Mammals, birds, and waterfalls, OH MY! (and some snakes...)

So, this last weekend We went on a day trip! We went to La Paz Waterfall Garden! It was absolutely beautiful! So there are going to be a lot of pictures in this blog! We started off by going to see the birds! They had so many different species! My favorite ones though have got to be the Toucan and the Macaw! After the birds, we headed over to the butterfly observatory! This was just absolutely delightful! I was wearing a yellow shirt, and a bunch of the butterflies would come and land on my shirt while we were in there! Also in the observatory were sloths! They were cute too... but they were sleeping! After the butterflies... we headed over to the monkeys! There were two types of monkeys; spider monkeys and white faced monkeys!  And when we exited that area of the park, we walked right into the hummingbird area! A few times some went flying by my head! It was crazy! I was kinda nervous that one was going to hit me in the head, haha! They are crazy fast!  After that, we saw some snakes... I walked in, took pictures and got out of there fast! Not a snake fan at all! We got to take a break after that though! We had an amazing buffet style lunch! They were classy for being in the middle of the woods...in a state park type thing. After this we went and saw the feline part of the park!  The "cats" were so cute! I wanted to pet one... but I didn't, because they were behind cages for a reason!. Instead I sent my mom a message asking if we could just get one of the Margays or Ocelots! haha...She said no, it'd eat our dog. After this we went on to our last stop before the waterfalls... the frogs! They were hiding though, so we didn't see a whole lot, but we definitely saw some! They were all just in two open rooms! :) After this... Do-dododo (trumpet sound)... to the waterfalls!!! This was definitely worth the trip right here! The waterfalls were amazing! We saw the following waterfalls: Templo (104ft), Magia Blanca (131 ft), Encantada (65 ft), and a slight part of the  Escondido waterfall (65 ft). They were all just amazing! You should visit there sometime, if you ever get the chance! Once again it is La Paz Waterfall Gardens!

Well off to finish some homework, But... you can still look at all these photos (these are only a few of the 130 I took while there!)

 

Playa Tamarindo

Hey all!

So this last weekend, the group from school and I went to Tamarindo Beach on the Pacific coast! It was absolutely beautiful....if you cannot tell from the picture! We didn't do too much at all! I for one, went dancing, and just relaxed! I am not a beach person AT ALL... but I somehow felt so relaxed here. It has at least been 4 years since I have been that relaxed (Now that's saying something!)  The last night in Tamarindo though, my roommate, one of our friends, and one of the kids from our group were just walking around, then we decided to walk down to the beach...and it was just at the right time...Sunset! It was an incredible view, and just amazing!

And last Wednesday, our school held something called a "CRASH party." It is when the International students and the Tico students come together to meet each other and celebrate the beginning of the semester. It was fun; there was music, dancing, and surprises! Dancers and a band showed up. The band was like a tropical marching band, with different styles of drums, and a trumpet! The dancers were incredible as well they were dressed in tropical uniforms, almost like the hula dancers from Hawaii from the movies. It was definitely a great time! My roommate and I danced to some Salsa music. We just wish they'd do that more often and not just once a semester (as far as we know!)

Well, off to finish up on some homework!
Adios y Dios te bendiga!

Puerto Viejo

This last weekend, I went on a trip to Puerto Viejo in the Caribbean! It was Beautiful! we were going to go snorkeling, however the waves were too dangerous that day, so we took a tour of one of the National Parks and saw monkeys, sloths, snakes, ants, and even a raccoon instead, haha! My friends and I also spent the afternoon on the beach, and relaxed! Later in the weekend, we went dancing for a little while at a club nearby! I forgot how much I missed dancing! I really want to dance some more while down here...and when I return to the U.S. We danced to reggaeton, reggae, and a little bit of Bachata. This weekend was a good getaway for my birthday! So while down there, I had one drink, just to celebrate! I am happy to be back in the city though, I know its sad, but I love classes! But next weekend is another getaway! Let's see where this one takes me!

Gotta run, got class soon! adios!

First week of classes... so far so good!

So I am starting my first week of classes this week! I had orientation yesterday, and found out some really cool things (I'll talk about that later, haha) and then today I had my first day of classes, however, I still have my dance class later tonight. It does seems to be going well so far though! Yesterday at orientation I found out that I am considered an Independent student! This means that I am paid for three trips through the school. So I get to go snorkeling for free this month! As well as visit beaches, and waterfalls, bird and butterfly sanctuaries, and more!
Now onto classes: The first day, like many others consisted of getting to know each other and the professor!  And we did some reading out of our textbook, which I think the professor actually helped to write! It seemed pretty interesting, and I actually understood what was going on, haha! I was placed into Intermediate Spanish 1, and I am not going to complain!

Well, heading out with my housemate!
Hasta Luego!

I am here!!!

So I have arrived safely! I am definitely still getting used to the culture and everything, but so far so good! I had safe flights all the way down! Last night I had "casado" for dinner! A typical dish, which I will probably have every night! It is rice, beans, and a meat. Also alongside of that, comes salad, and sometimes plantains (sort of like bananas).  Last night I went to skype my mom, and was blown away by my thinking. I was trying to figure out how to describe everything that had happened today to my mom.... in Spanish. Yep, it has started, Spanish is getting to my brain! This morning I woke up to a nice breakfast consisting of apples, bread, butter, strawberry jelly, and cream cheese! I could make my bread however I wanted! It was extremely yummy!! As well, I had some cactus juice! AMAZING! I think I'm going to like it here! I am a little home-sick, but like someone said yesterday, who wouldn't be?

Well, I'm off to relax some more, classes don't start for another few days!
ok, adios, y pura vida!

Last week in the EE UU

So, just starting to look ahead at the new year and realizing this week is my last week (ish) in the United States until I take my journey to Costa Rica and study. I fly out in the middle of this week, then start classes a week from tomorrow! I am very excited, yet very nervous as well! This is a once in a lifetime experience, yet still it is a little ways away from home (Still a little farther away than my school in Massachusetts as well, haha...just a little). I am looking forward to starting classes though, especially the photography and dance classes! I am  excited for the Spanish classes as well, but I am so ready to be able to go outside and have some fun with these other classes!

Well, sorry for only the short message, but I gotta go pack!
Feliz ano nuevo y Dios te bendiga!! Adios