Last time I blogged I said I would make a list of all the differences here in Costa Rica. One thing I really liked about my orientation, was a quote someone said, "It's not right, it's not wrong, it's just different." This is what I am going to follow while I am here-it's just different! And different can be good, so here are all the amazing differences-with positives and negatives! First off, COLD SHOWERS!!! yay. This has to be one of the most difficult things-because everyone likes a steaming hot shower, but I am getting used to it! I am also getting really good at making sure the water only touches my hair, because this water isn't just cold, it's freezing-like ice! But it can feel really nice after a really hot day!-except most people shower in the mornings, so I get to wake up to this lovely surprise every morning! Moving on NEXT difference are the cars and taxis here in Costa Rica. Here, there are real and fake taxis-I accedentally took a fake one and scared my mother very badly! Except how was I suppose to know which is real and fake when she had been taking fake taxis with me all the time! I think we have both learned our lesson! Red cars with a taxi sign above!! Also, while in the car, the most random songs come on! English songs-from 5 years ago! It is really funny to travel back to the past and sing along with all the "oldies"! Another thing, they drive like CRAZY! They are all over the road, and they pass cars even if they are going the speed limit-and while doing this no one wears seat belts-I think you are considered a loser if you do because I have been given some pretty funny looks that say, "pshhhh what are you doing?!" If I make it this year without getting in a car accident, that will truely be an accomplishment! The next difference are the people! They are so unbelieveably nice-truely amazing people! Ticos (Costa Rican people) greet eachother differently than we do in the States, and this took some getting used to but now I am comforatable with it! You greet people with a kiss on the cheek, or you put your cheek up to thiers and make a kiss sound. You do this to lots of people, even people you meet for the first time, and it is just a way of saying hello! Ticos are very touchy and that is fine, they like affection! Another thing is Ticos share everything! If you have a cookie, and your 2 friends are in the room, you better be ready to hide that thing fast or split it because they will ask for some!

So thats all I can think of right now but let me fill you in on what has happened-or at least the really fun stuff! On Sunday I went canopy ziplineing! THE COOLEST THING IN THE WORLD!! I would have to say it was life changing(;    LOLZ no but it was really fun! Not only did I go ziplineing but I also repelled down 4 waterfalls, got super wet, tired, sweaty, dirty, and had the time of my life! I got to drive in a decked out safaria pick-up truck, and I even got to see a toucan and eat sugar cane! It was SO amazing, words can't describe what I felt!

School is going really great, I enjoy it a lot, exept I don't exactly understand anything! My favorite class by far is English! And it is just like our Spanish classes in the US! It is wierd to flip my life around like this and see others learn another language in a classroom enviornment-because I see what I was doing back in Washington! Besides English my next two favorite classes are math, because it is SO EASY and art because it is so relaxing! Besides these three classes my brain hurts all the time from trying to translate, but I think my Spanish is improving-at least I hope it is! School is very different that those in the US because here, it is normal for the teachers to skip class! I would say on average I will have two classes a day where the teacher doesn't show up, but thats okay because that means more socializing time!

I am honestly haveing a great time here and I am looking forward to doing more and learning the culture! Tomorrow I walk to Cartago from San Jose, a 21 km walk, a tradition that started a long time ago! I am very excited to be a part of this, but it will be very tireing so I am going to sleep so I have lots of energy tomorrow! I also am going to try and start drinking coffee because it is very exausting saying "no gracias" everytime someone offers me some! Buenas Noches!!!!!

So first off I am sorry I haven't blogged in a while-so let me catch you up on my enitre week. On Friday me and the people from AFS-USA arrived in Costa Rica at 9. The plane only took about 2/3 hours which was good, but it was dark out so we couldn't exactly see anything outside.......! Then we went to our orientation and stayed at the cutest little "hotel" type thing. More like a really nice camp because there were cabins. I got lucky and shared a cabin with 3 other girls. We all had our own room with our own bathroom-including a shower in each bathroom! Some other people weren't so lucky-they had to stay in a cabin that was a bit like a dorm-bunkbeds everywhere and one big bathroom! It was about 20 girls or so in those cabins, so I am really glad I lucked out!! So on Saturday we had our entire orientation and let me tell you it.was.so.long. We didn't exactly have any breaks, so everyone was exausted! But then came Sunday and we packed up and I left for Puriscal with a few other students living there as well! It is about an hour drive so I was able to see the beautiful country, and it was gorgeous! I finally met my family and they are so great! My mami, Isabel, and my papi, Rafael, own a hotel, or cabanas! They are very nice and caring and my mother's personality reminds me so much of my grandma back in Washington! Then my hermana, Lupe who is so fun, and my hermano Rafa who is in college so I only see him once in a while! I really do like it here it is beautiful and many people come to the house so it isn't very lonely-only in the mornings. On Wednesday I went to the beach with my mami and hermana and went surfing!!! That had to be one of the best feelings in the entire world! SO much fun!! And then on Thursday, it was my first day of school, which went very well. I made many friends and actually went back to one of thier houses after school to watch a movie with them. However, Thursday was a rocky day because it was my sister, Josie's birthday-she just turned 8. I have realized this is going to be really hard, and I need to be able to keep my confidence up and my courage strong, or else I will be living a really sad life here-and I don't want that. So now I am trying to involve myself as much as possible and do things so I can expierence the culture. There are some things that are a bit...odd here and things I miss about the USA, things people wouldn't really understand unless they were here. Like when we use the bathroom....you can't flush toilet paper, you have to throw it in the trash. That is just one example......I'll give more later haha! Also the American culture greatly influences Costa Rica, from what I have seen so far! Of course, you can never run from McDonalds, no matter where you go. And there is a lot of American pop music. So tomorrow I am going ziplineing which should be a blast! And yeah....thats my week in the smallest summary possible! Adios and I will try to post again soon

Airport time!

I'm in the airport right now about to get on the flight to Miami--the big adventure has begun...!!! It is really hard to say goodbye, I said goodbye to my dad, brother Van, and sisters Megan and Josie today along with a bunch of other people. It is hard, but I know it is going to be a great experience and I am honestly so excited. I say goodbye to my mom in Miami, which will be very hard. I hate goodbye--it is never fun--but it is only for a while, that's what I keep telling myself! So, adios Seattle, hello Miami, and almost hello Costa Rica!

Hola me llamo Abby!

Hola my name is Abby DeTuerk and I am going to be studying abroad for a year (technically 11 months but who's counting!) in Costa Rica! I will be living in San Juan de Puriscal, San Jose. I got my host family a while back but was having some difficulties contacting them...until yesterday when they emailed me back!! I knew I had a mom and a dad, a 13 year old sister and a 19 year old brother, but I had no clue they have a pool..! I am honestly so excited to meet them and live in CR. A little about my family: As I said they have a pool, and some exotic animals(: I just hope exotic doesn't include pet spiders or something like that! My brother plays in a band, which is really cool because I have been wanting to learn how to play the guitar for a while so maybe he will be able to teach me! My family owns their own business and I guess they like to play soccer which is a plus for me because I love soccer!
Unlike a lot of people who leave their families and friends for a while, I am that not nervous. I keep telling myself I should be freaking out right now, I mean I am about to be 3,422.57 miles from everyone I know(I did not just look that up(;  ) but I am actually really excited! The only part that is degrading is leaving the people I love, like my two best friends Grace and Carrie, and my mom, dad, brother Van, and sisters Megan and Josie. I did set up skype the other day which was good!!....but when I told people to add me they said they had forgotten their skype name because they never go on it anymore...awk. So hopefully everyone will go on skype at least to talk to me(: So might as well say it...I have 9 days until I leave for Miami, and then on the 20th I go to Costa Rica!!!!! AHHHHH I'M SO EXCITED! That's 9 days to do everything on my "summer bucket-list"!

Here is a picture of my family. The order is a bit confusing....but my mother is in the blue dress on the left, next to her is my abuelo, and from there I get stumped. My brother, Rafael, is in the middle, and I don't know where my sister, Lupe, is but she is 13. Also in the picture are other exchange students and their families.