Been a long time...

Ok, so I haven’t written in a while. I guess I got busy… but mainly lazy. I am getting ready for Ben and Aaron to arrive. I will take my last exam on Wednesday and then go pick them up. We have quite an itinerary. It should be an exciting month.
A few exciting things happened since the last time I wrote. So, almost every town of size has a futbol (soccer) team. The best ones of from San Jose or Alajuela, the big cities. However, this year the Puntarenas team was awesome, we just kept winning. First we were the best in the country, then we started playing other Latin American teams. About a week ago, Puntarenas played a huge game against a well-known Honduras team in their home town. The team who won this game would be Central American Champions. The whole city watched on TV, but no one expected Puntarenas to win. I watched it at the B&B next door to the school outside on the patio. Every time we scored a goal, we could hear cheering from all the homes and restaurants around the city. We’d scream really quick and then get quiet to listen to all the yelling. It was a very exciting game- they were tied at the end and had to go to sudden death. Puntarenas kicked butt. As soon as the final kick was made, we ran to the street (along with everyone else in town). There were many people with flags, cheering, hugging, and having a great time. We made our way downtown where there was a big party in the street. There was singing and dancing and all the gringo students joined in. Everyone said they had never seen Puntarenas like this. It was really incredible with fireworks and general mob madness. We were so lucky to be here during this time, seeing how significant futbol is to Latin America and being from the little town that would become champion. It was really special.
The next Sunday was election day, and because of Costa Rican law, no alcohol is sold for 2 days before elections. Amanda, Kristin and I decided to go to San Jose to dance, thinking that people don’t need alcohol to go dancing. We discovered, however, that clubs need to sell alcohol to make money, so all the discos were closed. We were bummed, but ordered Papa John’s to be delivered to the hostel and decided to go to the National Theatre instead. There was a modern dance festival, with many different choreographers and dancers. The tickets were only $2 (for the 3rd balcony) and the show was really beautiful and incredible. We had so much fun and got all dressed up. After, we hung out at the hostel and played cards. The next day, the girls wanted to go home early, but I stayed to hang out with one of the Ticos who worked at the hostel. We walked around, he took me to the zoo (it was really sad, although I did see a jaguar) and then to lunch. It was a great weekend.
Some random thoughts:
-It has stopped raining, but we are experiencing SCORCHING heat. I can barely take it.
-My host mom told me I was “mas gorda” (more fat) and my pants are getting tight (eek).
-I have mystery groupings of bug bites on my left foot only that itch like hell.
-2 teachers have kindly offered to house me and the boys during our travels.
-I have found a home I want to buy in Nicaragua. Check it out:
-I am sick of hearing “hey you/ mi amour/ baby/ I luv you/ machita, macha (slang words for a blond woman)” all day long everyday.
-My mom told me that “this is my home” and when I come back to visit I can always stay here. She also said she would cry when I was gone. It was a nice sentiment.
-I want to make fudge for Christmas, but I’m pretty sure Karo syrup doesn’t exist here.
-Since Jennifer, the last student, brought the kids a playstation, they haven’t left the living room. Sometimes my 10 yr old bro and my 5 yr old sis are up after midnight playing. Somebody break the tv.
I had my final politics class on Monday and then my last dance class on Tuesday. We had a big dance party afterwards which was so much fun. When some strange music (sounds like matador music or something) came on, my teacher asked me to dance. He positioned our hands and then said, “hold on tight.” He spun me around so much, I didn’t know the moves at all, but I held on and it was awesome. I would love to know all the different types of dance. There is so much diversity in the types of dance. We have all learned so much and I will really miss dancing here in CR.
That is all for now. I will try to get out one more before I leave for the month long adventure. All my love…