The Things You Will See

I have a mere nineteen days left, but who is counting?!
This past week has been another interesting test of my patience and perseverance. Even from the beginning I feel as if every obstacle possible has kept me from experiencing the gap year I had imagined and anticipated. Firstly, I wasn't accepted to the school for the full length program due to my age. I was then able to talk my way into staying for ten weeks instead of six by doing two intensive courses back-to-back. The first six weeks (strictly school-wise) were a little slow, but I continued to learn lots of spanish, just not at the pace I was hoping for. This past week a new group of students came for the next four week intensive course, and I struggled the whole week in a class that was reviewing material that I already had knowledge of. On top of that, I have been trying to get in contact with a local foster home, but the application process has been slow. This whole week has been frustrating to say the least.
Yesterday though, I decided I must sacrifice my social life with my new friends and focus completely on spanish. I have now enrolled in private tutoring and learned more in an hour and a half yesterday than I did all of last week! I hope to make huge progress these next few weeks! As for the children's home, I talked to some friends who were going to an all girls children's home yesterday. I will try to talk to them today about how I can get involved as quickly as possible, as I really do only have a short time left here!
My weekend plans these past 6 weeks were amazing. I have seen two volcanos, felt three earthquakes, and been to both the pacific side of Costa Rica and the Caribbean side. I have taken more buses than I care to count and made a fool out of myself searching for sloths in every tree on every nature walk I've been on. I have seen huge waterfalls and grassy mountain tops. Through the Perifedica I have toured the whole city of San Jose! And I have had enough rice and beans to last me a lifetime. Only have two more full weekends here, and I'm hoping to make the most of it!
My host family continues to be a HUGE blessing to me. I feel really lucky.
Counting down the days until I'm in Europe with Chloe and Denise! As for my spring plans, I have no idea. I'm throwing around any and every idea in the book. From finishing my gap year here in Costa Rica to enrolling in college in the spring to living in Ecuador through a gap year exchange program! I know what my gap year is no where near "normal," but never in my life have I EVER fallen into that category!
Ciaoooooo! xx

Cultural Differences

Every culture has their differences. From food, to dress, to tradition, things can feel like you really aren't in Kansas anymore. I just want to share a few that I have noticed while I'm here.

#1 After doing some traveling, I already noticed that American's really aren't the most affectionate people. Here, women greet and bid farewell by touching cheeks and making a kissing noise. Men and woman do this as well, sometimes with the men giving a real kiss on the cheek. But don't worry, men typically shake hands :)
#2 Costa Ricans NEVER walk around barefoot in their houses... ever.
#3 Since there is no air conditioning, during the day all the windows and doors are open. We don't get many bugs, but I do know that we get ANTS like crazy! Sometimes I walk in the kitchen and there are birds on the counter. It's the norm :P
#5 Staring is completely OK. It doesn't matter the age or gender, they will stare you down. Even when you make eye contact, they don't even look away and 'pretend' they weren't staring. Well isn't that awkward?
#6 As I have mentioned before, no street signs or names (except for main streets), or home addresses. No one has mail boxes.
#7 Costa Ricans don't have dishwashers. This is very common in South American countries. Also they rarely use their ovens to cook food. They claim it uses 'too much electricity.'
#8 Everyone wears pants! It doesn't matter the temperature (although we are near the equator so it's almost always 80s), shorts are uncommon. Let me tell you, it gets hot :(
#9 Don't put the toilet paper in the toilet.... yeah you have no idea...
#10 The water can go out for days at a time. Usually if they are just doing work on the pipes, you will know in advance that the water will be off. Each day they will turn on the water for a few hours in the early morning, and then turn it off again. The days it breaks unexpectedly who knows how long it would take to fix. I have already experience water being out, and taking a bath in a tub with water that has been heated on the stove... I felt like Laura Ingalls Wilder!

I know there's a lot more, but I really can't think of anything else! The people here are sooo kind and patient, all so excited that you are willing to learn their native language. Most people will take the time to slow down their speech and help you with new words. Even though my classes are still slow as ever, I know every day I'm improving. I will be getting in contact with a foster home type of place here locally in the next few days, so I really hope I can get involved with the children here in my city!
Caio!