Life has handed me a multitude of opportunities within the last two months. After the best Halloween of my life, my studies and traveling have taken me hostage. My absence has been a effect of my traveling choke-hold, but I fully intend on sharing everything that I can muster from my occupied mind.
November 1st: A continuing habbit has formed as every morning I inturrupt my walk to school by picking up Miss Molly. Today was no exception until I found Molly in bed, purple, over-heated, and disoriented. Minutes spent trying to convince her that taking the test with dangerous fevers is not appropriate circumstances for anyone. Stubborn as she is, we made our way to class long enough for her to run from the room for a quick episode of siesures. I found Molly on the bathroom floor, white faced, and terrified. We rushed her to the hospital to find out that a vicious infection was blooming in her kidneys.
November 4th: School's out for a feild trip to Monteverde! We piled all the USAC crew into two small Turismo buses that struggled all the way up the windy roads to the cloud forests of Monteverde. Nestled into out beautifully unneeded rooms we went for a quick lunch followed by a hike through the Park Reserve. We hiked through the tropical rainforest. We found a overlook of the entire valley but the clouds were so intense that you could not see farther than a few feet in from you nose. The abyss was eery and extrodinary.
Later in the evening the tour buses unleashed us to the town for dinner and a good curbside wino party. There is nothing better than huddling, drinking wine, and singing in the street with you two best friends. The bottles bottom enticed us to some dancing in hopes of warming up. The bar welcomed us with a local battle of the bands and drunk Europeans. The disappointing dancing atmosphere proved to be perfect conditions for Spencer taking a home run in a game of Champ-Points.
Another great memory that will forever be imprinted in my giggle list occured when I bounded down the stairs of the bar in search of something more interesting than the latin screamo band and moshing germans. With each step taken, more heads lifted from a room full of Latino Bikes playing pool in a toxic cloud of smoke. There is nothing more awkward than bouncing down the stairs to an entire room of rough lonely men in a basement thinking you will find a better adventure than the first.
November 5th: Adventures awaited us early in the morning. We participated in Cost Ricans' longest Canopy Tour Zip Line. We descended through the jungle feet from trees and above soaring eagles. Not surprising, I had to make the story even better with my misfortunes. Deciding that jumping from a platform would assist my decent in a more rapid and adventurous fashion. Sadly, I could not have been more wrong. Instead of accelerating, my zip ended in a dead stop and an unfortunate pain. I lost control and hit a trilogy of trees. Pin-balling through the jungle with a possible broken leg was not on my Bucklist.
The drive home was filled with pain and stupid regret. Deciding that the fresh air was an appropriate solution for my bruised and swollen leg, I sat with my legs dangling from the bus window as we curved and swerved over mountain passes and ravines.
The night became more and more interesting. When I returned from Monteverde and the painful cloud forest experience, I was overtaken by a strange sickness. Dizziness stalked me like a lonely ex-boyfriend. Eyes closed, Eyes open - I was unable to muster the motivation nor balance to move. We intended to explore Heredia's nightlife before the dizziness snuck through my back door for a quick reunion. After crawling to the kitchen's phone to alert Molly of my undesirable status, I fell asleep with my make-up on, hair did, and sexy salsa dress - all because dizziness had pinned me to my bed and turned the walls into a carnival ride from hell.
November 8th: Add to the list of stupid decisions in Costa Rica - Nose Piercing. Don't ask me why I believed that a needle through my nose from a foreign third world country sounded like a great idea, but at the time I did. With the decent of adrenaline, my blinged nose and I made our way to the Vista for homework and soccer cheering. The boys kicked the ball around and kicked me in still swollen leg. I ran around like an idiot with the local drug dealers keys, glasses, and sweater on. I was dubbed the soccer-mom of the evening for all the neighborhood homies while they played. I felt that if I was going to take on the responsibility than I would take advantage and run around wearing all the attire dumped in my lap. Unfortunately, the collection of items created an ambiance similar to Hermione Granger.
November 11: The girls and I adventured to Tica Bus for our tickets to the upcoming road trip to Nicaragua. We made friends with Randall who will forever come into play with our later adventures. I absolutely love making new friends that I will forever remember and travel with in my future.
Molly and I took a ice cream break in Central Park where we ran into our Tico neighbor Walter. Walter spilled the beans of his life and entertained us for hours. Distracted from our studies, we hung out in the park watching the BMX kids get kicked out by the cops only to return minutes later hoping that the cops wouldn't be present upon their next attempt at ridiculous hoopla. Walter has presented enough quotes for his own personal "magic book." This evening was no acceptation. Walters greatest of the evening was asking Molly and I how Idahoans survive in the snow without freezing. Our response included a heater as our solution. Walter's response was, "What is a heater." Oh tropical rainforests..... The following included a conversation in which Walter gloated about how amazing his home city is by including the description of, "The water is so pretty, it's like the color of TURKEY!" What Walter intended to say was "turquoise." Oh Walter! How we will miss your ridiculous unfiltered lifestyle.
November 10: Today our class was informed how truly intriguing our professor is. Our professor has continuously built a hit list of people she would like to kill. The top of this list includes the construction workers that began their daily work everyday for a weeks time at the same time that our class was in session. The greatest part was the construction was in our room. Our professor also has a series of personal traits that chronically surprise our class. She is a die-hard fan of Horror Movies, Chocolate, Hit Lists, threatening disruptive loiterers in the hallways, and teaching us how to construct the perfect personal add. Not that I needed an add, I have to fight the men off with a stick. Apparently, redheads are a latinos' sign for "eternally available."
November 11: The crew and I ferried our way to Montezuma for the weekend. Upon the ferry we indulged in our weight in fruit. My boy, Spencer, made his way into the magic book once again. Following my list of consumed fruits of the day, Spencer stated, "Girl, you know that you're going to be $hi+!n& like a juicer!" Oh how Spencer knowledge haunts me. We drank wine from empty coconut shells while re-interpreting the classic Titanic seen on the nose of our Ferry. We found the greatest crap-hole hostel that included free locals to hang out with. Why are the most interesting locals the cocaine dealers?
November 12: Montezuma is famous for three things. The weed, the nudist beach, and the waterfall. We chose to indulge in the last. We hiked and climbed the mountain up to a 47 foot waterfall. I mustered the courage to jump twice followed by Molly. Molly's experience was a bit more unfortunate than my own. Her jump haunted her kidneys, back, and booty for weeks after. This was added to the list of obviously stupid things that we shouldn't have participated in - but did.
The rest of the evening was filled with dancing and relaxing. The girls and I participated in a over-priced dinner and the boys lucked out with Dawg, Dog, Dog night. Their bro night included the term of endearment "dawg," the local stray dog, and hot dogs over the beach bonfire. A great memory that I created in Montezuma presented itself while I was stupidly walking home by myself. Two men were approaching me with cat calls and possibly other intentions. My response - creatively false sign language cussing. I was in a poor mood and had no tolerance for a mugging. Apparently, God found humor in my spontaneous choice of defense because those hommies turned right around and walked away just as confused as I was as to where that come from.
November 13: Ferry and buses were a blessing. Both force you no motivation for exploring, but rather sleeping. Exhausted and bored, the girls and I used my telephoto lense for the good of entertainment. We were able to translate every text message or booger picking episode within a hundred feet of our lookout. An addition to Costa Rican Buddies was added this evening. We met a foreign exchange student from Veracruz, Mexico. Dani and I immediately fell in love with the kid. The three of us were "those kids" in the back of the bus. We spent forty minutes learning to say "I have a bean in my pants" in English, German, and Spanish. We laughed so hard the tears streamed down our sunburnt cheeks. To our misfortune, an impatient German sat across from us long enough to inform us that our forty minute German Bean session was not entirely accurate. Good news = laughter is a universal language that few can confuse.
November 18: The girls and I went to Liberia this weekend for a one nighter. We had an Ipod jam session in the back of the bus. We found a hostel that inhabited the silliest Guatamalan who we spoke in Spanish with the entire evening. Study Points!!! The next morning we were informed by the Hostel Owner that there are no buses from Liberia to the National Park of Ricon de Vieja. However, there are plenty of truck drivers that were willing to give us a lift. Yes, yes. We hitch-hiked with a Panamanian truck driver heading to Nicaragua. We were out of our minds and wanted to document the madness with a few pictures in the back of the cab. We estimated these photos at the approximate time that we passed the street where we should have taken. Since our ignorance proved blissful, we took the truck all the way to the Nicaraguan boarder. We had to take a bus back to Liberia for another attempt. A friendly Sweedish family to the Yellowstone of Costa Rica. We hiked over hanging bridges, witnessed boiling mudd pots of eternal sulfer stench, climed tree limbs, and paraded in the beautiful cascades. I might add that there is nothing more revealing of God's mighty power and wrath than a hole in the hearth that rummbles as the earths core heats the rocks that you are currently placed.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Octubre 24 - 30
October 24: Molly and I adventured downtown Heredia for costume supplies. A few of us decided to return to Puerto Viejo for one last visit to the Carribean since the seasons will be changing soon. Molly is being called into the career feild as a mime and I decided upon breaking forth from my cacoon into a beautiful butterfly. Downtown we cruised through a few stores for Molly to buy shorts, striped t-shirt and matching leggings. I purchased fabric, house paint, and face paint.
The begining of my creation began. I cut, painted, and sewed my wings into the finest of my costume years. The wings were painted with the markings of a monarch butterfly, famous to my lovely Idaho. They joined together in the middle, to be held the shoulder of my t-shirt. The wings were tied discreetly to my wrists abling me full flexibility to dance - or better use of words - fly across the dance floor!
With the abundance of odors escaping the oil paint and the perminent markers, I limited my artistic insanity. No wonder all the classic artists created such interesting peices; all of them were probably higher than kites as they molded their art into finished pruducts.
October 25: Cuisine class brought Latin America styled pizza. I created a gigantic pizza overpopulated with hearts of palm, pinapple, ham, cheese, tomatoes, and other delicious goodies!
Natalie, Molly, and Claire so generously joined me in my continuous labor of my costume. We were thoroughly entertained for most of the evening by my amazing boy friend. He was able to share his rare and perfected party tricks via Skype for us ladies. There was eyebrow dancing, fairy dancing, video sharing, story telling and so much more. Thank you Keith for this fabulous talent show. Later, we decided upon a junk food run to the local Dos Pinos Supermercado.
October 26: Stoned out of my mind from the late night filled with permanent markers, I awoke for school. The excitement has chronically growing for this weekend. Every topic required for our practicing in class surrounded the topic of our costumes or weekend.
We had a fabulous evening playing soccer. A ton of Ticos showed up in hopes of out maneuvering the gringos' density. Unfortunately for them, the gringos only play with their egos, leaving the ticos bulldozed and broken by the end of the games.
We enjoyed out time on the field enough to introduce a second game. There were few players left for the second match, but those who were had a great time. We also introduced some drama and silliness into the game. I particularly enjoyed players falling to their knees followed by a cry of "?Porque?" echoing throughout the arena when a strategically kicked ball didn't find its way into the goal.
In the evening, Richard, Molly, and I watched "bridesmaids" and laughed until we were moments from peeing our pants.
October 26: The rain came with such intensity today that the rivers created in the sewers could no longer be contained. The rain came down and the floods came up. The water purged through the man-hole covers in the streets as if it was a cartoon sequence. We walked down the street, up to our ankles, in water. We made our way to San Jose for our tickets cold and wet, but in high hopes for what the weekend would bring!
Today's highlight was dance class. My uncoordinated was proved again to be fatal for the health of humanity. We were taught a new dance called the Cumbia which requires you to bob around like a bunny while keeping in time with your partners repetitive movements. I laughed myself silly when I couldn't keep rythm while I kicked everyone of my partners in the shins, multiple times.
Tonight we indulged in yet another movie night with "Limitless." The story was interesting, but the life of drug addicts makes me remarkably uncomfortable.
October 27: After class we left for the Caribe Bus Station. The rain poored as we left the city behind us. The trip was hot and sticky for its passengers. Upon arriving in Puerto Viejo, the taxis awaited. Rocking J's welcomes you with open arms by paying for your ride to their gates. We purchased our hammocks for the evening and prepared some dinner. After settling in to our weekend home, we headed to town for some dancing. We danced until we grew tired. Upon our leaving Mangos, we witnessed a robbery. A drunken man sat, swaying on a beached log, when another man reached into his pockets and simply took everything. The thief didn't even need to run, the man was so drunk that he was incapable of chasing after the saggy pants robber.
After our evening meander back to the Rocking J's Hostel, we participated in the lasting minutes of the bonfire. I quickly made friends with a tico named Luis. Luis was an employee at the hostel who I spoke for a few hours with, IN SPANISH!!! Past tense verb usage has changed my life. I have evolved from "Yesterday, I go to...." into "I went...."! Simple, but this is an extraordinary leap for Spanish beginners. Life Changing.
Proud of my Spanish conversation, I made my way back to my hammock. The hostel was filled with travelers. I crawled under the low hanging hammocks embracing Germans, Belgiums, Isrealies, Americans, even Canadians! Regardless of their ethnicity, I was not impressed by their blubbering and drunken grumbling as I intended to slumber.
My dreams didn't last long. They were interrupted by one of my dear friends opening his locker straight into my tranquil head while he searched for his sobriety. Later, I was awaken by another friend. Sober, but adventurous for an early morning journey to the beach to witness the 4am sunrise. Obligation sunk into my tired pores, thus thrusting my motivation to the sea. Thankful for the awakening, I watched as God's beautiful creations came to life as the illumination of the sun warmed the surrounding surfaces. What marvels await to the those who seek what encircles their repetitive lives.
October 28: Early morning nap followed my early morning wake up call with the sun. I sun screened my booty all the way to the bicycle shop where my friends and I rented some rasta mobiles for the day. We headed out for some snorkeling close to Manzanillo. We rode our bikes through the jungle, speaking Spanish and a little howler monkey too! We took a wrong turn on our last Manzanillo trail. Deciding to return to the miraculous dirt road, we came across a site to be seen!
A couple years ago, a man put all that he was worth into a resort at the end of the trail that we rode down. This man decided to build this resort (hush hush) within the premise of a national park. The government was not fond of his secrecy nor his construction, so they sewed him for all he was worth. Meanwhile, the government also decided to destroy the man's creation to further protect the environment. Within the week of demolition, the man died from a serious heart attack thought to be brought on by the depression of loosing everything. The ruins of the hotel lay in the jungle just beyond the beach awaiting the decision of the widow.
We played in the ruins for a while: breaking, smashing, and throwing things from the top floor. We also played a game similar to our childhood "house;" where were we pretended to make cocktails in the vacant swim up pool bar. We rode the concrete fountain dolphins, danced on the counters, and picked a few wild watermelon.
The sea was too rough for us to enjoy a day of snorkeling. A pity. I was unable to even work on my tan due to the density of the clouds. We decided to make our way back to the hostel for yet another nap. We needed all the sleep we could get, knowing that our evening was going to be a list topper! Molly, Natalie, and I ate mangos as we rode our bikes through the jungle trails. I nearly attended two accidents: one with Kelsey and the other with an oncoming car. Both almost-casualties were blamed on my all-too-juicy mango. Shame on my dirty mango!
Molly and I returned to work on our tan. We made our way to the unfinished park in the back of J's. We made a small sunbathing area out of the mosaic walkway, only to find J standing over us minutes later - in a morphsuit! Okay, for those who are unaware of what a "morphsuit" is; let me explain. Morphsuit: a one piece spandex suit that covers your entire body form toes, fingers, to face. You are the black figure with a new identity upon purchasing this fantastic investment!
J, in his morphsuit, invited us to sunbathe on top of the "ARC" after giving us a tour of the iced cabins, music studio, museum, and the room of mirrors. The arc is a structure that looks similar to cargo vessels that you would witness on a passing train. Only J has a few that are connected into a vessel that holds all these nifty places, but also could be used for a zombie apocalypse or the next flood. J has made sure that this vessel is ready for either by designing it to float and hold a multitude of crossbows in hidden chambers throughout the arc.
Might I just add, that I have no idea why I went into a unknown vessel with a man dressed in a black morphsuit.
We went out for dinner for another round of Americanized food at Flip Flop. The night had just begun. There were bicycle carts pouring tequila into pedestrians mouths, homeless men dressed up and acting out morbid scenes, and we made our way back to J's for our preparation. Molly and I decided that energy drinks are our source of stupidity. To keep up with all our friends who indulge in alcohol, I indulge into a MAX energy for a similar result but a far lesser hangover the next day. Our costumes turned out to be fantastic! I was proud of every one of our home-made trejas!
Their was a pre-game party at J's with fire dancing and a toxic jungle juice. I chose not to participate in either for the good of humanity. After, we bounced from one hot spot to the next for a comical dancing experience. Two dance floors closed their doors before we were ready to abandon our boogieing. We could no longer find another so we decided to return to our humble abode. One of my friends chose to dedicate his evening to capture a tempting cinna-bun that sat behind the closed bar. Pressing himself against walls, rolling on the floor, and crawling over bar stools; my friend never reached the illuminated cinna-bun. Hungry and struggling, I put my friend back to bed - or should I say "to tent." Throughout the night, I rounded up the crew and found their hammocks for them. I found the same friend on multiple occasions wandering the halls after I had already put him "to tent" before. Dancing, babysitting, costume making, were the perfect ingredient for the best Halloween.
October 29: Vengence was brought upon many this morning. The stereotypical symptoms of a hangover walked about the hostel. Sadly, there were more severe symptoms for my friend - finding nothing but an empty bike rack. Amnesia is an unfortunate symptom. Pulling our heads together, I finally recommended looking through pictures to find where and when the last time we knew the bike had been. Ending verdict shows us that the rasta-moble was last seen on the beach at 4am without a bike lock. Our imaginations didn't need to work much more after this.
Bus ride home = More sleep than I had the entire weekend. The end.
The begining of my creation began. I cut, painted, and sewed my wings into the finest of my costume years. The wings were painted with the markings of a monarch butterfly, famous to my lovely Idaho. They joined together in the middle, to be held the shoulder of my t-shirt. The wings were tied discreetly to my wrists abling me full flexibility to dance - or better use of words - fly across the dance floor!
With the abundance of odors escaping the oil paint and the perminent markers, I limited my artistic insanity. No wonder all the classic artists created such interesting peices; all of them were probably higher than kites as they molded their art into finished pruducts.
October 25: Cuisine class brought Latin America styled pizza. I created a gigantic pizza overpopulated with hearts of palm, pinapple, ham, cheese, tomatoes, and other delicious goodies!
Natalie, Molly, and Claire so generously joined me in my continuous labor of my costume. We were thoroughly entertained for most of the evening by my amazing boy friend. He was able to share his rare and perfected party tricks via Skype for us ladies. There was eyebrow dancing, fairy dancing, video sharing, story telling and so much more. Thank you Keith for this fabulous talent show. Later, we decided upon a junk food run to the local Dos Pinos Supermercado.
October 26: Stoned out of my mind from the late night filled with permanent markers, I awoke for school. The excitement has chronically growing for this weekend. Every topic required for our practicing in class surrounded the topic of our costumes or weekend.
We had a fabulous evening playing soccer. A ton of Ticos showed up in hopes of out maneuvering the gringos' density. Unfortunately for them, the gringos only play with their egos, leaving the ticos bulldozed and broken by the end of the games.
We enjoyed out time on the field enough to introduce a second game. There were few players left for the second match, but those who were had a great time. We also introduced some drama and silliness into the game. I particularly enjoyed players falling to their knees followed by a cry of "?Porque?" echoing throughout the arena when a strategically kicked ball didn't find its way into the goal.
In the evening, Richard, Molly, and I watched "bridesmaids" and laughed until we were moments from peeing our pants.
October 26: The rain came with such intensity today that the rivers created in the sewers could no longer be contained. The rain came down and the floods came up. The water purged through the man-hole covers in the streets as if it was a cartoon sequence. We walked down the street, up to our ankles, in water. We made our way to San Jose for our tickets cold and wet, but in high hopes for what the weekend would bring!
Today's highlight was dance class. My uncoordinated was proved again to be fatal for the health of humanity. We were taught a new dance called the Cumbia which requires you to bob around like a bunny while keeping in time with your partners repetitive movements. I laughed myself silly when I couldn't keep rythm while I kicked everyone of my partners in the shins, multiple times.
Tonight we indulged in yet another movie night with "Limitless." The story was interesting, but the life of drug addicts makes me remarkably uncomfortable.
October 27: After class we left for the Caribe Bus Station. The rain poored as we left the city behind us. The trip was hot and sticky for its passengers. Upon arriving in Puerto Viejo, the taxis awaited. Rocking J's welcomes you with open arms by paying for your ride to their gates. We purchased our hammocks for the evening and prepared some dinner. After settling in to our weekend home, we headed to town for some dancing. We danced until we grew tired. Upon our leaving Mangos, we witnessed a robbery. A drunken man sat, swaying on a beached log, when another man reached into his pockets and simply took everything. The thief didn't even need to run, the man was so drunk that he was incapable of chasing after the saggy pants robber.
After our evening meander back to the Rocking J's Hostel, we participated in the lasting minutes of the bonfire. I quickly made friends with a tico named Luis. Luis was an employee at the hostel who I spoke for a few hours with, IN SPANISH!!! Past tense verb usage has changed my life. I have evolved from "Yesterday, I go to...." into "I went...."! Simple, but this is an extraordinary leap for Spanish beginners. Life Changing.
Proud of my Spanish conversation, I made my way back to my hammock. The hostel was filled with travelers. I crawled under the low hanging hammocks embracing Germans, Belgiums, Isrealies, Americans, even Canadians! Regardless of their ethnicity, I was not impressed by their blubbering and drunken grumbling as I intended to slumber.
My dreams didn't last long. They were interrupted by one of my dear friends opening his locker straight into my tranquil head while he searched for his sobriety. Later, I was awaken by another friend. Sober, but adventurous for an early morning journey to the beach to witness the 4am sunrise. Obligation sunk into my tired pores, thus thrusting my motivation to the sea. Thankful for the awakening, I watched as God's beautiful creations came to life as the illumination of the sun warmed the surrounding surfaces. What marvels await to the those who seek what encircles their repetitive lives.
October 28: Early morning nap followed my early morning wake up call with the sun. I sun screened my booty all the way to the bicycle shop where my friends and I rented some rasta mobiles for the day. We headed out for some snorkeling close to Manzanillo. We rode our bikes through the jungle, speaking Spanish and a little howler monkey too! We took a wrong turn on our last Manzanillo trail. Deciding to return to the miraculous dirt road, we came across a site to be seen!
A couple years ago, a man put all that he was worth into a resort at the end of the trail that we rode down. This man decided to build this resort (hush hush) within the premise of a national park. The government was not fond of his secrecy nor his construction, so they sewed him for all he was worth. Meanwhile, the government also decided to destroy the man's creation to further protect the environment. Within the week of demolition, the man died from a serious heart attack thought to be brought on by the depression of loosing everything. The ruins of the hotel lay in the jungle just beyond the beach awaiting the decision of the widow.
We played in the ruins for a while: breaking, smashing, and throwing things from the top floor. We also played a game similar to our childhood "house;" where were we pretended to make cocktails in the vacant swim up pool bar. We rode the concrete fountain dolphins, danced on the counters, and picked a few wild watermelon.
The sea was too rough for us to enjoy a day of snorkeling. A pity. I was unable to even work on my tan due to the density of the clouds. We decided to make our way back to the hostel for yet another nap. We needed all the sleep we could get, knowing that our evening was going to be a list topper! Molly, Natalie, and I ate mangos as we rode our bikes through the jungle trails. I nearly attended two accidents: one with Kelsey and the other with an oncoming car. Both almost-casualties were blamed on my all-too-juicy mango. Shame on my dirty mango!
Molly and I returned to work on our tan. We made our way to the unfinished park in the back of J's. We made a small sunbathing area out of the mosaic walkway, only to find J standing over us minutes later - in a morphsuit! Okay, for those who are unaware of what a "morphsuit" is; let me explain. Morphsuit: a one piece spandex suit that covers your entire body form toes, fingers, to face. You are the black figure with a new identity upon purchasing this fantastic investment!
J, in his morphsuit, invited us to sunbathe on top of the "ARC" after giving us a tour of the iced cabins, music studio, museum, and the room of mirrors. The arc is a structure that looks similar to cargo vessels that you would witness on a passing train. Only J has a few that are connected into a vessel that holds all these nifty places, but also could be used for a zombie apocalypse or the next flood. J has made sure that this vessel is ready for either by designing it to float and hold a multitude of crossbows in hidden chambers throughout the arc.
Might I just add, that I have no idea why I went into a unknown vessel with a man dressed in a black morphsuit.
We went out for dinner for another round of Americanized food at Flip Flop. The night had just begun. There were bicycle carts pouring tequila into pedestrians mouths, homeless men dressed up and acting out morbid scenes, and we made our way back to J's for our preparation. Molly and I decided that energy drinks are our source of stupidity. To keep up with all our friends who indulge in alcohol, I indulge into a MAX energy for a similar result but a far lesser hangover the next day. Our costumes turned out to be fantastic! I was proud of every one of our home-made trejas!
Their was a pre-game party at J's with fire dancing and a toxic jungle juice. I chose not to participate in either for the good of humanity. After, we bounced from one hot spot to the next for a comical dancing experience. Two dance floors closed their doors before we were ready to abandon our boogieing. We could no longer find another so we decided to return to our humble abode. One of my friends chose to dedicate his evening to capture a tempting cinna-bun that sat behind the closed bar. Pressing himself against walls, rolling on the floor, and crawling over bar stools; my friend never reached the illuminated cinna-bun. Hungry and struggling, I put my friend back to bed - or should I say "to tent." Throughout the night, I rounded up the crew and found their hammocks for them. I found the same friend on multiple occasions wandering the halls after I had already put him "to tent" before. Dancing, babysitting, costume making, were the perfect ingredient for the best Halloween.
October 29: Vengence was brought upon many this morning. The stereotypical symptoms of a hangover walked about the hostel. Sadly, there were more severe symptoms for my friend - finding nothing but an empty bike rack. Amnesia is an unfortunate symptom. Pulling our heads together, I finally recommended looking through pictures to find where and when the last time we knew the bike had been. Ending verdict shows us that the rasta-moble was last seen on the beach at 4am without a bike lock. Our imaginations didn't need to work much more after this.
Bus ride home = More sleep than I had the entire weekend. The end.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Octubre 18 - 23
October 18: Today my cuisine class was cancelled due to the overpopulation of thunderstorms. It has been typhoon season for the last few weeks. I am beginning to loose hope on the return of the sun. I feel like Tom Hanks, stranded on an island with no hope of escape from the water surrounding me. The only laugh that I was able to treasure today came from the simplicity of my mama tica's hiccups that ran throughout the house for a couple hours.
October 19: Best day of futbol ever. Our games seemed to fly by as we won and lost in joy. The competition level was as low, as was the testosterone. I have finally found my position of comfort. I am not coordinated enough to aim as a forward, nor block as a goalie. My talent lies somewhere between. I have enjoyed my position as a fullback protector because my job is to protect the goal, charge the ball, and kick that bugger as hard as my strength will allow.
After futbol we made plans to see a movie that was created in Costa Rica called "El Regreso" or "The return." Spencer groomed and bathed himself at my house after futbol, in order to freshen for the flick. I thoroughly enjoyed the scene where Spencer dramatically threw open my sliding door to the shower, limited only to his shorts, and dared ask me, "did you miss me?" Laughing and rolling my eyes, I continued my tasks until the unsatisfied response tempted Spencer into wiping me in the butt with a towel! Brotherly love is not limited by moving to another country. We have had multiple discussions between the two of us that form a resemblance between each other and our siblings.
October 20: Simple and uneventful Thursday. Molly and I bought our groceries, I found a cheap and tasty bottle of Costa Rican wine, and we went to Spanish class for Salsa night!
October 21: The bus to Cahuita was simple and quick. I have conquered the cure for my bus sickness: limiting the amount of time in the bus. Sounds simple? That's because it is. Hanging my body out the window creates a number of great solutions. The wind in my face riddens me of my sickness and I get a closer experience to the rural Costa Rican life. There is a good source of happiness that comes from waving and smiling at the local people from my window.
We arrived in Cahuita in time to spot a sloth hanging from a telephone wire within feet of my head. I was twitterpated to be almost within touching distance. I think the sloth was happier that it hadn't been diagnosed with epilepsy due to the abundance of photographic flashes that followed it's tight rope passage. Our hostel, The Secret Garden, was tucked back into a little crevasse of the town. We cooked our dinner and headed out for some night life. Though it was a national holiday, the night life was limited. We were the only bodies who touched the dance floor besides the entangled lesbian lovers. All other warm bodies were large Afro-Caribbean men who decorated the walls while the girls danced and Spencer attempted to perfect his ragae dance moves - which involved a lot of general gang signs. We quickly removed Spencers' gang signs and ourselves from the dance floor and on to the Churro with Dulce de Leche stand. Yummmmmm!
October 22: We explored the depths of Cahuita's National Forest for a small donational fee. I improved my photography portfolio as I meandered through the jungle. At the end of our passage, we encountered a colony of Capuchin monkeys. Natalie desperately wanted to feed the savages. I kept my distance for a while as my mama tica's monkey horror stories repeated in my head. After the reoccurring nightmare passed, I debated with my courage until I convinced it to join me. I joined Natalie and Molly's lunch with the monkeys. We had monkeys hold our hands, steal our crackers, and sit in our laps. !Que Divertido!
After our monkeys lunch, we headed to a short session of swimming and sunbathing. Our session was cut short due to the incoming storm. The storm took hold of the entire evening, taking it captive. The storm tormented us as we watched our beautiful day being chased away, never looking back.
We prepared lunch, read novels, discussed political topics with an English man and gave a Spanish crash course to our hansom, Scottish roommate. The occupants of the hotel rushed to the limits of the roof to fill their water bottles after the rain began. I sometimes forget that I am living in a third world country. I am often reminded when certain events pass throughout my day. When the rain running off the roof proves to be cleaner than that from the sinks; I am reminded.
We struggled to occupy ourselves throughout the afternoon. No longer being able to withstand our boredom, we found our way to the nearby Puerto Viejo. We enjoyed Americanized food (pasta, tacos, hamburgers) at a local restaurant called Flip Flop. I ordered myself a Flip Flop Special hamburger with a side of fire dancing man! I have seen this fire dancer all over the country and every time I am drooling over his incredible talents. My hamburger, fire twirler, and evening of dance proved to be worth our expensive cab fare home.
October 23: Bus Station came too soon. We woke up to the most beautiful sun filled day just in time to leave. We contemplated exchanging our tickets for a later time. However, we were unable to motivate ourselves into the great attempt of speaking in Spanish to the ticket office. So, we left the white sand, giggling children, fresh pineapple, churros con dulce de leche and the sun rays behind us. No wonder my mama tica doesn't understand why I keep returning from the beach as pasty white as when I left.
October 19: Best day of futbol ever. Our games seemed to fly by as we won and lost in joy. The competition level was as low, as was the testosterone. I have finally found my position of comfort. I am not coordinated enough to aim as a forward, nor block as a goalie. My talent lies somewhere between. I have enjoyed my position as a fullback protector because my job is to protect the goal, charge the ball, and kick that bugger as hard as my strength will allow.
After futbol we made plans to see a movie that was created in Costa Rica called "El Regreso" or "The return." Spencer groomed and bathed himself at my house after futbol, in order to freshen for the flick. I thoroughly enjoyed the scene where Spencer dramatically threw open my sliding door to the shower, limited only to his shorts, and dared ask me, "did you miss me?" Laughing and rolling my eyes, I continued my tasks until the unsatisfied response tempted Spencer into wiping me in the butt with a towel! Brotherly love is not limited by moving to another country. We have had multiple discussions between the two of us that form a resemblance between each other and our siblings.
October 20: Simple and uneventful Thursday. Molly and I bought our groceries, I found a cheap and tasty bottle of Costa Rican wine, and we went to Spanish class for Salsa night!
October 21: The bus to Cahuita was simple and quick. I have conquered the cure for my bus sickness: limiting the amount of time in the bus. Sounds simple? That's because it is. Hanging my body out the window creates a number of great solutions. The wind in my face riddens me of my sickness and I get a closer experience to the rural Costa Rican life. There is a good source of happiness that comes from waving and smiling at the local people from my window.
We arrived in Cahuita in time to spot a sloth hanging from a telephone wire within feet of my head. I was twitterpated to be almost within touching distance. I think the sloth was happier that it hadn't been diagnosed with epilepsy due to the abundance of photographic flashes that followed it's tight rope passage. Our hostel, The Secret Garden, was tucked back into a little crevasse of the town. We cooked our dinner and headed out for some night life. Though it was a national holiday, the night life was limited. We were the only bodies who touched the dance floor besides the entangled lesbian lovers. All other warm bodies were large Afro-Caribbean men who decorated the walls while the girls danced and Spencer attempted to perfect his ragae dance moves - which involved a lot of general gang signs. We quickly removed Spencers' gang signs and ourselves from the dance floor and on to the Churro with Dulce de Leche stand. Yummmmmm!
October 22: We explored the depths of Cahuita's National Forest for a small donational fee. I improved my photography portfolio as I meandered through the jungle. At the end of our passage, we encountered a colony of Capuchin monkeys. Natalie desperately wanted to feed the savages. I kept my distance for a while as my mama tica's monkey horror stories repeated in my head. After the reoccurring nightmare passed, I debated with my courage until I convinced it to join me. I joined Natalie and Molly's lunch with the monkeys. We had monkeys hold our hands, steal our crackers, and sit in our laps. !Que Divertido!
After our monkeys lunch, we headed to a short session of swimming and sunbathing. Our session was cut short due to the incoming storm. The storm took hold of the entire evening, taking it captive. The storm tormented us as we watched our beautiful day being chased away, never looking back.
We prepared lunch, read novels, discussed political topics with an English man and gave a Spanish crash course to our hansom, Scottish roommate. The occupants of the hotel rushed to the limits of the roof to fill their water bottles after the rain began. I sometimes forget that I am living in a third world country. I am often reminded when certain events pass throughout my day. When the rain running off the roof proves to be cleaner than that from the sinks; I am reminded.
We struggled to occupy ourselves throughout the afternoon. No longer being able to withstand our boredom, we found our way to the nearby Puerto Viejo. We enjoyed Americanized food (pasta, tacos, hamburgers) at a local restaurant called Flip Flop. I ordered myself a Flip Flop Special hamburger with a side of fire dancing man! I have seen this fire dancer all over the country and every time I am drooling over his incredible talents. My hamburger, fire twirler, and evening of dance proved to be worth our expensive cab fare home.
October 23: Bus Station came too soon. We woke up to the most beautiful sun filled day just in time to leave. We contemplated exchanging our tickets for a later time. However, we were unable to motivate ourselves into the great attempt of speaking in Spanish to the ticket office. So, we left the white sand, giggling children, fresh pineapple, churros con dulce de leche and the sun rays behind us. No wonder my mama tica doesn't understand why I keep returning from the beach as pasty white as when I left.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Octubre 11-17
October 11: Tuesday brought only one enjoyment. Platanos....
Platanos are Spanish for plantains. Plantains is English for really large banana looking thing in the supermarkets that no one in The States understands what to do with them.
In my cuisine class we were taught how to fry platanos verdes with a side of pico dio. Platanos verdes come from Cuba and the Carribean side of Costa Rica. I find it interesting that Costa Rica is divided in half in terms of its majorities; and divided in twelvths for its environmental diversity. If you travel to the Carribbean, you will find more rasta then you know what to do with. Rasta seeps from your pores. There, you will find salty platanos and really big black men. However, on the Pacific side of Costa Rica the platanos are sweet and sauteed to perfection.
October 12: The ladies and I went out today to explore the shopping culture of Heredia. Note to all tall women out there: Costa Rica does not have shoes for you. I would have paid to re- witness the look I recieved from the man in the shoe department when I asked him if they sold shoes in my size. Needless to say, shopping for sandles was a less dramatic, but just as difficult of an experience as a mission impossible movie. I just wish Tom Cruise would have been there to attempt the search for a good shoe fitting.
The last and final store of the afternoon had a sandal that fit. I bought them with pride and hussled my way back to the house to change for futbol. Dani and I were soaked by the time we went a block past the shoe store. We slugged back to the house to find the boys not ready. Unsurprising. I pulled Kenny out of the bathroom by his earlobe after his mom offered to drive us to futbol. We showed up late, again. We were thrown into the next game only to be thrown off the feild after the world quickest loss. I didn't even realize that we were playing before they scoreboard read 'defeat'.
We decided to eat our emotions away with a good adventure love story and junk food. I bought the carmel popcorn, molly bought the pringles, and richard got 'water for elephants.' Half way through the flick the language switched to what I believe was French. I was having a hard enough time following in Spanish, now they added French! We just laughed it off and enjoyed the pirated film. My favorite part was when the sound cut out and all you could hear was the "pirater" coughing and sniffling in the background of his clip.
October 13: Bus ride to the bus station for bus tickets. Bus, Bus, Bus. Can I just vent for a second and say that I really dislike buses - emphasis on the really. They are crowded and make me want to hurl with every poor clutch malfunction and humid window. To top off our poor bus ride with a cherry, we found out that tickets can only be purchased the day-of. So we made our way back just in time to skip dance class due to my newly purchased sandles braking. The one pair of sandals in Costa Rica that fit also broke! Megh!
Okay, finished with my PMS fued.
October 14: Today is a good day! New sandles! Adventure to come! Friends to be made! I might sound like an episode of Mr. Rodgers, but who wouldn't want to be my neighboor on such a fantastic day! We finished school and hussled over to the bus station for our day-of tickets. We purchased tickets for 2pm. Our bus left at 1:30pm just after we hopped on. I hope no one else was planning on joining.
The trip was quick, squishy, and full of good life stories. The bus ride from San Carlos to La Fortuna was so popular that I am almost certain that everyone and there grandmother hopped on our bus. The only way we could have held more people on that bus would have been if we threw them under in the storage compartments below. I got a little closterphobic and decided I would rather sit out side. So I squeezed out the window of the bus and flew through the country side. As the wind swept through my hair, I noticed a flash. The man standing a few isles in front of my now vacant seat decided to turn my escape into a photo-shoot. Him and his friend were taking pictures of my stupid, but freeing expedition. I came back into the window to scoff at them for taking stalker pictures, but decided against my scoff because they had charming smiles and greeted us appropriately. We had the rest of the bus ride to make new friends and decide there should be a club for all the Ticos who have witnessed AND documented my stupid decisions. Saying goodbye to Nestor and his brother, we headed toward our Sleepers Sleep Cheap Hostel.
Due to the uneven rooming situation, I was obligated to volunteer myself for the room with the boys. It was actually a fun experience. It reminded me of my days of my youth and vacationing with my brothers.
Decisions led to a tranquil evening of walking around the touristic city, splashing in the public fountain, admiring an art gallery, origami lessons, tree climbing, and rocking chairs. My newly befriended Bobby rocked me into a quick slumber as the crew giggled their way into exhaustion.
October 15: A few hours less then rested hours later, we devoured our breakfast (included in our already $7 cheap room-fare), then took off to Luis' RedLava Tours. Luis is our friend that Molly and I made the last adventure to La Fortuna hooked us up with a great deal. For the cheapest price on the cheapest tour, Luis added on all additional tours for the same price. The day's itinerary included a six hour hike up to a water volcano, waterfall, night hike, hot springs, and dancing.
Luis and our crew headed up through the forest to the top of Cerro Chato, which is a Lagoon that rests at the top of a water volcano. The water held within the crater takes on a beautiful, striking green color that invites you for a refreshing swim after our three hour accent. The hike up held adventures of many kinds. We saw unique vegetation, beautiful scenic overlooks, ants that work as stitches, and Tarzan vines. Unfortunately for me, I would never make a good mate for Tarzan. I was the only one in our crew who could not hold my own weight on the vines as I swung over the forest floor. I embarrassingly slipped mid-flight off the end and landed in a muddy crevasse that echoed the laughter.
Reaching the peak of our hike, we began to descend down into the crater. Our decent included free climbing down cliffs using only the forest and its natural staircase. The tree roots proved to be slippery and dangerous time after time. We had to stop for a quick breather and praise after Dani slipped from one ledge only to keep rolling down the mountain. She stopped just before a drop down the cliff that would have certainly taken her life or much of her body. We carefully made it to the green waters for a quick swim, rope swing plunge, and white dolphin watching.
Our decent from the volcano was much quicker than the ascent. Luis and many of the others allowed their animal instincts to overcome their senses. The wild crew leapt and swung down the mountain using vines, trees, and stupidity to race down the mountain. Bobby added a few shout outs like: "Par core" or "Grind" as he would slide down a tree root or leap from a startling height. I could no longer could keep up with group so I went at my own leisurely pace down the mountain to the echos of jungle interpretative noises from my long gone companions.
We literally chased sundown all the way to the waterfall. We arrived just in time for enough light to jump from low and high points of the thundering waterfall. I cradled my courage and stupidity long enough for Luis to push me up the side of the waterfall for me to embrace my Pocahontas spirit. I jumped from the sweet spot of the waterfall into the rushing waters below. To warm up after the chilly falls, we headed to the Hot Spring River. We dived into the caves below the river and soaked in volcanic mud masks. All was fun and splendid until one of the girls fell. I reached out just in time to catch her. Sadly, my movement cost me my purity ring. I bought my purity rings years ago as a symbol of my absence decision. I had many other intentions for this ring's future, but now it was lost. I cried and sulked a while in the warmth of the river. Molly's attempts to cheer me up were tender, but unhelpful at this time. But I want to thank her non the less for being that amazing friend who loves me and convinces me that some things are not worth the tears or frustration.
Later that evening, we decided to go dancing at the local hangout. Dancing was great, but since I usually update you on my list of creepers; I will inform you of my newest. I had to give the 'save me' signal to my friend Bobby when the short little man who I was dancing with decided to try a new dance move. The choreography involved swirling his finger in my belly button. Yes, my belly button....
October 16: Continental breakfast came much too early. Nothing like fresh fruit to start a good day filled with more adventures. The crew and I wandered down to the local watering whole for some stupid decisions and even better stories. This is the same watering hole where Molly and I completed "Stupid Idea #1," where we survived the rope swing together. Since then, we have accomplished "Stupid Idea #2 - feeding the wild monkeys our lunch in the middle of the jungle" and "Stupid Idea #3 - Pretending to fight on top of a waterfall only for me to punch Bobby in the face, sending him diving off the top and into the abyss below."
There you have it folks. We are full of great, but rather stupid, decisions. I successfully face planted in front of everyone of my friends who awaited my 'hey guys, watch this' move from the top of the rope swing. We did a handful of other daring un-thought-through maneuvers before leaving the swimming hole, but non as great as Luke's flip from the waterfalls peak.
Walking back from the swimming hole we encountered a symphony of drumming. As the beat grew stronger in our cores, we found the source. There was a rodeo style stadium in downtown La Fortuna that held a national drum-line competition. I was already on a roll of stupid adventures, so I decided to continue the movement. I snuck into the stadium from under the stage to watch the talented young drummers beat one of my favorite songs by Kanaan - Wave Your Flag - from the 2010 World Cup. Peaking through the slats of an overpopulated stadium below, listening to the rhythm of passion, is a fabulous cultural experience.
That evening I went to Luis' house for a quick tour. I had to ask him if he just enjoyed pink rooms filled with caterpillars or if his house was once a preschool. The latter was correct; however, the first would be much more entertaining to be true. Later we witnessed the second most spectacular sunset in my life. The clouds ascended over the completely visible Volcano, changing from pink, orange, and gold. Following natures show, the girls and Bobby went out for some cheap, local grub. We stopped at a place to engorge ourselves with the much craved American food. We laughed continuously when realizing that Bobby is always clustered among the ladies. We decided that he would be our Costa Rican Polygamist Husband and we are all sister wives.
October 17: Today was filled with mostly travel time and over viewing our fantastic weekend. The bus trip was quick and easy. However, we had a small hold up in traffic when a rural farmer was trucking down the road with a large cow in the back bed of his Toyota. Cows are not very forgiving when descending down windy mountain roads, in case you were ever in need of transporting one.
Today, one of my girls graciously explained to me the meaning of La Fortuna."La Fortuna" translates to "The Fortune." In hopes of cheering me up after the loss of my favorite ring, she explained to me that the people in La Fortuna to this day find tools, trinkets, and treasures from the villages destroyed by the Volcanoes last eruption. These items are found in the same river that holds my ring. I get to add more to this great story. Upon arriving home, I told my mother about the loss. While I told her the story and explained my distress, she found and bought the same ring online in a smaller size to ensure security! Now that is love. Can I get a quick shout out to the world's greatest mother! Woot Woot.
Platanos are Spanish for plantains. Plantains is English for really large banana looking thing in the supermarkets that no one in The States understands what to do with them.
In my cuisine class we were taught how to fry platanos verdes with a side of pico dio. Platanos verdes come from Cuba and the Carribean side of Costa Rica. I find it interesting that Costa Rica is divided in half in terms of its majorities; and divided in twelvths for its environmental diversity. If you travel to the Carribbean, you will find more rasta then you know what to do with. Rasta seeps from your pores. There, you will find salty platanos and really big black men. However, on the Pacific side of Costa Rica the platanos are sweet and sauteed to perfection.
October 12: The ladies and I went out today to explore the shopping culture of Heredia. Note to all tall women out there: Costa Rica does not have shoes for you. I would have paid to re- witness the look I recieved from the man in the shoe department when I asked him if they sold shoes in my size. Needless to say, shopping for sandles was a less dramatic, but just as difficult of an experience as a mission impossible movie. I just wish Tom Cruise would have been there to attempt the search for a good shoe fitting.
The last and final store of the afternoon had a sandal that fit. I bought them with pride and hussled my way back to the house to change for futbol. Dani and I were soaked by the time we went a block past the shoe store. We slugged back to the house to find the boys not ready. Unsurprising. I pulled Kenny out of the bathroom by his earlobe after his mom offered to drive us to futbol. We showed up late, again. We were thrown into the next game only to be thrown off the feild after the world quickest loss. I didn't even realize that we were playing before they scoreboard read 'defeat'.
We decided to eat our emotions away with a good adventure love story and junk food. I bought the carmel popcorn, molly bought the pringles, and richard got 'water for elephants.' Half way through the flick the language switched to what I believe was French. I was having a hard enough time following in Spanish, now they added French! We just laughed it off and enjoyed the pirated film. My favorite part was when the sound cut out and all you could hear was the "pirater" coughing and sniffling in the background of his clip.
October 13: Bus ride to the bus station for bus tickets. Bus, Bus, Bus. Can I just vent for a second and say that I really dislike buses - emphasis on the really. They are crowded and make me want to hurl with every poor clutch malfunction and humid window. To top off our poor bus ride with a cherry, we found out that tickets can only be purchased the day-of. So we made our way back just in time to skip dance class due to my newly purchased sandles braking. The one pair of sandals in Costa Rica that fit also broke! Megh!
Okay, finished with my PMS fued.
October 14: Today is a good day! New sandles! Adventure to come! Friends to be made! I might sound like an episode of Mr. Rodgers, but who wouldn't want to be my neighboor on such a fantastic day! We finished school and hussled over to the bus station for our day-of tickets. We purchased tickets for 2pm. Our bus left at 1:30pm just after we hopped on. I hope no one else was planning on joining.
The trip was quick, squishy, and full of good life stories. The bus ride from San Carlos to La Fortuna was so popular that I am almost certain that everyone and there grandmother hopped on our bus. The only way we could have held more people on that bus would have been if we threw them under in the storage compartments below. I got a little closterphobic and decided I would rather sit out side. So I squeezed out the window of the bus and flew through the country side. As the wind swept through my hair, I noticed a flash. The man standing a few isles in front of my now vacant seat decided to turn my escape into a photo-shoot. Him and his friend were taking pictures of my stupid, but freeing expedition. I came back into the window to scoff at them for taking stalker pictures, but decided against my scoff because they had charming smiles and greeted us appropriately. We had the rest of the bus ride to make new friends and decide there should be a club for all the Ticos who have witnessed AND documented my stupid decisions. Saying goodbye to Nestor and his brother, we headed toward our Sleepers Sleep Cheap Hostel.
Due to the uneven rooming situation, I was obligated to volunteer myself for the room with the boys. It was actually a fun experience. It reminded me of my days of my youth and vacationing with my brothers.
Decisions led to a tranquil evening of walking around the touristic city, splashing in the public fountain, admiring an art gallery, origami lessons, tree climbing, and rocking chairs. My newly befriended Bobby rocked me into a quick slumber as the crew giggled their way into exhaustion.
October 15: A few hours less then rested hours later, we devoured our breakfast (included in our already $7 cheap room-fare), then took off to Luis' RedLava Tours. Luis is our friend that Molly and I made the last adventure to La Fortuna hooked us up with a great deal. For the cheapest price on the cheapest tour, Luis added on all additional tours for the same price. The day's itinerary included a six hour hike up to a water volcano, waterfall, night hike, hot springs, and dancing.
Luis and our crew headed up through the forest to the top of Cerro Chato, which is a Lagoon that rests at the top of a water volcano. The water held within the crater takes on a beautiful, striking green color that invites you for a refreshing swim after our three hour accent. The hike up held adventures of many kinds. We saw unique vegetation, beautiful scenic overlooks, ants that work as stitches, and Tarzan vines. Unfortunately for me, I would never make a good mate for Tarzan. I was the only one in our crew who could not hold my own weight on the vines as I swung over the forest floor. I embarrassingly slipped mid-flight off the end and landed in a muddy crevasse that echoed the laughter.
Reaching the peak of our hike, we began to descend down into the crater. Our decent included free climbing down cliffs using only the forest and its natural staircase. The tree roots proved to be slippery and dangerous time after time. We had to stop for a quick breather and praise after Dani slipped from one ledge only to keep rolling down the mountain. She stopped just before a drop down the cliff that would have certainly taken her life or much of her body. We carefully made it to the green waters for a quick swim, rope swing plunge, and white dolphin watching.
Our decent from the volcano was much quicker than the ascent. Luis and many of the others allowed their animal instincts to overcome their senses. The wild crew leapt and swung down the mountain using vines, trees, and stupidity to race down the mountain. Bobby added a few shout outs like: "Par core" or "Grind" as he would slide down a tree root or leap from a startling height. I could no longer could keep up with group so I went at my own leisurely pace down the mountain to the echos of jungle interpretative noises from my long gone companions.
We literally chased sundown all the way to the waterfall. We arrived just in time for enough light to jump from low and high points of the thundering waterfall. I cradled my courage and stupidity long enough for Luis to push me up the side of the waterfall for me to embrace my Pocahontas spirit. I jumped from the sweet spot of the waterfall into the rushing waters below. To warm up after the chilly falls, we headed to the Hot Spring River. We dived into the caves below the river and soaked in volcanic mud masks. All was fun and splendid until one of the girls fell. I reached out just in time to catch her. Sadly, my movement cost me my purity ring. I bought my purity rings years ago as a symbol of my absence decision. I had many other intentions for this ring's future, but now it was lost. I cried and sulked a while in the warmth of the river. Molly's attempts to cheer me up were tender, but unhelpful at this time. But I want to thank her non the less for being that amazing friend who loves me and convinces me that some things are not worth the tears or frustration.
Later that evening, we decided to go dancing at the local hangout. Dancing was great, but since I usually update you on my list of creepers; I will inform you of my newest. I had to give the 'save me' signal to my friend Bobby when the short little man who I was dancing with decided to try a new dance move. The choreography involved swirling his finger in my belly button. Yes, my belly button....
October 16: Continental breakfast came much too early. Nothing like fresh fruit to start a good day filled with more adventures. The crew and I wandered down to the local watering whole for some stupid decisions and even better stories. This is the same watering hole where Molly and I completed "Stupid Idea #1," where we survived the rope swing together. Since then, we have accomplished "Stupid Idea #2 - feeding the wild monkeys our lunch in the middle of the jungle" and "Stupid Idea #3 - Pretending to fight on top of a waterfall only for me to punch Bobby in the face, sending him diving off the top and into the abyss below."
There you have it folks. We are full of great, but rather stupid, decisions. I successfully face planted in front of everyone of my friends who awaited my 'hey guys, watch this' move from the top of the rope swing. We did a handful of other daring un-thought-through maneuvers before leaving the swimming hole, but non as great as Luke's flip from the waterfalls peak.
Walking back from the swimming hole we encountered a symphony of drumming. As the beat grew stronger in our cores, we found the source. There was a rodeo style stadium in downtown La Fortuna that held a national drum-line competition. I was already on a roll of stupid adventures, so I decided to continue the movement. I snuck into the stadium from under the stage to watch the talented young drummers beat one of my favorite songs by Kanaan - Wave Your Flag - from the 2010 World Cup. Peaking through the slats of an overpopulated stadium below, listening to the rhythm of passion, is a fabulous cultural experience.
That evening I went to Luis' house for a quick tour. I had to ask him if he just enjoyed pink rooms filled with caterpillars or if his house was once a preschool. The latter was correct; however, the first would be much more entertaining to be true. Later we witnessed the second most spectacular sunset in my life. The clouds ascended over the completely visible Volcano, changing from pink, orange, and gold. Following natures show, the girls and Bobby went out for some cheap, local grub. We stopped at a place to engorge ourselves with the much craved American food. We laughed continuously when realizing that Bobby is always clustered among the ladies. We decided that he would be our Costa Rican Polygamist Husband and we are all sister wives.
October 17: Today was filled with mostly travel time and over viewing our fantastic weekend. The bus trip was quick and easy. However, we had a small hold up in traffic when a rural farmer was trucking down the road with a large cow in the back bed of his Toyota. Cows are not very forgiving when descending down windy mountain roads, in case you were ever in need of transporting one.
Today, one of my girls graciously explained to me the meaning of La Fortuna."La Fortuna" translates to "The Fortune." In hopes of cheering me up after the loss of my favorite ring, she explained to me that the people in La Fortuna to this day find tools, trinkets, and treasures from the villages destroyed by the Volcanoes last eruption. These items are found in the same river that holds my ring. I get to add more to this great story. Upon arriving home, I told my mother about the loss. While I told her the story and explained my distress, she found and bought the same ring online in a smaller size to ensure security! Now that is love. Can I get a quick shout out to the world's greatest mother! Woot Woot.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Octubre 4-9
October 4th: I have to confess that there has been far to much adventures and wayfares to write the past two weeks. I would apologize, but I don't feel bad at all. I wouldn't trade a single experience for a few minutes glued to my laptop.
Today we left for Tortuguero National Park. In the beginning of the semester those who were willing to pay the six hundred dollars for this eccentric field trip. I enjoyed showing up with my single backpack as many of my fellow Gringos hephed and humphed their rolling suit cases under the bus with distress. Our breakfast at Restaurante Ceibo was awaiting us just passed the security guard and gate. I soon realized that my Idaho country girl manners are inadequate for the formal dining of resort five-star breakfasts in Costa Rica. Thankfully, there was an entire table filled of inadaquates. Cheers!
Our bus ride was excited as we made a couple of rabbit trails. We stopped at a banana plantation. We walked through the rows of banana trees hanging with blue banana bunches. (say that ten times fast). The banana bunches are covered at a young age to protect them from the pests and from the pesticides smothering the fields. There is a long wire that runs through the plantation that acts like a zip line. The workers put the banana bunches on the wooden plank then kick off cinder-block pillars that line the plantation floor. They zip right on through the feilds! A rabbit trail with in our rabbit trail: someone found a Rhino beetle and decided that it would be entertaining to pass this gignea pig sized insect around the over populated group of turists. Gross!
Arriving at the docking station, we hopped onto small safari boats for a two hours boat ride through the dense jungle and mud colored waters of Costa Rica. The feeling of being inches from water that you could chew from amount of minerals is a terrifying emotion for a poor swimmer. However, this emotion was quickly overcome as I looked from right to left at the lush forests hugging the miles of the Tortuguero canal.
Have you ever watched one of those cheesy promotions or movie scenes where the group of turists step off their mode of transpertation to be greeted by the locals with flowing champane and tropical flower necklaces? Me too. But even better, I got to witness the experience first hand. Fresh non-alcoholic smoothies awaited our smiling faces as we entered the most beautiful hotel resort called the Pachira Lodge. The cliche handsome Afro-Carribean man, Roberto, introduced us to the grounds and gave a reason for many girls to start a caddy fuss. Roberto plays a later part in our Tortugero experience that I will explain now. Roberto has a fetish for red heads I found out as he cornered me on the boat dock. He told me many things I already knew about myself, along with an invitation to come back for free accomodation and a booty call. No thank you, but I did find a small part of it flattering. Apparently Roberto and my business conversation went a little differently in his mind than I intended. "Your landscaping is beautiful" was not taken litterally by the General Manager of the resort, but rather as a phrase of sensuality. I did not learn this cultural difference in my USAC guides.
We were assigned our rooms after engulfing far too much buffet style food. We made our way through trails, brush, howler monkeys, tucans, ten foot wide spider webs, and tree house hallways to our cabins. We went to explore the town of Tortuguero, which is so tiny that they dont even have streets, rather just dirt pathways. The whole town in on one path that takes less than ten minutes to walk from one end to the next. There is one discotech the size of a modular and one over priced grocery store. Our hotel and Tortugeuro are on opposite sides of the canal. Tortuguero lies on a stretch of land that divides the canal from the ocean for miles of forest of rich landscapes.
The rest of the day was filled with a boat tour with Henry and Giovanni on the canal that led us through the rivers inlets into the rain forest. I am almost possitive that we should have been used for the next Jurassic Park because the setting was perfect and the drama ripe. We might not have seen dinosaurs, but we did encounter the closest of creatures. We were lucky enough to encounter mulitple Baskilisks (otherwise known as the Jesus Christ lizard because of its natorious "water walking" talent), spider monkeys, Kamens (small alligators), river turtles, sea turtle tracks, birds, and a diverse selection of vegetation.
Night life was limited when your only source of transpirtation is by boat. Though limited, our night was eventful. We entertained ourselves for hours taking underwater pictures in the turtle shaped pool, drinking pina coladas, and particiating in drunken games. I say drunken games because most everyone besides a small minority of our group, including myself, was sober. I have to confess that I thoroughly enjoy staying sober. I am already a pathetically happy person. My energy level fits nicely with the majority of my friends' happy stupor. The games became more and more entertaining with each round of drinks. My favorite and the gran finale was "animal." Instructions: drink a lot (or don't be ashamed of being an idiot) and create an animal identity. I am so relieved that we inhabited this resort in the low season because I could just see the poor chinese family banging on the walls of our cabin after having woken up from a reoccuring nightmare filled with rythmic noises and animals sounds.
October 5: Four AM wake up call came from the anonomys howler monkeys outside our cabins. The best part was the naive comments at breakfast regarding the obligation the hotel should have to warning us about the possible calls of nature. After breakfast, we took off into the forest. Our guide, Henry, took us so deep into the dense rain forest that the sun no longer made its way to the earth. The rain no longer drops to the earth due to the density of canopies. Safely under our natural umbrella, we explored through trees, spiders nests, plants, and insects.
Bucket List Check-off Update: Sea Turtle Nesting and Hatching!
Right before I left, my grammy gifted me with enough money to pay for the expensive night tour to the beach where I was able to watch a mommy green sea turtle make her way from the ocean to the destination of instinct. She labored up the shore at low tide to a low laying area under the protection of beach trees. Molly, Jade, Luke, Poa, Kirena, and myself were blessed with the only turtle of the evening. We watched in awe and wonder as she dug her protective boundries, lowered the next generation into the nest, and then neatly and efficiently lay a blanket of sand over her loved ones. I was surprised by her size, mobility, and her accuracy.
Never happier, I turned in early so that I would be prepared for the next mornings hunt to find babies!
October 6th: Another four AM wake up call. We taxied our way to Tortuguero just before dawn. We made our way down the beach blind in hopes that our adjusting eyes might glimpse a hatching nest. Rain followed us to the beach as we pushed forward. Many gave up the search, but the deturmined pressed on. Suspense and fatige building, I spotted the first baby turtle fighting towards the ocean. Yelling out, my girls join my side. We anticipated this moment for days. I have anticipated this moment for years. The poor lighting of the dawn was unforgiving for photography. Scared for the moment to pass and the safty of my camera in the rain, I was unaware of the little one who made its way toward me. Notified quickly by the little flippers tickling the top of my foot was a highlight to my entire adventure. We watched in happiness as each turtle made its way to the white foam of the Carribean ocean.
Returning to the hotel in joy, we prepared ourselves for the upcoming trip that would take us to the next wayfare. Panama came quickly. Remember earlier how happiness came upon me as I packed my one bag on my back while many wheeled their belongings along in a matter of heaving and tugging? This emotion soon repeated itself as we crossed the bridge that divided Costa Rica and Panama. With each step, skip, jump, and stumble I took, I could only laugh at the struggling noises and complaints behind me from the air craft carriers of the luggage world.
I recieved my Panama stamp in my passport and appeared in multiple security guards' camera phones. I am disappointed by the slyness of the soldiers in Panama. If they think that they can take a picture from behind blinds in a window only feet from me than they deserve the unflattering pose I chose for their stalker pictures. I was satisfied with the red cheeks of embarrasment from being caught that followed my acknowladged smile and turistic peace sign pose.
Once again, we were transported by little taxi boats to our hotel. However, no fiesta of greeting or virgin cocktails from the attractive black man. Dratts.
Dinner followed by ladies night at theSurf Club was in our evening itinerary. My hours of dancing was interupted by my good friend falling on the floor on her way to the bar for another drink. I fought and pleaded with her to accompany me back to the hotel instead of another swig. My friend was reluctant to leave her newly met german boyfriend so I manipulated the situation a tad. I told the german boy he could not buy her another shot, but he could walk the lovely lady to her door step RIGHT NOW! He understood my directions and staggered out the door with my friend tucked under his arm. Reluctant again to leave him, I had to work my imagination. The key is to make drunk people think that they are going to have more fun by listening to you then if they were to continue doing their current status. So, I told her that her prince charming walked her all the way to her door step, like a gentlemen, so that he could give her a special good night kiss. And that's excatly what happened. She even had a balcony audience of gringos to serenade the moment with hoots and hollars.
October 7th: Complimentary breakfast brought on the highest of stress levels. The afro-caribean woman who took our orders does not like her job. Molly was full of whitty comments to lighten the mood. My favorite that is noteworthy followed our attempts to make the lady's day better by stacking our finished plates. Without missing a beat said, "let's stack them so high God confuses our languages."
We sunblocked ourselves white in preparation for the severe Caribean sunshine. Our first stop was to a small island that looked as if Johnny Depp could dive from its tall cliffs and into our gringo snorkeling clusters.
Next, we boated our way to "play de las estrallas" meaning "beach of starfish." The sea in panama is so clear that you can see right through the aqua waters for miles. The starfish guided are ways to the soft white beach. My girls and I made our way to the depths of the waters in search for white dolphins. The yaht sailors anchored close to us must have spotted some because they were crowded on their decks pointing.
The last stop was Red Frog beach. The water was so clear you could see through each rising wave. A few of the gringos and myself participated in a sloppy game of volleyball. My coaches would be proud. I sprawled and dove so many times my entire body was a beach. I had sand in places I would never mention on the public web.
Sunburnt and fatiged, the gringos went back for some z's before a pirates' dinner. We went dancing again at the 'Barco Hundido' or 'sunken ship.' This was an appropriate title due to the shunken ship that lay beneath the dance floor that was acutally a series of docks. The dancing was lame and the men lamer. I was done after an over-friendly tico wanted to join me for a squat in the bathroom. Molly and I began to walk home in the rain, but were stopped by a familiar song in the Iguana. We rabbit trailed in to find our program directors having a few drinks at the bar. The older (by older, I mean he could be my grandfather) asked me to dance. I was tired and needed a good laugh so I abliged. Needless to say, I got more than a good dance. I also recieved my first, and hopefully last, strip tease. Molly and I almost peed ourselves laughing.
October 8th: Another Stressful breakfast and sunblock slathering morning.
The morning's island was familiar to most of us. Zapatilla Island was used for a series of 'Survivor.' Our adventures here were less dramatic and much more enjoyable. Molly, Caitlyn, and I made our way out to the coral reefs that extended for miles. For an hour we spotted white dolphins among the trenches of brain coral, pencil fish, sardines, urchins, and many other fabulous creatures. Once we returned to the white sand, Molly tested her survivor skills in coconut hunting. She ripped a coconut open with her bare hands. What a beast! What an awesome party trick too!
The next trip took us to a restarant called Cayo Coral. It rested upon a wooden pier, islanded by the clearest water. After rock-lobster and seafood, we dove out of the restaurant and into the ocean for more snorkeling. I was impressed by our jelly fish dodging skills. We spotted cuddle-fish, lion fish, jelly fish, fish fish, and some kind of bottom feeder that looked more like shark turd.
Fatiged and even more sunburnt, we went back for more z's before our American Hamburger dinner. Once again, we went dancing. This time we made it to another island to the Aqua Lounge. This club was on a pier that held two swings at the end. I danced with an Isrealian man who tried with all his might to convince me to kiss him. Tired of fighting the persitant perv, I decided to do the unthinkable - I jumped off the pier and swam away. Problem was, I had too much fun jumping, so my friends and I began swinging off the pier and swimming to escape the crowds of people.
Wet and laughing we swam to the taxi that would take us to the 'barco hundido.' I enjoyed every look I got from the ticos brave enough to dance with me and my soaked clothes. Another enjoyment this evening was slapping an Argentinian man when he chose not to understand the meaning of 'no,' even when I am certain that 'no' is the same in both English and Spanish. The last enjoyment of the evening came when Molly and I stole away in a closed restaurant to jump off the deck into the bioluminecent waters! What a finale!
October 9: Yet again, another stressful breakfast with a side of eggs; followed by returning to our bus. We stopped at a little pizzeria to recover from the nasiating bus ride to the boarder. After being stamped out of Panama and into Costa Rica we saught refuge from the rain under a semi-truck. The bus ride home was uneventful but quick. Heredia's rainy evening welcomed us with open arms and hot showers to wash off the brime of the ocean.
Today we left for Tortuguero National Park. In the beginning of the semester those who were willing to pay the six hundred dollars for this eccentric field trip. I enjoyed showing up with my single backpack as many of my fellow Gringos hephed and humphed their rolling suit cases under the bus with distress. Our breakfast at Restaurante Ceibo was awaiting us just passed the security guard and gate. I soon realized that my Idaho country girl manners are inadequate for the formal dining of resort five-star breakfasts in Costa Rica. Thankfully, there was an entire table filled of inadaquates. Cheers!
Our bus ride was excited as we made a couple of rabbit trails. We stopped at a banana plantation. We walked through the rows of banana trees hanging with blue banana bunches. (say that ten times fast). The banana bunches are covered at a young age to protect them from the pests and from the pesticides smothering the fields. There is a long wire that runs through the plantation that acts like a zip line. The workers put the banana bunches on the wooden plank then kick off cinder-block pillars that line the plantation floor. They zip right on through the feilds! A rabbit trail with in our rabbit trail: someone found a Rhino beetle and decided that it would be entertaining to pass this gignea pig sized insect around the over populated group of turists. Gross!
Arriving at the docking station, we hopped onto small safari boats for a two hours boat ride through the dense jungle and mud colored waters of Costa Rica. The feeling of being inches from water that you could chew from amount of minerals is a terrifying emotion for a poor swimmer. However, this emotion was quickly overcome as I looked from right to left at the lush forests hugging the miles of the Tortuguero canal.
Have you ever watched one of those cheesy promotions or movie scenes where the group of turists step off their mode of transpertation to be greeted by the locals with flowing champane and tropical flower necklaces? Me too. But even better, I got to witness the experience first hand. Fresh non-alcoholic smoothies awaited our smiling faces as we entered the most beautiful hotel resort called the Pachira Lodge. The cliche handsome Afro-Carribean man, Roberto, introduced us to the grounds and gave a reason for many girls to start a caddy fuss. Roberto plays a later part in our Tortugero experience that I will explain now. Roberto has a fetish for red heads I found out as he cornered me on the boat dock. He told me many things I already knew about myself, along with an invitation to come back for free accomodation and a booty call. No thank you, but I did find a small part of it flattering. Apparently Roberto and my business conversation went a little differently in his mind than I intended. "Your landscaping is beautiful" was not taken litterally by the General Manager of the resort, but rather as a phrase of sensuality. I did not learn this cultural difference in my USAC guides.
We were assigned our rooms after engulfing far too much buffet style food. We made our way through trails, brush, howler monkeys, tucans, ten foot wide spider webs, and tree house hallways to our cabins. We went to explore the town of Tortuguero, which is so tiny that they dont even have streets, rather just dirt pathways. The whole town in on one path that takes less than ten minutes to walk from one end to the next. There is one discotech the size of a modular and one over priced grocery store. Our hotel and Tortugeuro are on opposite sides of the canal. Tortuguero lies on a stretch of land that divides the canal from the ocean for miles of forest of rich landscapes.
The rest of the day was filled with a boat tour with Henry and Giovanni on the canal that led us through the rivers inlets into the rain forest. I am almost possitive that we should have been used for the next Jurassic Park because the setting was perfect and the drama ripe. We might not have seen dinosaurs, but we did encounter the closest of creatures. We were lucky enough to encounter mulitple Baskilisks (otherwise known as the Jesus Christ lizard because of its natorious "water walking" talent), spider monkeys, Kamens (small alligators), river turtles, sea turtle tracks, birds, and a diverse selection of vegetation.
Night life was limited when your only source of transpirtation is by boat. Though limited, our night was eventful. We entertained ourselves for hours taking underwater pictures in the turtle shaped pool, drinking pina coladas, and particiating in drunken games. I say drunken games because most everyone besides a small minority of our group, including myself, was sober. I have to confess that I thoroughly enjoy staying sober. I am already a pathetically happy person. My energy level fits nicely with the majority of my friends' happy stupor. The games became more and more entertaining with each round of drinks. My favorite and the gran finale was "animal." Instructions: drink a lot (or don't be ashamed of being an idiot) and create an animal identity. I am so relieved that we inhabited this resort in the low season because I could just see the poor chinese family banging on the walls of our cabin after having woken up from a reoccuring nightmare filled with rythmic noises and animals sounds.
October 5: Four AM wake up call came from the anonomys howler monkeys outside our cabins. The best part was the naive comments at breakfast regarding the obligation the hotel should have to warning us about the possible calls of nature. After breakfast, we took off into the forest. Our guide, Henry, took us so deep into the dense rain forest that the sun no longer made its way to the earth. The rain no longer drops to the earth due to the density of canopies. Safely under our natural umbrella, we explored through trees, spiders nests, plants, and insects.
Bucket List Check-off Update: Sea Turtle Nesting and Hatching!
Right before I left, my grammy gifted me with enough money to pay for the expensive night tour to the beach where I was able to watch a mommy green sea turtle make her way from the ocean to the destination of instinct. She labored up the shore at low tide to a low laying area under the protection of beach trees. Molly, Jade, Luke, Poa, Kirena, and myself were blessed with the only turtle of the evening. We watched in awe and wonder as she dug her protective boundries, lowered the next generation into the nest, and then neatly and efficiently lay a blanket of sand over her loved ones. I was surprised by her size, mobility, and her accuracy.
Never happier, I turned in early so that I would be prepared for the next mornings hunt to find babies!
October 6th: Another four AM wake up call. We taxied our way to Tortuguero just before dawn. We made our way down the beach blind in hopes that our adjusting eyes might glimpse a hatching nest. Rain followed us to the beach as we pushed forward. Many gave up the search, but the deturmined pressed on. Suspense and fatige building, I spotted the first baby turtle fighting towards the ocean. Yelling out, my girls join my side. We anticipated this moment for days. I have anticipated this moment for years. The poor lighting of the dawn was unforgiving for photography. Scared for the moment to pass and the safty of my camera in the rain, I was unaware of the little one who made its way toward me. Notified quickly by the little flippers tickling the top of my foot was a highlight to my entire adventure. We watched in happiness as each turtle made its way to the white foam of the Carribean ocean.
Returning to the hotel in joy, we prepared ourselves for the upcoming trip that would take us to the next wayfare. Panama came quickly. Remember earlier how happiness came upon me as I packed my one bag on my back while many wheeled their belongings along in a matter of heaving and tugging? This emotion soon repeated itself as we crossed the bridge that divided Costa Rica and Panama. With each step, skip, jump, and stumble I took, I could only laugh at the struggling noises and complaints behind me from the air craft carriers of the luggage world.
I recieved my Panama stamp in my passport and appeared in multiple security guards' camera phones. I am disappointed by the slyness of the soldiers in Panama. If they think that they can take a picture from behind blinds in a window only feet from me than they deserve the unflattering pose I chose for their stalker pictures. I was satisfied with the red cheeks of embarrasment from being caught that followed my acknowladged smile and turistic peace sign pose.
Once again, we were transported by little taxi boats to our hotel. However, no fiesta of greeting or virgin cocktails from the attractive black man. Dratts.
Dinner followed by ladies night at theSurf Club was in our evening itinerary. My hours of dancing was interupted by my good friend falling on the floor on her way to the bar for another drink. I fought and pleaded with her to accompany me back to the hotel instead of another swig. My friend was reluctant to leave her newly met german boyfriend so I manipulated the situation a tad. I told the german boy he could not buy her another shot, but he could walk the lovely lady to her door step RIGHT NOW! He understood my directions and staggered out the door with my friend tucked under his arm. Reluctant again to leave him, I had to work my imagination. The key is to make drunk people think that they are going to have more fun by listening to you then if they were to continue doing their current status. So, I told her that her prince charming walked her all the way to her door step, like a gentlemen, so that he could give her a special good night kiss. And that's excatly what happened. She even had a balcony audience of gringos to serenade the moment with hoots and hollars.
October 7th: Complimentary breakfast brought on the highest of stress levels. The afro-caribean woman who took our orders does not like her job. Molly was full of whitty comments to lighten the mood. My favorite that is noteworthy followed our attempts to make the lady's day better by stacking our finished plates. Without missing a beat said, "let's stack them so high God confuses our languages."
We sunblocked ourselves white in preparation for the severe Caribean sunshine. Our first stop was to a small island that looked as if Johnny Depp could dive from its tall cliffs and into our gringo snorkeling clusters.
Next, we boated our way to "play de las estrallas" meaning "beach of starfish." The sea in panama is so clear that you can see right through the aqua waters for miles. The starfish guided are ways to the soft white beach. My girls and I made our way to the depths of the waters in search for white dolphins. The yaht sailors anchored close to us must have spotted some because they were crowded on their decks pointing.
The last stop was Red Frog beach. The water was so clear you could see through each rising wave. A few of the gringos and myself participated in a sloppy game of volleyball. My coaches would be proud. I sprawled and dove so many times my entire body was a beach. I had sand in places I would never mention on the public web.
Sunburnt and fatiged, the gringos went back for some z's before a pirates' dinner. We went dancing again at the 'Barco Hundido' or 'sunken ship.' This was an appropriate title due to the shunken ship that lay beneath the dance floor that was acutally a series of docks. The dancing was lame and the men lamer. I was done after an over-friendly tico wanted to join me for a squat in the bathroom. Molly and I began to walk home in the rain, but were stopped by a familiar song in the Iguana. We rabbit trailed in to find our program directors having a few drinks at the bar. The older (by older, I mean he could be my grandfather) asked me to dance. I was tired and needed a good laugh so I abliged. Needless to say, I got more than a good dance. I also recieved my first, and hopefully last, strip tease. Molly and I almost peed ourselves laughing.
October 8th: Another Stressful breakfast and sunblock slathering morning.
The morning's island was familiar to most of us. Zapatilla Island was used for a series of 'Survivor.' Our adventures here were less dramatic and much more enjoyable. Molly, Caitlyn, and I made our way out to the coral reefs that extended for miles. For an hour we spotted white dolphins among the trenches of brain coral, pencil fish, sardines, urchins, and many other fabulous creatures. Once we returned to the white sand, Molly tested her survivor skills in coconut hunting. She ripped a coconut open with her bare hands. What a beast! What an awesome party trick too!
The next trip took us to a restarant called Cayo Coral. It rested upon a wooden pier, islanded by the clearest water. After rock-lobster and seafood, we dove out of the restaurant and into the ocean for more snorkeling. I was impressed by our jelly fish dodging skills. We spotted cuddle-fish, lion fish, jelly fish, fish fish, and some kind of bottom feeder that looked more like shark turd.
Fatiged and even more sunburnt, we went back for more z's before our American Hamburger dinner. Once again, we went dancing. This time we made it to another island to the Aqua Lounge. This club was on a pier that held two swings at the end. I danced with an Isrealian man who tried with all his might to convince me to kiss him. Tired of fighting the persitant perv, I decided to do the unthinkable - I jumped off the pier and swam away. Problem was, I had too much fun jumping, so my friends and I began swinging off the pier and swimming to escape the crowds of people.
Wet and laughing we swam to the taxi that would take us to the 'barco hundido.' I enjoyed every look I got from the ticos brave enough to dance with me and my soaked clothes. Another enjoyment this evening was slapping an Argentinian man when he chose not to understand the meaning of 'no,' even when I am certain that 'no' is the same in both English and Spanish. The last enjoyment of the evening came when Molly and I stole away in a closed restaurant to jump off the deck into the bioluminecent waters! What a finale!
October 9: Yet again, another stressful breakfast with a side of eggs; followed by returning to our bus. We stopped at a little pizzeria to recover from the nasiating bus ride to the boarder. After being stamped out of Panama and into Costa Rica we saught refuge from the rain under a semi-truck. The bus ride home was uneventful but quick. Heredia's rainy evening welcomed us with open arms and hot showers to wash off the brime of the ocean.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Septiembre 30 - Octubre 3
September 29: Molly and I walked a marathon today. We went to school, San Jose, dance class, and to drinks with our mafia friend. Nothing to entirely interesting, just another day in our classy home base, Heredia.
September 30: Rapidly practicing my evolving packing talents, I scurried out the door for one of the best weekends of my life. The ride to San Jose was joyfully used to learn new Spanish slang and listen to the Spanish "ginger" jokes by fellow bus travelers.
We arrived in Quepos, a small po-dunk town at the bottom of a luscious mountain that thrones the gringo land of Manuel Antonio. In celebration of Richard's twentieth birthday we walked down the rainy road to a little restaurant called Rafael's Terraza for Arroz con Camerones y Margaritas Fresas. Feliz Complianous Richard! Intending to go out for some birthday dancing and live music, we went back to the hostel to rest for a bit. Sadly, but thankfully, we never left the hostel. Richard and I took 'resting' literally by sharing a hammock for a nap. Unfortunately, Richard is not very good at sharing hammocks; therefore sending me quickly to the ground mid-siesta.
Big surprise. We met some wonderful new friends in our hostel. Conrad is the owner and pretty much a young American runaway who sought adventure and business in the lush land of Manuel Antonio. We also met a few beautiful European ladies: Sarah and some other names that I cannot pronounce. Sarah joined us for most of our adventures the rest of the weekend. There was a few Belgium men that joined us the last night that Molly enjoyed. Can I just say that I love her pink cheeks and witty comments that comes from my best friends mouth when she walks into a room full of tight briefs and European men.
October 1: Woke up early to journey down to the best national park in all the world. Depressingly expensive and worth almost every penny. I wanted to inform you that telling the ticket administrator that you are a national resident doesn't work when you have red hair and tower over the man.
Within moments of entering the National Park I was able to award myself with the fist sloth spotting. Who needs a tour guide? They are over rated and expensive. All you need is to pay attention or just follow behind the other tour groups and pretend you are suppose to be with the rest of the gringos. We found many other entertaining creatures along the pathways: lizards, rasta bugs, toucans, frogs, woodpeckers, Capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, hermit crabs, and many other fascinating animals.
We walked all along the paths to locations that held colonies of Capuchin Monkeys that Molly and I decided was a brilliant idea to feed. We handed out Ritz like an ice cream truck on a hot summer afternoon in Boise's residential. The only problem with this brilliant idea is that it is actually really stupid. Rule of the Jungle #1: When you feed one, they all expect the same.
We hiked up to the top of the park to witness a fantastic scene of the Pacific Ocean caressing the wharfs used for the Jurassic Park trilogy. Then we went to the main beach for some swimming, sunbathing, and exercise. Yes, exercise. It is rather exhausting to be chased around by hungry monkeys and to swim out to sunken ships. Molly straight up got robbed of her banana by a fearless monkey. We jumped into the ocean for body surfing and a game of chicken. Team Scout and Poseidon vs. Miss Ranger and Dundee! Terrific match and successful turnout for my team.
Dehydrated and sunburnt, we bussed our butts back to the hostel for some hammock naps and sunset watching. Then we invited Conrad to join us for a game of poker until he escorted us to the best dancing destinations in Quepos. Ladies night at Ripubliq welcomed us with open arms and booty shaking salsa. Molly didn't even have time to walk into the facility before a Tico led her to the dance floor. We arrived a little early so it took the awkward stage to pass as the foxy ladies awaited the men to gain their egos and courage. We anticipated our invitation like high school girls at a homecoming dance.
Finally, good o' Conrad stepped it up and offered an invitation. We danced for hours to Barbra Strystan and Black Eyed Peas under the strobe light. Can I just say that I thoroughly enjoy the flashing of strobes because I look so much cooler when I practice my new moves. Spencer decided to embrace Molly by attempting sexy salsa with me. Didn't work. Instead he forfeited, slapped her butt, and was followed into the bathroom by Molly's partner who initiated a shank threat. And Molly got her chance to show off her Spongebob move to Party Anthem that she has so determinedly practiced for weeks.
At an all time high, we decided to depart from the club for a quick trip to the beach for a night swimming adventure! We piled into the back of a truck and four-wheeled down a long, bumpy path to the beach. Conrad enjoyably created a whirlpool of cookies and spin outs on the sand that sent us screaming down the beach. We bailed over the truck bed and took off for a freedom run down the beach.
I want to record this evening as one of the best I have ever lived. I want to describe to you how the night got from the best to 'words cannot explain.' The run down the beach ended when Richard disappeared right before my eyes into the depths of a six inch river that ran into the near ocean. Molly proceeded to follow Richard moments after, then Spencer, and I stopped just in time to witness the entire event and laugh so hard I almost peed my pants. Why are face-plants so satisfying to the soul?
Bucket List check off: Skinny Dip in the Ocean. We ran into the water to encounter a life changing moment. The Ocean glew. Yes glew, as in: sparkled, illuminated, twinkled.There is a secret season in Costa Rica where bio-luminescent algae migrate to the coast. When the algae is disrupted, they spark. With every splash, dip, and dive, we sparkled like fairies. I fully believe that this was the closest I will ever be to having Avatar as a reality.
Conrad invited a friend, Dawna, who is a fellow hotel owner in Manuel Antonio. Dawna graciously welcomed us into her Mango Moon Hotel. Because it is the off season the Mango Moon didn't have a single reservation nor inhibitor. An empty hotel is much more fun than a full hotel. We took a dip in the pool to wash off the sea water and glowing vegetation. I encountered a frog the size of a tether ball. Above our pool, a colony of Capuchin monkeys investigated our evening until the sun began to lighten the night sky.
October 2: Waking up to the same sun that I fell asleep to is not the greatest. But worse than the same sun would be my allergic reaction. I am allergic to something in Manuel Antonio that causes full body hives that looks similar to the terrible slideshows your sex-ed teacher uses to scare you out of any one night stand. I have never scrounged up my belongings faster than this morning. Spencer carried a message from the front desk that our mandatory check out was in ten minutes. So we crammed everything into our packs and hung out on the lobby deck until our bus came. On the bus ride home I was able to hang out, nap, and have a rock out ipod party with Richard. Nothing like lip singing and air guitar solos in public transit with your best friend.
October 3: Hives, Hives, and more Hives. I ran to the pharmacy with Molly, barefoot and squirmy. I impatiently purchased Calamine and power walked to the closest bench in the public park across the street. In the park I used my receipt as an applicator for spreading the itch relief all over my body. I had multiple double takes from the locals as the unstable gringa applies pink fluids all over her limbs.
Pink, puffy, and poor, I waited in the bank for over an hour to pull out American currency. Apparently, Panama doesn't have its own currency so I needed to re-exchange my money back to USD. Costa Rican banks work much like our DMVs so in the US. I claimed my #C470 at the same time the automatize voice chimed in to tell me that they 'are now serving #C400 at window #6.' Fan-freaking-tastic. Okay, I am done. No more complaining. Do you want to know why? Because I am going on a week long adventure to Panama! Hasta Luego!
September 30: Rapidly practicing my evolving packing talents, I scurried out the door for one of the best weekends of my life. The ride to San Jose was joyfully used to learn new Spanish slang and listen to the Spanish "ginger" jokes by fellow bus travelers.
We arrived in Quepos, a small po-dunk town at the bottom of a luscious mountain that thrones the gringo land of Manuel Antonio. In celebration of Richard's twentieth birthday we walked down the rainy road to a little restaurant called Rafael's Terraza for Arroz con Camerones y Margaritas Fresas. Feliz Complianous Richard! Intending to go out for some birthday dancing and live music, we went back to the hostel to rest for a bit. Sadly, but thankfully, we never left the hostel. Richard and I took 'resting' literally by sharing a hammock for a nap. Unfortunately, Richard is not very good at sharing hammocks; therefore sending me quickly to the ground mid-siesta.
Big surprise. We met some wonderful new friends in our hostel. Conrad is the owner and pretty much a young American runaway who sought adventure and business in the lush land of Manuel Antonio. We also met a few beautiful European ladies: Sarah and some other names that I cannot pronounce. Sarah joined us for most of our adventures the rest of the weekend. There was a few Belgium men that joined us the last night that Molly enjoyed. Can I just say that I love her pink cheeks and witty comments that comes from my best friends mouth when she walks into a room full of tight briefs and European men.
October 1: Woke up early to journey down to the best national park in all the world. Depressingly expensive and worth almost every penny. I wanted to inform you that telling the ticket administrator that you are a national resident doesn't work when you have red hair and tower over the man.
Within moments of entering the National Park I was able to award myself with the fist sloth spotting. Who needs a tour guide? They are over rated and expensive. All you need is to pay attention or just follow behind the other tour groups and pretend you are suppose to be with the rest of the gringos. We found many other entertaining creatures along the pathways: lizards, rasta bugs, toucans, frogs, woodpeckers, Capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, hermit crabs, and many other fascinating animals.
We walked all along the paths to locations that held colonies of Capuchin Monkeys that Molly and I decided was a brilliant idea to feed. We handed out Ritz like an ice cream truck on a hot summer afternoon in Boise's residential. The only problem with this brilliant idea is that it is actually really stupid. Rule of the Jungle #1: When you feed one, they all expect the same.
We hiked up to the top of the park to witness a fantastic scene of the Pacific Ocean caressing the wharfs used for the Jurassic Park trilogy. Then we went to the main beach for some swimming, sunbathing, and exercise. Yes, exercise. It is rather exhausting to be chased around by hungry monkeys and to swim out to sunken ships. Molly straight up got robbed of her banana by a fearless monkey. We jumped into the ocean for body surfing and a game of chicken. Team Scout and Poseidon vs. Miss Ranger and Dundee! Terrific match and successful turnout for my team.
Dehydrated and sunburnt, we bussed our butts back to the hostel for some hammock naps and sunset watching. Then we invited Conrad to join us for a game of poker until he escorted us to the best dancing destinations in Quepos. Ladies night at Ripubliq welcomed us with open arms and booty shaking salsa. Molly didn't even have time to walk into the facility before a Tico led her to the dance floor. We arrived a little early so it took the awkward stage to pass as the foxy ladies awaited the men to gain their egos and courage. We anticipated our invitation like high school girls at a homecoming dance.
Finally, good o' Conrad stepped it up and offered an invitation. We danced for hours to Barbra Strystan and Black Eyed Peas under the strobe light. Can I just say that I thoroughly enjoy the flashing of strobes because I look so much cooler when I practice my new moves. Spencer decided to embrace Molly by attempting sexy salsa with me. Didn't work. Instead he forfeited, slapped her butt, and was followed into the bathroom by Molly's partner who initiated a shank threat. And Molly got her chance to show off her Spongebob move to Party Anthem that she has so determinedly practiced for weeks.
At an all time high, we decided to depart from the club for a quick trip to the beach for a night swimming adventure! We piled into the back of a truck and four-wheeled down a long, bumpy path to the beach. Conrad enjoyably created a whirlpool of cookies and spin outs on the sand that sent us screaming down the beach. We bailed over the truck bed and took off for a freedom run down the beach.
I want to record this evening as one of the best I have ever lived. I want to describe to you how the night got from the best to 'words cannot explain.' The run down the beach ended when Richard disappeared right before my eyes into the depths of a six inch river that ran into the near ocean. Molly proceeded to follow Richard moments after, then Spencer, and I stopped just in time to witness the entire event and laugh so hard I almost peed my pants. Why are face-plants so satisfying to the soul?
Bucket List check off: Skinny Dip in the Ocean. We ran into the water to encounter a life changing moment. The Ocean glew. Yes glew, as in: sparkled, illuminated, twinkled.There is a secret season in Costa Rica where bio-luminescent algae migrate to the coast. When the algae is disrupted, they spark. With every splash, dip, and dive, we sparkled like fairies. I fully believe that this was the closest I will ever be to having Avatar as a reality.
Conrad invited a friend, Dawna, who is a fellow hotel owner in Manuel Antonio. Dawna graciously welcomed us into her Mango Moon Hotel. Because it is the off season the Mango Moon didn't have a single reservation nor inhibitor. An empty hotel is much more fun than a full hotel. We took a dip in the pool to wash off the sea water and glowing vegetation. I encountered a frog the size of a tether ball. Above our pool, a colony of Capuchin monkeys investigated our evening until the sun began to lighten the night sky.
October 2: Waking up to the same sun that I fell asleep to is not the greatest. But worse than the same sun would be my allergic reaction. I am allergic to something in Manuel Antonio that causes full body hives that looks similar to the terrible slideshows your sex-ed teacher uses to scare you out of any one night stand. I have never scrounged up my belongings faster than this morning. Spencer carried a message from the front desk that our mandatory check out was in ten minutes. So we crammed everything into our packs and hung out on the lobby deck until our bus came. On the bus ride home I was able to hang out, nap, and have a rock out ipod party with Richard. Nothing like lip singing and air guitar solos in public transit with your best friend.
October 3: Hives, Hives, and more Hives. I ran to the pharmacy with Molly, barefoot and squirmy. I impatiently purchased Calamine and power walked to the closest bench in the public park across the street. In the park I used my receipt as an applicator for spreading the itch relief all over my body. I had multiple double takes from the locals as the unstable gringa applies pink fluids all over her limbs.
Pink, puffy, and poor, I waited in the bank for over an hour to pull out American currency. Apparently, Panama doesn't have its own currency so I needed to re-exchange my money back to USD. Costa Rican banks work much like our DMVs so in the US. I claimed my #C470 at the same time the automatize voice chimed in to tell me that they 'are now serving #C400 at window #6.' Fan-freaking-tastic. Okay, I am done. No more complaining. Do you want to know why? Because I am going on a week long adventure to Panama! Hasta Luego!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Septiembre 26-28
September 26: Passed my first semester of Spanish with a glorious 85%! Can I get a Woot Woot and a Toot Toot!
I can now successfully write a resume in both English and Spanish. If this won't land me a job, I have decided to join the chatty homeless man in down town San Jose. A little bit of homework and then a quick run to McDonalds for my favorite ice cream. There is something about eating the world's best ice cream for the world's best price. I escaped the U.S. to immerse myself in another culture. However, there are a few welcomed influences. For instance, I do enjoy the occasional presence of Christian Fish stickers on the back of a honking taxi, the untastfully recorded hip-hop music, 80's classic movies dubbed in Spanish, and always the refreshing McDonald's ice cream cone.
Oh and P.S. - don't use the word 'anal' as an adjective for a person when you are describing an individual to someone whose second language is English and a teenager.
September 27: I had my cooking class this evening: Alfajores and Scones, Oh my!
I was also blessed with multiple Skype dates with my family and friends. I had a moment of home sickness as I craved the physical touch of ones who truly love me and have built this love over the course of my life. I have made many friends here in Costa Rica. Most will remain memorable. Some have the foundation for constructive progression, but there is nothing like the friends I am blessed with at home. There is nothing like their trust, encouragement, belief in me, service, and adventurous spirits. I am so proud of all of you. Every one. I cannot wait to continue our relationship once I return.
After my cuisine class, Molly and I went shopping at Pali super market for some groceries and birthday cake indigence. Molly and I redesigned the Pineapple Up-side Down Cake abstract style. Our delicious creation exceeded the beauty and sugar content of any other cake. A few scenes of "who wants to be a Spanish millionaire" and Keith's impressive talents was enough to end the day in happiness.
But my happiness was interrupted by the giant cockroach that protruded from my backpack. I chased that little turd around my room, Raid in hand. I was surprised by the courage I had to defeat the monster with a single weapon - a bio hazardous plume of Raid. Satisfaction was reached when the little monster dramatically flipped himself over and cringed his twitchy legs around his lifeless body.
September 28: Note to self: never do anything stupid on a class field trip. Why? Because you might just be the laughing stock in front of the following class as the example of "what not to do." Needless to say the example was humorous and the topic important, but I will always think twice about my spontaneous splurges.
Lunch was accompanied by a treacherous storm that had me jumping in my chair, snorting beans, and occasionally adding a scream of terror to my arroz con pollo. The electricity was fickle and the thunder core shackingly strong.
Futbol tonight. I have officially dubbed myself the worst soccer in world. Top worst embarrassing moments of my existence happened when I casually caught the ball in my hands in mid-play. Oh and it gets worse. I didn't catch the ball once, but twice. Yes, twice! How is someone so uncoordinatedly naive to the reactions of my body. To answer your question, I was not the goalie.
Sweaty and shameful I ran home for Molly's host mother's birthday. We ate dinner, I gave a toast in broken Spanish, started a dance party in the living room, and indulged in our delicious pineapple up-side cake!
I can now successfully write a resume in both English and Spanish. If this won't land me a job, I have decided to join the chatty homeless man in down town San Jose. A little bit of homework and then a quick run to McDonalds for my favorite ice cream. There is something about eating the world's best ice cream for the world's best price. I escaped the U.S. to immerse myself in another culture. However, there are a few welcomed influences. For instance, I do enjoy the occasional presence of Christian Fish stickers on the back of a honking taxi, the untastfully recorded hip-hop music, 80's classic movies dubbed in Spanish, and always the refreshing McDonald's ice cream cone.
Oh and P.S. - don't use the word 'anal' as an adjective for a person when you are describing an individual to someone whose second language is English and a teenager.
September 27: I had my cooking class this evening: Alfajores and Scones, Oh my!
I was also blessed with multiple Skype dates with my family and friends. I had a moment of home sickness as I craved the physical touch of ones who truly love me and have built this love over the course of my life. I have made many friends here in Costa Rica. Most will remain memorable. Some have the foundation for constructive progression, but there is nothing like the friends I am blessed with at home. There is nothing like their trust, encouragement, belief in me, service, and adventurous spirits. I am so proud of all of you. Every one. I cannot wait to continue our relationship once I return.
After my cuisine class, Molly and I went shopping at Pali super market for some groceries and birthday cake indigence. Molly and I redesigned the Pineapple Up-side Down Cake abstract style. Our delicious creation exceeded the beauty and sugar content of any other cake. A few scenes of "who wants to be a Spanish millionaire" and Keith's impressive talents was enough to end the day in happiness.
But my happiness was interrupted by the giant cockroach that protruded from my backpack. I chased that little turd around my room, Raid in hand. I was surprised by the courage I had to defeat the monster with a single weapon - a bio hazardous plume of Raid. Satisfaction was reached when the little monster dramatically flipped himself over and cringed his twitchy legs around his lifeless body.
September 28: Note to self: never do anything stupid on a class field trip. Why? Because you might just be the laughing stock in front of the following class as the example of "what not to do." Needless to say the example was humorous and the topic important, but I will always think twice about my spontaneous splurges.
Lunch was accompanied by a treacherous storm that had me jumping in my chair, snorting beans, and occasionally adding a scream of terror to my arroz con pollo. The electricity was fickle and the thunder core shackingly strong.
Futbol tonight. I have officially dubbed myself the worst soccer in world. Top worst embarrassing moments of my existence happened when I casually caught the ball in my hands in mid-play. Oh and it gets worse. I didn't catch the ball once, but twice. Yes, twice! How is someone so uncoordinatedly naive to the reactions of my body. To answer your question, I was not the goalie.
Sweaty and shameful I ran home for Molly's host mother's birthday. We ate dinner, I gave a toast in broken Spanish, started a dance party in the living room, and indulged in our delicious pineapple up-side cake!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Septiembre 22-25
September 22: Thursday night Latin American Dance class was incredibly entertaining. There is something humorous about twenty white kids doing the Cha-Cha in the entrance of the public library. But it gets better.....
After class, me and a few other friends met at the local skate rink. Molly, Spencer, Caitlyn, Danica, Jade and I glided our way into the walls, the floor, the rails, and each other. My roller skating skills attracted a few obsessive skaters. A fifty year old man taught me how to boogy in my skates. He also decided that I was talented enough to dart through the rest of the roller rink population at an accelerated speed and flare. He took my hand and led me through the masses while fluently spinning and whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Funny how an old man can be humorous when playing the moves, but if he would have been in his prime I would have ran in embarrassment.
The adventure peaked as Richard and Kenny moved their tardy butts in to join us. Neither one knew how to skate so Molly and I took the liberty to enlighten them. Richard was fully uncoordinated and Kenny resembled a scoliosis victim, but both were determined.
September 23: The next adventure begins.
After school Molly, Danica, Caitlyn, Jade, Natalie and I trudge through San Jose to our Caribbean bus terminal. A dirty five hours later we arrive in Puerto Viejo, Limon. The city reeks of Marijuana and Rasta. The entire town was fixated with black, green, yellow and red: Bob Marley would be at home in this little surfer nook. Our cabs were paid for by our awesome hostel, Rocking J's. The owner, J, many years ago smoked a joint, jumped in the ocean, and thought "I am going to build a hostel here." J went home to the States, and earned enough to purchase the facility, and still jumps in the ocean higher than a kite.
We purchased delightfully colored hammocks for a whopping $6 a night. Rocking J's is known for its friendly atmosphere for travelers of all color and size. We were greeted by a institution of hippies and art. There were free art supplies that were available to any person with a creative twinge to release. Molly and I were gifted a designated area to let our artsie- fartsie juices flow. Molly did her memorable Ka-Blam series and I did a replica of the Boise Grove hotel's glass river on Front Street. Costa Rica, Boise Welcomes you!
After settling in and indulging in some fine canned tuna, we set off for the Hot Box town. There is no shame among the reefer culture. Sheltered child that I am was unaware of the existence or smells protruding from the popular drug; until this weekend. I am now aware of what it smells like and looks like due to the masses surrounding me at the restaurant table next to me, the beach, in the neighboring hammock, and on concert stage. Don't worry, for all of those curious: my high school drug training was successful. I retreated to my sheltered childhood reactions and avoided the paraphernalia.
We went to a few dancing destinations. Ragae was liquidating through our veins. I was ready to dred my hair and burn to a crisp under the Caribbean sun.
September 24: Waking up to the warmth of the sun on your skin and surf boards reflecting the breeze above you is a truly amazing way to awaken. This morning we rented beach cruisers for our five kilometer trip to Manzanillo Beach. We rented our cruisers for $5 and our snorkeling gear for $3! The bicycle ride was beautiful. We trekked up hills and through the jungle. We saw turtles, hand sized spiders, howler monkeys, and a sloth. I finally got to see a sloth. What a glorious sighting it was as we watched with intensity as the little guy made a glorified poop at the bottom of a tree and meandered on back up.
The coral reef in Manzanillo was breathtaking. Literally. I choked on gallons of sea water. My talent does not lie under the sea. I had always day dreamed about being the little mermaid. Today, when my dreams could have become reality, I failed miserably. I couldn't sing an award winning musical nor did my little fishy friends communicate back.
Later that evening, we enjoyed an amazing dinner at Rocking J's. There was a large storm coming over the horizon. Bringing a light show and light shower, the storm was a great addition to our dancing on the beach. On the walk home, there was a motorcyclist who decided to drive close enough to us to hit me. Yes, hit me. I have no idea what would cause a craving to intensely to drive by a group of people and smack them. The human race amazes me at times.
I haven't been rocked to sleep in years. My evening was peaked as I sifted in my hammock in a room full of fellow travelors under a tin roof that sang me to sleep under the pitter patter of the rain.
September 25: Molly and I woke up early to finish our artwork legacy. I am currently the designer of Locker number "Camping #3." We finished our time in Puerto Viejo with a little fun under the sun and coconut throwing. One of our newly made friends, Carlos Thissen from Germany, was found on Playa Negra chucking coconuts up into the tree for a shower of coconut juice awaiting our tongues below. Hot and sticky we made our way home ready for our next adventure.
After class, me and a few other friends met at the local skate rink. Molly, Spencer, Caitlyn, Danica, Jade and I glided our way into the walls, the floor, the rails, and each other. My roller skating skills attracted a few obsessive skaters. A fifty year old man taught me how to boogy in my skates. He also decided that I was talented enough to dart through the rest of the roller rink population at an accelerated speed and flare. He took my hand and led me through the masses while fluently spinning and whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Funny how an old man can be humorous when playing the moves, but if he would have been in his prime I would have ran in embarrassment.
The adventure peaked as Richard and Kenny moved their tardy butts in to join us. Neither one knew how to skate so Molly and I took the liberty to enlighten them. Richard was fully uncoordinated and Kenny resembled a scoliosis victim, but both were determined.
September 23: The next adventure begins.
After school Molly, Danica, Caitlyn, Jade, Natalie and I trudge through San Jose to our Caribbean bus terminal. A dirty five hours later we arrive in Puerto Viejo, Limon. The city reeks of Marijuana and Rasta. The entire town was fixated with black, green, yellow and red: Bob Marley would be at home in this little surfer nook. Our cabs were paid for by our awesome hostel, Rocking J's. The owner, J, many years ago smoked a joint, jumped in the ocean, and thought "I am going to build a hostel here." J went home to the States, and earned enough to purchase the facility, and still jumps in the ocean higher than a kite.
We purchased delightfully colored hammocks for a whopping $6 a night. Rocking J's is known for its friendly atmosphere for travelers of all color and size. We were greeted by a institution of hippies and art. There were free art supplies that were available to any person with a creative twinge to release. Molly and I were gifted a designated area to let our artsie- fartsie juices flow. Molly did her memorable Ka-Blam series and I did a replica of the Boise Grove hotel's glass river on Front Street. Costa Rica, Boise Welcomes you!
After settling in and indulging in some fine canned tuna, we set off for the Hot Box town. There is no shame among the reefer culture. Sheltered child that I am was unaware of the existence or smells protruding from the popular drug; until this weekend. I am now aware of what it smells like and looks like due to the masses surrounding me at the restaurant table next to me, the beach, in the neighboring hammock, and on concert stage. Don't worry, for all of those curious: my high school drug training was successful. I retreated to my sheltered childhood reactions and avoided the paraphernalia.
We went to a few dancing destinations. Ragae was liquidating through our veins. I was ready to dred my hair and burn to a crisp under the Caribbean sun.
September 24: Waking up to the warmth of the sun on your skin and surf boards reflecting the breeze above you is a truly amazing way to awaken. This morning we rented beach cruisers for our five kilometer trip to Manzanillo Beach. We rented our cruisers for $5 and our snorkeling gear for $3! The bicycle ride was beautiful. We trekked up hills and through the jungle. We saw turtles, hand sized spiders, howler monkeys, and a sloth. I finally got to see a sloth. What a glorious sighting it was as we watched with intensity as the little guy made a glorified poop at the bottom of a tree and meandered on back up.
The coral reef in Manzanillo was breathtaking. Literally. I choked on gallons of sea water. My talent does not lie under the sea. I had always day dreamed about being the little mermaid. Today, when my dreams could have become reality, I failed miserably. I couldn't sing an award winning musical nor did my little fishy friends communicate back.
Later that evening, we enjoyed an amazing dinner at Rocking J's. There was a large storm coming over the horizon. Bringing a light show and light shower, the storm was a great addition to our dancing on the beach. On the walk home, there was a motorcyclist who decided to drive close enough to us to hit me. Yes, hit me. I have no idea what would cause a craving to intensely to drive by a group of people and smack them. The human race amazes me at times.
I haven't been rocked to sleep in years. My evening was peaked as I sifted in my hammock in a room full of fellow travelors under a tin roof that sang me to sleep under the pitter patter of the rain.
September 25: Molly and I woke up early to finish our artwork legacy. I am currently the designer of Locker number "Camping #3." We finished our time in Puerto Viejo with a little fun under the sun and coconut throwing. One of our newly made friends, Carlos Thissen from Germany, was found on Playa Negra chucking coconuts up into the tree for a shower of coconut juice awaiting our tongues below. Hot and sticky we made our way home ready for our next adventure.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Septiembre 19-21
September 19: Monday.... Monday. Humph. I am not a fan of Mondays.
Somewhere among the abyss of never ending study session, I recieved poor news. This weekend we had a date set with a tico friend that fell through. We were suppose to travel to his cabin in Limon for some hiking and possibly horseback riding. A had a small fit where I rampaged through my room in self pity. However, I know better than to think this would affect my limp disappointment. So.... I painted a masterpiece weekend in my dark secluded room instead.
My masterpiece still includes the providence of Limon; however there are a few new exciting activities. Okay, hold on to your seats, because if you get as excited as I am than you might throw your arms up and do a little dance that looks like the YMCA's retarded cousin. Molly, Natalie, Jade, possibly Spencer, and I will be going to Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo for Costa Rica's finest snorkeling! We are staying in a hostel that offers glorified hammocks to rest our little sunburnt heads.
September 20: More studying.
Today there was such a whopping huge storm that it flooded huge rocks into the streets. I could have turned my street into a ghetto version of a Boise River and floated all the way down! Thankfully the rain ceased right as I headed to my cuisine class. (trumpet solo with my lips)
In my cuisine class Kelsey and I made our own noodles, braided bread, marinara, and pesto sauce. I felt so accomplish after mixing, rolling, and cutting my own noodles. Packaged noods will never give me full satisfaction again. I quite possibly consumed enough carbs to sustain a marathon along with three cloves of garlic that will seep through my pores for days to come.
After blowing my diet completely, I decided to give into my one sweet tooth vice. I mozzied down to Macy Macy Don Don's for the worlds best ice cream in a waffle cone! McDonalds in Costa Rica is a high class treat for the middle class family. There are clean tables, decorations, and smiling employees. Who knew!?
Another great addition to my day, I was over at Molly's house to study and hang out with her brothers. I have ran into multiple instances where I have had to threaten to wash Kenny's mouth out with soap. Kenny neglects to respect the English cuss words by believing that they have a less than powerful meaning because most people are unaware of their translation. Again, Kenny's potty mouth broke my concentration of studying. He was speaking with Molly's host mother. I was appalled and voiced my dislike. In response, Kenny, with his sly smile decided to prove to me that his mother really is naive to what words flabber from his lips.
Kenny (in spanish): Mom, "say bull ****".
Olga (in slurred english): Bool Sheeet
Me (in whatever): AAAAhhh, Kenny, No!
Olga (confused spanish): Kenny what did I say?
Kenny: uninterupted laughter
Me (in poor Spanish): you said .... "bull ****"
Olga (flabergasted Spanish): ????
Who knows what she said. All I know is that it was rapid and scornfully directed at her son. Mission accomplished.
September 21: National day of hugs. Dia de abrazos.
I went into class confident and left finished with my first semester of Spanish! Yes, finished. We took one whole semester of Spanish in a month. Talk about crash course.
Now for futbol and movie night!
Somewhere among the abyss of never ending study session, I recieved poor news. This weekend we had a date set with a tico friend that fell through. We were suppose to travel to his cabin in Limon for some hiking and possibly horseback riding. A had a small fit where I rampaged through my room in self pity. However, I know better than to think this would affect my limp disappointment. So.... I painted a masterpiece weekend in my dark secluded room instead.
My masterpiece still includes the providence of Limon; however there are a few new exciting activities. Okay, hold on to your seats, because if you get as excited as I am than you might throw your arms up and do a little dance that looks like the YMCA's retarded cousin. Molly, Natalie, Jade, possibly Spencer, and I will be going to Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo for Costa Rica's finest snorkeling! We are staying in a hostel that offers glorified hammocks to rest our little sunburnt heads.
September 20: More studying.
Today there was such a whopping huge storm that it flooded huge rocks into the streets. I could have turned my street into a ghetto version of a Boise River and floated all the way down! Thankfully the rain ceased right as I headed to my cuisine class. (trumpet solo with my lips)
In my cuisine class Kelsey and I made our own noodles, braided bread, marinara, and pesto sauce. I felt so accomplish after mixing, rolling, and cutting my own noodles. Packaged noods will never give me full satisfaction again. I quite possibly consumed enough carbs to sustain a marathon along with three cloves of garlic that will seep through my pores for days to come.
After blowing my diet completely, I decided to give into my one sweet tooth vice. I mozzied down to Macy Macy Don Don's for the worlds best ice cream in a waffle cone! McDonalds in Costa Rica is a high class treat for the middle class family. There are clean tables, decorations, and smiling employees. Who knew!?
Another great addition to my day, I was over at Molly's house to study and hang out with her brothers. I have ran into multiple instances where I have had to threaten to wash Kenny's mouth out with soap. Kenny neglects to respect the English cuss words by believing that they have a less than powerful meaning because most people are unaware of their translation. Again, Kenny's potty mouth broke my concentration of studying. He was speaking with Molly's host mother. I was appalled and voiced my dislike. In response, Kenny, with his sly smile decided to prove to me that his mother really is naive to what words flabber from his lips.
Kenny (in spanish): Mom, "say bull ****".
Olga (in slurred english): Bool Sheeet
Me (in whatever): AAAAhhh, Kenny, No!
Olga (confused spanish): Kenny what did I say?
Kenny: uninterupted laughter
Me (in poor Spanish): you said .... "bull ****"
Olga (flabergasted Spanish): ????
Who knows what she said. All I know is that it was rapid and scornfully directed at her son. Mission accomplished.
September 21: National day of hugs. Dia de abrazos.
I went into class confident and left finished with my first semester of Spanish! Yes, finished. We took one whole semester of Spanish in a month. Talk about crash course.
Now for futbol and movie night!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Septiembre 12-18
September 12-13 Nothing extraordinary happened that I can remember. Mostly our days were filled with recuperation from the amazing weekend. I was ending my sickness, and Molly was only begining. What are friends for right?
September 12: Monday night was our Tico vs. Gringo / Tica vs. Gringa game. I am proud to give a shout out at the amazing talent the USAC students had! Gringas won! Gringos were not quite as lucky, but boy did they put up an amazing fight!
September 13: Tuesday evening I made a fabulous dinner in my cuisine class. We made "pastel de pollo" which translates to chicken cake. Though it looked like a beautiful braided pastry, inside was a delicious surprise of shredded chicken, corn, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and more decadent goodies. I received my first exam back with a B. Not amazing, but acceptable and fair.
September 14: Wednesday was the eve of independence. If I understood correctly, Costa Rica gained their independence from Spain in 1821. I believe this is also when they decided to back up their decision of peace with eliminating their Army. On the eve of Tico Independence, everyone gathers in the central park for a fiesta. Everyone and their grandma buys, makes, steals, or has a lantern that they illuminate the park with. There are lanterns that resemble chandeliers, houses, buildings, hello kitty, spiderman. Molly and mine, resembled a white-trash tuppa-ware from the dollar store wrapped in scrap lace and confetti stars. Molly and I were so intrigued by the idea of creating the best lanterns, but we were sourly interrupted by our futbol agenda. We high-tailed it to the indoor arena. I was volunteered as the goalie for the evening. I have to remind you that my goalie skills have not improved since my PAL soccer childhood; nor will they in the future. I successfully dodged most of the balls just in time for them to pass into the net. However, there was an occasion or two where I stood firm and allowed the ball to ricochet off my face, arms, feet, stomach, oh yes, and my chest.....
After one loss, one win, and one goal for 'muah'; we ran uphill all the way home. We collected our lanterns and wandered down the streets of Heredia to join in the celebration. What is better than one independence day celebrations filled with fireworks and carnival food? Two independence day celebrations filled with fireworks and carnival food! I enjoyed both my American and Latin American festivals. I bought myself another wonderful churro filled with oozing dulce de leche. When our lanterns overflowed with failure rather than the expected illumination, we decided to get a beer and discuss the amazingness Costa Rica has to offer.
September 15: Happy Fourth of July! oh wait. Happy September 15th!!! My mama-tica and I walked to our front row seats on the curb for the parade. We sat through four hours of unsynchronized children in their school's marching band.We also saw clowns on stilts, a bicycling dog, costumes, cheerleaders, and mimes! Molly and I purchased snowcones drenched in orange syrup and creamy frosting. Also hidden within this diabetic nightmare was powdered milk! Delicious only when molested by the raze of the sun and nothing else matters but the feeling of hand shaved ice from some sketchy carnie!
Wondering where our mischievous tico brothers were, we headed home. Finding two drunk teens in a parent-less home was not quite what I expected to find. Unfortunately, this story is not the greatest, but I am deciding to tell you regardless due to the impressive following story. This way, you might fully understand the greatness of our evening.
Taking a while to realize how dangerously drunk one of Richard's "friends" was, I made the ultimate decision to take him home. Taking a while to realize that no one was helping me carry friend #1 home. I struggled against his dead weight, but I was able to ask if the yellow house was his. After affirming that the yellow house was his, friend #1 blackout and hit the street faster than I could respond. Taking a while to realize how far 10 feet from a house truly is when you are carrying a full grown man, I pounded on the gate. I called out in my terrible Spanish and then in English hoping someone would understand the language of 'damsel in distress'. The family came out to assist me in returning their puking son to their home. Taking a while to realize I had already made my way to friend #1's house, my other friends run to the yellow house...... To my surprise, I had taken fried #1 to the wrong yellow house.
In a cluster cuss of laughing and insanity, we collected friend #1 up to take back to Richard's house. Kenny and myself stayed at the house to babysit the unconscious drunk while everyone else collected courage to take the emotionally unstable #2. May I just vent for a second. There is a matter of intelligence needed for consuming alcohol. I felt the need to create a program where all individuals needed to pass a semester long course to gain permission and a license to consume. We do this for fishing, hunting, driving, and many other privileges. Why the freak is the consumption of alcohol not in this list?
The situation gets better. While babysitting, friend #1's mother comes to the house. I let her and had the obligation of explaining why her son was covered in puke and sleeping with his eyes open. Apparently she already knew a similar version of my story because the neighborhood watch program gossiped its way to his mother. Even better, she summons her husband to pick them up to the hospital at the same time Richard's parents return from the day at the beach. Tired and naive to the situation.
To wrap up the difficult afternoon, Molly and I were able to witness a first class Spanish chew out. Molly's mama-tica so kindly slowed down her Spanish in order to direct her discipline for all of us. Thank goodness for Kenny who gathered enough strength to interrupt his mother to inform her that Molly and I had no participation in the party beyond cleaning up the aftermath.
Frustrated, glum, and shaken by the afternoon we decided to consume our emotions with some ice cream. Uncertain how to finish our Independence day celebration, Kenny advised us to walk to Mercedes. Mercedes is a small portion of Heredia about forty minutes walk up hill. Kenny mentioned clowns, festivals, music; everything needed to lift spirits. We arrived disappointed to a deserted town.
Giving up our chances at break, we decided to sit at the bus stop for home - in silent frustration. We lifted our heads to the sound of shear terror. There was a young boy running with all his might down the hill just in front of the bus stop. Following the boy was a creature so terrifying the Ticos use it for late night festivals.
Pardon me for a second while I try to explain what this creature looks like. I am uncertain of the name, but the creature stands about ten or more feet high. The best image I can present to you is a giant Pez dispenser with distorted faces with exaggerated expressions. The costume is a large cylinder shaped costume that rests over a man who is only visible from the knees down. The faces sometimes resemble people; this perticular creature resembled Bob Dole.
Back to the situation. The creature follows the child at increasing speed around the corner. The situation was like a bad car wreck. You know you probably shouldn't be staring, but you cannot muster up the strength to stop. We look at one another and begin following the mad chase.
Our chase takes us over a hill where we find the entire town of Mercedes walking down the street with more of these creatures. Opra, George Bush, Simbad, the Devil and other giant Pez creatures tower over me as I mingle down the road. The parade finished at the park where the real party began. The purpose of the creatures was for children entertainment. The children smack the creature for attention and the creature returns the favor by chasing or thumping the children with the distorted head. Richard knew one of the boys inside the Pez creature and found it hilarious when he advised it to chase me down the street. It was like a reoccurring nightmare for me. Being chased down the street, unable to outrun the unknown creature. Umbrella as my only weapon, I beat back the creature in desperation.
Richard then asked the Pez creature if it would shed its skin so that Molly could be consumed by my worst nightmare. Molly ascended into the costume only to become the life of the festival - chasing children down the dark streets and dancing with the local brass band. Words cannot explain.
After finally ridding ourselves of the ridiculous costume, Mercedes began its slow pace to bed. We loitered just a tad longer so that we could talk with some local ticos. Rough housing brought Molly and I together in a great KABAM! Bloody nose. Laughter. Bloody nose.
We made our way home on the near deserted midnight bus home. Bloody. Tired. Satisfied.
September 16: School was a cruel decision after a holiday. Homework and Skyped most of the day. The evening brought fun and new traditions. I got myself ready for my Host brother and his wife's Baby Shower. I also was so nicely asked to get my mama-tica ready. I did Olga's hair, I also dressed her. You can never go wrong with a slimming black outfit and red high heels. She was sexy, and I told her so.
Her daughter picked us up and drove us to a country club in Monte Cruz. We were shamefully late. Baby showers are more like rehearsal dinners for weddings. There was men, women, children, friends, family, and me. Everyone brought presents, and each one was unwrapped and presented individually. There were games of intelligence and embarrassment. There was butlers to wait on our tables. Classy and delicious.
The party went from six until midnight. These people know how to throw a party. I called Molly to beg to not hang out. Surprisingly, she didn't mind because her night was filled with just as much excitement. Molly had a very kind, old EXERCIST at her house all night. Holy cow, Emily Rose, what a night!
September 17: More homework. Olga and I made a little excursion to the market for groceries. The people were filled with curiosity as I made my way around their supermarket. Olga hired a pirate taxi to drag us up the hill, thank the Lord!
Molly and I were able to have a good conversation in Spanish with her parents. I understand most of what they were telling us. My favorite part was Molly's mama tica advising us on what she wanted for her birthday. I understood one thing. Stripper.
We laughed the whole way to downtown Heredia for some errands. We were stopped by two ticos who spotted us miles away. They are taking American culture classes and assigned interviews with Gringos. They had been searching for a Gringo all day, and instead got two! We took them for ice cream and allowed them to record our interview. I think that its funny, in the United States, we would have shrugged them off like stray dogs. Here, there is no obligations, no place to be. Pura Vida!
After making two new friends, we went home for another movie night and homework date.
September 18: Alarm goes off at 4:50 am. I get dressed and make myself left over spaghetti. Molly and I head to the central park to meet our non existent adventure buddies. Note to self: don't rely on friends to wake up early for an adventure after a night of partying.
Molly and I leave the part alone. We made our way to the bus station. Second note to self: don't rely on Richard or any other Tico's directions. We couldn't find our bus to the Barva Volcano if our life depended on it. We sought directions from twenty different ticos who all gave us a different answers that led us on a wild goose chase over the entire downtown Heredia. We took the walk of shame passed all the ticos who had given us directions as we went home. No bus. No adventure. Yet.
I went home and moped around the house listening to one of my favorite bands. Nothing says your from Idaho when you sit on your porch in your poka-dot PJs listening to Mumford and Sons. I decided to wander over to Molly's to study. Perfect timing. The Baca family was about to leave for an adventure to Cartago and asked me to join. We piled in the car and drove to the famous "Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles Church. There were a few interesting traditions or choices that I didn't quite understand. One was the people going into the church first stopped to buy legal (and some illegal) lottery tickets in bulk. Then we entered the church to find everyone crawling down the isles of pews on their knees. I was able to take some good pictures inside, but stumbled upon an odd item. On my way out to the holy water that you can buy by the bottle, I found a table of electronic candles that are "Only $100 colones!" You can apparently pay for your prayers now! Hot diggity!
There was a small museum that was under the church. I enjoyed the story about the origin of the church. In summary, there was a young girl hundreds of years ago who found a doll (La Negrita - The Black Virgin) that disapeared over night after putting her in a jewelry box. The young girl continued to find the doll resting on a rock in the forest every follow morning. The girl in desperation for answers gave the doll to the Priest. He also had the same disappearing trouble. Returning each time to the same rock, the Priest figured this was a sign of Holy ground and the doll happened to be the Virgin Mary. So they decided to build a beautiful church around this rock that you can still see today - with the doll perched on top.
Following the visit to the church we went to a local restaurant for some casados! I had friend fish, rice, beans, platanos, and pina juice. It was delicious. We drove through beautiful coffee plantations on our way to a church that has withstood over four hundred years. It was beautiful. Kenny and I meandered through an abandoned building behind. It was surprisingly tranquil amongst the eeriness. Speaking of eery, we drove to a dam on the way back home. The dam was quite possibly the highest point I have ever stood over. To me, it seemed like miles above the river. As vertigo settled in, the passing cars rumbled by us causing the entire bridge structure to quiver.
We had the two gringas hanging their heads out the window (cameras included), we have the mother and father listening to their newly bought Gospel CDs, then we have the little brother playing his naughty english pop songs as loud as the cell phones speakers will reach in hopes of covering his mothers gospel sing-a-longs. Some times I love stereotypes.
September 12: Monday night was our Tico vs. Gringo / Tica vs. Gringa game. I am proud to give a shout out at the amazing talent the USAC students had! Gringas won! Gringos were not quite as lucky, but boy did they put up an amazing fight!
September 13: Tuesday evening I made a fabulous dinner in my cuisine class. We made "pastel de pollo" which translates to chicken cake. Though it looked like a beautiful braided pastry, inside was a delicious surprise of shredded chicken, corn, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and more decadent goodies. I received my first exam back with a B. Not amazing, but acceptable and fair.
September 14: Wednesday was the eve of independence. If I understood correctly, Costa Rica gained their independence from Spain in 1821. I believe this is also when they decided to back up their decision of peace with eliminating their Army. On the eve of Tico Independence, everyone gathers in the central park for a fiesta. Everyone and their grandma buys, makes, steals, or has a lantern that they illuminate the park with. There are lanterns that resemble chandeliers, houses, buildings, hello kitty, spiderman. Molly and mine, resembled a white-trash tuppa-ware from the dollar store wrapped in scrap lace and confetti stars. Molly and I were so intrigued by the idea of creating the best lanterns, but we were sourly interrupted by our futbol agenda. We high-tailed it to the indoor arena. I was volunteered as the goalie for the evening. I have to remind you that my goalie skills have not improved since my PAL soccer childhood; nor will they in the future. I successfully dodged most of the balls just in time for them to pass into the net. However, there was an occasion or two where I stood firm and allowed the ball to ricochet off my face, arms, feet, stomach, oh yes, and my chest.....
After one loss, one win, and one goal for 'muah'; we ran uphill all the way home. We collected our lanterns and wandered down the streets of Heredia to join in the celebration. What is better than one independence day celebrations filled with fireworks and carnival food? Two independence day celebrations filled with fireworks and carnival food! I enjoyed both my American and Latin American festivals. I bought myself another wonderful churro filled with oozing dulce de leche. When our lanterns overflowed with failure rather than the expected illumination, we decided to get a beer and discuss the amazingness Costa Rica has to offer.
September 15: Happy Fourth of July! oh wait. Happy September 15th!!! My mama-tica and I walked to our front row seats on the curb for the parade. We sat through four hours of unsynchronized children in their school's marching band.We also saw clowns on stilts, a bicycling dog, costumes, cheerleaders, and mimes! Molly and I purchased snowcones drenched in orange syrup and creamy frosting. Also hidden within this diabetic nightmare was powdered milk! Delicious only when molested by the raze of the sun and nothing else matters but the feeling of hand shaved ice from some sketchy carnie!
Wondering where our mischievous tico brothers were, we headed home. Finding two drunk teens in a parent-less home was not quite what I expected to find. Unfortunately, this story is not the greatest, but I am deciding to tell you regardless due to the impressive following story. This way, you might fully understand the greatness of our evening.
Taking a while to realize how dangerously drunk one of Richard's "friends" was, I made the ultimate decision to take him home. Taking a while to realize that no one was helping me carry friend #1 home. I struggled against his dead weight, but I was able to ask if the yellow house was his. After affirming that the yellow house was his, friend #1 blackout and hit the street faster than I could respond. Taking a while to realize how far 10 feet from a house truly is when you are carrying a full grown man, I pounded on the gate. I called out in my terrible Spanish and then in English hoping someone would understand the language of 'damsel in distress'. The family came out to assist me in returning their puking son to their home. Taking a while to realize I had already made my way to friend #1's house, my other friends run to the yellow house...... To my surprise, I had taken fried #1 to the wrong yellow house.
In a cluster cuss of laughing and insanity, we collected friend #1 up to take back to Richard's house. Kenny and myself stayed at the house to babysit the unconscious drunk while everyone else collected courage to take the emotionally unstable #2. May I just vent for a second. There is a matter of intelligence needed for consuming alcohol. I felt the need to create a program where all individuals needed to pass a semester long course to gain permission and a license to consume. We do this for fishing, hunting, driving, and many other privileges. Why the freak is the consumption of alcohol not in this list?
The situation gets better. While babysitting, friend #1's mother comes to the house. I let her and had the obligation of explaining why her son was covered in puke and sleeping with his eyes open. Apparently she already knew a similar version of my story because the neighborhood watch program gossiped its way to his mother. Even better, she summons her husband to pick them up to the hospital at the same time Richard's parents return from the day at the beach. Tired and naive to the situation.
To wrap up the difficult afternoon, Molly and I were able to witness a first class Spanish chew out. Molly's mama-tica so kindly slowed down her Spanish in order to direct her discipline for all of us. Thank goodness for Kenny who gathered enough strength to interrupt his mother to inform her that Molly and I had no participation in the party beyond cleaning up the aftermath.
Frustrated, glum, and shaken by the afternoon we decided to consume our emotions with some ice cream. Uncertain how to finish our Independence day celebration, Kenny advised us to walk to Mercedes. Mercedes is a small portion of Heredia about forty minutes walk up hill. Kenny mentioned clowns, festivals, music; everything needed to lift spirits. We arrived disappointed to a deserted town.
Giving up our chances at break, we decided to sit at the bus stop for home - in silent frustration. We lifted our heads to the sound of shear terror. There was a young boy running with all his might down the hill just in front of the bus stop. Following the boy was a creature so terrifying the Ticos use it for late night festivals.
Pardon me for a second while I try to explain what this creature looks like. I am uncertain of the name, but the creature stands about ten or more feet high. The best image I can present to you is a giant Pez dispenser with distorted faces with exaggerated expressions. The costume is a large cylinder shaped costume that rests over a man who is only visible from the knees down. The faces sometimes resemble people; this perticular creature resembled Bob Dole.
Back to the situation. The creature follows the child at increasing speed around the corner. The situation was like a bad car wreck. You know you probably shouldn't be staring, but you cannot muster up the strength to stop. We look at one another and begin following the mad chase.
Our chase takes us over a hill where we find the entire town of Mercedes walking down the street with more of these creatures. Opra, George Bush, Simbad, the Devil and other giant Pez creatures tower over me as I mingle down the road. The parade finished at the park where the real party began. The purpose of the creatures was for children entertainment. The children smack the creature for attention and the creature returns the favor by chasing or thumping the children with the distorted head. Richard knew one of the boys inside the Pez creature and found it hilarious when he advised it to chase me down the street. It was like a reoccurring nightmare for me. Being chased down the street, unable to outrun the unknown creature. Umbrella as my only weapon, I beat back the creature in desperation.
Richard then asked the Pez creature if it would shed its skin so that Molly could be consumed by my worst nightmare. Molly ascended into the costume only to become the life of the festival - chasing children down the dark streets and dancing with the local brass band. Words cannot explain.
After finally ridding ourselves of the ridiculous costume, Mercedes began its slow pace to bed. We loitered just a tad longer so that we could talk with some local ticos. Rough housing brought Molly and I together in a great KABAM! Bloody nose. Laughter. Bloody nose.
We made our way home on the near deserted midnight bus home. Bloody. Tired. Satisfied.
September 16: School was a cruel decision after a holiday. Homework and Skyped most of the day. The evening brought fun and new traditions. I got myself ready for my Host brother and his wife's Baby Shower. I also was so nicely asked to get my mama-tica ready. I did Olga's hair, I also dressed her. You can never go wrong with a slimming black outfit and red high heels. She was sexy, and I told her so.
Her daughter picked us up and drove us to a country club in Monte Cruz. We were shamefully late. Baby showers are more like rehearsal dinners for weddings. There was men, women, children, friends, family, and me. Everyone brought presents, and each one was unwrapped and presented individually. There were games of intelligence and embarrassment. There was butlers to wait on our tables. Classy and delicious.
The party went from six until midnight. These people know how to throw a party. I called Molly to beg to not hang out. Surprisingly, she didn't mind because her night was filled with just as much excitement. Molly had a very kind, old EXERCIST at her house all night. Holy cow, Emily Rose, what a night!
September 17: More homework. Olga and I made a little excursion to the market for groceries. The people were filled with curiosity as I made my way around their supermarket. Olga hired a pirate taxi to drag us up the hill, thank the Lord!
Molly and I were able to have a good conversation in Spanish with her parents. I understand most of what they were telling us. My favorite part was Molly's mama tica advising us on what she wanted for her birthday. I understood one thing. Stripper.
We laughed the whole way to downtown Heredia for some errands. We were stopped by two ticos who spotted us miles away. They are taking American culture classes and assigned interviews with Gringos. They had been searching for a Gringo all day, and instead got two! We took them for ice cream and allowed them to record our interview. I think that its funny, in the United States, we would have shrugged them off like stray dogs. Here, there is no obligations, no place to be. Pura Vida!
After making two new friends, we went home for another movie night and homework date.
September 18: Alarm goes off at 4:50 am. I get dressed and make myself left over spaghetti. Molly and I head to the central park to meet our non existent adventure buddies. Note to self: don't rely on friends to wake up early for an adventure after a night of partying.
Molly and I leave the part alone. We made our way to the bus station. Second note to self: don't rely on Richard or any other Tico's directions. We couldn't find our bus to the Barva Volcano if our life depended on it. We sought directions from twenty different ticos who all gave us a different answers that led us on a wild goose chase over the entire downtown Heredia. We took the walk of shame passed all the ticos who had given us directions as we went home. No bus. No adventure. Yet.
I went home and moped around the house listening to one of my favorite bands. Nothing says your from Idaho when you sit on your porch in your poka-dot PJs listening to Mumford and Sons. I decided to wander over to Molly's to study. Perfect timing. The Baca family was about to leave for an adventure to Cartago and asked me to join. We piled in the car and drove to the famous "Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles Church. There were a few interesting traditions or choices that I didn't quite understand. One was the people going into the church first stopped to buy legal (and some illegal) lottery tickets in bulk. Then we entered the church to find everyone crawling down the isles of pews on their knees. I was able to take some good pictures inside, but stumbled upon an odd item. On my way out to the holy water that you can buy by the bottle, I found a table of electronic candles that are "Only $100 colones!" You can apparently pay for your prayers now! Hot diggity!
There was a small museum that was under the church. I enjoyed the story about the origin of the church. In summary, there was a young girl hundreds of years ago who found a doll (La Negrita - The Black Virgin) that disapeared over night after putting her in a jewelry box. The young girl continued to find the doll resting on a rock in the forest every follow morning. The girl in desperation for answers gave the doll to the Priest. He also had the same disappearing trouble. Returning each time to the same rock, the Priest figured this was a sign of Holy ground and the doll happened to be the Virgin Mary. So they decided to build a beautiful church around this rock that you can still see today - with the doll perched on top.
Following the visit to the church we went to a local restaurant for some casados! I had friend fish, rice, beans, platanos, and pina juice. It was delicious. We drove through beautiful coffee plantations on our way to a church that has withstood over four hundred years. It was beautiful. Kenny and I meandered through an abandoned building behind. It was surprisingly tranquil amongst the eeriness. Speaking of eery, we drove to a dam on the way back home. The dam was quite possibly the highest point I have ever stood over. To me, it seemed like miles above the river. As vertigo settled in, the passing cars rumbled by us causing the entire bridge structure to quiver.
We had the two gringas hanging their heads out the window (cameras included), we have the mother and father listening to their newly bought Gospel CDs, then we have the little brother playing his naughty english pop songs as loud as the cell phones speakers will reach in hopes of covering his mothers gospel sing-a-longs. Some times I love stereotypes.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Septiembre 9 - 11th
September 9th: Skype date with boyfriend brought twitterpation and impatients to see my loved ones again. I was able to have a relaxation lame-sauce morning where all provided was snotty tissues and facebook. Something good can come out of a uneventful habbit - a good example is this morning. I facebook stalked enough of other people and myself that I happened to be on at just the right time. The beautiful Deesa messaged me in desperation to find two more mates to fill her hotel room in La Fortuna. I then passed the messaged to Molly to confirm. I accepted, packed, and did a victory dance in a matter of ten minutes! Adventure On! Thundercats GO!
Molly and I made a quick detour to the grocery story that saved us over fifty dollars in tourism priced food this weekend. After a little bargain shopping, we returned to my house to get sexyfied. We went out tonight for some booty shaken salsa. There was some unfortunate tico dancing, but for the most part, the evening was a success. I topped the night off with the sweetest tico who acted like a gentlemen among a pool of douchebag rump grabbing boys. This boy taught me a few moves then politely asked if he could kiss me. Don't worry, I told him no. I told him that I have a fantastic "novia." With huge questionable eyes he looked at me in surprise. These eyes told me I said something wrong..... I certainly did. Novia in Spanish is girlfriend. Horror took over flattery quickly as I had to rapidly correct my ridiculous Spanish. Returning home smiling and sweaty brought a late evening of two in the morning......
September 10: ..... And a four in the morning alarm. Two hours of sleep brought a lack of motivation. Running late, Molly and I ran down our hill to the bus stop just in time to meet our bus. What a bunch of Gringas. A beautiful ride to the top of the cloud forest brought us the La Fortuna, home of the active volcano Arenal. In a hypoglycemic rampage, the seven girls and I made our way to the ticket office. We bought our tickets after answering every question possible for man to ask about our bus, just to be sure. I held back to talk to the office assistant about local areas that were on the poor man side of a budget. I didn't have the money for luxurios tours and eateries. Luis the owner pulled out a map for me and showed me a watering hole that the locals hang with a waterfall and rope swing. He also pulled out his list of tours hoping to get some business on the day of low economical tide. He motioned to the most expensive and obvious best tour tour available. I reminded him of the poor mans' budget. He smiled and offered it to me and at half the price of $30. I smiled and told him to make it $25. We agreed on $27.50. I booked a tour from three to nine that included hike through the tropical forest, waterfall cliff diving, view of Arenal, tree frogs, sloths, tucans, swinging bridges, hot springs, night hike, transpirtation, and he even through in some forest knowledge and mud fighting!
Business degree, a good smile, and some negotiation can get you far in life.
Luis picked us and five Puertorricanos up for our adventure. We rocked out to Black-Eyed-Peas and talked of "couch surfing" with Luis in the front seat. He offered us a bed at his house for when Molly and I back pack through Costa Rica in December. He also mentioned taking us to a huge Lagoon at the top of a mountain next to the Arenal Volcano. This lagoon is in the nose of what looks like an Indian man laying down. Neat!
Sure enough, we go everything promised to us and more. All except for my sloth. I am still naive to the existence of these fabulous creatures. Luis made a mud pool for war paint and mud fighting that followed with a crisp bath in a beautiful thirty foot waterfall. Oh and the entrance into the pool is by jumping from a rock off to the side of the waterfall. You know that moment when the present takes you back to childhood? Well lets just say that I was Pocahontas for about 5 minutes in a Costa Rican rain forest. Covered in mud and flinging myself off high altitudes into crisp water was a reoccurring dream come true. I swam under the waterfall to find a moist little cave, then proceeded to face plant into the water and rocks; finding it necessary to be saved by one of the Puerto Rican men awaiting my embarrassing tragedy. Thank you Manuel.
The tour brought many useful facts to reality in the tropical forest. I can identify many new plants and species. There is a plant that explodes all over you when you decide to pick it up. There is also a plant that can act as a mosquito repellent, worry stone, toilet paper, and unnecessary clutter in a backpack. Sorry Molly. I saw plants used for medicine and Mentholatum, the marijuana frog, briefly spotted a Tucan, and avocado, guava, banana, and papaya trees.The plants are so majestically colorful that I feel like I am in the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and I cannot eat all the candy surrounding me. It was frustratingly beautiful.
Our tour brought us to a freaking magical hot springs. The difference between the hot springs here and home is that home has circulating pools of hippie juices and boiling water and Costa Rica has whole RIVERS of hot, clear, perfect water! The hot springs ran under a bridge. The area under the bridge poured into a large pool that you scooted off a small waterfall into. The ground is concreted, making a perfect newly founded slip-n-slide for bored college students for myself. Bucket List cross off number one: Skinny Dipping.
Wet, happy, and starving we made our way back to the hotel to get ready for round two of our tour. This was not included in the promised tour from before, but because Molly and I are so easy to get along we made friends with our tour guide. He was able to get us beautiful dinners at a local Tico restaurant and into an even more local dance club! Salsa dancing for everyone!!!!! There is nothing dancing with a room full of Latin American people in Latin America. I wanted to try a cocktail this evening. I felt that a beautifully garnished fruity something would make my fish even more delicious! Niave to the alcohol culture I was uncertain what to get. Also uncertain about whether my friend chose to pick the drink because it sounded good or if because the desire to make me say "I would like a sex on the beach" to a man who probably didn't understand my English or Spanish attempt to order was too tempting. Needless to say it was embarrassing, but delicious! I felt like a kid at the seven eleven gas station on a hot summer day sipping down my weight in tropical slushy.
September 11: Morning came early at seven after a night out of dancing my gringo little sandals off until three. Breakfast brought enough peanut butter to put me in a better mood. Luis promised me a trip to his friends cabin if we didn't see a sloth the day before. We hoped into the car with his friend, Jan, for an unofficial tour through the rain forest and rain. I am reminding you again for the sake that it will also get you this far in life: a good smile and kindness will get you far in life. He showed us everything in the forest besides a sloth. I was disappointed, but not incredibly so. It adds to the suspense of awaiting my first sloth spotting. Jan so kindly dropped off at the watering hole. Molly and I complained that we didn't want to get wet again so we wouldn't swim. Our minds were changed the moment we headed down the cliff to the most glorious waterfall. The pool was nine meters deep and crystal clear with a hint of aqua blue. We indulged in some rope swinging action, cliff diving, pocahantas day dreams, and found our Puerto Rican friends again. Molly and I added to our list of stupid ideas we have lived through when we went off the twenty foot rope swing..... together. Friends Forever. Hopefully "forever" will be a long time away, regardless of our decision making.
Molly and I made a quick detour to the grocery story that saved us over fifty dollars in tourism priced food this weekend. After a little bargain shopping, we returned to my house to get sexyfied. We went out tonight for some booty shaken salsa. There was some unfortunate tico dancing, but for the most part, the evening was a success. I topped the night off with the sweetest tico who acted like a gentlemen among a pool of douchebag rump grabbing boys. This boy taught me a few moves then politely asked if he could kiss me. Don't worry, I told him no. I told him that I have a fantastic "novia." With huge questionable eyes he looked at me in surprise. These eyes told me I said something wrong..... I certainly did. Novia in Spanish is girlfriend. Horror took over flattery quickly as I had to rapidly correct my ridiculous Spanish. Returning home smiling and sweaty brought a late evening of two in the morning......
September 10: ..... And a four in the morning alarm. Two hours of sleep brought a lack of motivation. Running late, Molly and I ran down our hill to the bus stop just in time to meet our bus. What a bunch of Gringas. A beautiful ride to the top of the cloud forest brought us the La Fortuna, home of the active volcano Arenal. In a hypoglycemic rampage, the seven girls and I made our way to the ticket office. We bought our tickets after answering every question possible for man to ask about our bus, just to be sure. I held back to talk to the office assistant about local areas that were on the poor man side of a budget. I didn't have the money for luxurios tours and eateries. Luis the owner pulled out a map for me and showed me a watering hole that the locals hang with a waterfall and rope swing. He also pulled out his list of tours hoping to get some business on the day of low economical tide. He motioned to the most expensive and obvious best tour tour available. I reminded him of the poor mans' budget. He smiled and offered it to me and at half the price of $30. I smiled and told him to make it $25. We agreed on $27.50. I booked a tour from three to nine that included hike through the tropical forest, waterfall cliff diving, view of Arenal, tree frogs, sloths, tucans, swinging bridges, hot springs, night hike, transpirtation, and he even through in some forest knowledge and mud fighting!
Business degree, a good smile, and some negotiation can get you far in life.
Luis picked us and five Puertorricanos up for our adventure. We rocked out to Black-Eyed-Peas and talked of "couch surfing" with Luis in the front seat. He offered us a bed at his house for when Molly and I back pack through Costa Rica in December. He also mentioned taking us to a huge Lagoon at the top of a mountain next to the Arenal Volcano. This lagoon is in the nose of what looks like an Indian man laying down. Neat!
Sure enough, we go everything promised to us and more. All except for my sloth. I am still naive to the existence of these fabulous creatures. Luis made a mud pool for war paint and mud fighting that followed with a crisp bath in a beautiful thirty foot waterfall. Oh and the entrance into the pool is by jumping from a rock off to the side of the waterfall. You know that moment when the present takes you back to childhood? Well lets just say that I was Pocahontas for about 5 minutes in a Costa Rican rain forest. Covered in mud and flinging myself off high altitudes into crisp water was a reoccurring dream come true. I swam under the waterfall to find a moist little cave, then proceeded to face plant into the water and rocks; finding it necessary to be saved by one of the Puerto Rican men awaiting my embarrassing tragedy. Thank you Manuel.
The tour brought many useful facts to reality in the tropical forest. I can identify many new plants and species. There is a plant that explodes all over you when you decide to pick it up. There is also a plant that can act as a mosquito repellent, worry stone, toilet paper, and unnecessary clutter in a backpack. Sorry Molly. I saw plants used for medicine and Mentholatum, the marijuana frog, briefly spotted a Tucan, and avocado, guava, banana, and papaya trees.The plants are so majestically colorful that I feel like I am in the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and I cannot eat all the candy surrounding me. It was frustratingly beautiful.
Our tour brought us to a freaking magical hot springs. The difference between the hot springs here and home is that home has circulating pools of hippie juices and boiling water and Costa Rica has whole RIVERS of hot, clear, perfect water! The hot springs ran under a bridge. The area under the bridge poured into a large pool that you scooted off a small waterfall into. The ground is concreted, making a perfect newly founded slip-n-slide for bored college students for myself. Bucket List cross off number one: Skinny Dipping.
Wet, happy, and starving we made our way back to the hotel to get ready for round two of our tour. This was not included in the promised tour from before, but because Molly and I are so easy to get along we made friends with our tour guide. He was able to get us beautiful dinners at a local Tico restaurant and into an even more local dance club! Salsa dancing for everyone!!!!! There is nothing dancing with a room full of Latin American people in Latin America. I wanted to try a cocktail this evening. I felt that a beautifully garnished fruity something would make my fish even more delicious! Niave to the alcohol culture I was uncertain what to get. Also uncertain about whether my friend chose to pick the drink because it sounded good or if because the desire to make me say "I would like a sex on the beach" to a man who probably didn't understand my English or Spanish attempt to order was too tempting. Needless to say it was embarrassing, but delicious! I felt like a kid at the seven eleven gas station on a hot summer day sipping down my weight in tropical slushy.
September 11: Morning came early at seven after a night out of dancing my gringo little sandals off until three. Breakfast brought enough peanut butter to put me in a better mood. Luis promised me a trip to his friends cabin if we didn't see a sloth the day before. We hoped into the car with his friend, Jan, for an unofficial tour through the rain forest and rain. I am reminding you again for the sake that it will also get you this far in life: a good smile and kindness will get you far in life. He showed us everything in the forest besides a sloth. I was disappointed, but not incredibly so. It adds to the suspense of awaiting my first sloth spotting. Jan so kindly dropped off at the watering hole. Molly and I complained that we didn't want to get wet again so we wouldn't swim. Our minds were changed the moment we headed down the cliff to the most glorious waterfall. The pool was nine meters deep and crystal clear with a hint of aqua blue. We indulged in some rope swinging action, cliff diving, pocahantas day dreams, and found our Puerto Rican friends again. Molly and I added to our list of stupid ideas we have lived through when we went off the twenty foot rope swing..... together. Friends Forever. Hopefully "forever" will be a long time away, regardless of our decision making.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)