Yes, we are rookies- in all senses of the word especially when it comes to being in Costa Rica. We usually manage because we are here with a group of 50 people so there is always someone to follow so neither of us pay attention to directions. Well last night was the true test- since we weren’t quite as fortunate as a majority of the students we don’t have internet access at our house so the school is our only opportunity to read emails that we so desperately want. We stayed after school for a bit to attend to that need. We knew if we stayed we’d have to walk to the bus stop ALONE, get on the RIGHT bus ALONE, and get off the bus at the RIGHT stop ALONE. But we wanted to prove that we were independent and could fend for ourselves so we decided to go for it. We did really well with it all besides the RIGHT part. We sped walked from the school to the bus stop and waited in line for the bus to the city we live in, Morovia. After about 20 minutes of waiting in a line full of creepers the bus came. We got on and as the drive went on things started to look familiar- we were really excited thinking we had done it! But no, just as we were getting kind of close to where we knew we had to get off, the bus turned off the RIGHT road. We both panicked a little but we decided it would be best to just get off at the next stop and figure it out from there. So we got off and began walking in the direction of our house- the road started to look a bit sketchy so we decided to back track and head back to the RIGHT road. Just so you know, this was no stroll through the park kind of walk, we definitely got some good exercise and even broke a sweat. Even though it was only 6:30 pm it was dark! It gets dark in Costa Rica by 6 so we knew we had to be careful because we all know nothing good happens in the dark. But we decided if we didn’t look lost, looked all ways when crossing the street, ignored the whistles, honks, and cat calls we would be fine. And guess what? We made it! So I guess we kind of proved something- that we can get home whether we take the RIGHT bus or not. And we also got a good work out and a good story out of it. We try to keep our followers entertained so, your welcome!
At the bus stop on the way home the night before we got lost.
Well the last few days have been pretty good. Every day we go to school from 1:00-5:00. Our teacher’s name is Olger (pronounced: Ol- hair) and he is great! We didn’t love him at first but he’s definitely growing on us. We hope to get a picture of him eventually but so you can have an idea of what we get to spend four hours a day with we’ll tell you a little about what he looks like. He’s about 5’ 6’’, green eyes, tan skin with freckles, a mop for hair (including color), and dresses really well! We were placing bets on his sexual preference and hoped to figure it out by the end of the month but yesterday in class he talked about his child and esposa not esposo so our assumptions were wrong, he has a wife not a husband. But he’s funny and comes up with some very creative games for us to play. On Mondays and Wednesdays we have Conversation Class from 10:00-12:00 with Jorge (pronounced: Whore- Hay). We decided he’s pretty good looking for a Costa Rican and we were both surprised on the first day of class he ate a whole apple, core and all! This class is just what it sounds like- we converse in Spanish. So most mornings and evenings we have some free time. We haven’t explored much yet because we figure we have a whole month, but we’ll get around to it. Plus we usually like to just go home after school so we can avoid situations like the one we had last night. Except for on Wednesday night a group of us went and saw Kung Fu Panda 2. On Wednesday nights movies are 2 for 1- two people get in for the price of one. Pretty sure it’s Costa Rica’s main attraction- EVERYONE told us about it. It was in Spanish but the plot is pretty basic so we got the idea of what was going on. Lez even got her usual ‘movie nap’.
We are very fortunate because our Mama is a very good cook! Every morning we have breakfast- usually a couple different types of fruit, some type of pastry, and we told her we love cereal so we get Corn Flakes every morning a half hour before we leave. For dinner we usually have some sort of meat, a vegetable, bread, and of course rice and beans. She is also very motherly so we feel very at home.
Yesterday before school Professor Spanos took a group of us into the city, San Jose. It was quite the experience. We started out at the flea market (we don’t really know what it is called) and walked up and down there. There was a lot of junk that would attract tourists but nothing was too appealing to us besides the hair wraps- the ones you would get at Disneyland when you were seven. We both got one! The lady who did it was so fast and did a great job! She also had the cutest little daughter that we both fell in love with named Larissa. We took so many pictures of her you would think we were her grandparents. She was the highlight of our day!
Larissa
All of us after our hair wraps were finished.
After the flea market we walked by the Teatro Nacional, an open plaza full of pigeons, and many stores resembling some in America (Sunset= Pac Sun and Excess= Express).
Teatro Nacional
A mom and her daughter feeding the pigeons in the plaza.
Then we visited the Mercado Central. Professor Spanos told us it’s where all the locals go to get their produce and meat so we Americans didn’t stick out at all. We only lasted about fifteen minutes in there before we were grossed out by the smell and look of so much raw meet and we feared getting lost because it is just one giant maze. So we made the smart choice and went across the street to the panaderia (bakery). And boy, it sure was a good decision. We both got a chicken empanada (basically a chicken pastry but it’s not sweet), some pineapple juice to wash it down, and an actual pastry for dessert - they were all delicious! After lunch we went on a bus back to the school to spend the afternoon with Olger.
The entrance to the Mercado Central
Inside the market just as you walk in
Helz at one of the fruit stands- not quite as gross as the raw meat
Our favorite place- the panaderia
Well all is good here in Costa Rica- As they like to say “Pura Vida!” We are slowly figuring things out and we even made it to the school all by ourselves this morning!
Lez ‘n Helz