ISA For the Win

ISA spoils us.

The hotel at Volcan Arenal one-upped Tamarindo (6 stars? Unclear.)  Good thing, too, because even though we were literally on the slope of this volcano, it was so cloudy that we never managed to see it.  

When you stay at a hotel like this, that doesn't matter.

To start:

It was so big optional buses ran from the lobby to the rooms.  

There were also pools "for days," as they say (do they??).

And waterslides (Feat. Costa Rican Child #1)!  Yes, he's about to go into a tunnel.

Oh, and hotsprings the size of pools--with a swim up bar?

And...a waterslide as well. (Feat. Costa Rican Child #2. And Old Tourist)

We spent our first night hanging out in the pools.  The next day, we got to see the rest of the place.

Here's the thing: This hotel also doubles as a zoo.

Like butterflies?

How about poison dart-frogs?  I used to love the little buggars.  And rocks. (JK, I still love both)

I'm boring you.  Crocodiles?

After seeing all that it was time for lunch, so we headed into the local town, La Fortuna.  It was unspectacular, mostly because of the clouds--I'm sure the view of the volcano is usually unreal.

Then we did some hiking.  Naturally it started to pour as soon as we left, but it was warm so we weren't too concerned.  About a mile and a half in we got to the observatory. 

We had seen a sign early on in the trail that read: Don't pass, high seismic risk.  Naturally, we passed.  It was entirely uneventful, except that I found a turtle!  To be perfectly honest, I've never come across an animal that smelled worse.  But I liked him anyway...

ISA is definitely spoiling us.  I definitely don't mind.  

LADRONES! Maybe

So the week is going by as usual, but I felt like I should take the time to share this little anecdote.

A couple things to note: 1)Everything is OK, I'm fine--nothing bad ended up happening. 2)Bank-going is a daytime activity.

Here goes:

I woke up early yesterday because I needed to go to the bank.  Andrew had a late night--Ticas....yikes--and didn't make it.

That night, he realized that he needed some money.  I didn't want him to go alone, so we walked to the bank.

Sidenotes about the bank: It's like 3 blocks from my house.  In Costa Rica ATM's are housed "safe rooms" so nobody robs you from behind, but the room at this particular bank had a broken door.

Back to it:  As we arrived, I noticed a black car with black rims and blacked out windows in the parking lot.  It didn't look like there was anybody inside (tricky tricky, Costa Ricans), so we walked around the building to the ATM.  But while I was guarding the broken door of this "safe" room, I heard the car start.

It drove around the building real slowly, and even stopped for a second in front of us, before speeding off into the parking structure.  Andrew got his money and I made him stuff it into his sock (both of us were wearing sandals--FAIL).

We walked around the building and started heading home.  As soon as we got to the street 2 cars--one black and one orange, both with black rims and tinted windows--came speeding (and I mean speeding, like 50 in a residential area) around the corner towards us and slammed on the breaks, stopping maybe 20 feet behind us.

We sped up and turned a corner.  Quote from Andrew: "Yo, bro, if they come at you...RUN."  Like 5 seconds later, they shot by us (again, maybe 50 mph) and sped off through the neighborhood.  Long story short:  Instead of waiting for them to come back, we ran the rest of the way home.

But we made it!

Cheers,
Seeds

Catchup... Ketchup?

I've fallen behind on this blog, but it's not for lack of trying!  Somebody should remind ISA Spanish teachers that Costa Ricans are known for being laid-back and chill!  But I'm learning so much espanol--it's great.  And in all honesty the only reason I'm so swamped is that I tested into a Spanish class 2 levels above what I'd ever taken at school, and I really have no business being there.  So I'm playing catch-up, but again, learning a ton.  I've taken to writing down everything my teacher says that I don't understand and making flashcards every night (Usually in the neighborhood of 30 phrases...yikes!).

ANYWAY, on to the blog part of this blog:
This weekend we had our excursion to Playa Tamarindo--a touristy surf spot known for hosting some of the wildest parties in Costa Rica.  It didn't disappoint (Family: from what I hear.  Obviously I don't know first hand........)

After a five hour bus ride, we got to our hotel.  It was ok. I mean, only 5 stars?  No, it was AMAZING.  Such a nice place.  And included in the trip price!  We spent that night_______ and hanging out in the pool, before we went to "Crazy Monkey" (swim-up) bar.

 (The view from our balcony)

Woke up the next morning with a bit of a headache (Family: Weird! I don't usually get those), and boarded the catamaran.  It took us out to a private beach, where we snorkeled and all that.  On the way back (after finishing some of the best guac I have ever tasted), we saw some whales--if you like numbers, 3 whales.  We chased them for about an hour--literally 25 feet from them, max--in the catamaran.

Got back to the hotel and promptly challenged some Ticos to a "partido de futbol".  Didn't fare so well, but it was still an awesome time. 

Tried a header and may have concussed myself a bit--saw some stars, etc.--and my headache got way, WAY worse after the game.  

That night we hung out by the pool and the beach, and I crashed early.  Got the most sleep I've had since I got here--7 hours.

Holy Smokes, I've already fallen behind... (January 4)

I've already fallen behind on this blog.  AY!

Yesterday was a pretty mellow day, despite being the first day of classes.  My teacher is awesome!  Better than any I've ever had except Professor Kahn.  Classes run 4 hours--from 8-12.  Whoever decided to start a Spanish class for students studying abroad at 8 in the morning was retarded, and I'd like to punch whoever he or she was right in the nose.  But I digress.  I learned more Spanish in those four hours than I think I've ever learned in a Spanish class. Ever.

After class I went to the gym, and came home.

I had class later in the night and crashed early by normal standards, but too late to get a good night's sleep when you have to wake up at 637 (my host mom serves breakfast at 7).

January 2, 2011

Today was orientation.  It ran like 4 hours--long, but worth it because all the "host mamas" put on a potluck afterwards.  So far, Costa Rican food has been awesome.  Maybe it's because my host parents are professional chefs? (!!!!)

After that we went to the Festival Zapote.  It was essentially a giant fair + bullfighting.  Tons and tons of ticos (Costa Ricans), which was pretty cool.  

And now we're hanging out at home.  Bars tonight--the 21 year old life as a 20 year old.

January 1, 2011 (!!)

Well, I've never started a new year quite like 2011.  When the clock struck midnight I was sitting in Row 25, Seat F of Flight 641 bound for Costa Rica by way of Guatemala City.

Flights were uneventful, except the for movie, "Furry Vengeance".  It is what it sounds like--the touching tale of a group of forest animals banding together to fight Brendan Frazier so he couldn't develop their homes into a strip mall.  Anyway...

Got in to SJO at 905, and finished going through customs at 945 in the AM.  Unfortunately ISA wasn't scheduled to pick us up until 11, so I waited (and waited...and waited for everyone else to show.)  By 3PM we were on the road.

My homestay:  Place is great.  There's a dog (not a black lab, tho).  And a kitty.  But the best part about the place is my host padres.  Both speak fluent English.  The pops is a professional chef and diehard sports fan.  The mums is just a super legit lady.

We basically moved in, went to the festival in Zapote today, and then hung out at home.  I'm falling asleep as I write, so I'm just going to

The End