Society, You're a Crazy Breed

Tomorrow, after living here in Costa Rica for 85 days, I will be returning home. In those 85 days, I  experienced something indescribable. I learned. I discovered. I explored. I pretty much did it all. While of course there were similarities, I did notice un montón de differences between the country that I call home and this country that has been my home for almost 3 months. Here I will share just a few of those differences.

This sign speaks for ALL toilets. DO NOT flush your toilet paper.

 

 There are no "trash cans" only raised trash baskets.

 

 The butter is EXTREMELY yellow.

 

 ALL cars are stick shift (and diesel).

 

 Hollister is, apparently, spelled with a silent "C."

  

Websites are not in English, surprise!

And the showers kind of suck.

Regardless, Costa Rica, you have been incredible. To all of the amazing people that I met here, I am unbelievably thankful to have had you in my life and to all of the people that I love at home, I will be glad to have you back! 

PURA VIDA

Foto Fiesta at the Finca

On Friday, I went with my photography class to my professor's family's "finca." Literally, finca means farm. So naturally, we assumed we'd be seeing chickens and other such animals. Upon arrival we realized that in Costa Rica, finca also means vacation home.  Welcome to one of the most amazing places that I have visited here...

 

We also barbecued. And it was delicious. 

For more pictures from The Finca, visit:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=244804&id=722713600&l=4fc12239d9

El Día de Acción de Gracias

My family, my friends, my time here... I have so many things to be thankful for.

Although Thanksgiving this year was unlike any I have experienced before, it was incredible in its own way.  The day started off just like any other. I woke up at 7, went to class, ate lunch, went to the gym. You really couldn't tell that it was a holiday at all. Around 4 though, things started to change. After a short skype session with my family, friends arrived and we began to get ready. Around 5 we walked to the school where we boarded a bus. The bus drove us out of San José (which took a surprising amount of time in the rush hour traffic) and up a very large mountain. At the top of the mountain, the bus stopped and we entered a beautifully decorated restaurant (which, in 1900, was the home and chapel of an elite family). Inside, staff attired in 19th century French monk frocks hurried around preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal for us. Waiting for our turkey and mashed potatoes, we wandered the premises taking in the glittering night lights of San José.

 

 

The food was delicious and the company was excellent. It may have been different, but it was, nevertheless, a Thanksgiving to remember.

And of course there was pumpkin pie!

(though it wasn't nearly as good as yours, Uncle Michael)

I still can't believe Dad actually got onto the plane...

Sorry for the lengthy break, it was quite the week.

So I braved the San José traffic and picked my parents up from the airport around one on Saturday afternoon. Although their journey was long and tiring, they made it here safe and sound. We then checked into their hotel, chatted for a bit and headed over to my side of town (aka Zapote). There, we enjoyed conversation and Costa Rican coffee with my host mom, Doña Mayra (the term conversation may be a stretch considering the rather large language barrier, but it was conversation none-the-less). I'm going to say it again, Costa Rican coffee is delicious. After a tour of my campus and surrounding neighborhood we returned to the hotel for a nice dinner and I, taking advantage of the opportunity at hand, had a spectacular shower (tune in later for my rant about the showers here in Costa Rica). On Sunday, we learned about the history of Costa Rican in the National Museum then explored downtown San José. Not much to say there except that San José is a slightly crowed and extremely colorful city.

For me, the subsequent week was a flurry of presentations, papers and exams. For my parents, it was a flurry of travels, sights and some restless nights. I don't know a whole lot about their experiences during the week but I do know that they helped save over a hundred baby turtles and for that, I am incredibly jealous.

On Friday afternoon, I finished up my second (of three) Spanish classes and, once reunited with the padres (not the baseball team), headed to Manuel Antonio.

Manuel Antonio is a small beach town located next to one of Costa Rica's most beautiful national parks. El Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio is practically overflowing with animals. There, you may encounter anything from...

 

 a sloth,

 

to a hermit crab,

 

to a red faced iguana.

... 

And then of course there are monkeys. Un montón de monos. The monkey featured above is a White-faced Monkey. Also known as the Mafia of Costa Rica, White-faced monkeys are mischevious (but still adorable) little devils who steal everything. I mean everything. 

It was 7am on Saturday morning. My parents and I were peacefully enjoying our gallo pinto when suddenly, a monkey appeared.  While the kitchen staff was looking away he snuk into the kitchen, stole a banana and then scampered out (though not without receiving a scolding from the staff as soon as they realized what had gone down).

Apparently word spreads quickly in the monkey community because within minutes, there were a whole lot more. All trying to get their own piece of the cake, or in this case, banana.

 

You really can't fight with the Mafia of Costa Rica.

On Sunday afternoon I said goodbye to my parents and began the final stretch of my adventure in this país...

Here are links to a couple of my most recent photo albums:

Exploring San José with Mom and Dad

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=241523&id=722713600&l=4ef1a3dde8

Manuel Antonio

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=241529&id=722713600&l=0804616173

 

The Opposite of Adults

Today I went to a children's museum. I felt very at home (despite the fact that it was, for many years, a prison). I think there's more kid in me than I realized.

Speaking of children. My parents will be arriving in San José (SJO, not to be confused with SJC) tomorrow afternoon. I'm pretty excited.

Today someone asked if I had a spirit animal...

 

I really couldn't say.

Happy Halloween! (from a country that doesn't exactly celebrate Halloween)

Although I am currently eating chocolate, I did not get it from a friendly neighbor down the street. That's not safe here. Halloween is not a Costa Rican holiday.

That being said, I had a great Halloween weekend! I went to a costume party hosted by my Tico brother and his wife (they have a lot of gringo influence). I went to a huge Halloween event a La Rumba, my dancing hot spot. And I went to the zoo (with a stop at McDonald's on the way back).

Here's what I've come to realize: Everybody loves an excuse to have a great time, even in costume. Ticos have their own party songs too (you know the ones that EVERYONE knows the words and or dance to) and they get just as crazy with them. Percussionists and dancers are a must at every Costa Rican celebration. Zoos, although fun, are really not the happiest places for wild animals. And American fast food tastes better outside of America.

I also learned that... 

 Crocodiles leave their mouths open to cool off (and to make their prey think they're sleeping)  

I love cats of all sizes.

 

And birds of all colors.

 Porcupines smell bad.

 And spiders are creepy, even if they sometimes look cool.

I started my new Spanish class last week. It's fun though not as great as my last one. (I was really spoiled last month). I am still, however, loving my photo class - even without my camera. Last week we began learning some basics in Photoshop. Here's my newest creation:

Happy Trick-or-Treating America!

(oh and speaking of black and orange, how bout them Giants?!)