It is hard for me to believe that I am in Costa Rica right now. Sometimes, I have to tell myself that I am here and I think about the map of the world and picture myself in Central America.

Like I said before, there are 3 volcanoes around me and all sorts of pretty flowering trees and plam trees. But, before I describe any more, I want to tell a few stories.

The first day in my school, I went on a tour of Heredia with a woman who works for the school. It was good to see the city, but it was funny to me how she went about the tour. I was the only student in the tour. She and I were walking down the street when she saw a friend of hers and she talked with him for maybe 5-10 minutes and I just stood there. I felt a little uncomforable, but we got going eventually. Later, we went to a cafe where she ordered a cup of coffee and talked with her friend for a long time (maybe 20 minutes) and included me in the conversation just a little bit. It was my first introduction to a slower pace and showed me that relationships are very important to Ticos.

Another story, this one is more exciting. On Wednesday, I went on a trip to Volcan Poas. It is about a one hour and 20 minutes from the school. We were in a van that carried 7 people and were going up, up, up up to the volcano. I was in the back of the van with my friend Sofie from Montreal and the ride was fun at the beginning...but as it went on, the very curvaious, narrow roads and great heights made me feel a little bit dizzy. It is a little crazy! But the view was very beautiful. Rolling hills of coffee plants and thick grass. The volcano was very pretty. I had buena suerte! (good luck)

This morning in my room, a small lizard ran down my wall. It was pretty cool, but very different!

I am very busy here...I have much to study for my classes. I really need to review everything I learned before and learn so much more!! And I am leaning salsa and meregene. It is very good!