The weekdays have become routine mostly, classes in the morning- lunch with our families, sometimes classes in the afternoon, dinner, studying, and a little hanging out with amigos. I am taking fewer classes than I mentioned before. The program will only transfer 6 classes (18 credits) and I decided not to overdo it here. I am trying to put the extra time into leaning Spanish. Last Monday I had my first cooking class. We learned to make empanadas. The dough was pretty easy and there were three different fillings: ham and cheese, meat (ground beef with spices, a little egg, and olives), and tomato, basil and cheese. It was fun and very easy. I will definitely make these back at home! I will take pictures this week to show you the kitchen and our cute aprons.
Let’s see… my political science teacher canceled class for tomorrow because he is traveling for business (some political conference) to Cuba. I have a confession to make- many students (including myself) were thinking of visiting Cuba, because it is so easy to do from Costa Rica. I wasn’t going to say anything, cause I know some of you out there would worry, but the plane tickets were more than we were expecting and I don’t think anyone is going. That was Monday.
The dance class is so much fun!! We are learning tons, and we are already better than last week. We are actually working with partners and not just trying to do moves and keep the rhythm. The guys are actually doing pretty well, even though the class is more difficult for them, since they have to lead. I, of course, am always trying to lead (and control) so this is good practice for me too. We didn’t really go dancing (or out at all) this week, there was supposed to be karaoke, but no one showed up. My Spanish teacher, Arturo, must be the best in the school, he is HILARIOUS, and so helpful. He tells us so many stories about local life and also about the historical significance of words. We are all so grateful to have him, otherwise, it might be hard to have class at 8am! I am getting frustrated about not learning quick enough, but I think I am one of the best of the beginning students (and most have studied Spanish a little before).
I forgot to tell this story—my host mom made me cry a little one day last week. It all began the night before the crying. She had Fernando translate that she thought I wasn’t talking to her and that I didn’t like her. She was kidding a little bit, but I told her that I was trying and that it was difficult because I have only learned how to say things in present tense (making it difficult how to say how my day WAS and what I LEARNED and then what was WOULD BE doing later). She told me I shouldn’t be friend with the other students because we only speak in English with each other. I know this is true, but I haven’t really met any locals here to hang out with that are my age. I really need to keep my friends! Ok, so that was all for that night, no big deal. The next day my mom walk in on me while I was changing (she probably didn’t hear me say una momenta) and I was a little embarrassed, but again, no big deal. She looks over my homework most nights and for some reason she found my mistakes funny that night and kept laughing. I corrected them and tried to move on. She then showed me some fish (the were whole with their eyes and mouths open) and told me that we going to have them for dinner. I thought this was a little strange since she asked me what I don’t eat (I told her that I don’t eat seafood or drink milk). I told her that I didn’t like fish, but would be happy to eat just rice and beans or eat with my friends. I then she kept asking my something I didn’t understand and was getting frustrated. She told me, “You must learn Spanish.” I told her that I was trying and that I am learning everyday. Her and her boyfriend were laughing a little and then they kept asking me if we eat salmon in the United States. I told them that some people do, but not me! They kept laughing at me (they were teasing me) but I was so upset, when she left my room I started crying. My mom is very good natured, but I think she needs to be a little more patient with me. I learned how to say (more or less), “When you tease me, I don’t understand. Speaking Spanish is difficult for me because I have only learned for one week.” I wrote it out, but decided not to say anything, because I didn’t want her to feel bad. Long story short, she say the notebook on my bed and wrote, “Sory, Sandra” while I was gone. Things are getting better and I am studying more so I hope I can learn quicker.
Wow, there is still so much more to say. On Thursday afternoon Loren (I’ve been spelling his name wrong), Agata, and I went to Jaco, a notorious surfing (and party) town. Loren wanted to buy a surf board/surf and Agata and I wanted to shop/hang out at the beach. There were so many Americans there and it was a major tourist location. Kinda didn’t like it for that reason, but there was lots of shopping. The waves were huge… and a little crazy for swimming. We ended up missing the last bus due to some incorrect information from the locals. We were warned that in this culture if you ask a local a question that they will always tell you some kind of answer instead of saying that they don’t know. We asked one woman if the bus came at 4:30 or 5:30 and she said, “Yes. 4:30, 5:30, it’s the same thing.” Life is like that here, very laid back with little concern about exact time. Needless to say, we missed the last bus and had to pay a little more than we wanted for a taxi.
Finally—I MUST tell you about the weekend. It was one of my best travel experiences. We (Josh, Stephanie, Loren, Kellie, Kelly, Joe, Michelle, and Robb) left class early (thanks to the teachers who think traveling is more important than the classroom) and caught a bus to Liberia, the capital of the Guancaste province. Delta also flies in there FYI. It took about 3 hours, a little longer than was expected, but was a fairly smooth ride. It was pouring buckets when we arrived and we were a little hesitant about walking to the hotel that we had planned on staying in. I finally got to use my emergency poncho. This is the same poncho I had carried throughout Europe and other times camping. I finally broke it out of it’s case and was covered! Everyone else wished they had a poncho and my cool waterproof backpack cover (thanks Aunt Kathy!!). We made it about 2 blocks before we decided to stop a hostel with a little covering outside. We met an American, Mark from Tennessee who was teaching English in town. He was thrilled to find out we were going to Parque Nacional Ricon de la Vieja the next day because he had planned on going and didn’t want to hire a guide (you’re not really allowed to hike alone). We relaxed there until the rain let up a little then we made it to our hotel. It was pretty nice, we had two rooms (4 people in one, 5 in another) and shared a bathroom and 2 other showers down the hall. It was $7 per person and pretty nice. Liberia is pretty nice compared to Puntarenas, and a little cooler and less humid which was awesome. We met a 24 yr old from Israel named Marron (I don’t know how to spell it). We have affectionately nicknamed him Israel. ;) From now until we left Liberia, “we” includes Israel and Mark. Half of us had Italian/pizza for dinner and the rest of us went to a soda (a common cafeteria). Finally we went to Pali- a chain of supermarkets that we think are owned by Wal-Mart. We packed a big lunch for our hike through the park. PB&J for all, I also took some nuts and cookies! ;) We had arranged for a taxi the next morning for 6AM and we crammed 11 people in there!! We arrived at the park about 7 and started hiking. We hiked for about 3 hours and saw boiling mud pots, boiling hot springs, interesting trees and a mini volcano. We didn’t see very many animals, which was a bummer, but we could hear the most beautiful bird noises. Oh- and check out the cool lizard picture. Then it started POURING buckets and buckets. We made it up to the ranger station and took cover. We had lunch and waited until it was raining less. We were going to head on a new trail to a waterfall, but the ranger was worried about a river crossing being flooded due to the downpour. We said we would go and if it was scary we would turn back. Luckily for us, it stopped raining. I was the only one with a camera (because mine is waterproof) but you won’t get to see those yet because it’s not digital.
Another story- on the way to the falls, Loren and I heard some noises. My guide book mentioned that there has been jaguars spotted in this park. They said that their roars sound like a deep series of coughs. We couldn’t believe it- they sounded so close. There were two calling to each other and we decided to get off the path to chase them. We were getting deep in the jungle and swore we would see them. Finally the roars started getting far away and then they stopped. Although we didn’t see one, the chase was pretty exciting and we were thrilled to be so close. We found our way back to the trail (thank goodness, we didn’t have water or a compass with us) and made it through the river, which was very tame at this point. The waterfall was cool, in some ways prettier than Montezuma, but mainly just different. It was totally isolated. On the way back we say a group of white-faced capuchin monkeys. They were curious about us, looking and jumping through the trees above us. Hope my pictures of the cute little guys turned out. We made it back and our taxi picked us up at 4. We hiking approx. 10 miles- some of it was pretty strenuous!
That night we went to have Chinese food across the street. I, of course, ordered pork fried rice (a huge portion for less than $3). We headed to local pizza place/ bar where we had been given a free cocktail from the hotel. They made us this really interesting blended drink. It was red and fruity with the local liquor. Yummy.
It was one of my best days traveling ever. The group was so fun and laid back and everything went well. I had planned the whole trip- some people showed up to the bus station without even knowing where we were going!! Michelle gave me the nickname “Mama McKenzi” since I was the tour guide and was the person to go to for just about anything. What a lovely, lovely time!!
Ok, I’ve written WAY too much this time. I will try to update more frequently. I’ll get the photos from this weekend on today or tomorrow.
P.S. I lost my toenail yesterday. I feel like a real mountain woman now.
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