Hello again!
So we have been here in Costa Rica for a total of 1 week and 3 days, and I've enjoyed every second of it! Last week our night activities included seeing Prince of Persia in a mall, which made me feel like I was in the US, we also took salsa lessons and went to Bar Nena twice. On Friday morning we left for Tortuguero. Imagine a place that you can only get to by a 45 min. boat ride, has no cars, and dogs sleep under tables at restaruants. Well that describes the place we went. Named for its gigantic sea turtles that nest during the summer months, Tortuguero was a destination that Im so glad I experienced. We awoke at 5:30 am on Saturday morning for a canoe tour of the Tortuguro canals, inside the national park. We did not see turtles, but saw 3 types of monkeys climbing in the trees, along with caimans, similar to crocidiles. An interesting fact about parrots, they mate for life! I learned that fact when we saw pairs of green parrots flying over head. The rest of the weekend included hammocks, rice and beans, some markets, and laying out. Awesome weekend.
One thing I've learned about my adventure thus far is that not all aspects of this trip are focused on volunteering, but also on learning the city, the country, and trying new things. For example, Costa Rica's bus system is amazing, I think, since I have never really used public transportation. But you can literally hop on a bus to take you anywhere. Also, I am finidng that my converstaional level of Spanish is paying off, as I can get around alot easier with small conversations. We went to PANI, our volunteer sight this morning, and it went well. Like I've said earlier, its a governement funded foster home. This kids are looked after very well, and have ample toys to occupy themselves with. We are beginning at a new site tomorrow, a soup kitchen for kids after school. I think it will be a good experience.
Our host family is great, and quite humorous. Last night at dinner one of the sons was eating with us, and his dad came out and did a magic trick. I must say, we could not stop laughing. And I have more stories about that later...
