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!!!!!