How will we live here?

Dear Costa Rica

2007-05-09T05:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Costa Rica,

I can’t believe our time has come to an end. It seemed to be over before it really began. We have spent the last three months falling in love with each other. You took the time to show me yourself even though I came with lots of misconceptions. You proved me wrong about the things I thought I knew. You taught me about the real Costa Rica, but even more you taught me about the real me. I was able to find myself when I found you. I was scared to really get to know you and I hesitated to open myself up. As I explored new places, you helped me meet new friends to make me more at home. As I tried new things I found a new person inside of me.. The more I grew comfortable with you the more I wanted to learn about you. Even when we disagreed and I was angry with being with you, you did something to take my mind off of it. As I learned more about you the more I came to respect you. We have grown so close that I can’t bear to let you go even though we both knew that my time would be short. So all I can say to you Costa Rica is Thank you. Thank you for all the special places you showed me. Thank you for giving me lifelong friends to share you with. But thank you the most for giving me another place to call home.

Love your newest Tica,

visit from home

2007-05-08T17:34:00.000-07:00

This weekend my mother and grandmother came to visit me from Alexandria, VA. This is a trip I have been counting down to for weeks. Not only have I been excited to see them, but also to show them the country that I have been living in for 3 months. I wanted to show them how I’ve been living, what I’ve learned and why I fell in love with the country. Along with all the excitement came a little nervousness. I wanted them to love Costa Rica just as much as I did.
The first thing we did when they arrived was to meet my Tico family, who has been the most important part of my life here in Costa Rica. We all ate dinner together and it was quite an overwhelming experience. My Tica mom would ask me to translate something to my mom and vise versa. At some points in the conversation I forgot who I was talking to and began to speak Spanish to my mom and English to my Tica mother. The conversation moved so fast, but everyone was laughing and smiling so I figured they were all getting along great.
The next day I took my mom and grandmother downtown to do a little shopping. I hailed a taxi and when we got in I immediately held on because I have become accustomed to their speeding, swerving, and rough gear changing. My mother and grandmother on the other hand immediately began to panic saying, “Tell him he is to close to that car!” “How do you say slow down?” “Why aren’t there any lanes here?” They eventually got over the shock and enjoyed the rest of the day shopping. They thought all the people were so friendly and my mom kept asking me short phrases in Spanish. By the end of the trip my grandmother was enjoying gallo pinto as much as I was and my mother was prepared to go back to the US and take a Spanish course.
AB

A Typical Weekend in Junquillal

2007-05-04T04:05:00.000-07:00

My beer was cold, I was with good company, and as the crimson, colored sky reflected off of the deserted beach’s dark wet sand, I thought to myself that these small, sleepy, coastal towns were the real paradise of Costa Rica.
Many people never get the chance to experience what these towns offer for a number of reasons. The main constraint is probably the lack of accessibility, as they are almost impossible for tourists to get to. The Costa Rican public bus system is very good however; the closest it gets to this part of the coast is Paraiso which is still about 5 to 10 kilometers from the beach and has no taxis. The other option of renting a car and driving is also undesirable for many people not accustomed to driving in Costa Rica. The back roads that lead to the coast in this country are a maze of dirt, mud, and potholes and the locals who drive them like to pretend they are racing in a rally car tournament where the prize, judging by their accelerated passes around blind turns and up hills, must be well over a million dollars. Unless you have always had a fantasy to race rental cars through turns that end in one lane bridges, I suggest you find another way to get here.

I had gotten to Playa Negra before, during my spring break; however, the journey was taxing and involved numerous busses through back roads, a friendly ride from a local family in the back of a pick up truck, and a little walking. I can honestly say that if I didn’t surf and there hadn’t been a perfect ten foot reef break waiting for me when I arrived, I would never in my right mind had made the trip.

The other factor that keeps many people away is that there is really nothing in these towns. Of the three similar towns I experienced on this trip, all of them consisted primarily of a dirt road lined with a few buildings and some scattered houses. There was usually a bar or two, (which I am guessing thrive due to the fact that from what I gathered, the local weekend past time consists of getting completely obliterated starting at seven in the morning at the bus stop outside the Bar), a local mini mart, and sometimes, a soccer field. That’s about it. This deters many would be visitors because despite the local landscape’s beauty, there are no dance clubs, not many other tourists, and very simply, not much to do unless you are a surfer or are just looking to relax in solitude.

Luckily, this was exactly what my companions and I were looking to do. I have an ongoing, unsatisfied hunger for surf and as I had had only a day or two’s taste of the waves at the world class restaurant of Playa Negra, I was craving another serving. My colleagues were merely in search of a relaxing weekend to unwind and get away; but either way, our destination meet our individual needs and it was nice to have company.

Other than having some traveling companions, this trip varied in one other major aspect: we had rented a car and driven ourselves across the country. The actual drive to and from San Jose is itself worthy of its own writing and I only mention it here to say that if you do want to see these areas, this is definitely the way to do it. Having a car allowed us not only to actually get to Junquillal with some degree of simplicity, but also allowed for a lot of exploring of the surrounding areas that we would have otherwise not been able to do. I personally loved having a car as I was able to drive to check all the waves at the nearby surf breaks and then surf whichever one was best. During my last trip I had been confined to only Playa Negra which is by no means a bad thing, but it was nice to experience the other areas as well.

The solitude of Junquillal allowed for a lot of reflection and as my companions and I walked the deserted beach, we considered why, amidst a developer’s talk of retirement homes and increasing land sales, anyone, including ourselves, would ever want to spend a significant amount of time in Junquillal. Of course there was the obvious beauty and all that, but there weren’t even significantly good waves here. Not even I as a surfer, who would move in a second to the similar, neighboring town of Playa Negra, would ever consider spending more than a few days exclusively in Junquillal. Why were people spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on houses that they would barely use, and how sustainable was this? (A question in tribute to Dr. Bird)

It was with this idiosyncrincy we left Junquillal after a tranquil weekend, feeling very relaxed but also perplexed. I mean what could we have missed that was drawing people to this area and what was it that was sustaining this trend? As I drove out of town amidst a cloud of dust, a light bulb flashed inside my head and I realized what none of us had thought of. By cooking our own breakfasts everyday, none of us had tried the local Gallo Pinto. I smiled at my own foolishness of not realizing this sooner and as I shook my head, I thought to myself, “It must be the Gallo Pinto.”
BG

Rumble.. Puff.. Swhoosh..

2007-04-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

Some of us packed in the dark, due to an entire COUNTRY blackout; others didn’t have to worry about packing in the dark because they were already in Arenal with their parents, while others waited till the last minute to grab snacks at the nearby Mas X Menos or Mega Super. With all this behind us we only left a half hour late! We arrived in Arenal to discover what would be a dream come true to some, and a once in a lifetime opportunity for others.

Friday night we drove into the darkness, some more hesitant than others, as to whether or not we would see why a number of the places along the way were called El Fuego Montaña. Yet, right before our eyes the fire trickled out of the picturesque volcano in the distance. We all watched in disbelief, and a wave of frantic “sshhhhh’s” came over us as some were desperate to hear the rumble of the rocks. For the duration of the weekend our eyes were glued to Volcán Arenal for one last puff of smoke to ruffle down the barren side of the mountain.

One of the main attractions in the Arenal area is the Cataratas de la Fortuna (The Fortuna waterfall). The strenuous walk down the ¼ mile of step stairs is well worth it. This 177ft waterfall and its stunning green surroundings is one of the most amazing sights in Costa Rica. At the bottom of the falls there is a small pool of crisp clean blue water that visitors are able to swim in if they venture over the slippery rocks. The water is shockingly cold with strong currents from the waterfall. You have to be careful while swimming in the pool because it is dangerous to get too close to the powerful waterfall. Behind the waterfall there is a rock wall covered with green vegetation crawling all over it. You can see the birds flying in and out of little hiding places on the wall while avoiding the pressure from the waterfall. To the left of the waterfall there is a little stream that provides for much safer wadding areas. Some of us took this opportunity to find the perfect rock to sit back, relax, and reflect on our dazzling surroundings. With less than 20 days left, we are all starting to realize these past three remarkable months are coming to an end and before we know it, we will be packing up and saying goodbye to Costa Rica. This past weekend, with the exceptional environment and weather, was a perfect last trip all together.

Cerro de la Muerte didn’t mean death for us!

2007-04-17T03:58:00.000-07:00

The misty rain and muddy terrain was not the most inviting environment on Saturday morning, but it was our last environmental science trip and we had no choice but to enter the muddy mountain bog. After an adventurous hike and more time in the bus, we arrived at Cerro de la Muerte to study hummingbirds. The tiny creatures, displaying an array of iridescent colors, were so delicate and busy busy busy! We were studying the hummingbird feeders, filled with sugar water, to measure the effects on the hummingbirds and the flowers. The sugar water does not have the same nutrients found in nectar, and the feeders could be a deterrent from pollinating flowers. Although we have yet to analyze our data, we enjoyed the opportunity to observe hundreds of these little creatures and even hold them in our hands! We also faced the challenge of a difficult Sunday morning hike…
"I don't think I can make it," was a line that ran through many of our heads as we steadily continued up the mountain. Each step seemed to move in slow motion; each one hurting more than the one before. It seemed as if it was raining but in actuality the water was a mixture of tears and sweat from all the climbers. It had come to a point where there was no turning back. In the middle of the mountain as you turn around carefully watching your step and look all around you, all you see in land. It's not just any land. There's trees, and bushes, and hills galore. We were up so high that we didn't even see any animals. The other species of the world knew better than to travel that high. There weren't even birds. The air was so thin because of the altitude, and some of us with Asthma had to search further for ammunition to continue to fight up the mountain. The trail wasn't even helping since the shrubbery and rocks had moved closer together and were slowly starting to cover old footprints. But we breathed sweetly once we ALL finally made it to the top. Instead of finding the death we expected, we found life and adventure at Cerro de la Muerte.

"getting by" in Nicaragua

2007-04-16T05:47:00.000-07:00

While sitting at a restaurant on the cobblestone street, we were greeted by the children street vendors. Every night they make their rounds to each table at the restaurants in the area selling gum, cigarettes, nuts, and anything else to bring in an income. They were bothersome to many people while others found them entertaining. Regardless of what people thought of them, these children were very persistent in their attempts to complete a sale. They had approached our table at least two times before they began to play with our hair. "Que linda!" was our pelo. We had so much stimulation from these children - we couldn't just focus on one. As soon as someone took a picture, several more children came running for a photo of their own. They rushed and waited for their turn to see their smiling faces on film. We did catch that one was smoking a cigarette, after we told her how she shouldn't, she stuck up for herself by informing us of everyone else who smoked cigarettes as well along with the drugs they did the laundry list was long and disheartening. Then the seemingly innocent eight year old grabbed the cigarette stick from the girls mouth and took a few puffs herself. They were all about ten years under the legal limit to purchase cigarettes in the states and here they are selling them to tourists out to dinner, and this is their job. It is all about getting by. A/R

Musica...

2007-04-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

This weekend came quickly. On Friday afternoon Mesoamerica was practically empty. Our peers chose to travel a little extra while we elected to stay behind and enjoy the fruits San Jose has to offer. Friday night was an unexpected evening. Luckily we had a personal invitation from Manuel, our old friend. A few weeks before he had come to our GST class, to share with us his musical knowledge and talents. We were all in love with his nonchalant personality and his amazing melodies. Friday´s invitation brought us to the highly esteemed Jazz café. We enjoyed an assortment of appetizers (including pizza, chicken wings and breaded mushrooms). The ambiance of the café was soothing and tranquil to our minds, bodies and ears. We had arrived early, but our conversations kept us busy and entertained. We all were eager to experience Manuel´s music once more. As we took in our surrounding environment we all felt a sense of pride for Manuel and his musical accomplishments. Around 10:15pm our warm applause embraced Manuel and his band. Our ears anxiously awaited the gentle plucking of his guitar. We were greeted by two trombones, a xylophone, and an assortment of drums. Our ears were at a buffet of beautifully conducted music pieces. You could just close your eyes and imagine lying on a beach with these sounds wafting in with the tide. During the performance Manuel made a special shout out to his favourite Elon group and sang the song, ¨carnival day¨. The sheer fact that we recognized the song brought smiles to all of our faces. As we weaved our way out through the crowd gathered on the dance floor, we realized what an honour it was to know such a man and his music. D&D

Without Walls

2007-03-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

I continue with caution as I see my friends sitting on this faintly lighted porch. I am not even in the house yet, but am able to see the kitchen and living room all made out of wood. I hope the walls are just glass, but as I penetrate through these perceived glass walls, I realize they are built out of nothing but air. I hear comments coming at me from the eight other people – “we are camping in the jungle”, “we will get robbed,” “I am not sleeping here.” Then others reply, “This house is awesome,” “This will be so much fun.” These contradicting attitudes coincided with the contradicting personalities; either way we had to understand we had paid for four nights in a house without walls. We all begin to calm down and work out sleeping arrangements. We start to head to bed and surround ourselves with a white net to protect ourselves from insects. Screams are coming from every bedroom but I knew nobody was hurt; just another bug had entered the other rooms and there was no need to leave my safe net.
The next night is similar to last but I could tell attitudes had begun to change. We are all smiling in what we now refer to as our “tree house.” Now it’s the third night and all fears of the unknown had disappeared and even some people who despised the house initially are now having a surprisingly fun time. I cannot tell if their attitudes had changed because this is so different from what they are used to or because they were just in the company of friends. Beaches, scooters, restaurants, cooking (which was surprisingly a tasty treat from the expected cheap and easy to make Ramen Noodles my other college friends usually cook), swimming, card games, or just being in the jungle in Costa Rica - I don’t know which one of these was the catalyst, but on the fourth night, not only was the house without walls, we all had now let down our walls as well. “Life has taken us elsewhere” and are living in the moment.
We continued from Manzanillo, fifteen minutes down the coast, to the more tourist-focused town of Puerto Viejo, we all are sad to leave our “jungle house.” We talk about housing in Puerto Viejo, and no one cares anymore – the fact was we had overcome our hopes of a luxurious vacation with air-conditioned room in order to fulfill something much deeper. This deeper goal was not to better understand ourselves; at this point we understood this was far from important, but rather to live for the moment with no regrets and to take what life handed us. We couldn’t be disappointed if we didn’t have any expectations. If life never gave us walls again we would never be disappointed.
MM

Monteverde

2007-03-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Montverde was wet, wild, and wonderful, for the first time in many of our lives we walked with our heads in the clouds. We felt the sensation of being free and amidst bodies full of tiny particles of pure water. The wind tore across the landscape as if to rip every tree from its roots yet everything flexed and held with each attack. We walked with, flew against, and became part of this invisible force during our short time in this mystical place.
As we reached the end of our worn path, rolling gusts of air and clouds greeted us, whipping our voices in all directions of the compass. Our laughter at the sight of each other was barely audible as the wind carried it away. Though we had entered the forest dry and cozy, we left the reserve with dripping hair, damp clothing, yet content hearts and aching stomachs from laughing so hard. That is what Montverde is; the opportunity to enjoy the unpredictable weather, see pristine and virgin land untouched by human progress, and enter a world one may never set foot in again. ZK

Ole-Ole Ole Ole-Ole Ole- Azul Azul!”

2007-03-08T10:16:00.000-08:00

Sunday February 25, 2007 I sat down in my Tico sister’s bedroom. I pulled out my Costa Rica for Dummies book and began searching for things to do during Spring Break and asking for her advice, because she traveled a lot before having her son Andoni. Then the Saprissa soccer match came on the local channel 7 television station. The Saprissa soccer team represents the San Jose Province in Costa Rica. There are two teams that represent this region, but my Tico family routes for Saprissa, so I’ve also taken on this team, as if they were my own home team.
This sport, soccer to us, futbol to them, happens to be the most popular sport in all of Latin America. Teams range from small town teams like my neighborhood Sabanilla Team, to minor league teams, to major league teams, like the Saprissa team. I tried to round up the troops, meaning other soccer fans, when my Tica sister told me that the Saprissa team was playing in San Jose on Wednesday night, so that I could share this experience with them, but there was only one brave soul who agreed to go with me, considering all of the recent fights that had occurred in different soccer stadiums throughout the world.
The plan: to meet at 7:30 for a game that started at 8:30 in Parque de Sabanilla, where we always meet. Then, there was a phone call; we needed to leave at 7:00 pm because there was going to be a large crowd, because the opposing team, Cartargo, was located near San Jose. They would have a lot of fans.
We met at 7:00 pm in the Parque de Sabanilla, catch a Taxi, because the buses are slow during this time of the day. We get in and tell the driver, ‘Estadio de Saprissa, por favor.’ A ride that we thought would be no longer than 10 minutes, turned into a 20 minute drive and a traffic jam because the taxi driver didn’t have change for what they consider large colones bills. We made our way through the enthusiastically dressed fans and street venders, grilling chicken on sticks, selling ‘hot’ tickets for $2 more than the original price, selling sports memorabilia and the other crowds of people drinking beer on the streets and about 6 different entrances into the massive stadium. We began to panic, but only a little, because with our combined knowledge we found out where to buy tickets, which entrance to go through, and which section to sit in.
“Ole-Ole Ole Ole-Ole Ole- Azul Azul!” the Cartargo soccer fans screamed as Mark and I entered the brightly colored purple soccer stadium in the San Jose countryside Wednesday March 6, 2007. We went to buy a beer and some snacks before heading to ours seats, to find that alcoholic beverages aren’t sold in the stadiums, which explains why people were drinking in the streets. We stepped into the stadium, asked the man for our seats and he pointed to the front row, and said “sit anywhere.” “For real?” we asked ourselves. “We paid 4 mil. in colones, which equals 8 American dollars, for front row seats!” This was unbelievable. We decided to sit on the 4th row so that we could see the entire field. The stadium, not as packed as we once had thought it would be, turned into a surround sound speaker as the echoing chants from the two teams’ fans filled the chill in the air.
The game commenced and the fans went wild. As the game continued the fans began to throw things like their cups, and their snacks and since we were sitting on the front row, I was hit in the head. The players were intense and the one’s who on the bench warmed up the entire half hoping to get a minute of play. The game was tied with 3 minutes left in the game and Mark I decided it was time to go since there was a scarcity of Taxi’s in this area of town. The next morning I woke up and told my Tico mom about the game to find out that Cartargo had actually won by scoring an extra goal in the last couple of minutes. This was their past time as baseball is considered our past time in the U.S.A. This was truly what we consider an ‘ethnographic moment.’ I was experiencing something that was, to me, greatness and culture at it’s finest.

posted by VS

life took us elsewhere

2007-03-04T04:37:00.000-08:00

In an unexpected visit to Tartulas, 8 of us experienced the rainforest's spectacular beauty up close. The forest wakes up in the morning in a busy whirring, clacking, whizzing, clucking, snapping symphony and goes to bed at night in the same way just a different tune. The sun takes an hour to sift from the top of the mountains down to our river hammocks. Some of our gang went ziplining through the forest in the moonlight under the careful guidence of biology students and outdoor educators. Others watched the birds drift along the up drafts and others went in search of crocodiles and herons and the elusive waterfalls. As K so eloquently put it.. "studying abroad is being in the classroom 24/7 every minute there is something new I must try to learn and understand"

K&K - Sunday

2007-02-22T09:33:00.000-08:00

This trip began on a Sunday morning at about 6 o’clock. The group included the two Gringas (us), Katie’s Tico Mom, Dad and Sister, along with extended family and friends. In total, there were 11 people getting ready for an adventure. We went into this knowing no more than the name of the place we were going and we barely even knew that. Tortuguero was the destination, but time and transportation was unknown to us because of our inability to understand Spanish. We quickly learned the universal language of “smile and nod.”

The trip began in the back roads of Sabanilla and quickly extended into the winding mountainous roads. We passed through the longest tunnel of Costa Rica… well the only tunnel in Costa Rica. Most of the scenery during our drive was farmland, rainforest and banana plantations. In a matter of seconds, the nicely paved roads were transformed into a bumpy roller coaster ride of rocks and dirt. We thought the bumpy roads were a signal that we were almost there, but little did we know this ride was to be 45 minutes.

We finally arrived at what seemed to be our destination; a large shack constructed for the cars of those who come to Tortuguero. We looked around and realized there was nothing but cows, grass and stray animals. We thought to ourselves, “where are we and what are we doing?” It didn’t bother us that we didn’t know where we were going; we were simply in it for the adventure.

Katie’s family led us through the grass about a hundred meters to a boat sitting in a shallow canal. We asked no questions; we simply got in the boat and sat down not having a clue where it was taking us. The man on the boat started driving the boat with a long wooden stick while another was up ahead pulling wooden logs out of the water. We continuously got stuck because of the low water level. At times we got stuck so bad that all the men aboard had to get off and help push us through the shallow waters.

What seemed like another shallow area of the canal was actually a stop for all of us. We struck ground and then the driver of the boat turned around and yelled “Venga Todos.” Now, if you don’t know Spanish, this is a command for everyone to come and follow the driver. Well we did just that but had no idea what we were getting ourselves into! The diver proceeded to lead us through a valley of tall grass and mud. About ten minutes into the hike, we began to question our trust in this boat guide. He simply told us to come, and so we did, but we had no idea where or why. Also, we left our bags back on the boat like they told us to and we began to regret that decision.

At last we turned a corner and were pleasantly surprised to see our boat waiting for us! How it got there… we have no idea! We climbed back on the boat and began to enjoy our surroundings. The small canal turned into a heavy flowing river surrounded by jungle and wildlife which then took us straight to our final destination of Tortuguero.

When we landed at shore, the first experience we encountered was a group of locals dressing a 4 foot Tarpin. As we continued on our journey, curiously following our Tico family, we became filled with excitement with our surroundings. Small dirt paths, no cars, small stores and friendly people made our day exceptional. Katie’s family led us to the beach just about 400 yards from the river. They set their belongings down there while we went to explore the area. We walked up and down the little town discovering all it had to offer. Along the way, we met several people from the area who we attempted to have a conversation with in Spanish. They were some of the most successful Spanish conversations we have had since we got here! One of the men we met made jewelry for a living and so we bought two necklaces and a bracelet from him…I think we made his week. One of the other men we met gave us advice about what restaurant to have lunch at because we were starving!

Lunch was wonderful! It was very “American” but absolutely delicious. We ate right beside the river surrounded by lush plants and beautiful flowers. After lunch, we made our way back to the beach in order to accompany the rest of the group with their lunch. They chose a local soda that made typical Tico meals.

Once they were done with lunch we all went to a park near the river. In the park there was a dock where we could jump in the water and swim. We all took a dip in the cool water and some of us took turns jumping off the dock. This is where we really began to feel connected to the family. Lots of laughs and chistes (jokes) filled the air as we played in the water. We didn’t understand them and they didn’t understand us, but the universal language of fun is all the same.

Close to four O’clock we slowly made our way over to the place where the boat dropped us off. The boat was there waiting for us, but this time it was very full of visitors and locals wanting to make their way to the mainland as well. The only way to get to any other city or place in Costa Rica was to take some kind of boat like the one we were on, so it was no surprise to us that the boat was quite full.

thoughts of M&M - read on..

2007-02-16T16:14:00.000-08:00

This blog is being posted by M & M and represents their thoughts on the experience. Our quote for the weekend was: If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water – Loren Eiseley What follows is a wonderful combination of insights and photos.. be patient viewer.. it is worth the "read" enjoy it!

This weekend was a fabulous weekend at Manuel Antonio. Some of us explored the water and its treasures by renting a boat, and others drove ATVs to discover the countryside. No matter what activities we participated in, everyone was stimulated by the sand and surf. There is no accurate way to convey the country’s splendor without breaking down the five senses.

Hearing

The first thing we noticed upon arrival at Manuel Antonio was the hustle and bustle of the main strip. We could hear the laughter of families spending the day together as well as angry drivers honking at tour buses to clear the road. After the air breaks released and the bus doors opened, the sound of the waves drew us towards the sea. Against the rocky ledges, the ebbing tide just captured us. It was like the irresistible mating call of birds. Just beyond the ocean is one of Costa Rica’s diverse forests, which is a world of its own. There seemed to be a symphony of monkeys, birds, and bugs, composing the beautiful song of nature.

Smell

At daybreak, the aroma of Costa Rican coffee couldn’t help but creep into one’s nose. To accentuate the freshly roasted beans, sweet and potent fruits, such as pineapple and watermelon, filled the air. Sitting amidst the exotic flowers at breakfast gave more depth to the delightful coast. While walking down the sandy path to the shore, one could not escape the smells of suntan lotion and salty air, which were precursors to a beautiful, sunny, and hot day.

Taste

There was not one person who did not venture into the depths of the ocean. Whether it was through surfing, snorkeling, or swimming, everyone could not forget the familiar taste of salt water. While water itself is an unavoidable entity of life, there is something enchanting about the bitter yet smooth water that tickles the tongue. Each of us will always be able to savor the sea of Costa Rica.

Touch

Besides the obvious yet enjoyable touches of sand and sea, we cherished finer details that brushed up against our sun-kissed skin. At the end of the exhausting yet pleasurable day, nothing felt better than the cool sheets against one’s heated body. If someone was not tired enough to go to bed, he or she could curl up in the tightly woven hammock and turn the pages of a beach novel. The hammock was like a cocoon. After resting, one would emerge from this safe haven only to have the soft air caress their body.

Sight

No words can do this country justice.

cataratas y mariposa

2007-02-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

The first field trip to the waterfalls and the butterflys was epic with many unexpected adventures. This is one of those places on Earth that leaves you in awe of the complexity of nature and the power of water. As we move through the week, the rumble and spray stays with us all.

getting settled

2007-02-02T18:13:00.001-08:00

We have finished our first week of classes. Everyone is in their homes and adjusting to being in a new place and speaking a new language. We toured downtown San Jose, took our first bus rides, negotiated taxis, asked for things in stores and for the most part managed to actually get what we asked for!!! We even celebrated our first birthday with two kinds of cake. Some interesting observations. The coins are so heavy!!! The Food is good!! "We are walking how far!" "POPs ice cream is wonderful". The students are doing a super job of working together and helping one another out. We have our first field trip to the waterfalls and photos will follow. It will be great to get out of the city for the day.

Welcome

2007-01-07T12:50:00.000-08:00

Welcome to beautiful Costa Rica and the Elon University Semester abroad. This blog will be updated by students and by Bird as we go through the semester, reading, talking, practicing our Spanish, and learning about this wonderful new place which will be home for the next four months.