...I was sitting at my gate at Charlotte-Douglas International. I've been here for a week now. Time has definitely flown by. Good thing? Bad? At least it means I'm not having a horrible time, but it means that this trip will be over before I know it.
Another rainy morning...
Woke up at about 6:50 and it hasn't stopped raining thus far. It had better clear up by tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow is Volcan Irazú ( I wish there was a simple way of putting characters with accents and such in!). Irazú is the tallest volcano in Costa Rica. The tour is about 6 hours. There are three of us going on it. Myself, Carrie, and a new very nice French woman named Celine. Celine just got in yesterday afternoon. There are other stops along the tour, but I cannot remember what they all are. One is a tour of a coffee factory, but it is seasonal and I haven't a clue if it is in season or not.
In big news, I had my first HOT shower this morning. Many many times better than the past ones i've taken. There are 4 different bathrooms. There are two right outside my door, which I've always just used because...well I guess just habit. I decided to take an extra couple steps this morning and check out a different bathroom. Best decision ever. The end.
In other possibly bigger news, I experienced my first earthquake yesterday. Solo un temblor. I was in spanish class and reading off my homework to my teacher and it was quite something else. She thought I was shaking the table at first. but seriously everything was shaking from side to side. It wasn't anything large. Only lasted a few seconds, but hot damn was it exciting! Apparently in the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose, it rated a 5.0. Manuel Antonio, another city, I heard was the epicenter of the quake. It rated a 5.2.
So yes, this was quite an experience.
Tonight is a big futbol game. Costa Rica vs. Uruguay. It ought to be fun to see the scene here.
Thats it for now folks.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
T.G.I.Viernes
It is about 10:30 my time. I'm writing this in a text document at Montana Linda (the hostel) because it is quite wet outside. I woke up at about 7:30 this morning (the latest I've slept in til thus far) to a cloudy sky and wet ground. I suspect that it rained all night. It began raining again maybe 45 minutes after I woke up. Hasn't ceased yet.
So as usual there are new people at the hostel. A dude named Scott got in Tuesday afternoon. He is from L.A. and I'm guessing that he is in his mid 20's? He has been fun to hang out with and talk to. Three American girls checked in yesterday evening. They are from Utah. Orosi is the last leg of their trip. They've been traveling around for about two weeks. Age-wise I suspect they are in their late 20's.
I also cannot believe that I failed to mention Guapo earlier in my stay. He is a dog that lives here at Montana Linda.
Quite a character he is.
Last night and Wednesday night we played Monopoly. Wednesday night was just 3 of us and last night was 4 of us. I can only describe both games with a simple phrase---”Veni, Vidi, Vici”. Possibly needless to say(?) the game was in Spanish. Made it a bit more of a Costa Rica experience. During the game last night we witnessed the largest toad that we'd ever seen. It was just short of a small dinner plate. By the time I had gotten my camera it had miraculously squeezed itself under the fridge. I could only expect to open the fridge this morning to retrieve my milk for my cereal to have a toad staring me back in the face. Alas I did not have this experience.
The allergies that I thought I had turned out to be a cold. I'm actually relieved that it was a cold. This means that once the cold passes by, I do not have to worry about controlling allergies for 4 and half more months. Yesterday morning was the worst of it. I woke up with a hacking cough and simply just feeling under the weather. But by that evening I was feeling 100%. I have a bit of a cough this morning, but nothing too horrible.
As a part of my expenses for staying here I had to pay $1 in order for me to have use of the kitchen, communal fridge, and fresh coffee all day. The coffee is pretty good. I think it is mostly due to it being incredibly fresh. Costa Rica grows A LOT of coffee, but the best of it is exported. Still though it is great having such fresh coffee.
Still doing all review stuff in class, but because it has been years since I used much of this it is still quite difficult to get all the rules back down. Yesterday we did the last of the 4 past tenses. Today I believe we are doing “por vs. para”. Like something else as well, but I'm not sure.
I also finally remembered to get a few picture of the hostel. Unfortunately it was cloudy when I snapped them, so they don't reflect the true beauty. I'll get more when the sun finally comes out...which at this point will very likely be at least tomorrow.
Ben- Q, Q, and Q in reference to the a fore mentioned.
El Fin.
So as usual there are new people at the hostel. A dude named Scott got in Tuesday afternoon. He is from L.A. and I'm guessing that he is in his mid 20's? He has been fun to hang out with and talk to. Three American girls checked in yesterday evening. They are from Utah. Orosi is the last leg of their trip. They've been traveling around for about two weeks. Age-wise I suspect they are in their late 20's.
I also cannot believe that I failed to mention Guapo earlier in my stay. He is a dog that lives here at Montana Linda.
Quite a character he is.
Last night and Wednesday night we played Monopoly. Wednesday night was just 3 of us and last night was 4 of us. I can only describe both games with a simple phrase---”Veni, Vidi, Vici”. Possibly needless to say(?) the game was in Spanish. Made it a bit more of a Costa Rica experience. During the game last night we witnessed the largest toad that we'd ever seen. It was just short of a small dinner plate. By the time I had gotten my camera it had miraculously squeezed itself under the fridge. I could only expect to open the fridge this morning to retrieve my milk for my cereal to have a toad staring me back in the face. Alas I did not have this experience.
The allergies that I thought I had turned out to be a cold. I'm actually relieved that it was a cold. This means that once the cold passes by, I do not have to worry about controlling allergies for 4 and half more months. Yesterday morning was the worst of it. I woke up with a hacking cough and simply just feeling under the weather. But by that evening I was feeling 100%. I have a bit of a cough this morning, but nothing too horrible.
As a part of my expenses for staying here I had to pay $1 in order for me to have use of the kitchen, communal fridge, and fresh coffee all day. The coffee is pretty good. I think it is mostly due to it being incredibly fresh. Costa Rica grows A LOT of coffee, but the best of it is exported. Still though it is great having such fresh coffee.
Still doing all review stuff in class, but because it has been years since I used much of this it is still quite difficult to get all the rules back down. Yesterday we did the last of the 4 past tenses. Today I believe we are doing “por vs. para”. Like something else as well, but I'm not sure.
I also finally remembered to get a few picture of the hostel. Unfortunately it was cloudy when I snapped them, so they don't reflect the true beauty. I'll get more when the sun finally comes out...which at this point will very likely be at least tomorrow.
Ben- Q, Q, and Q in reference to the a fore mentioned.
El Fin.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Cock-a-doodle-doo
I wake up each morning to a barrage of roosters. I think they get some sick satisfaction out of this. It is the only explanation. Even sometimes in the middle of the night they decide to begin.
But other than that I'm having a great time. I really don't have much that is blogworthy. Each day is tranquil and easygoing. Today I have spanish class from 3-6. I now have homework. I'm waiting for a cloudless day in which I should be able to see Volcan Irazu. I've been told that you can see the smoke above it. It is still an active volcano. I really wish I could get some worthwhile pictures of things, but I will keep on trying.
As much as I am sure that I could survive alright without internet, it has been wonderful to have it available still.
Once I have a good adventure or something or the sort I will be sure to do a write up on it.
Chao!
But other than that I'm having a great time. I really don't have much that is blogworthy. Each day is tranquil and easygoing. Today I have spanish class from 3-6. I now have homework. I'm waiting for a cloudless day in which I should be able to see Volcan Irazu. I've been told that you can see the smoke above it. It is still an active volcano. I really wish I could get some worthwhile pictures of things, but I will keep on trying.
As much as I am sure that I could survive alright without internet, it has been wonderful to have it available still.
Once I have a good adventure or something or the sort I will be sure to do a write up on it.
Chao!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Adventure Spanish
I just registered for my Spanish Language classes. 12-3 monday through friday.
Woke up this morning on my own accord at about 6:30. The sun was shining in and I definitely felt well rested. Went for a walk with Carrie down to the river after a little breakfast. Other than being a beautiful day I have nothing else really to write.
Feels like there is more, but alas I cannot think of anything. I'm also not sure if I'll be able to update later.
For now I'll just leave you with some pictures.
It uploaded in some wierd html things I can't read so I can't caption each photo.
The first three are from last night around the wood-fueled hot tub.
The last one is a picture of my dorm-style room from a bad angle.
Woke up this morning on my own accord at about 6:30. The sun was shining in and I definitely felt well rested. Went for a walk with Carrie down to the river after a little breakfast. Other than being a beautiful day I have nothing else really to write.
Feels like there is more, but alas I cannot think of anything. I'm also not sure if I'll be able to update later.
For now I'll just leave you with some pictures.
It uploaded in some wierd html things I can't read so I can't caption each photo.
The first three are from last night around the wood-fueled hot tub.
The last one is a picture of my dorm-style room from a bad angle.
Songs of Freedom
7/11/09
From in the dormitory-style room I'm in I can hear them still singing. They have moved on from The Redemption Song and are now on Three Little Birds. We'll see if they continue the Marley pattern. It is about 11:15 maybe at this point. I've decided to call it a night and retire back to my room. Long day and I'm beat. Although there are two bunk beds I am the only resident in the room. It is sort of nice, yet it would also be nice to have someone to chat with or something.
I'm writing this now in a word document. I didn't have time to make use of the wireless signal at Otiac.
Shall I recount the whole day? Eh, why not.
Got up about 5 o'clock this morning and dragged myself out into the car. Got to the airport around 9 I believe. This is when it really hit me that I was leaving. I'm not completely sure it has hit me yet that i'll be gone for 5 months. Still hard to grasp. Went through security bawling my eyes out. Okay, hyperbole. I kept it under control...for the most part I think. The flight itself was no problem at all. I was seated next to this older couple who had just gotten married and were on their honeymoon. They were great to talk to. They are from the Minneapolis area. The flight was approximately 4 hours plus some odd number of minutes. The second the wheels his Costa Rican turf, it was pouring rain. I'm going to skip over the taxi ride to Montaña Linda (the hostel/language school I'm at for the next two weeks). Lets just say that it would be hard to navigate alone and I never want to deal with Costa Rican traffic. There are general guidelines for the road, but for the most part it is just ad lib. I arrived at Montaña Linda and then came the 'oh shit. What do I do now?' thought. I found a packet of information in my room and read through it and right near the end there came a tap, tap, tapping at my chamber door. This very sweet woman by the name of Cary (Carrie?) said that she was going to dinner and was wondering if I'd like to come along. She made my life a hell of a lot easier. So I got a bit of her story and shared a bit of mine over dinner. I had casado con pescado. Not the exact name on the menu, but close enough. It was a small piece of fish, rice, beans, and a sauteed potato/carrot/green bean thing. To drink I had a mora (blackberry) refresco. It was a very nice first Tico meal. We returned to Montaña Linda and sat around and talked some more while a couple people came and went. I little later I had the most legit hot tub experience. Now get this. A wood stove-heated hot tub. Took about 3 or 4 hours to heat up. Increible! Some of us hung out in the hot tub while other played guitar and sang. They only stopped playing a couple minutes ago.
I must say it was a great first night in the great little town of Orosi. Orosi is settled in a valley between some beautiful mountains.
I wanted to write this while it was fresh, but I will likely add more after I have had a chance to sleep on it.
From in the dormitory-style room I'm in I can hear them still singing. They have moved on from The Redemption Song and are now on Three Little Birds. We'll see if they continue the Marley pattern. It is about 11:15 maybe at this point. I've decided to call it a night and retire back to my room. Long day and I'm beat. Although there are two bunk beds I am the only resident in the room. It is sort of nice, yet it would also be nice to have someone to chat with or something.
I'm writing this now in a word document. I didn't have time to make use of the wireless signal at Otiac.
Shall I recount the whole day? Eh, why not.
Got up about 5 o'clock this morning and dragged myself out into the car. Got to the airport around 9 I believe. This is when it really hit me that I was leaving. I'm not completely sure it has hit me yet that i'll be gone for 5 months. Still hard to grasp. Went through security bawling my eyes out. Okay, hyperbole. I kept it under control...for the most part I think. The flight itself was no problem at all. I was seated next to this older couple who had just gotten married and were on their honeymoon. They were great to talk to. They are from the Minneapolis area. The flight was approximately 4 hours plus some odd number of minutes. The second the wheels his Costa Rican turf, it was pouring rain. I'm going to skip over the taxi ride to Montaña Linda (the hostel/language school I'm at for the next two weeks). Lets just say that it would be hard to navigate alone and I never want to deal with Costa Rican traffic. There are general guidelines for the road, but for the most part it is just ad lib. I arrived at Montaña Linda and then came the 'oh shit. What do I do now?' thought. I found a packet of information in my room and read through it and right near the end there came a tap, tap, tapping at my chamber door. This very sweet woman by the name of Cary (Carrie?) said that she was going to dinner and was wondering if I'd like to come along. She made my life a hell of a lot easier. So I got a bit of her story and shared a bit of mine over dinner. I had casado con pescado. Not the exact name on the menu, but close enough. It was a small piece of fish, rice, beans, and a sauteed potato/carrot/green bean thing. To drink I had a mora (blackberry) refresco. It was a very nice first Tico meal. We returned to Montaña Linda and sat around and talked some more while a couple people came and went. I little later I had the most legit hot tub experience. Now get this. A wood stove-heated hot tub. Took about 3 or 4 hours to heat up. Increible! Some of us hung out in the hot tub while other played guitar and sang. They only stopped playing a couple minutes ago.
I must say it was a great first night in the great little town of Orosi. Orosi is settled in a valley between some beautiful mountains.
I wanted to write this while it was fresh, but I will likely add more after I have had a chance to sleep on it.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Day 1...
...begins in a matter of hours.
Roll out of here at 5 o'clock tomorrow morning in order to drive down the Charlotte. My plane leaves from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. It was cheaper and enables me to have a straight flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. I've got everything all packed up. Majority of things are in a black plastic trunk. Various other things are in a North Face backpack.
I'm incredibly anxious. In the past couple of hours I've managed to console myself to a degree. I'm mostly just anxious about being immersed in a completely foreign culture where a different language is written and being spoken all around. It will be great for my language education, but nerve wracking at first none-the-less. The culture will take some getting used to, but I eagerly look forward to it.
My mind is having trouble focusing at the moment so I think I will stop for now.
I look forward to my first opportunity to give an update while in Costa Rica!
Over and out.
Roll out of here at 5 o'clock tomorrow morning in order to drive down the Charlotte. My plane leaves from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. It was cheaper and enables me to have a straight flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. I've got everything all packed up. Majority of things are in a black plastic trunk. Various other things are in a North Face backpack.
I'm incredibly anxious. In the past couple of hours I've managed to console myself to a degree. I'm mostly just anxious about being immersed in a completely foreign culture where a different language is written and being spoken all around. It will be great for my language education, but nerve wracking at first none-the-less. The culture will take some getting used to, but I eagerly look forward to it.
My mind is having trouble focusing at the moment so I think I will stop for now.
I look forward to my first opportunity to give an update while in Costa Rica!
Over and out.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Just around the corner
Tomorrow will be the 10 day marker.
Sorry to say I don't have much new exciting news in regards to the trip or preparations. Well besides having to get a new pair of shoes and sunglasses to replace the ones that burnt up along with the crispy car. Other various items have been coming in the mail as well. Mosquito net, durable rain poncho, luggage trunk, Chacos.
I'm really hoping that I will be able to keep this blog updated regularly. I think while I'm in Cartago at the language school/hostel, I will be able to update fairly easily. At the first sanctuary I was told that there is internet, but it is just on the slow side. Although recently I think that it has been out there...not quite sure though. The second sanctuary I believe has a more reliable internet connection. Again, not 100% positive, but pretty sure.
Thats all for now folks.
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