Costa Rica-What I learned

Posted by JD 04/07/2008 at 20:29

Costa Rica – What I learned

  • Ticos (Costa Ricans) are very much like folks from the USA.
  • I need more time in this country to see more volcanoes, rivers, animals, Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
  • Generally, the food is not very flavor able. A few dishes are very good, but I’m over the rice and beans.
  • It is hard to keep a home spotless when nature is trying very hard to get in.
  • Hot showers are a luxury, not a necessity.
  • Hot water outside showers, simply isn’t needed.
  • Buses are ok.
  • Spanish can be learned to be travel-functional in 2 weeks – dos semenas.
  • There are wonderful families paying attention to home, family, church, children and community in Costa Rica. This describes most of the people that I met.
  • As everywhere, there are a few nasty people.
  • I still can’t dance the salsa or merengue despite taking a class.
  • Another 2-3 weeks of intensive Spanish will help me get to the next conversational level.
  • 1 Day in San Jose is more than enough.
  • 4 days in Monteverde isn’t enough.
  • Sign up for tours early in the week
  • When visiting volcanoes, most of the time you aren’t going to see anything due to clouds. Occasionally, you get lucky in the morning like the tour I was on did.

Costa T+14 Saturday HOME

Posted by JD 04/05/2008 at 18:37

Saturday was spent waiting. Waiting to be taken to the airport, waiting in line to check in, waiting in line to go into security, waiting for the flight, and finally, waiting during the flight. Actually, I’m writing this while on the plane and everything is fresh.

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Costa T+13 Friday - Bus to San Joaquin

Posted by JD 04/04/2008 at 18:37

Ok, Friday was a school and travel day. The final class was good, we chatted for a few hours then exchanged email addresses so we could stay in touch. Yeah, I know, not likely.

As class ended, the sky opened up and the rain that I hadn’t seen in 2 weeks began. It was a mix of a downpour and drizzle. Off and on for the hour before the bus left.

The bus ride from Monteverde was just as rough on me as the ride up. I felt queasy for much of the dirt road ride. That was for about 2 hours. I’m glad that I didn’t pick up a t-shirt – I survived the road to Monteverde. – It is a local slogan.

As we traveled over the mountain, the rain slowed then finally stopped and it was a clear day. Of course, we got stuck behind a few large trucks before the road merged with the Pan-American Highway. Don’t get he wrong idea, this highway isn’t like an interstate road, it is just paved and has passing lanes for uphill traffic. After 4 hours, we arrived back near San Joaquin and I was dropped off at the Santa Maria Inn – the same inn from my first night.

Another lady from the language school was staying there before her flight to Edmonton, Canada, so we shared a ride to a local steak house for dinner. Beef Ribs – ummmmm, tasty. It was pouring so we were soaked. Back to the inn for a night of cable TV and relaxation.

A few days later as I review/correct this entry and I believe that the ribs impacted my digestion. I’m on the toilet more than I should be and didn’t have any issues while in country.

Costa T-1

Posted by JD 03/21/2008 at 08:12

Today is the day before I leave for Costa Rica to learn Spanish in an intensive way. I’ll be living with 2 families, 1 each week I’m there. Neither them, nor I know anything about each other yet.

Overall plan goes like this.

Week 1

  1. Arrive Saturday (Holy Saturday), transfer to a B&B outside San Jose
  2. Sunday morning, get introduced to the first family I’ll be staying with outside San Jose
  3. Monday morning, go to school, culture shock, figure out what the plans are for the rest of the week
  4. Tuesday – go to school; afternoon, do a half day tour of something
  5. Wednesday – go to school
  6. Thursday – go to school; afternoon tour
  7. Friday – go to school
  8. Saturday – head out on a 2 day adventure

Week 2

  1. Sunday – return and transfer to Monteverde family
  2. Monday morning, go to school, culture shock, figure out what the plans are for the rest of the week
  3. Tuesday – go to school; afternoon, do a half day tour of something
  4. Wednesday – go to school
  5. Thursday – go to school; afternoon tour
  6. Friday – go to school; afternoon tour
  7. Saturday – Transfer back to San Jose, then to the airport for a flight home.

Since this is more of a culture tour than see this tour, I don’t expect to have nearly as many photos as prior trips, nor do I expect to be able to upload that quantity with the internet connection available. I’m not taking a laptop, so my N800 will have to do.

We’ll see.

What Actually Happened