OMG I have a blog!

Sorry everyone,

I forgot that I had a blog so I have a lot to tell you!  Well, last weekend we ventured to the other side of Costa Rica.  We went to a rasta town called Puerto Viejo on the caribbean and it was amazing (like everything else here).  It was the opposite of Tamarindo.  Less gringos, more culture, really good food that wasn't crazy expensive, pura vida.  There were stray dogs all over and coconuts galore.  Unfortunately, we got there on the 22nd consecutive day of rain.  But, on Sunday it cleared up and the water was already turning clear blue.  I tried surfing again and got yelled at by a rasta.  I went to clear things up and realized we were cool when he presumed to sell me some weed.  I declined.  But overall, it was a great weekend and I plan to go back!

I had a great week of school because we had no tests or presentations.  We went on a field trip to the Children's Museum downtown and it was awesome.  I ventured downtown another day this week and continued to learn more about the city.  Went to my first Costa Rican movie yesterday!  Ha... It was Tron in English, but it only cost $4!  Today, I went "fishing" up in the mountains and ate some trout that I caught.  Then, I went to downtown Cartago (the old capital) and got to go inside a 375 year old basilica during a service!  The place was so beautiful.   I feel like I'm just rambling now but that's ok!

I have come to find that God has blessed me in so many ways with this trip.  The country and people are beautiful.  I have made some amazing friends already.  I'm learning a lot of Spanish and I still have 13 weeks left!  I am so thankful and cannot imagine what else he has in store for me here.

Pura Vida

Tamarindo

Yo,

It has been a few days I know.  I finished my first week of classes in Advanced 1 Spanish.  I'm definitely one of the worst in my class, but I'm attempting to keep up.  My professor didn't bump me down so that's good news!  This past weekend many students and I went to the city of Tamarindo on the Pacific Ocean.  We took a bus for 6 hours to the small tourist town.  It felt weird being with so many white people.  I didn't like hearing so much English.  Anyway, I tried surfing for the first time!  And some of us also went on a boat ride through the mangroves.  It was a great weekend and now I'm back in the middle of a very busy week of school.  This weekend we are going to the Caribbean to the town of Puerto Viejo.  It supposed to be full of rastas :-).  Talk to you later!

Love

Getting acclamated

Hola

I feel like I have learned so much already.  I have been venturing around the city, which is very big, and I'm learning about the good restaurants and hot spots.  Yesterday my second roommate, Brennan, arrived and we still have one more coming tonight.  Today was orientation at school and it was very long.  There were many nice international students though and I am excited for school tomorrow.  I placed into the class I wanted to!  Today I also signed up for an excursion package which involves going to a different place in Costa Rica the next four weeks.  I am happy with everything so far, I could get used to this :).  I feel very blessed.

Love

A New World

It's my second day in San José and I love the place and culture already.  My house is beautiful and I have a great family, Helga (my mom) and Antonio (little brother).  The house is colorful, open, full of art, decorations, and cats.  Many people in Costa Rica hate cats and try to kill them so Helga has made this their oasis.  San José is a big city.   Ben (another international student) and I walked around for awhile today and explored.  Many things are the same and many are different.  I have orientation tomorrow!


Love You Guys

Joey

p.s. I am going to use facebook after all so I can talk to the new friends I make.