Días 2 y 3

My first official day here in Costa Rica was very eventful! My host mom took me to CRLA in the morning where I had my orientation of the school as well as learning more about what I'll be doing while I am here. I felt so much better once I showed up here. Many of the other students speak English and I finally wasn't trying to guess what was going on. I am excited to start another round of Spanish lessons on Monday. This should help me gain back my Spanish! While I was at the school I met some really nice people and we ended up eating lunch together and planned a trip for this weekend. My first full day and already I am planning a trip! Very crazy! Denise (who is also staying at my host families house) and I are leaving early Friday morning and making the four hours bus ride to Manuel Antonio. There is a beautiful beach as well as a National park. We will be spending all day Friday and Saturday there coming back sometime Sunday. A couple of girls, Seema as Kathy, will be meeting us on Saturday.
It should be lots of fun! I really want to see monkeys at the National park! After we planned out our trip Lorenzo and I traveled to my placement Ana Frank. I got to meet some of the people and children I'll be working with. Lorenzo showed me the route I will be taking by bus everyday! Once back at CRLA. I had about an hour before my host mom came to pick me up to show me the bus route home. Seema and I decided it would be fun to try out the Salsa dancing class! Boy was that a great time. I learned so much! They have salsa everyday from 3 to 4 so I am going to go as much as I can while I am here. Last night I relaxed and had another amazing dinner from my host mom! I went to bed pretty early since I had to be up early today!

I woke up this morning to the loud beeping and honking of the traffic outside. My host mom made me breakfast and then I was on my way, on my own to CRLA. My first trip by myself on the bus and I made it there without a problem! I even had the right amount of change to give the bus driver. Today Seema took me on the actual bus route to Ana Frank. While I was there I got to spend some time with the younger kiddos and we played on the playground and then came back inside for snack time and cartoon time! I really enjoyed being with them. The language barrier is a little difficult but I'm definitely getting better at it! Now I am back at CRLA enjoying my time outside before lunch time. Not sure what I will do with my afternoon, maybe check out the 5 story mall that's down the street or the super mercado to pick up a few things for the weekend.

I think I am going to really enjoy my time while I am here! The only downside is the fact that I am here during the rainy season so it rains everyday in the afternoon for a short time. I had to go out and buy an umbrella, just encase I get caught in the rain!

Day One- June 26, 2012

It started out as a hectic morning, my connecting flight in Charlotte was cutting it a little close and I just kept thinking I wasn't going to have enough time to make it! Luckily I made it and with a few minutes to spare! Thanks to my dad for the first class tickets! On the flight to Costa Rica the guy sitting next to me was really nice. We talked a lot of the time, he flies down here almost every week for work! He was really helpful too. Once we landed in Costa Rica he helped me through immigration and waited for me to find my bag and we went through customs together. After customs it was a mad house of people trying to get taxis finding their name on signs, etc. The man from my flight made sure I found the representative from CRLA before he left me. He made it way less stressful for me, which was great! Once I found the representative we headed to the car, it was me and one other guy who was from Japan. The car ride was definitely eventful! People here are far crazier drivers then they are in the states (if you can even imagine that!). It was a fairly scenic drive but we couldn't see much past the city because of all the fog.

After a half hour or so I finally arrived at my host families house! I was greeted by their maid and one of their daughters Jessica, who actually works right next store at a physical therapies office. I was immediately immersed into trying to speak Spanish because they do not speak much English at all. I came to realize I am very rusty on my Spanish! I am hoping to catch on soon. There are already several phrases and words that have come back to me.

I was shown around the house and the room I will be staying in and was then introduced to another girl who is also doing a study abroad program. Her name is Denise and she is from Germany. Her English is fairly good so she has helped translate for me this evening. Daisy who is the host mother made an amazing dinner for Denise and I. It was fish with rice and a type of potatoes and sweet bananas. So tasty! I don't think I will have any problem enjoying the food here! :) Right before we sat down for dinner a huge storm rolled over with tons of rain and thunder and lightning, it was so much we even lost power for a few minutes, the storm lasted just about two hours. We are definitely in the rainy season that's for sure!
A lot has happened and it's only day one! Tomorrow I head to the university with Daisy to do my orientation and figure things out with my placement. I'm looking forward to it. I already have a potential traveling partner, Denise! I am looking forward to the rest of this trip! Will keep you updated as much as possible!
Love,
The Spanish Learner

Today's the Day!

The day has finally arrived. My bags have been packed, unpacked and packed again for days. I've just been through security and that was interesting. I had my first experience of a pat down! Now I have an hour to wait for my flight and boy am I anxious! I cannot believe that this day is finally here. I have been talking and planning it since December! I am so excited to start this new adventure. For those of you that don't know, I will be traveling to Costa Rica and staying for a month. I will be living with a host family and volunteering in YMCA with underprivileged children during the week, and on the weekends I will be exploring the country a little. One of the excursions I plan to go on is a zip lining trip with a friend of my moms that lives down there. During my stay I will be writing on the blog so you will be able to here about my experiences as they have just happened! Since I know I will have way to many stories to share when I get back! I may not remember all of them. I hope you guys enjoy the blog.
Love,
Eagerly awaiting my flight.