Well, this week I had my midterms, and this is my first blog for Costa Rica, so I am obviously really behind. This will be a brief over view of what has been going on.
When I arrived back in Costa Rica, I found out that we had completely changed out campus locations from the University of Costa Rica to a small branch in town of the University of San Jose. This is a teeny campus that is shared with an elementary school. My host sister Mariana actually goes to this school, and we wave to each other during breaks.
Not to complain, but this was a pretty crappy move. We don't have a library, and I think there is one computer you can use in a room somewhere. We lost our Spanish/English club with the university students, and we can barely hear our teachers over screaming kids.
However, I still get to wake up to sunrises that look like this, so I am content with everything, even screaming children...who wants to learn about direct objects anyways.
A couple of weeks ago we went to Manual Antonio, a small biological reserve on the beach. It is mainly known for it's monkey and sloths, and we saw plenty of those. We brought tents, ate beans out of a can, and free camped that night on the beach. Lots of floating on our backs in the ocean at night trying to remember the constellations that people have so diligently taught me many times, and I still can't find them.
My friend Josie and I did a weekend of surfing in Joca, and I feel like I might have finally made some progress in my surfing skills. It must have been the lack of a 5mm wet suit. Other adventures included visiting Rio Celeste, a brilliantly blue and stinky sulfur river, and judging a food competition to help students practice their english. The didn't understand the concept of "taste" testing, and almost every table (there were many) had huge dishes of food for us to try. Of course we had to try them all, and I don't think I have ever eaten more food in my life.
Costa Rica has been experiencing one of the coldest summers that they have ever had. We have blustery days with some clouds almost every day. I LOVE IT, and my host mom leaves the house with a giant coat. I will take wind and clouds over suffocating heat every time. The coast is still blisteringly hot, and it is such a relief to come back to coolness after a long weekend of constant sweating.
A few friends and I took a walk on her family's farm, and we were surprised by this mama sloth and her tiny baby. I had always heard that sloths can be dangerous, but never had thought out it until I was close enough to see the fish hooks in this thing's hands'. Advice: don't mess with sloths, they look like they could cut you in half.
Went fruit shopping with my host dad. This picture does not include the fruit in the fridge or on the other counter. The whole time he kept getting things put in plastic bags, and I would change the bags for ones that I already had, and run over to return them to the vendor. He would just laugh and as I kept telling everyone that I already had bags that I wanted to reuse. They think I am a wierdo.
We had a nice weekend going to the local waterfalls and jumping of the cliffs. This is Josie (my friend who goes to the University of Idaho, and who studied at Taylor Ranch as well!!!) making the leap
This weekend is my birthday weekend, and we are taking a whole class trip to the Arenal Volcano hot springs and waterfalls. Then...my parents come the next week! Seven months has been a long time, and I am so excited to see them!
List of things I am very grateful for today
1. Spontaneous ice cream runs with friends between study sessions
2. Listening to the Costa Rica national anthem playing on the news in the mornings
3. That I have made it 21 years in this world, so many good things have filled those years. holy cow!
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