainy day and most of us all stay in bed, or in our pajamas at least. (I am also used to drinking at least one iced coffee every day, usually more.) I think we can all agree that in the US, the rain changes our mood!
With that being said, today I finally realized the rain has been tiring me out each day.
In Costa Rica, I typically combat this by staying busy and drinking coffee in the morning and during class.
For now, I am going to go take a nap. Adios!
With that being said, today I finally realized the rain has been tiring me out each day.
In Costa Rica, I typically combat this by staying busy and drinking coffee in the morning and during class.
For now, I am going to go take a nap. Adios!