Aw, no. Rice and beans again?

Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. ~Seneca

Hola blogosphere. It’s been a few days since my first (and last post), so here goes my attempt to catch y’all up on my glorious adventure...

Forgive me for the cheesiness, but I am inexplicably thrilled about these next two months, and I really do feel like it’s going to be the best two months of my life. Every single person I’ve met is incredible, more on that shortly. All of my classes promise a challenge, more on that shortly. And the more I explore Costa Rica, the more I’m falling in love with this beautiful place.

We started classes on Thursday. My classes go from 1:30 in the afternoon until dinner at 6:00, starting with Spanish Conversation. We’re simply reviewing right now, and its only two students so it’s somewhat slow for us to catch up to the same page. My second class is an upper level Inter-American Relations course. I’m taking it as a business elective, but I’m only one of two people who have not taken an INTL course before. Not to mention that most of the other eight students are INTL majors or minors. Thus, I feel like I’ve got to play some serious catch-up. The teacher’s a young guy who reminds me a lot of Jack Boger (shout-out, J Boge), and the material is demanding but extremely relative so I’m pumped. For example, we’re discussing the fact that Costa Rica doesn’t have a military—the reasons why, the message its sending to the outside world, the idea of realist versus idealist spheres of belief, etc. We have mentioned, and it stays on my mind, that reports show Costa Rica as the “happiest country in the world.” Living here for just under a week I can vouch for that statistic. Everyone is so welcoming and warm to one another. The word “community” is fully embodied here, and it’s so neat to see that within a country without superfluous things.

My final class of the day is another upper level business elective, Employment Law. Our professor is well-renown and published, and she brings a certain passion to the class. We are focusing specifically on discrimination in the work place. She effectively caught our attention (five students- one boy, four girls) on the first day by bringing up recent cases of discrimination and violation of sivil rights in the work place that were absolutely unfathomable. We’re going over the law as it applies to real life, through discussions and stories. Very effective. Some of the discussions have already put me in uncomfortable positions, as we are talking about the realities of society that no one really likes to face. I’m definitely going to get a lot out of this course.

Friday morning we had an early wake-up for cow milking. Wooooo, Bessie! It was actually pretty difficult! And the udders were very weird... tough and “really hot- like, burning”, as Ashley put it. After the milking and breakfast (more AMAAAZING fruit), I went on a run to a path I’d heard about from two of the naturalists on campus that like to run as well. The day before, Olivia and I ran down towards Santa Elena Baja, and both times the hilly terrain was WOOF. But the scenery yesterday morning was unbelievable. The path was a grass road off of the main gravel road, curving down through a valley so beautiful that I think I’m going to deal with the inconvenience of bringing along a camera next time.

Mama y bebe. They have to tie up the baby cows after a while because they will actually eat until they are sick

Shet.

Sarah and Ashley. The face is amazing.

Well last night was… a show. We all (profesores también!) hit up the popular bar named “Dos Amigos” in Santa Elena for our first night out on the town together. I braved the dance floor with some amateur meringue, socialized authentically with los costariqueños, and learned how to effectively tell somebody off, (thank you Leah). Oh, and roommate/GDI Kelsey took the liberty of breaking the “sorostitute” ice just as we were heading out. I took out my “sorority” pearls to opt for something more fun, and instantly the jokes started rolling and haven’t stopped since. (Side note- I’m one of two people in the entire country of Costa Rica that’s involved in a Greek organization. The negative, stuck-up associations with “so-hoes” are not necessarily disputed here. When I tried to get Kelsey to make me feel better by ensuring that I didn’t fit the stigma some expect of a “sorority girl”, her eyes darted between my monogrammed laundry bag, duffel, dop kit, computer case, towel wrap, jewelry bag… Oops? She fantasizes that I’ll one day monogram my Chacos.) Anyway, It’s safe to say that everyone had a good time on Friday night. The result was one angry cab driver, a sprained ankle for Kristina, and a tongue lashing with a side of headache Saturday morning.

¡Paz! Frank, Ashley, and Tyler in the cab

Ashley, Allie, Leah, Tamara, and Sarah.

"Arriba, A bajo, Al centro, Al dentro"

The big night made for a great 6:40 wake up for a trip to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. We took a tour through a legitimate rain forest- ¡que chévere! It was a little hard for us to stay enthusiastic, as Sean legit fell asleep on the trail and Ashley kept rehashing the shames and glories of the previous night. We have this theory that every weekend activity is scheduled no later than 8:30 am to encourage a quick and painful turnover to teach us a lesson, should we go out the night before.

Polk go night night

I fed him this leaf- no joke.

Kelsey nerds for bio. (Livi- doesn't she look like Lucy?)

Today we enjoyed our free afternoon by taking a cab into town (Santa Elena) to watch the Costa Rica vs. Honduras soccer game (I can’t even tell you who won). We all split pitchers of the Costa Rican beer (the hair of the dog that bit you, right?) and a disappointing guacamole appetizer. These individual trips outside of the program have been so much fun for getting to know each other and the city better. “I will CUT you” vs. “I’ll cut you please”- Allie vs. Kelsey round one.

¡Chicas! Ashley, Lea, Allie, me, Kelsea, and Sarah. 

No caption necessary.

Gal pal Scott and phantom Marshall.

Los naturalistas, Luke y Frank/Quatro. "What Camera?"

Tomorrow’s Father’s Day! (Hey Daddy! Hey B!) We’re going to waterfall bright and early, then have home stay orientation. I’m really starting to miss my family and friends, however we’re all finally settling in. The members of our group are so comfortable with each other, and we’re seeing how every person really does bring their own element to the table. Now, if we can just stay out of trouble with the Warnell group…

¡Ciao for now!

~Pura vida