Adjusting to Living in Costa Rica

I'm starting to (finally) adjust to living in Costa Rica.
I can finally understand almost everyone. It took a while to not have to repeat what they said in my mind before I'm really sure what was said to me.

We did family interviews at work today (to help get to know everyone) and I did a few in solomente español!
Very proud of myself (obviously)!

The monkies have been getting closer to the house, there was a troop of about 12 the other day right by the pool! They don't get any closer than the trees at the property line though (thankfully and regretfully.....they could come over to my place for tea anytime).

There are some amazing bugs around here. There is a 6 inch grasshopper that we see everywhere.....I'm pretty sure it's not the same one....I think, I mean, he can probably jump pretty high.

We've had at lot of fun (when it is sunny....you need to run out when the rain stops, because it's going to start again soon!) at the pool. Here is my roommate and her boyfriend in the pool with one of the kids....

Here is a beautiful old church in Nicoya (a city closeby)

Livin' la vida.....

Ug, I'll have to get used to not being able to rely on the internet! My modem failed when the electrically blinked. And OF COURSE I didn't remember to bring a surge protector! International calling also isn't working on my phone, so I have no form of communication with the outside world at the moment.
Thank goodness my school is close to home, so I can just walk over and login! :D
I've been catching up on my reading, so sleeping a ton here! The sun starts coming up at 5a, but also starts setting around 5:30! So, I figure, why waste the sun! I've actually been waking up early! (Very proud of myself with that one).
I don't know if I wrote about the roads, but you won't BELIEVE the roads here! It takes 4-wheeling to a whole new extreme! HANG ON!
Friday, Vicky took me to Nicoya with her and I got to do some shopping for basics. On the way back we stopped at the best little soda (Tico for small, family owned restruant). It has the most amazing view I've ever seen in my life! When you come to visit......you know you are going to come and visit!........we have to stop there!
We went out to eat some pizza (was pretty decent) and listen to live music too.
Saturday we went to Playa Guillones and I watched Vicky surf, while I read and took in some sun. I love the Costa Rican sun! Even when I burned, by the time I woke up in the morning, it was a tan! No peeling or grossness! (It's magical here!)
After that we went to a protection center that rescues baby monkies. I got to hold and play with baby howlers for 2 whole hours!!!! Seriously, luckiest girl in the world! I'm going to make that a regular event!
Yesterday we went out hiking and walked to the end of Playa Guillones, across the rocks to some non-well-known tide pools and swam for a few hours. We met some locals that were hunting for mussels (I'm told when mixed with rice is delicious....I'm not so sure about that).
I did get WAY too much sun yesterday. Promise, kept applying sunscreen, but it did no good! The hike back, I just kept my towel over my shoulders.....it's still red today (guess the sun isn't magical afterall!)
Which leads to today......nothing big happening. Just catching up on emails....hoping to work out a bank account. No one will accept my cashiers check that I brought with me. I have to open up a bank account (which I can't do until I have bills stating that I live here......which I won't get for a few more weeks). And then, I have to wait 27 days until it clears......so...I have 10,000 colones in my pocket (about 20 dollars), that I'm holding on to, and hope I can make it streeeettttcccchhhhh.
:D

Finally in Nosara!

Whew! It took over a week, but I finally arrived in Nosara.

Following the typical Tico (Costa Rican) style, things took a little longer than planned.

We drove from San Jose on Tuesday to Nosara. The drive was BEAUTIFUL!! I can't describe it, and pictures don't do it justice, but look to the right for a link to photos.

I read/heard about the final road to Nosara, but didn't believe it. Holy Crap! It was 40 minutes of the worst road known to man (Ok, there has to be worse out there). It's a dirt road, but there are pot holes the size of a hippopotamus. Most of you should be visiting me during the dry season, so hopefully it won't be so bad.

When you drive into Nosara, you have no idea that you are in a town. It's just the same dirt road, and every once in a while you see a turn off, but no homes or businesses are in sight. Everything is literally IN the jungle.

When we arrived at my home, my director's husband drove me to the house, and there weren't any keys around, so I couldn't move in! SO, we drove a half hour back out to their house, and I got to stay over night. WOW! What a view! They are way up the hillside and have an ocean view!

The next morning, I got to actually move in! Keys and all.

When we pulled up, one of the owners of the school called and was headed to Playa Guillones and asked if I wanted to join her. So, as soon as my bags were in the door, the swim suit was on, and out I went!

Everything is amazing, but interesting.

Upsides: Great water pressure and hot water!

Downside: It's warm, so I don't want to use the hot water...

Upside: Fresh fruits and veggies

Downside: I don't know what any of them are, or how to cook them

Upside, I get to compost, literally right over my back fence!

Downside: NONE, Love that!

Upside: There is a pool 15 feet from my front door

Downside: They don't use feet here, so I can't really give a proper measurement

San Jose

I got into San Jose last week Wednesday! Crazy! Can't believe I'm really here!

I had the best cabbie ever - he stopped on the way to the hostel and bought me my first Imperial (Costa Rican beer).

I stayed at Galileo Hostel. If you ever need a place to stay - you have to stay here! Great people, amazing guests...good times had by all!

I spent a day going around San Jose and seeing the sights - and getting my final paperwork done, so I can work here legally. I was so glad when I got all of that done! Now I can just sit back and enjoy my time here!

I got to go to Pacuare River and do some amazing white water rafting, I think I may be hooked on this one! We had amazing guides and did an 18 mile run down the river. I came back to the hostel and met two great girls from California, Katie and Kirby. It was Katie's birthday, so we threw her a toga party, which was excellent!

So, here I am, last day in San Jose. I leave tomorrow for Nosara! Can't wait to get into my new home and meet the people, and see the beach!