Caribbean Coastin'

After getting back from the Osa we immediately turned around and headed to the Caribbean coast for five days.

Thursday afternoon we headed to the La Selva Research Station. La Selva is the premier ecology research station in Costa Rica, and one of the most important worldwide. Located in the northeastern lowlands, La Selva includes a nature reserve that protects about 15 square kilometers of primary tropical rainforest. We hiked down one of its numerous trails were we saw tons of poison dart frogs (aka blue jean frogs) and a couple of monkeys. That night was spent at Cabina Tortuga, one of the many lodgings offered at the station for its visitors that come all over the world. This is where I was able to finish my leasure book of Bringing Down the House, the story of a MIT card-counting team and the basis behind the movie 21 (which I really want to see now) We were up nice and early for a morning hike down a different path, but saw generally the same plants, animals, and insects. We eventually checked out and headed to a Chiquita banana plantation. At the plantation we were presented with a history of the company and how they have made strides in sustainable banana production. After that we were off to Puerto Viejo.

It was around a five hour drive to PV, but time passed quickly as we finished up the Jason Bourne trilogy (which was awesome to watch again). We made it to PV and checked into the Hotel Maritza, which ironically is the name of my house mother. PV as I describe it is a Jamaica Jr. with its large rastafarian influence. My hotel room had a Bates motel feel and lingered of cigarette and weed smoke, but it did have AC. We then began our night in Big Jon, JP, and Peter's two bedroom, two bath, full kitchen penthouse suite aka Party room. Eventually we moseyed over to the hotel bar were we sang some karaoke for a bit, but decided we would follow the bass we kept hearing in the distance that lead us to uber club of Standfords. This club was pretty awesome we were hearing the bass from blocks away and found it to be located on the beach. There was a lot of good music, lights, smoke machines, and reasonably priced drinks. After working up a sweat dancing (at one point being molested by a Tica via dance) and being offered cocaine a couple times (not taking the offer for any doubters), I decided to walk out to the beach with friends to cool down. A little time passed and then I was pleasantly told I there was a lingerie fashion show about to start. My friends and I were fortunate enough to witness the show which lasted around a half hour displaying 6 of CR finest. By the time the show ended it was getting late and we headed home for the night.

Up early again the next day we feasted on a variety of croissants for breakfast before heading to Cahuita for more snorkeling. We did not have a guide this time, but I enjoyed myself more this time around. There was a lot more to see including a bunch of coral reef and the "blue-sparkly" fish that I wish I had a waterproof camera to take pictures of. We ended up at the Cahuita national park were I got to cross off the list of animals I wanted to see: snakes, sloths, and the white-faced monkey (who kept trying to steal food and valuables from the group). We then headed to Manzanillo. I was not positive on what we were going to do there except visit beaches. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that we would be staying at a resort, an actual vacation destination, and we had the whole weekend off. Most of us, with our swimsuits still on, headed straight for the beach and ocean. Peter brought his frisbee and we just literally soaked our surroundings in. I also played some beach volleyball and headed to the pool were I found out I can do backflips off of people's shoulders. It was eventually dinner time, which was a great feast. I especially enjoyed their tuna salad, which was the best I ever had. That night we took in more of what the resort had to offer in the pool, beach, and AC. On the first day I was allowed to sleep, I only made it to 9:30 and quickly made it to the pool were I was able to finish Cradle to Cradle (actually in the pool, since the book is waterproof). I was at the pool til lunch where I had more tuna salad and a pretty good bacon cheeseburger (even though they didn't have mustard). It was cloudy and looked like rain after lunch, so I took a fabulous nap for a couple hours. I woke later to watch Peter gather firewood for the bonfire later that night at the point of beach where waves where criss-crossing each other. It was time for dinner with a nice chicken dish and even more tuna salad (my mercury levels had to of rose this weekend). A couple of us digested by watching some of the strangest movie we ever saw. The only reason we kept watching was twofold: 1. we wanted to figure out what was going on 2. Gretchen Wieners from Mean Girls and Bubba from Forest Gump were in it. After that it was the bar, bonfire, and pool to close out the night.

Yesterday we regrettably had to check out of the hotel. We drove back to PV and were given two hours of free time to do whatever and grab lunch. After a little souvenir shopping Bob, Paul, Peter and myself came across a scooter rental store directly across from Standfords and jumped at the opportunity to do a little scootin' for an hour. The ruff ryders and myself tore up the streets in our scooters honking at group members and Ticas. After going down every street in the town, we decided to grab a quick lunch at Peace & Love Pizzeria. I had one of the best pizzas I ever had, consisting of lettuce, prosciutto, extra cheese, and their amazing crust. Our alloted rental time was nearing the end, so we went on our victory lap and returned the scooters all in one piece. It was an amazing two hour span spent at PV, but we had to make it back to SJ. Now we need to finish up class/project/final, visit Poas volcano/waterfall, finish souvenir shopping, bungie jump, last nights out, pack, and head back to the states.

So I learned how to shuffle and play hearts...

Well after some revisions due to the Tropical Depression/Storm we have just completed a fun, five-day, action-packed adventure.

Last Saturday we went on an all day white-water rafting trip. I have never rafted before and was excited to get in the water. Bob, Evan, Peter, Paul, our guide, and myself combined together to form team meat-stick (Carmen was present as well btw) a very manly group who were determined to conquer any and all rapids. We started off to a strong start with Evan getting tossed off the raft into a rock face two minutes into our trip.

We rafted for over an hour through class 2-4 rapids, which was exhilerating and left us all soaked. Eventually we stopped on a river bank, had some lunch, and many of us saw either how far we could throw rocks or who could lift the heavist rock. There was more rafting after that and I was fortunate enough to be in the front of the raft were I recived the brunt of the rapids. Once we finished our trail, I found out that I didn´t put enough suntan lotion above my knees or on my right shoulder blade as weird as that sounds.

Sunday we left for Drake Bay on the Osa pensula. CR is about the size of West Virginia, so you would think that any trip from San Jose would not take a riduclous amount of time, you would be wrong. It took us around ten hours plus an additional hour boat ride to reach our destinataion. Time was passed by naps, ipod, someone bringing Friends DVDs (first time watching the show, pretty entertaining), and did I say naps. Once we reached Drake Bay we were greated by the staff of our lodging for the next 3 nights, our lodging being sets of 3 person tents on cabanas with a workable bathroom and minimal electricty. Also one of the muggest places I have ever been. There was an open-air restaurant/bar/entertainment center were we spent the majority of our free time. They actually had satelite TV were I got to watch the Mets for a bit, but I felt weird watching TV at the most remote place I have ever been to.

We were up at 6:30 for breakfast and were off the national park of Drake Bay. We traveled by boat 30 minutes to the park were we spilt up into groups and had a 3 hour hike through the park with a guide. Our guide showed us differnt wildlife including many insects, monkeys, and a pair of scarlett macaus. He also showed us that termites are a good source of protein if stranded. I tried a couple, tasted like dirt and bark. We ended up at a beach a learned how to shuck and crack open coconuts. Again I tried the coconut and its milk, but did not find it too appitizing. We made it back for lunch and then headed for a 8-10 foot waterfall which we got to jump off of. The rest of the day was off and I found out that I don´t know many card games or how to shuffle and was critized for it by certain individuals. I eventually learned how to shuffle and bridge pretty decently, play hearts, egyption ratscrew, kemps, and euchre a little.

The next day we headed to Cano Island were we got to snorkel. It was fun, but I´ve been scuba diving once and it snorkeling only made me want to scuba. We also had some beach time, were I was able to boogie board for the first time since I was 8. That night more card playing was had, a tab was opened at the bar, maranga, and Fernando in general sums up the night.

Today we woke to a beutiful day, but unforetunalty it was spent on the bus. We stopped at one of the many open air restuarants for lunch. I had this awesome shrimp curry dish that was served in a bowl made out of a carved out pinapple. Later on in the bus, I found out that Rachel and Ross still love each other which could not come at a worse time since Ross was about to marry Emily. Some one dropped the ball, since that was the last episode we had, left the bus on such a cliffhanger.

We are off to the Carribean coast until Monday.

My First Three Days In CR

Spell check is not working for me, so don't make fun.

In the short time being here I have already become aquainted into the day-to-day Costa Rican lifestyle. I knew minimal spanish phrases and being welcomed into my host family's home who will only speak spanish to us has been very interesting. I have survived so far by smiling, giving thumbs up and down, and lots of hugs. But I am already picking up the language through conversations and relaying on Evan to be my translator. My host family has been amazing despite the language and I feel completely comfortable and welcomed.

My host mom, Martiza, has gone out of her way to make me feel comfortable and has been incrediably friendly. I was definately excited to experience new types of food and I have yet to be disapointed, the meals have been delicious and hearty. My host mom works as a caterer in her spare time and it definatly shows. My host siblings have been easy to get along with and have been helpful in picking up local customs and tips on the bar scene.

I have been surprised how easy it has been for the entire group to bond. I feel like I have known these people for years not days and I look forward to the weekend at the hot spings and the other adventures that will take place.