The Wonderful World of Water

Water. What a simple word, and for most of us, something we can access quite easily. I've always learned about saving water, the basics: turn off the water when you brush your teeth, don't waste water, ect. Well, I've learned to do that, but I was never faced with the problem of loosing water. Well, that has changed. In my city, there are times when the water turns off, and a whole neighborhood is left without water. Thankfully, this doesn't happen to me often, because my family lives away from the city, and there is a river right by my house, but other friends live with this situation, and it has become a part of their lives. Today for example, there was no water in Puriscal, from 8 in the morning, till 8 at night. No water in schools, in homes, at offices. This really is a problem, but the people have learned to deal with it. And, it has made me more aware of what is going on in our world. WE, the people, need to take care of the Earth.

I never thought I would be presented this situation, where water was hard to get at times, so we need to be thankful for what we are given, humble about how we have it, and helpful to those who are unable to recieve.

Grace's Visit

About a week ago, my best friend Grace from the United States came to visit me! That was honestly one of the coolest things in the world! Not going to lie, I was a bit nervous at first, I didn't know if it was going to be weird, or awkward, or if she was going to think I have changed a lot. On Friday at around 6ish my family and I went to the airport to meet her, and that was the start of an adventurous week!

We went to Playa Conchal, which personally my favorite beach in Costa Rica. If anyone travels to Costa Rica, make sure you go to Guanacaste , Playa Conchal-it is GORGEOUS! The water is clear, you can open your eyes underwater, and the sand is white, and there are a lot of things to do there! We also visited Guapiles . I have family there, so we stayed with them, rode horses, and ate (a lot!) there. We drove to the Caribbean  but when we arrived it was raining! But that didn't stop us from going into the teal water. We also went surfing in Jaco, which is such a thrill. I believe, that if you ever get the chance to go surfing, take it. Don't be afraid, be careful, but go for it! You won't regret it! Besides the miny trips, we hung out at home, in the pool, went on a hike with my dad, and talked, and talked, and talked, and talked, and talked! It was great to see her after 8 months! It was unreal to have her here, and I had a great time.

I can't believe I only have 2 months left...that just scares me. I ask myself sometimes, ... "Wait...where did the time go?!!" It has FLOWN by, and so I am going to do as much as I can, and experience as much as I can in these last 2 months.

My Welcome to Costa Rica sign. I was getting a lot of looks, everyone else's signs were small, and white. BEING CREATIVE!!

This is at Playa Conchal. (from left to right: Rafa, Lupe, me, Grace.)

Grace with one of the horses in Guapiles

One of the baby chickens

Surfing in Jaco

Grace and I on the hike.

My Papa, Grace and I on the hike

Planta Eolica

This week I have no school because it is Semana Santa (Holy Week), so yesterday, I went on a day trip with Lupe and some friends to the Planta Eolica, or the big wind-mill things that create energy. IT WAS GORGEOUS! The view was breathtaking. It has also been EXTREMELY hot, so going up to the Planta Eolica was a nice cooling break-aka if you don't bring a sweatshirt you will start to shiver! There isn't really a significant meaning why I am posting about this specific place, I have been to plenty of places in Costa Rica, which I haven't blogged about. But I think the difference with this, is that it is a place that is unbelievable cold, and has a view that is one of the most hardest things to describe. Also, I think it just made me think about home...which is hard for the weather and the surroundings to do! When we were there, Lupe and I and her friend kinda snuck into a forest, we were definite hardcore "trail-blazers"! But yesterday was gorgeous, and usually tourists don't hear about the planta eolica, because most people just go to the beaches, but if you ever want to see a breath taking view, go there! 

The view...this picture doesn't even begin to capture what we saw

The wind-mills that produce energy

Me with Lupe in the forest

Me, our friend Tury, and Lupe

The Visitors

So, to anyone who didn't know, my brother here plays in a band, and it is really cool! So about 3 weeks ago, he got an opportunity to play at a restaurant bar, but not all his band could do it, so he decided to ask me if I wanted to sing with him and a few friends. Personally, I love to sing, so I thought it was a great idea, and heck yeah I wanted to do it! First off, his friends are soooo funny! And they are just all around great people! So for 3 weeks we practiced the songs we wanted to sing, and came up with a name and all that stuff. We decided on, "The Visitors", because 1. I am a "visitor" aka I'm not a local, and I am leaving soon, 2. In our band, the drummer looks Chinese, we call him Chino, and he is Tico, and for other funny little jokes. Saturday we played for the first time, and it went so well, it was so thrilling and yeah we messed up a bit, but I wouldn't take it back for the world, because it was soooo awesome!!!
Here is a link to one of the songs we played:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDJC82W7Wc8&feature=youtu.be

Festival de Puriscal

The festivals in Puriscal have sadly ended, but it was a week long of fun and excitement! They started off with the Toros (I described those in my post about Palmares), which was really exciting. I swear, they are some of the most entertaining things you could go to, but they really get your adrenallin running even though you aren't in the ring with the bull! As I said, the toros are when the people get into a stadium and run around with a bull. It really is scary to watch, and many people are sent to the hospital, but it is a tradition! Besides the toros, the entire week there are things going on. One night there was a, "Show de huevos", which is a comedy show. The people who went told me it was really funny. Other days there were "cow-roundups" or whatever you want to call them, and some days there were concerts and dances. On Saturday there was a carnival, which was a really big parade that lasted a good 3 hours! I didn't go but I saw the pictures and it looked really cool! It was a bit bigger than the parade for Dia de Independencia, with a lot of dancers, drummers, musicians, the whole shabang! Then on Sunday there was the Tope, aka the parade of horses, which is the most amazing thing in the world. The festivals were really cool, and it is a big tradition in Costa Rica, and one thing you don't want to miss out on!

Here's a video of the toros: they get pretty crazy! In this video, they decided they were going to play soccer, but also had to run away from the bull. Halfway through the game they put in another bull!!

Just a Dream

Who would have known, a year and a half ago, I would be here, In Costa Rica. It is so amazing. No, amazing doesn't even begin to describe my experiences here. I really do feel blessed, to have such incredible people here with me, and such a supportive family back home not to mention the great friends! You know, in the beginning, it all just felt like a mirage, like it wasn't even real. I would wake up in the morning, and say to myself, "Wait...I'm in Costa Rica!" Now, it just feels like I have lived here forever!
How I got this idea to be a foriege exchange student, honestly I don't even remember. One day it just popped up in my head, and my Dad helped me from there. At first I wanted to go to Portugal, because my family has friends there, but then it changed to Spain, and from there, I found AFS and I chose Costa Rica, and I don't think it could have been a better idea. It was hard yes, but working for something you really want is hard. So, to all those, who wish they can do something, or be someone, go for it.

-"Aim for the moon, if you miss, you may hit a star."-W. Clement Stone.

Mi familia

Words can't describe how much I love my family here. It may be weird for people to read this, who have never lived with another family, and yeah, it kinda is weird to think that after 7 months, I think of these people as my for real 2nd family. Coming here, and having to live with people, I have never met, was a struggle. I didn't know what to do at all....."should I sit down or just walk around like I need something.." -It was a bit awkward! And it was hard, I was homesick, but now, I don't think I could have asked for a better, more loving, accepting, happy, amazing family. I am one of few exchange students, who actually call my parents, "Mami" and "Papi". I am really close with my family, I can talk to them about anything, and all of them are so unique and close to my heart. My sister Lupe is crazy! She is fun, and creative, and loves to just hang out. I really consider her as a sister, and as a friend. My brother is a rocker, legit there isn't a moment when he doesn't have his guitar in his hands! It is great to always hear music in the house! My dad is hilarious! He is always cracking jokes! And my mom, is one of the most loving, caring women I know. I love her to death, and in reality, it's going to be really hard when I leave these amazing people. Not to mention my cousins, my aunts and uncles, my grandparents here, and all my friends! Family life here is all about togetherness. The family lives close together, aka our neighbors are our aunts and uncles, and pretty much almost everyone in Puriscal is related to my family! So, to just sum up this entire thing, basically my family is just awesome!

The fam, minus my dad who is taking the picture! 

My cute baby cousin!! 

My dad

My mom with her niece and nephew

My aunt and I

My cousin, Lupe, me, and a friend

Isaac, one of the craziest, most amazing little cousins in the world, Lupe and I

My mom with one of the cats that live by the house. She named it after my brother, Van, and the two others are named after my sisters, Megan and Josie!

My dad, me, and my mom

My cousin, my aunt, Lupe, me, and my cousin 

Rafa (my brother) and I

My cousin Diana and I

Lupe and I

Me, my cousin Miguel, and Rafa

Well...here are a few random pictures!