Baila Mi Corazon - Belanova

Still taking my downtime seriously. Tomorrow is day two of two free days here. I have no plans, and all my fellow chaps are up to thier eyeballs in details, activities, shedules. Jessica still has to learn merengue before tomorrow.

My activities today were few: mini ab workout, perusing the internet, eating, showering, watching tv, hour and a half nap, and hitting the mall with Jess. My goal of getting new headphones resulted in checking out two different electronic stores with no luck. I think I will just wait until I get home to buy new audifonos! We also walked around and got ice cream, and checked out some small stores, including Allegro: best place to get swim suits. After a week at the beach, I have those on the brain.

Thank God for clean laundry, my Mama Tica washed all my dirty clothes this morning. I think I am all set for whatever the next week may bring: now I am just praying for another GOOD group!

Its 10:30 here and the boys (Pim and Gerry) are already in bed. Right now its Jess and I getting our internet fix before bedtime, and searching YouTube for merengue videos, among other things. I am definately going to miss this!!!

The Art of Being Chill

When a free day comes around for us chaperones, its hard won. We take our downtime seriously, after caring for groups of kids who sometimes push us to our limits. (not that my group was like that, but I've heard horror stories)

Witness: Jess, Gerry and myself all hanging out in a sitting room, on white leather couches, listening to music and pounding away on our laptops. Its a little work, a little play, and just plain relaxing. I have no obligations tomorrow, so I plan to walk around San Lorenzo and find colorful houses for Sarita back home. Then go to the mall, once Jess is done for the day.

Meanwhile I dream of being back in the cloud forest, and seeing the view from the road in front of CPI: on a clear day you can see the Nicoyan Gulf. It seems a little funny to be missing somewhere other than home, but Monteverde is unforgettable! It remains my favorite town in all of Costa Rica.

Now, back to perusing the internet and perfecting the art of being chill...

Trying to enjoy it while I can!

Loving this time with my fellow chaps. : )

Pictures

sunset, Playa La Penca

FIG TREE en Monteverde
More La Penca

The End of an Era

relaxing on the snorkel cruise

Tomorrow my group leaves from Liberia Airport to go back to the USA: Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, California. I find myself sad that they are leaving! They have all become like little brothers and sisters to me. This group also had a minimum of problems, and I was very blessed with that! I am a little worried for my next group. Now I do have a lot more confidence: I have done this job and succeeded. Now I hope I can hold it together at the airport, and not cry in front of all these kids!

In the morning we went on a snorkel cruise, which was wonderful! Despite some seasickness and tears on the part of my group...the snack they provided didn't go well with the movement of the sea. I still feel like I am on a boat! My shoulders are pretty sun-burnt too. The tan I got two weeks ago wasn't enough protection.

I have found that I really enjoy being on a boat. Its one of the most beautiful experiences: providing the weather is nice, of course. I am definately going to miss the laid-back atmosphere of Flamingo, and the sounds and smells of the beach. Coming here is a little like a vacation on the job, but Monteverde feels the most like home now. Heredia is too big for me! I am not a city girl at all.

Tomorrow I will head back to the city though, to prepare to receive yet another group! I am still unsure of which group it will be, how many people, how long they are here, what they are doing...These kinds of details have a habit of coming last minute sometimes! But CPI still makes everything a wonderful experience.

I hope that things tansition smoothly this weekend for everyone, especially the chaperones! Buena suerte a todos : )

sunset close to Brasilito

Late Night Greetings and Surfing Lessons

The last two nights I've been heading to bed before (or at) 11pm. Falling into deep sleep is easy for me, which explains why I have no recollection of talking to Jessica when she arrived home (after my bedtime). We apparently have had conversations, which I cannot remember! Just goes to show that sleep does strange things for the mind.

Earlier this morning my group headed to Tamarindo beach for surf lessons. A little bit about Tamarindo: its nickname is TamaGRINGO. (What does that tell you??) This beach has become very commercialized, and is a popular tourist destination. Walking up and down the streets you see many hotels, restaurants like Pizza Hut and Subway, and identical souvenir shops next to each other. Most of the other businesses there center around surf culture, offering classes, surf boards for rent, or an array of name-brand shops selling bikini or beach-related clothing. If it weren't for all the dogs and the number of Ticos, I would imagine myself to be in California somewhere. In any case, my group throughly enjoyed thier surf lesson while I looked on and took some great pictures! They were exhausted by the end of two hours, and we had a good lunch at El Charrito. Ronny (the chofer) and I drove around for a bit to find it. Its literally buried between buildings, just a minute walk away from the surf company.

The kids are currently in class, and I have to make calls to confirm lunch tomorrow. We will be heading to Santa Cruz and Gauitil, for a day of true cultural immersion. I am looking forward to it!

Tonight I get grown-up time with some of the other chaperones and older students: Las Brisas. Need I say more ?

: )

Playa Flamingo!!!

If there is one thing everyone always forgets about the beach, its this: the beach is HOT! Compared to Monteverde, this week will be killer with the heat. My CPI polo is already soaked with sweat! and its only Monday.

This morning I took my group downto Flamingo Beach, and they palyed in the surf til 11:30, when we headed back to CPI for lunch (which was rice and beans, of course!). This afternoon the kids are sitting in thier second week of classes with new professors, and I am trying to cool down in the Oficina de Grupos with my co-worker and fellow chaperone, Gerry.

My room-mate and fellow chaperona, Jessica, arrived yesterday and we hungout and talked last night. Its great having someone to share a room with again! While I value my privacy, I definately like having company.

Tonight we are eating dinner at Pleamar, an outdoor restaurant with a great ocean view. When we eat at 6pm (8pm back in Ohio), the sun will probably just be setting: I am looking forward to the view: )

Gracias a Dios por estas oportunidades!!

Fig Tree Dreams

The mountains are behind me now. I have arrived in Flamingo Beach.

Yesterday I did all my laundry, and I sorely needed it. I also spent time with some CPI students living in Monteverde that I met for dinner two nights ago. We walked together in the morning on a little hike to see a truly singular sight: a fig tree and a strangling tree entwined together that had formed a natural ladder all the way up to the canpoy. We climbed all the way to the top and sat for a while, admiring the vew and talking. It was like sitting in a tree house, and the tree was covered with names and dates carved into it from previous visitors. From what I understand, its a little known sight in Monteverde, so obscure that even some of the locals don't know of it. It was really amazing to see such an incredible work of art, of nature. It seemed like God took his little finger and spiraled together the two trees: I will post pictures later.

Afterwards we ate lunch at La Selvatida, a little restaurant just outside downtown Santa Elena. It began raining and we took a cab back and did more laundry after clibing the tree and hiking. It was really nice to hang out, and have girl time with them. Without the other chaperones or roomies, its been a little lonely.

For dinner I met up with a friend and we ate sushi in Santa Elena: it was great, since not many people will get sushi with me back home. Then we visited Choncho's Bar, and by 11:30 I was home and getting ready for bed.

My group should be arriving here at Guanacaste Lodge in the next two hours. Weather here: currently rain, thunderstorms, and a chance of rain tonight. My umbrella is on its last legs: somehow its been bent out of shape! Additionally, I found out that my raincoat isn't actually a raincoat. Its more of a windbreaker. I should have made more of a solid investment in actual raingear: the cost would have been worth it, using it daily for two whole months. I'll pick up an umbrella when I get a chance.

For now, I am content to be here with my roomie, another group chapeone, enjoying the quiet before the start of another packed week!!

A Zoo on a Zipline

The rain began about an hour and a half ago, pretty late in the day for Monteverde. This meant that the morning was bright and humid, though, which worked out well. Because today my grupo went ziplining at Extremo Canopy!

We arrived and got harnessed, with helmet, gloves, and multiple caribeaners. The group was very excited, and we had a lot of fun, especially once some of the more nervous kids loosened up! The rainforest was filled with hoots and yells and screams as we sped through the canopy! Having done this activity last summer, I was prepared and excited to do it again, and the kids followed me one the first line and all through the tour! Everyone did the Tarzan swing, while I took pictures.

Lunch was at Stella's bakery, and afterward we visited the Co-op across the street. I bought a few postacrds that I plan to send soon.

Last night was a lot of fun too. I visited Santa Elena with some friends/co-workers and danced salsa, and took a taxi home. It was great to spend time with everyone, and I loved salsa dancing!!

Tonight I plan to have a nice dinner, and do some laundry.

Tomorrow morning I send my group away to Arenal, and have a day off.

It looks like next week will be heating up...literally and figuratively. I will be in Flamingo Beach with my group, and CPI will be full of students! Other chaperones and I will have our hands full with acitvities and balancing schedules, but I am looking forward to it. This is what I signed up for, after all.

Wonderful Waterfalls

Today has been great so far! Its already almost 1:30pm, and it hasn't rained, though there are dark clouds crawling across the sky. I can see them decending on CPI right now, in fact! That is something really cool about being in a cloud forest.

Earlier this morning I accompanied my group to San Luis waterfall. Its located in San Luis, a village in the greater Monteverde area. The trip there is about 20 minutes driving, and the road is steep and unpaved, naturally. The hike to the waterfall takes about 45 minutes, and the trek is full of haphazard wood bridges over rushing rapids, and climbs up rocks and along side the river that runs from the waterfall. But the waterfall itself is a sight to behold! The bottom fills a pool, and looking upwards at the green cliff you can spot two other waterfalls, coming from even more incredible heights. The group enjoyed a refreshing (COLD) swim, climbing along the ricks next to the falls and splashing around. Returning to the reception area we had lunch prepared for us: rice, beans and vegetables with beef. It really hit the spot! We were also serenaded by Diego, the grandson of the woman who directs the office there. He sang for us, out of sight due to stage fright. The girls loved him, and with some coaxing got a picture. We also saw monkeys upon or arrival, swinging in the branches a ways off. The only other wildlife we saw today was the insects that buzzed around our heads on the trail.

This afternoon I plan to visit Dulce Marzo to get my sugar fix, and hopefully I'll be getting sushi tonight with some friends.

Tomorrow is laundry day! My maleta is looking a little empty.

Very, very in love with Monteverde...que dia mas lindo.

Almost Two Weeks In!

Its been almost two weeks since I arrived here in Costa Rica!

This blog will make it easier to keep up with me while I'm so far away.

Right now I am in Monteverde, at the CPI campus in the Groups office. This afternoon I confirmed activities for my group from SPI, and uploaded pictures of thier activities! Earlier we had lots of sun and we had a great time playing Ultimate Frisbee. I definately need to shower!

Today I also encountered my chaperona from last year, walking in Cerro Plano! It was wonderful to see her, and I hope that we can spend some time together while I am here.

A little bit about where I am now...Monteverde is located in the mountains. Often times the internet here is affected by the weather, so my wifi connection isn't great. The immediate area around CPI includes Cerro Plano and Santa Elena. Right now I am living in CPI apartments about 5 minutes from school, in Cerro Plano. It rains every day, and having an umbrella or raincoat is crucial! I always carry one in my backpack : ) Sta. Elena is more of the downtown area, and there are more shops and restaurants there. Some of my favorites include: Mar y Tierra, Bar Amigos, Dulce Marzo, and Stella's.

Of all the CPI campuses, my favorite is Monteverde. The climate here may be wetter, but its beautiful and nature really is the center of everything, from business(ecotourism) to fun activities (canopy and white water rafting).

I am so fortunate to be here right now, and I am loving every minute of it.