Primero dia en Costa Rica...
Oh my goodness, it is so beautiful. I can´t get over it.
It was about a 25 drive from the airport in Alajuela to my host family in Atenas. It´s so lush and green here...not like the wild, tangled jungles of asia, but lively and deep and full of life. The rainy season has brought all the flowers out to play, and they curl up the sides of the colorful houses. Everything is so bright and happy. very hippy-esque...i could stay here VERY long time.
My host family is nice...although they talk fast and it´s hard to keep up :)
Alicia, the mother, is an amazing cook, although she keeps putting a cup of coffee in front of me. i have a feeling I´m going to be drinking more coffee on this trip than I ever have in my entire life! so far the food is simple yet amazing...I´m looking forward to taking my cooking class.
first lesson in español this morning. Isabel, my professor, is HILARIOUS, and she likes to play charades to act out everything I´m learning. it´s fun. It´s tough to be thrown into a place where no one speaks english and i speak very little spanish. I understand about 50% of what people are saying, but with the lessons it´ll get easier.
Atenas. It´s a little town that revolves around the little park in the center. The park is peppered with big trees and painted stone benches, and I look forward to relaxing and doing my homework there. Across from the park is a large, catholic church. the wooden ceiling is high, with old candle chandeliers dangling down. walking down the center aisle, I pass several statues, each very emotional. At the front, a table with two angels watching over the service. They are each holding a lantern, lighting the way.
Little red taxis circle the town, looking for customers.
An ice cream shop looks inviting, but it´s beginning to thunder and rain. perhaps tomorrow :)
