Pictures, Nicaragua, and More…

So, I think I said something about pictures, so I will start by giving you some from Jacó. Here they come at you:

(Jacó during the day)

(Jacó beach)

(Jacó during sunset)

In other news, I am finishing my last day of intermedio uno or intermediate one of spanish. I’m reallly stoked to finish and start the next class next week. In the mean time I plan on traveling to Nicaragua on Saturday. I’m going with a friend of mine, and we are going to work on getting the tickets and finanilizing plans for it. I bought the book “The Kite Runner” for the trip because it will be 9 hours to Granada, Nicaragua.

Lately, I’ve really felt better about myself. I’ve made better decisions, stuck to my guns, have drank almost nothing at all within about a month, and have changed my medications to bring about a metamorphosis in my life. I’ve felt more awake, more alive, and more at peace with who I am or what I am doing than in a long long time. Pieces of a former life put into perspective, and everything else in between coming at ends with itself. It’s sometimes hard being away from home, but I feel like these changes couldn’t take place without a little distance and some time to clear my head. I’ve seen a lot of people here trying to fill their lives with worthless things that mean nothing in my mind. This has only further pushed me into my own natural habitat away from these things, and into my own sphere of thinking.

It is hard because it is difficult to hang out with friends when you want to due to complications in meeting. However, I’ve filled my life with more moderation and a steady hand when confronted by new temptations or tribulations. In all, I’ve been able to find small blessings in my life and keep my head held high no matter the challenges that seem to perk up. Language is difficult, challenging, but rewarding all in one. I must always keep that in perspective, and I will not betray myself.

I did really well on my last pictures I took during a run to Cartago, a city close by that is more native and has an amazing basillica under which I took pictures. Compared to some in Poland, it pales in comparison. However, it is wonderful to see a different style and another catholic culture so devouted towards God. You can’t help but feel the very presence of God in these places, and the peacefulness of silent prayer all around you.

(The Basillica for which I don’t know the name of in Cartago)

But yes, a test tomorrow and I need to study and sleep more than I am going to get if I continue at this rate. Good night all, love.

Filling in the Blanks

I’m not quite sure where I left off with my life. However, let me catch everyone up to speed. I will try to do a better job in the future of updating my blog. I know I have not been the best lately. Okay, so I went to Tamariendo beach, Panama, and now Arenal/Monte Verde for this weekend.

Tamariendo wasn’t anything super fabulous. I went there about 2 weeks ago. A lot of people sold drugs there, and I got offered too many times. However, inside my group I had fun and I did enjoy the place overall. It was a nice beach and nice hotels to stay at very close to the beach. However, it was very similar to Manuel Antonio.

(friends at the beach of Tamariendo

Panama I went to last weekend. The destination was Bocas del Turo. That was amazing and I highly suggest anyone go there if they can. In fact, I wish I would have taken classes here. Not that I don’t enjoy Costa Rica. However, It was so sunny and pleasant there, it was hard to return. In the end though, Costa Rica is another home and always will have some familiarity attatched to it. I was able to do snorkeling in the caribean waters, see dolphins, and go to the red frog beach there. Everything was a lot cheaper to buy there too than in Costa Rica. Additionally, they accepted  American dollars too! In all, a very relaxing vacation and makes me want to see Nicaragua as well! After the first class of Spanish: basic 2 was over. Now, I’m in Intermediate Spanish 1, with 2 the next month.

(Danielle and Me at Costa Rica to Panama Crossing, the bridge was pretty dangerous)

The first week of classes were amazing. I signed up for an ecological photography class that combines ecology, photography, and adobe photoshop into one nice class. We are going to take pictures and use photoshop to enhance or change our images. Along with this, we will learn more about the environment and have 2 field trips for taking pictures. On the Spanish side, I have an easier to understand professor who isn’t rushing through class as fast as my last. I love them both, but atleast I feel more comfortable this time around and it helps my development in spanish.

To this weekend, I went to Arenal and Monte Verde. Arenal was special because of its volcano that is currently active. It’s crazy to see in person. When you are in the nearby town or Arenal, you have to tilt your head quite a bit just to see it through the clouds (if you can see it). We were able to swim in the hot springs of the waters of Arenal that are heated by the volcano. On the bad side of this, it was pouring rain while we did. Nonetheless, it was fun and we had a nice dinner afterward. The next day we left for a waterfall fortuna in Costa Rica. This was a huge waterfall, and I felt like I was actually experiencing an authentic, costa rican, tropical environment. Most people swum in the pool around it, however, I took a lot of pictures and just admired the beauty. Later we went to Monte Verde.

On our trip to Monte Verde, we all took a “Jeep-Boat-Jeep” tour to the location. In this journey, we were able to see the vast, hilly countryside of Costa Rica with all tropical places adorning the remoteness. It was serene, and very relaxing. Upon our arrival across the lake. We took jeeps on a pretty treacherous incline on gravel roads. However, it was all part of the adventure. When arriving, we were able to see a place that looked like the Zakopane mountains in Poland with a much more misty atmosphere. We spent most of that night hanging out and talking and eating later at a nice “tree house” restaurant. The next day we were able to do some ziplinning across some of Monte Verde’s finest scenery. I couldn’t believe the lush, emerald country we witnessed while zipping across vast valleys. Not to mention, being able to do a Tarzan swing that was really funny to see peoples’ reaction to when you drop first before swinging. In all, it was a great trip. The trip was well worth the expense for the amount of traveling, eating, and accommodating. Now, I have to work more on future plans post-Costa Rica even though it is far away. Not to mention, I need to transfer my new photos and get some sleep! Night, and thanks for waiting for the update! Lastly, I have Taekwondo tomorrow and Soccer. I hope to get a Taekwondo belt before I leave as well! I think this could become a reality too! I absolutely love it. Night all.

With love.

Here’s some pictures:

(Costa Rican country-side)

(Waterfall Fortuna)

(Our Hotel in Monte Verde)