I made it to San Ramon, Costa Rica! Finally. I took a group flight with about 40 other students. We were supposed to arrive in San Ramon at 8:30pm last night, but unfortunately there were plenty of delays so we arrived in San Ramon at 4am this morning. It was a really long day of sitting in the airport, but I made some new friends so it wasn't too bad. Just really tiring!
The weather is in the lower 80s during the day and 60 to 70 at night. It has been a little windy, but blue skies and sunny! There are mountains in the distance. It's very pretty! I am still waiting to see some cool wildlife though. I've only seen bugs and birds and stray dogs.
My host family is really nice. The mom makes pottery and the dad is a firefighter. I have two host brothers- 17 and 25. Only the oldest son Helberth speaks English. It is very difficult to communicate but it'll get easier as my Spanish improves.
I had orientation at la Universidad de Costa Rica. I finalized my class schedule. I will be taking Tropical Conservation Biology, Tropical Marine Biology and field study, Ecology & Population Biology and field study, Biological diversity and field study, Latin American Cuisine, and Latin American Dance. And I have no class on Mondays! UCR has a beautiful campus though and there is even a forest preserve with some monkeys!
The food is great. Lots of rice and beans! I tried ceviche today. It's raw seafood marinated in lime juice with tomatoes and cilantro. It's like a cold soup. It was very interesting... The fried plantains that were with it, however, were delicioso!
After my first day, I already love it here. I look forward to what is to come. Buenas noches! (Goodnight)
The weather is in the lower 80s during the day and 60 to 70 at night. It has been a little windy, but blue skies and sunny! There are mountains in the distance. It's very pretty! I am still waiting to see some cool wildlife though. I've only seen bugs and birds and stray dogs.
My host family is really nice. The mom makes pottery and the dad is a firefighter. I have two host brothers- 17 and 25. Only the oldest son Helberth speaks English. It is very difficult to communicate but it'll get easier as my Spanish improves.
I had orientation at la Universidad de Costa Rica. I finalized my class schedule. I will be taking Tropical Conservation Biology, Tropical Marine Biology and field study, Ecology & Population Biology and field study, Biological diversity and field study, Latin American Cuisine, and Latin American Dance. And I have no class on Mondays! UCR has a beautiful campus though and there is even a forest preserve with some monkeys!
The food is great. Lots of rice and beans! I tried ceviche today. It's raw seafood marinated in lime juice with tomatoes and cilantro. It's like a cold soup. It was very interesting... The fried plantains that were with it, however, were delicioso!
After my first day, I already love it here. I look forward to what is to come. Buenas noches! (Goodnight)