Week 3 in Costa Rica

Week 3 is now over and I can't believe I only have 1 more week before I return to THE REAL WORLD. My spanish is rapidly improving and I think it gets better everyday. This weekend I went to Playa Flamingo, Playa Conchal, and Brasilito. They had another rodeo in Brasilito to my surprise.

I also found that Playa Flamingo and Playa Conchal are the two most beautiful beaches that I have been too. The water is crystal clear with white sandy beaches. The beaches are much more tranquill and not all the hustle and bustle in Tamarindo. So far I definitely like Playa Flamingo the best and hope to return one day.

I could easily get used to this lifestyle. To forget about cell phones, day planners, blackberrys, powerpoints, etc. and just work to live not live to work as I feel is what the pace is in the U.S. as other places I'm sure. This trip has definitely made me see to try and keep things simple. Because its so often that its the simple things that give us joy.

Sunsets, the sound of the ocean, a cool night breeze, smiling faces. That is what is important to me. I haven't done all the things that I wanted to because I thought I had plenty of time. But since this is my last week, I better do some other activities that I wanted to do. Hopefully, it will happen. If not no big deal, I couldn't ask for a better experience.

I miss my family and I miss my friends. I wish they could all be here with me...

Week two in Costa Rica

My second week in Costa Rica and I can't believe its halfway over. This continues to be an experience of a lifetime and I am so glad that I am doing this. This week my classes were in the morning from 8-12pm and tomorrow I start afternoon classes again.

After class this week I spent a lot of time at the beach just relaxing and watching the fishermen and surfers. I think this week I will try my luck at surfing and hope I don't kill myself! Last night a group of us went to Huacas for a fiesta and rodeo.

This was a real treat and you really got to see the real Costa Rica and their people. There were all kinds of food stands, booths for clothes and jewelry. Also there was a big dance hall with a Salsa band that everyone went to after the rodeo.

As far as the rodeo, it was pretty interesting. It looks like they just built a make shift arena with stands and thankfully didn't cave in. A lot of people would just sit at the top of the fence all around the ring, but we decided it would be safer to have a seat in the stands.

There were about 12 riders and the bulls were huge. Anyone could go in the ring when they were riding the bulls and a lot of people would try to antagonize the bulls after the bull rider fell and this made for some great entertaining. I have posted video of some of the rides with some quite damaging consequences as you will see.

As for today, it's superbowl time and we will go to Paso tiempo for all you can eat and drink for $50. Not a bad deal!

My First Week In Costa Rica

My first week in Costa Rica and I can't say enough of how refreshing and relaxing it has been. It's a breath of fresh air to be able to get away for awhile, especially for a month. God has truly blessed me.

Tamarindo(the town I am staying in) is going through rapid growth with a lot of new construction and plenty of tourists. Everyone is very nice here and it definitely is a slower pace of life. The weather is great and I see plenty of iguanas, monkeys, exotic birds, and lovely palm trees with coconuts ripe for the picking.

I am staying in a house with 6 other people but have my own private apartment in the back of the house. There is Marianna and Judee from Germany, Hugo and Henry from Norway, Monica from Switzerland, Laura from Wisconsin, and of course yours truly!

My classes are daily from 1-5 in the afternoon, but we don't have school on the weekends. There is actually only a few Americans in the school and its mostly people from all over Europe. Its such a wonderful mixture of people and cultures from around the world, and it truly inspires me to see as much of the world as possible.

The beach is beautiful here and sunsets are a daily event. A lot of Americans have moved down here to "drop-out" of the rat race and I don't blame them. It's a simple lifestyle without all the hassles of the real world. The saying here is "Pura Vida" which means pure life and I couldn't agree more.

This week my classes are from 8-12 and we are planning a fishing trip, canopy tour, and visits to surrounding National Parks, Rain Foresets, and other local beaches. I hope everyone is doing well back home and wish you could all be here to experience with me! Hopefully with this blog I can bring some of Costa Rica to you!