Friday, May 04, 2007

This was an absolutely amazing day! We woke up early and had breakfast. We were all dressed and ready to go on our guided hike through the biological station. This is such a cool place. We had the opportunity to stay the night there, but then we wouldn't have been able to do the rafting and horseback riding that we did. But it is a research station so as you are walking around you can see scientists doing their thing! Pretty cool.

Anyways, we load up the van and head over. As we are driving down the drive way to the park we see an agouti! We all look at it but have to continue on because we were on a schedule. We meet our guide, and start heading into the station. When you walk in there is a visitor center and then a bridge that connects to the research area. As we are heading over the bridge, we see a seven colored tanager! On the bridge, looking into the water, we saw a tarpon... then on the trees around the water we saw a squirrel cuckoo! I was so in love at this point! They were so cool, just doing what they do best! Then we walk off of the bridge and by the station. Around this area are the housing units, the research centers, the food area and a couple of other small buildings. And then all around these were collared peccaries and their young just wandering around. They have gotten used to people although are still somewhat skittish. We were all so impressed that they were so close that we took about 100 pictures between us of the same peccary! Then over around the edge we saw a coati weaving in and out of the forest! Our guide kept trying to tell us about the station, and we wanted to listen, the animals just kept interrupting. (He told us to interrupt him if we saw something, so it was okay...)

Anyways... So we get through the station area and onto the trail. Absolutely gorgeous! I think this is the part of rain forests that I love so much. When you look up and the trees are so high, it makes you feel so overwhelmed. Its like standing and looking at the ocean... just this unbelievable feeling that there is so much more to life. While walking through the park we saw so many things. One really cool part is when we saw the sloth. It was moving down a tree and that is the only way we spotted it... otherwise if it didn't move, we would have never known it was there. It blended right in, just makes you think what else we missed seeing!

As walking down the path and towards the exit, we were on a single person path so we were all in a row. The second to last person begins freaking out and starts rushing us forward. We all turn around and see this snake on the side of the path. It probably was 3 feet long (I honestly am bad as guessing measurements, so it could have been anywhere between a foot and 7 feet... who knows). But it was long and black and most of us walked right by it not even realizing it was there. Crazy! Then a little ways up, this lizard runs across the path, over someone's foot, and stops on the side of the trail. It was a cask-headed lizard. It was green but then turned into this brown color to try and match the leaves and ground! That was impressive.

So we continue on and as we are walking out we see some Chestnut-Mandible Toucan as we are crossing the bridge to exit. It was an absolutely amazing hike, we saw so many other animals not mentioned in this blog. It was a lot of fun and very educational! Our guide was terrific!

After the amazing morning hike, we headed back to the hotel and had lunch. Then we (except professor) decided to go horseback riding. This was nice but I wouldn't do it again. We went through cleared land, up and down hillsides and through a stream. It was pretty cool and we saw some neat scenery but we weren't able to stop and look at the birds that I kept seeing flying around.... oh well! It was a nice time.

That night we went and had a few more drinks at the bar! Yum, yum!

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Selva Verde Animals: May 3, 2007

Today was excellent!!! We woke up early this morning, had breakfast, and waited for our driver to transfer us to Selva Verde Lodge. We were all a little sad to leave our new friend for a couple of days, but we had no choice. It was a few hour drive, but seeing the country on the way was absolutely gorgeous. It was sad to see some of the destructed areas but it was neat to see some of the smaller villages on the way. We got to the lodge around lunch time and checked our stuff in. Let me tell you, Selva Verde is a LOT more humid and hot than Escazu was. Walking from the entrance to our rooms made me drenched in sweat. These next few days were more vacation days than actual study or school days. We all relaxed on this part of our trip. It was really nice.

We all were so hot and humid we decided we might as well go swimming! It was really nice to be in the pool that was surrounded by huge trees! I just kept looking around and finding all of these different birds and butterflies! We saw so many hummingbirds, a lot of them we couldn't identify. It was also nice hanging out by the pool because we met some of the other guests staying at the lodge. There was an American couple there that were Ohio State fans, so of course we ragged on them (because we are all Gator fans!). And there was another cute couple that were apart of the Holbrook Travel Company. They were too cute (and actually getting married now, so congrats), and apart of the Gator Nation as well! It is crazy how big, yet so small this Earth is! I mean here we are in this other country during a school break and we run into fellow Gators, thats just crazy!

So after the pool we went to lunch. This part of the trip was not strictly planned so we had flexibility in what we wanted to do with our time. There are so many options that the lodge has to offer, horse back riding, white water rafting, jungle tours, cooking classes... a lot of options! This afternoon we decided to go white water rafting!!! I have never been but it has always looked like something I would enjoy! I was so excited!

We took the bus down and were divided into two rafts. We met our guides and got into our rafts. We had a quick lesson for those (me) who never went before. We got into our rafts and paddled upstream just to get used to what we had to do. We also went up to where a ten foot cliff was. Most of us jumped out and went jumping off of the cliff. Ten feet doesn't sound like much until you are there looking off. But without hesitation I jumped in and went back a couple of times. On one jump we all held hands and jumped off. It was pretty cool because as a side job there is a guy that goes down the river and takes pictures of the groups. At the end you have the option of buying the pictures. So everything was photographed without actually having to take a camera.

After our jumps we piled back into our rafts and were off for a great experience. Our guide was pretty shy but every once in a while he would make a joke that was very dry but hilarious! While going down the river we saw so many cool birds and animals!!! I was absolutely stunned by the animals we saw! At one turn we had to paddle hard and then stop and then paddle hard so more because of the way the river turned. However, being the spotter that I am, I kept seeing all of these birds. On one bend there was this absolutely GORGEOUS tiger heron just standing perfectly still watching us. So of course I stop paddling and stare and start pointing. Others in my raft stop and stare, but you can't do that so we were told, nicely, to keep paddling. Then on another shore there were two Keel-billed toucans hopping around on the rocks! Toucans, about 15 feet away. Toucans people! Toucans! They were gorgeous and I stopped paddling again... and was, rightfully yelled at again.. hehe. This time however after a little ways we were able to stop paddling, turn around, and watch the toucans again. They were just beautiful.

We could have stopped the tour right there... I was so happy. We keep going a little further and are told we are going to stop on the side for a snack (fresh fruit... delicious). We dump out into the river and float to the edge. We sit out and enjoy our fresh fruit. And while sitting there we look around in the trees and see about 3 or 4 more toucans! They were jumping from tree to tree! Once they flew away, we packed up and jumped back in the raft. Because we refueled with the delicious fruit we hit the harder part of the river. We go down a part that runs right into the side of a cliff. It was pretty cool.. I think I was laughing the whole time because it was so much fun! We get around that bend and all of sudden the other raft starts yelling at us to come over to part of the river. And there on the edge is a basilisk (the Jesus Christ lizard) and it actually ran on water. It went from one part of the river to another and ran on top of the water! I only saw a little of that as we were behind the other group. Once over to where the group was we looked up into the tree and saw some really cool howler monkeys! They are the coolest monkeys because they are so creepy sounding in the morning... it is really an experience hearing them howl. And then on the way back to the drop off point way ahead are two macaws flying over the river. They fly out to look for food during the day and then fly back at night to their nests... amazing creatures!

We continue down the river on this amazing high from all of the animals and end our tour. It was really great and our guides were very cool. Along the way they showed us different parts of the river and different aspects of the forest. At one point during the tour our guide stopped off on a bank in the middle of the river. There was a futbol ball in the middle of the river that obviously was knocked off of the edge. He jumped out of the raft, got the ball, and when the tour was over gave it back to the kids that lost it. All down the river, there are houses on one side of the river and jungle on the other side.

After thanking our guides, we headed back to the hotel (which was like a five minute walk through the educational part of Selva Verde Lodge). Some of us were able to take showers but some were not because the power went out for a little while. There were political debates going on at the time and one thing that happens is the company will turn off power to certain areas. During this point, I realized how much I don't know about other countries and the politics that happen. I have tried to stay up with world news but you can never know everything about everywhere...

That night, we had dinner and went on a night hike. This was pretty cool because we saw some glow in the dark fungus (I think it was fungus)... we also saw a few frogs, centipedes, millipedes, spiders (which I am not a big fan of), and heard some animal noises. Once back from our night hike, we were going to cross the bridge that connects the hotel to their protected second growth forests. I made it about half way out until I was too creeped out. You know spiders? You know how they come out at night? You know how sometimes you don't see their webs until it was too late? I kept ducking and I didn't want to mess with their nests because it takes them so long to make, but I kept running into some... I couldn't do it so I headed back. But luckily I did because right at the end near a pond was a red-eyed leaf frog.

To top off this wonderful evening we all went to the bar and had a few drinks to toast to the day and the amazing time we were having... little did we know the amazingness we would experience the next day at Selva Verde Biological Center!

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Local Schools, Good Chicken and Shopping: May 2, 2007

Today was a good for the soul day. We visited local schools. Before we left for this trip, we were told about the schools we would be visiting. The director of our sponsor school asked us if we could bring supplies or gifts to the local schools. They are poor and do not have much in terms of supplies. So we all scrounged up what we could find and brought it to the schools. We compiled over 1000 pencils and erasers, notebooks, toys like bubbles, slimy worms, frogs, and ants, supplies for teachers, and lots of books. My mom is a teacher and she gave me all of the books she doesn't use (mainly because they are too advanced for her preschool kids... talk about heavy luggage!).

So we divided it up between three schools that we were visiting. A lot of the supplies were for elementary aged students. It was nice to be able to give something to them because they were allowing us, foreigners, into their schools.

The first school we visited was a small school in the mountains. They were so excited to have visitors that they put on a show for us! The older students did a traditional dance in the auditorium for us. It was fun to see because the younger students were so impressed and all wanted us to come and be apart of their school. They were so inviting. The school's director was out for the day due to illness so a teacher showed us around. Their playground consisted of two swings and monkey bars, for the whole school. I believe it was a K-8 school. Their supply closet was part of a small classroom that was basically one wall of shelves that was half full. Even though they didn't have much these students loved school. Most of the students would only come half day and then work the rest of the day in the field with their families. We take for granted our schooling.
We were also supposed to have breakfast with them but their water and electricity was out due to construction. They kept apologizing for that. It was just an eye-opening experience because think about what would happen if a school in the States electricity or water went out... we would call some company to come fix it and it would be out for an hour at the most. Theirs was out for five days and yet they still had school. They showed up when they could. The thing about it was I felt sad but realized that they aren't really upset about their limited resources. They do what they have to do. It was encouraging to see this attitude, it was an appreciation for what they had. (I am really trying not to sound like an ugly American and I hope I dont. It was a reflection on myself that maybe I wasn't appreciative about what I had... )

The next school we went to was a K-6 school in the city. Talk about being crowded. We arrived right when the youngest were going down for a nap. They all have uniforms and you can tell what level they are based on the style or color of the uniform. We visited the younger ones and then moved to the older aged classrooms. A visiting futbol team was there and we took pictures with them because they were all dressed in their uniforms. We then went to another classroom and met the older students. I felt bad because they would ask us questions or say something to us and our one Spanish speaker was zooming all over the place helping translate.

Then we visited a high school. The assistant director showed us around the school. They had a gym, a pool, and a huge basketball court. We went into a home-economic classroom where they were working on a project of raising babies. They had the kind that cried and needed to be fed and changed. It was funny because when we showed up the boys had to watch them. And when they saw us, they were trying to flirt with one member in the group. They would try to pass the babies off to the baby's "uncle" and then talk to her. It was funny to see because the girls were inside rolling their eyes and laughing at them. Nice to see hormones and humor is the same in all countries.

After the wonderful school visits we went to eat lunch. We went to Pollos Mahle and had the best roasted chicken I have ever had in my entire life! It was absolutely amazing. It was roasted over an open flame and they kept spraying the sauce on it. It was delicious and just what we needed after not eating all morning.

From there we went to Moravia which is an artesian market place. This is where I bought most of my gifts for people. A lot of the shops sold the same type of thing and some of the stuff was made in China, so you had to make sure you were looking at what you were buying. But we bought some really cool gifts and cloth, again some of the gifts going to myself and not the intended receiver. That is one thing I regret on my travels is not buying more. I know that is kind of an American view of just wanting or having too much stuff, but I think that if you travel to a place you should support the economy by buying from local shops. And I don't consider stuff if there is a memory attached to it.

After that we went back to the hotel to repack for our trip to Selva Verde!

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Fog, Pan's Labyrinth, Birds, Snakes, Frogs, Oh My! : May 1, 2007

Today we went to Volcan Poas and La Paz Waterfall Gardens. We arrived at Volcan Poas early in the morning and walked to the viewing area. It was a nice walk on a nice trail. It was thick bush on the side so we didn't see much on the walk to the volcano. When we arrived, there was this huge crowd of people waiting for the fog to pass to get a glimpse of the area. We waited for a while and saw small short glimpses inside the volcano but not much of it.

Since we had another place to go, we didn't stay around too long. So we took another path on the way back and entered Pan's Labyrinth. It was so covered and dark and moist, it was soo cool. It was like walking into the dark. You know when you were a kid and after it rained and you walked under a tree that touched the ground, there was this magical feeling. Your imagination ran wild with thoughts of the jungle and swamp... Yes, No? Anyways, thats
was what it felt like. We were walking through a magical place. We saw so many spider webs with the dew on the web. After hiking on this path for about 30 mins, we came to a landing that overlooked a lake area. Here we saw Orioles and other birds that we didn't identify. We took group shots with the mist in the background. Then we hiked back to the entrance to stop at the gift shop.

We got in our van and headed to La Paz Waterfalls! It was so beautiful. We checked in, ate lunch at their buffet style restaurant and sat down to eat. It was so cool because they had fruit stands all over the trees so a bunch of birds would come up to the stands and eat. We saw so many at once that I didn't have a chance to identify them. I said I was an intermediate birder, and I mean this by intermediate North American birder... I don't know tropical birds at all! I know that we saw tanagers, orioles, and other smaller birds of that stature at the feeders.

After lunch we walked through the bird sanctuary and the hummingbird area. In the sanctuary we saw all kinds of birds but a few of them were not found in Costa Rica. The hummingbird area was so cool because they would zoom right past you. If you were very still and took a bunch of pics in a row, you could get some really great shots of them feeding on the feeders. There were all different kinds too, not just the rufous throated hummingbird found in North America.

Then we went through to the snake room where we were able to identify the snake we saw a couple of days before. Then on to the frog section where we saw so many frogs! It was neat to see because here we were able to find them and when we went to Selva Verde Lodge later, we were able to find them in the wild because we had "practice." Then we running a bit behind and the rain was threatening so we rushed through the orchid area and onto the path to the waterfalls. We came upon it and it was spectacular. Apparently it is one of the most photographed waterfall in Costa Rica and I know why. It was magnificent! So we all took at least 100 pictures and headed for shelter because the rain was really threatening. On our way back we saw a Coati, which is like a raccoon. It was so cool to see climbing up the tree. We all tried to get pictures, but it doesn't work when it is halfway up a giant tree and there is no light. Then almost as we were out and I felt something staring at us. And I looked over and there it was. A hawk or eagle of some kind. It was gorgeous and about 15 feet away. We would have walked right past it if I didnt have that feeling. We still have never come to a full agreement on what it was, but we think it might have been a common Semiplumbeous Hawk.

All of a sudden it started to sprinkle and we knew we had two seconds before it started to pour. We made it to the gift shop at the end of the walk to wait for a bus to take us back to the entrance where our van was waiting to take us home. We all made it to shelter before we got wet, which was good considering all of the cameras we had. Once on the bus, the rain cleared up a bit and we made it into our van for the ride home. We all dozed off for a bit and made it back to the hotel.

The younger students went out to Tin Jo for dinner that night. It was an Asian restaurant. One thing about this trip that I regret is that I didn't eat more local food. We had some a couple of times but mostly we ate food from other countries. I think it was because my professor didn't care for rice and beans and since we ate as a group a lot, we didn't go to rice and bean restaurants. And as a side note, for breakfast the cook at the hotel loved us. She thought of us as Americans and therefore only ate pancakes. So every morning, even though we said tipico, she brought out pancakes, eggs, and a platter of fruit. She was so cute!

Another thing about this trip that was great is that we were never caught anywhere in the rain. This was the only day that it rained while we were doing something and even then it didn't catch us out on a trail. Costa Rica was good to us and we thank nature for that!

Monday, April 30, 2007

School: April 30, 2007

Today we went to visit our host school. It is an American school that was set up to teach foreign students living in Costa Rica. This would be business people's or embassey worker's kids. It was a K-12 school. We observed various classrooms but the coolest by far was the high school section. It is a private school and therefore can set their own standards. They don't have to follow a certain curriculum or worry about teaching to the test. It was so innovative and open. The high school wing had signs posted by kids that had political or environmental statements. And the teachers supported and encouraged creativity and openness. It was the neatest and most inspiring thing to see. There is a mix of foreign (American) and local (Costa Rican) teachers. It is through the International School System which means that the American teachers are encouraged to stay only 2 years. If they stay beyond that, their salary gets lowered and benefits go down. It was really exciting to see the dedication and creativity of the teachers. If I ever get a chance to do this, I would in a heartbeat!

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Aerial Tram, Zip-Lining and the most animals ever! : April 29, 2007

Today we woke up around 7ish. We all met at breakfast and shyly told our professor about our outing the night before. Lets just say she wasn't too happy. At all. In fact she yelled at our new friend for taking us out and that he should have known better. This was the beginning of a beautiful love-hate relationship.

Anyways, after our driver showed up 30 minutes late (and let me tell you that is the best. I'm being totally serious. As Americans we take time too seriously. We don't relax and let things happen because we are always on a "schedule." We need to breathe more and enjoy life.) Moving on, we all pilled into our turismo van and traveled to the Rain Forest Aerial Tram. We arrived there after traveling through the mountains or hills of the rain forest (I'm not sure what you classify them as, they looked like mountains to me). It was absolutely gorgeous. When I was about 9 I went to Malaysia with my family, and this brought me back to that trip, but with crazier drivers. It was gorgeous... so green. I kept looking for birds, because I consider myself an intermediate birder. I can spot them like no other, it's the identifying that slows me down.

Here is where we went: www.rainforestrams.com

Our driver drops us off and we check in at the desk. We have to take another bus to the place where the tram is and then we go on a short hike. We saw the Blue Jean Poison Arrow Frog and some cool ants, I believe they were solitary ants. We met our guides and split into two groups. My group was the second ones on the tram and our guide knew a lot about birds, so I was really excited! We rode around and because of the timing and the fact that it didn't look like it was going to rain, he allowed our groups to get out at the midway point and take another hike. We walked around and he showed us all of the different structures of the plants. We saw some huge, we think they were bumble bees... they were the size of a half dollar. And they were loud too, we heard them before we saw them.
Then we went onto a platform that looked out off the side of the mountain. It was absolutely gorgeous. And then the coolest thing happened, we heard a bird. Our guide told us it was a trogon and we should look for it because it would be beautiful. So we went all through the trails looking towards the beautiful sound and we spotted it. It was high in the trees but we could see the red and green with the stripped tail. It was gorgeous, absolutely amazing. So after we stared at it for about 20 mins we walked back to the tram area. When we got there the other group was waiting for us. And while waiting we saw a hummingbird's nest! It was so tiny, I would have mistaken it for a leaf cluster.
So back on the tram and on a high. Everything was so new, and green, and lush, and tall, and absolutely gorgeous, I just can't describe it in words. The opening picture to this blog was taken on the tram.. just amazing. I learned so much on this trip about plants, it was so cool. While on the way back, our guide told us about the zip-lining that they offer. My professor didn't know they offered this but suggested that we check it out. It wasn't too expensive and it turned out there was a group opening so we all decided to do it.

Ate lunch, visited gift shop, put our packs in storage and went to learn how to zip-line. We had a mini-lesson and were suited up. We went on a trial run, which I was happy about because I am more of a kinesthetic learner (which means I learn by doing). We practiced twice, and the harness was a double line which meant we would be supported by two cables instead of one. So we hiked up the short trail to the first landing. It was our group of 7 and two other groups of 3 or 4. They went first and screamed the entire way across. The whole point of this zip-line is to be within nature and see all that the canopy has to offer. Screaming does not help see the animals. So our wonderful guide thought it would be best if our group went first and we were able to. (This is one of the reasons we had such a wonderful time.. because our group would go out, party, drink, tell raunchy jokes, laugh at stupid things but then be stealthly quiet and observant and want to learn everything there was to know while in the jungle. This mix of goofiness and desire to learn was absolutely perfect!)

On the next platform, our group went first. When we got to the next platform our guide saw something on the tree. It looked like grey or green lichen but it wasn't... it was a tiny, extremely poisonous snake. It was an eyelash viper! It was so small and just curled around the tree... if you were walking up, you might have just absentmindedly grab the tree to help you and bam, you would have bitten and had to be rushed to the hospital... very intimidating for such a small guy!
Moving on to the next platform. Riding on the zip-line is incredible. You are flying through the trees and over small streams, you can see everything! It is so exhilirating, if you ever have the chance, you MUST go! Don't hesitate!
The next platform was amazing. We get over there and it was like we just blinked and were suddenly surrounded by birds. We saw Montezuma's Oropendola and their gorgeous hanging nests. We saw Fiery-billed Aracari no further than maybe ten feet away. We stayed there for a while just looking out. This platform was on a tree in the middle of the stream... it was so open and high that we could see everywhere. Our guide told us that this was where he saw a tapir before, so of course we spent ten minutes trying to see one... we didn't though.
On to the next platforms. Our guide was so entertaining and would jump off the platforms doing backflips and the likes. A couple of other students did them off the platform too, although I don't think we were supposed to. A couple of times they let us ride backwards. They even let one of the students sit in the guides lap so that she could take video going across! They were such cool people!

After our amazing zip-line tour we had to say good-bye to our wonderful guides. We hugged and were on our way to the bus to take us to our van and the animals decided to come out and give a show!
As we were in the waiting area for the bus someone looks up and starts pointing at something way high in the tree. We all focus our binoculars and find a three-toed sloth just hanging out. Their faces are unbelievable and look so human-like. He (I try to only use gender focused words if I know for a fact what the gender was, otherwise I refer to it as they) was staring over his shoulder looking down at us. And then all of sudden we hear another gasp. We rush over to where the crowd is forming and see that a Northern Tamandua (anteater) walking around where the forest meets the path. It was amazing, he was just going about his business climbing trees and looking for food. He walked on the sidewalk a little bit looked at all of the paparazzi taking his picture, stood on his hind legs, turned and then walked into the forest and out of sight. It was like they trained the animals to do this... On the way back to the bus stop we heard more commotion and went over and saw a Bare-necked Umbrellabird! It was so black and beautiful! It was a female because it didn't have the red skin sac off of its throat.

This was just the first day and already we had seen what some people see on their entire trip! It was so amazing and we were on a high from the animals. We went back to the hotel and told our friend all about it. We all took showers and got dressed for another night out, dinner at Tres Fratelli (an Italian restaurant). This time it was dinner with our professor. It was so nice to reflect back on the day. That's one thing that happened on this trip is that so many amazing experiences were taking place that I almost missed some because I didn't have time to just breathe and think about where I was.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Flight, Sickness, and Night Life: April 28, 2007

To start this travel blog, I will tell you why I am going to Costa Rica. In the fall semester, previous to this trip, I took an environmental methods course for elementary education. It absolutely blew my mind and opened up a world of possibilities that I never knew existed. I fell in love with the class and continued my education towards a degree in environmental education. In the spring I took a class called Teaching Global Issues in K-12 Education. This class had an optional field trip (to Costa Rica) that of course I had to attend. So myself, 5 other students (4 girls and one guy) and a professor (female) traveled down to Costa Rica for the time of our life. As a part of this trip, we would soon be exploring rainforests, volcanos, and schools of Costa Rica.

So now that you know why I was, I will tell you about the trip.

The first day. If you read my Germany blog, you might know that I was crazy nervous before I left. I was up until about 3 the night before packing. And by packing, I mean overpacking. I left my house around 430, picked up three of the other students, met the professor and tailgated down to the Orlando airport. We arrived, went through check in, ate breakfast and took our flight to Miami. We met up with the last student there and had a few hours to kill in the meantime. So a group of 21+ year olds college kids on our way to Costa Rica with a few hours to kill at around 1:00.... hmmm.... and theres a bar over there... with specials.

As we toasted our margaritas, we all talked about how excited we were and what we expected from the trip. We all were so excited and anxious to get started. This was the end of the spring semester and for some, the end of college. It was a celebration trip!

[PHOTO_ID_L=flight.jpg] The flight was good. I was so energized and tired that I slept uncomfortablly for maybe two minutes. And then we landed. It was so exciting. I walked into the airport and there were so many people that all looked like they had something to do. I love airports, I love watching people and thinking about where they are going or what they are doing. There is a kind of magic in it. My favorite people are military or business men. They are always walking around with a purpose.

Anyways, we went through customs and met our driver for the trip. He didn't speak English and only one person spoke Spanish, and it wasn't the professor. This made for interesting times when he showed up late to take us to a scheduled appointment. It was a lot of "Mi professor dice que..." Anyways, he was incredibly nice and thought we were an odd group, which we were.

He takes us through San Jose and to our hotel, Costa Verde Inn in Escazu, right outside San Jose. Once we arrived there, we were to meet our the head of our sponsor school. They helped make it possible to be able to call this trip a study abroad trip, and also set up a lot of what we were going to be doing. So first impressions were important. Now, I have had maybe an hour of sleep the night before, a total of 10 minutes on the plane, a delicious drink, and no food combined with a diesel smell that I am not used to and driving that is, lets just say, different from US driving. Shake that all up and you have me getting sick behind a tree while we are supposed to be making good impressions.

[PHOTO_ID_R=costa-verde-lodge.jpg] We checked into the hotel and I need to tell you about this place. It is the nicest place. It is more of a lodge and is surrounded by a wall. Within the walls are lots of trees and a few courtyards, with a pool and jacuzzi. The rooms are all different and each has a cool feature. There isnt airconditioning but it isnt really needed. I was never once hot or uncomfortable at night. I would sincerely recommend this place to anyone staying around San Jose.

Anyhow, once in the hotel, showered, and I drank more water, I was ready to go to dinner that night. We went to Tiquicia for dinner which is this cool restaurant that overlooks San Jose. We arrived when the sun was setting and saw all of the lights of San Jose turn on. It was really cool. Dinner was good but company was better.

Because we had class together all semester, we knew of each other and about the little things that you find out about people during class, but we hadn't really connected yet. This was the dinner that we connected. Usually on these types of trips, it takes two or three days before the group becomes a cohesive group. And usually there becomes a seperation in the group, not a horrible thing, just a clique-ish type of seperation. Usually, one group is the partiers and the other is the ones that wake up early. Typical group dynamics. However, this group defied all of those dynamics. It helped because we were a small group of 7 people total. There was a sort of seperation in the group, but that only was during the night and it had to do with age, the professor and an older student and the 20 something students. [PHOTO_ID_R=view-from-tiquicia-.jpg]
Most of the group, with the exception of the professor and the older student, decided to go out that night. When we checked into the hotel, the hotel manager became another person in our group. He wasn't able to go on trips or anything with us but he became a group member when we were at the hotel. Needless to say we became great friends and our professor and him had a love-hate relationship, which made it that much more enjoyable. After spending two hours of quality time, we decided to get dressed and go out. Now my packing consisted of what I would wear into a jungle or on the beach through a jungle or what I would wear to a school, while trying to make a conservative, good impression. It did not consist of what I would wear if I were to go out. Therefore, my going out outfit consisted of nice capris, a nicer shirt, and tivas because my nice school shoes were closed toed shoes only fit to be worn with pants. Very stylish, let me tell you... tivas going out, downtown... hot!

Going out on the first night with a guy we just met was one of the most interesting experiences. We didnt go to the tourism going out places, we went to a local bar area. It was a bar that was three or four stories tall, packed to the max, and had the loudest music ever. It was a great time. After being scared sh*tless from the travel nurse and told not to drink the water or the ice, even to the point of brushing your teeth with bottle water. She also said something about drinking in foreign places with people you don't know, but I must have missed that part. So, I of course ordered a rum and coke (because that is my signature drink) and had it with ice. We all danced, stayed together in a close group, and had a blast. Our new friend introduced us to Sambuca, which is a licorice flavored alcohol that you can put in your mouth and light on fire. You put the fire out by swallowing. Amazing!

So we got back to the hotel around 3 in the morning and had an absolutely wonderful time. One girl got her camera stollen, we all were yelled at for being American (which I can understand seeing how at the time the Free Trade Agreement was in the news and there were many different strong opinions about it), and we almost died in the taxis that honk through red lights instead of stopping. But besides all of that, we had an absolutely amazing time! We bonded that night and that was one of the reasons this trip was so memorable and exciting!