A Week of Firsts..

It has been a week of firsts. I started my first week of classes and am enjoying my professor. He brings us coffee and cookies everyday! He is a good teacher too. On Tuesday I decided to stop into the night dance class to watch since I am not technically enrolled, and was coaxed in to dancing. So, I learned the Merengue and Salsa. It was a great workout! On Wednesday and Thursday I had my cooking class. We made yummy empanadas and the next day made a camaron (shrimp) dish. On Wednesday night we all went out for a girl in our program's birthday so I got a taste of Costa Rican night life. We spent about 45 minutes walking along the beach trying to find the right place and finally settled into a bar with music and techno lights. in Costa Rica, you can buy bottles of liquor and then buy cups to split it up. I tried a liquor called Cacique, made from sugar cane. It was almost tasteless, so I mixed it with Sprite. The night was filled with fun and dancing, and I got the nick name, Booty Poppin Kansas :)..
Last Sunday, I went to the Market with my host family and afterward we went driving. Bernal (the dad), explained to me that when their family has time together, they like to go on a relaxing drive around the town. I really admired that. They clearly cherish spending time together. During the drive, Bernal stopped at a local liquor store and came out with a beer for me and one for himself. He continued to drive.. Apparently it is legal to drink and drive as long as you stay under a certain limit. For Bernal, he said his limit is one to two drinks. The family laughed and sang songs together, and I felt relaxed and happy to be a part of it. On Friday, the students planned a trip to Jaco, a good beach about 1.5 hours from Puntarenas. It was an incredibly beautiful beach. The ocean was lined on two sides with mountains and palm trees were everywhere. I thoroughly enjoyed the relaxation. We toured the city and then headed back later that night. As I was walking through Jaco, I suddenly looked up and realized what a beautiful environment I was in. The city has mountains and lush greens on one side and the beach on the other. I love moments like those. Today (Saturday), we zip-lined in the forest and then after lunch took a crocodile tour by boat. The river was once again, overwhelmingly beautiful. I tried to take pictures and then gave up and enjoyed the view, realizing that a camera lens will never completely catch what I am experiencing. This past week has been full and fast, and I am glad to be relaxing a little bit now. I feel so blessed to have this experience. I am seeing His beauty in so many lights.
In the picture above, I just happened to catch this guy doing a handstand into my frame.. Im lovin' it!

A Whole New World

Costa Rica. I began believing that I was in a new place the minute I saw only the ocean beneath me. I looked out my plane window and saw beautiful islands and then just the blue waves for the first time. The San Jose airport was not much different from any other, and so my first real taste of Costa Rica was on the bus ride to Puntarenas. I actually fell asleep 20 minutes into it and when I woke, I saw masses of green plant life, including palm trees and flowers of all sorts along the road. The road itself was small, and I held my breath every time we passed an oncoming semi.
The city of Puntarenas is small, and I can walk just about anywhere. It is not a rich town, as seen by a few fences on the outskirts made of sheet metal, but it is evident that the people love color. Every house is different somehow, and each establishment embraces color. In that sense, the city is beautiful. Exquisite flowering plants of all kinds and color line the sidewalks, that is one of my favorite things. Our neighbor owns a parrot whom, when I first heard it, I thought is was an old crazy lady yelling at random people..
My family is very nice and helpful. The parents have an 18 month old (Maria Paula), and a 9 year old (Maria Pia). Maria Pia is constantly bringing cards or board games into my room to play. She also loves to give makeovers to each other. Most of the people here are friendly, especially the older ladies. They will look at me, smile, and greet me with a simple, "Hola." This place is almost always hot and humid. I do not even need to wear regular lotion because of the humidity. Last night, I ran into a couple girls from my program and we went to have a beer. It was about 10 o'clock and the rain hit us. It was a constant, heavy rain that flooded some of the streets. Only then, was it actually slightly chilly. I am however, getting used to the heat. While we were out, I was able to try a Costa Rican beer called "Imperial," I very much liked it.
My family is very fun and happy, and they feed me more than enough. The food is quite good, but a person must like rice and beans because that is a staple here. I have that at least once a day with some other food. Tonight I bought a mango at the market and it was delicious..
Well there is much to write, but my family wants to watch a movie with me so this is all for now. Chao!