Its been quite the week...everyone left me and i had to say goodbye to my host family, which was really upsetting, but then my real, american family arrived... with two good friends from home...and everything has been fantastic. We went to coffee and butterfly farms the first day, then headed to Arenal volcano, where we saw lava running down the side of the volcano and did the hanging bridges through the rainforest. Next was Monteverde, to the cloud forest and zip lining!!! We also spent a rainy day at a cheese factory, a bat cave, and an orchid garden. Interesting combination but very informative and fun for indoor activities. Now I am in Manuel Antonio, for the third time but im NOT complaining. Love this beach. It's unfortunate that the rainy season started so it rains every afternoon, but its been so much fun and everyone is having a great time. And this vacation has totally ruined me for my kind of travel...I am being very spoiled and very pampered and staying in the most incredible hotels and resorts. So going back to hostel life and eating rice and beans every meal to save money will be interesting.
But the family leaves wednesday morning and I head to bocas del toro, panama, for some beautiful beach time. REALLY excited, as long as the weather behaves itself.
Thats all for now! And since these are my last few days in costa rica, heres one last PURA VIDA!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Nicaragua
Nicaragua was great. Went to Granada and Leon, two colonial towns, and Masaya which is known for its markets. Lots of walking around and relaxing. We also went to the house where Sandino was born, which is now a library, and to the Lago de Nicaragua which was really beautiful and also looks over Granada.
Two friends got food poisoning so we werent very active after that, and didnt see as much as we wanted to. But it was really nice to spend so much time with my friends before everyone leaves, and it ended up with Paul's mother putting us up in the Hilton for one night, since she felt bad that he was sick. Then, since this is Latin America, Kate and I just smiled at the young guy working there and we got a major discount and ended going back for our last night. Not exactly how we wanted to experience Nicaragua, but whatever, it was pure luxury. It was such a strange contrast though, Nica is so poor and the poverty is evident from the minute you cross the border. It's the Central America that I was used to before coming to Costa Rica, which is so much more developed. Definately a major shift. Crossing the border with all of the swine hype was also fun, and let me tell you, all of us still have verrry rumbly stomachs. Made me appreciate so much more the fact that we can drink the tap water here. But oh man...the beds at the hilton are delicious. And I took two baths. TWO. And wore a bathrobe and had a poolside pina colada at noon. Not how I travel, especially in this part of the world, but I'm not complaining. And I was so clean. It was heaven.
Had one final this morning, and our last one is tomorrow. crazy. Attempting to study but I just dont want to! One more day of work and then playtime for like 11 weeks. I'll take it :)
Two friends got food poisoning so we werent very active after that, and didnt see as much as we wanted to. But it was really nice to spend so much time with my friends before everyone leaves, and it ended up with Paul's mother putting us up in the Hilton for one night, since she felt bad that he was sick. Then, since this is Latin America, Kate and I just smiled at the young guy working there and we got a major discount and ended going back for our last night. Not exactly how we wanted to experience Nicaragua, but whatever, it was pure luxury. It was such a strange contrast though, Nica is so poor and the poverty is evident from the minute you cross the border. It's the Central America that I was used to before coming to Costa Rica, which is so much more developed. Definately a major shift. Crossing the border with all of the swine hype was also fun, and let me tell you, all of us still have verrry rumbly stomachs. Made me appreciate so much more the fact that we can drink the tap water here. But oh man...the beds at the hilton are delicious. And I took two baths. TWO. And wore a bathrobe and had a poolside pina colada at noon. Not how I travel, especially in this part of the world, but I'm not complaining. And I was so clean. It was heaven.
Had one final this morning, and our last one is tomorrow. crazy. Attempting to study but I just dont want to! One more day of work and then playtime for like 11 weeks. I'll take it :)
picture: Lago de Nicaragua
Sunday, May 3, 2009
theres time to work but now its time to play
I've spent this weekend cooped up with my computer and tons of readings, completing way too many papers and a final exam. Clearly, that was too much work for me to handle, so I decided that it was just about time to get another stamp in my passport. After all, its been like 3 weeks. So i'm off to Nicaragua tomorrow.
Expecting a lovely trip, then we come back, have a few days to study for our last 2 finals...and then the program is done. I am totally not prepared to say goodbye to everyone and to Costa Rica, so I'm not really thinking about that yet.
I hope that you are all enjoying the beginning of spring and have time to enjoy the nice weather. :)
Expecting a lovely trip, then we come back, have a few days to study for our last 2 finals...and then the program is done. I am totally not prepared to say goodbye to everyone and to Costa Rica, so I'm not really thinking about that yet.
I hope that you are all enjoying the beginning of spring and have time to enjoy the nice weather. :)
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