Field Trip to the rainforest!

Tropical ecology had a field trip this weekend. La Selva Biological Station was awesome! Between the awesome hikes, hilarious teacher, and fun bridge that only holds 10-15 people at once, it was a pretty fun weekend! The howler monkeys sang us to bed at night and woke us in the morning. We saw tons of animals, both cute and slimy! I had such a blast, and am a little disappointed that it was the last field trip for tropical ecology. 

Election Weekend

It's crazy here in San Jose. The election for the new president is tomorrow and people are out supporting their candidates!

Surfing in Tamarindo

Spent the weekend in Tamarindo...with strep throat. :( Nothing could keep me from the waves though. I had been looking forward to learning how to surf most out of anything this whole trip, and nothing was going to stand in my way! I rented a board for $10 for the whole day and went out with some friends to learn how. It was an absolute blast!!! Definitely something I will be doing again! I can't believe I waited this long to get out on a surfboard, but I definitely won't wait that long before I get on one again! After surfing, everyone went out, but I had enough for the day. It was back to the hotel for me, and I slept right through breakfast the next morning! A fun trip to Tamarindo, and a longgggg bus ride home. (SO much traffic!) I'm back in San Jose now and working on lots of school projects. I can't wait to experience the adventures the coming week has to bring! 

Puerto Viejo

Hola from Costa Rica. Once again, the weekend was wonderful! I went on an excursion to Puerto Viejo with a great group of people. Our hotel had hammocks outside of every room for the perfect afternoon nap, and the beach was unreal. The first day we took a short trip to Cahuita National Park where we took a short hike before arriving at a beautiful beach. Along the way we saw a sloth, lots of monkeys, a bright yellow snake, and an iguana... Along with a LOT of spiders and insects. As beautiful as the journey, the destination was just as magnificent. The turquoise water looked so inviting, and I couldn't wait to jump in! However, about 30 seconds after getting into the ocean, I was stung by a jellyfish!!!  I had to take a short break from swimming, but nothing could keep me from the water for long. After getting back to town, coconut water was a welcome refreshment from a long day in the sun. I fell in love with Puerto Viejo and I can't wait to go back!!! 

New friends and new places!

First Week

Wow! This first week in San Jose has been so amazing! After a week of new classes, and a weekend full of trips around the country, I am exhausted, but incredibly happy. Today started the second week of classes, and I am becoming even more convinced that this will be my favorite semester of college thus far. Each morning after I wake up, I enjoy a walk around the neighborhood with the beautiful Costa Rican sun beating down on me, and a view of the mountains throughout. It is still a little hard to believe that I am actually so lucky to be here for the next three months!

I am taking Marine Biology, Tropical Ecology, and Land Vertebrates of Costa Rica. The teachers are so friendly, the material is interesting, and the field trips described that we are going on for class sound awesome! Snorkeling in the ocean for class—sounds good to me!

So many wonderful people from all over are studying here in San Jose. A lot of people are from the states; however, I have met a friend from Finland as well as two friends from Costa Rica: one Tica and one expat. Everyone is so friendly and happy here all the time, so it’s really easy to make new friends!

This weekend was packed full of excursions, and it was awesome to see so much of what the beautiful Costa Rica has to offer! After a day of exploring downtown San Jose with my roommate Friday, it was an early, 5 AM, Saturday morning to travel to Rio Celeste. After a day full of hiking we finally got to the most beautiful, turquoise blue waterfall I have ever seen! After getting home late at night, it was straight to bed for another early morning the next day. Sunday’s adventures included: a coffee plantation, Volcan Poas, La Paz Waterfall gardens, and an aviary where I got to hold a Toucan!

After a wonderful, packed-full, first week, I am looking forward to the relaxing beach weekend I have planned for next weekend. And oh yeah, there’s that whole school thing, too. Oh well! Pura vida!

My new beautiful neighborhood

I took Blue, the dog, for a walk through my beautiful new neighborhood today. I think I can get used to this view. :)

Yum!

Every meal I've had here has been delicious! My host family owns a restaurant attached to the house, which means delicious food for every meal. And homemade smoothies with every meal too! Everything is so good, but I think I have to figure out how to ask for smaller portions, or else I'll have to be rolled out of Costa Rica!

Fruit Market

Went to the farmer's market today with my host mom. It was HUGE. There was so much to pick from, but I ended up getting bananas, mangos, strawberries, and starfruits. A whole bag of starfruit was only $1!!! Also, coconut water straight from a coconut is awesome! 

Arrival

Arrived in beautiful Costa Rica! My new family owns a restaurant that is attached to their house, so I was welcomed with some of the most delicious tropical food I've ever tasted!