I'm in love with Costa Rica
1. The people here are so warm.
2. The geology- SO MANY VOLCANOES
4. I've had two mangos and a star fruit drop on me from a tree. I'm averaging 2.5 pineapples a week. I'm basically living off of fruit.
5. The coffee- everywhere all the time, and always hot.
6. How everyone is so laid back. Running a little bit late? Pure vida. Spilled your drink? Pura vida. Almost accidentally broke the door trying to get into your apartment complex? Pure vida.
7. The mixture of forest and beach. I love walking through the rainforest on the way to the beach and spotting monkeys.
8. The language. The school I chose, Maximo-Nivel, has been really wonderful. My Spanish teacher is spectacular. My Spanish slowly improving, but I have a long way to go. The tica accent is lovely.
9. The animals. I've seen a monkey, a toucan, or a lizard (or all three) every day since I've been on the coast.
10. The fun activities. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love 'fun activities'. Yoga on the beach -- surfing -- jungle hikes -- mountain hikes -- volcano hikes -- basically all the hikes -- kayaking -- paddle boarding -- bird watching ahhhh yeah.
Culture Shock Notes:
1. I thought that I knew a little bit of Spanish from the casual classes that I took, but it turns out I don't.
2. I have no idea how to turn on the stove. Tonight I had chocolate cereal and bananas for supper. I have to go up and ask to the top of the hill and ask the land lady for help tomorrow. I guess I'll learn how to say that in Spanish tonight.
3. I had no idea how to open the door to apartment complex. I was locked out of the apartment complex for two days because of it, but someone always let me in (thank goodness). After some experiments, I now I know how to use my key.
4. I had no idea how to use the shower. I had a freezing cold shower my first morning. Turns out the water heater is attached to the shower head. Now I can have warm showers.
5. It is absolutely pointless to do your hair or makeup. Normal bras are also incredibly uncomfortable.
6. I am still not quite in the habit of not throwing my toilet paper into the toilet (sorry if too much information- but god damn it's a hard habit to break)