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!