I love this place! January 12, 2010

I love everything about Costa Rica! The people are so friendly and make you feel very welcome even if you are an annoying, lost, confused tourist. They are so helpful in telling you places to go and where not to go and are very willing to help with learning Spanish. The food is great! There is rice and beans with every meal… literally… even breakfast. I thought I would hate it but it is actually very delicious and everyone makes it a little different. There is always coffee and random mixes of tropical juices… yummy.

The first two days we went up into the cloud forest and there has been a cold front so it has been very very rainy and cold and windy! However, we still had a great time. The first day we went to the Arenal volcano, but because of the fog, wind, and rain, the volcano wasn’t visible at all. We still had a great time at Tabacon, where we spent a few hours in natural hot springs. Anybody who knows me knows that I get cold very easily and I love warmth, so needless to say, I was VERY happy at the hot springs and very warm. Yesterday we went on a canopy tour at San Lorenzo. After a series of ziplines that ranged from 50-250 meters, we went on the “Tarzan Swing” which is exactly what it sounds like. The two guides hook you to a wire that is on a 100 foot tree, quite a distance away, and push you as hard as they can until you are flying like Tarzan… it was quite the thrill. To finish, we went on the two longest ziplines. Only Joel and I went, and we went up a 20 meter tower (via stairs) went on a zipline that was 750 meters! Here it is: Then we went on one that was 450 meters. On the last one, we were going against a very strong wind, so I went attached to one of the guides so we could have more weight and speed to make it to the end. It was very rainy and I was DRENCHED by the end of it. I had to buy clothes for the two hour drive home because the rain even soaked through by rain jacket and the shirt I had on under it. Every step I took, I could feel water ooze out of my shoe padding and socks. However, it was completely worth it. I would love to do it again on a more clear day so I can see further and see animals, which were all hiding for protection from the wind/rain. The best thing about the rain… the rainbow that follows it

Today, we went to a butterfly farm and a coffee farm. I must say… I love butterflies! They were all so beautiful! We also got to see eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalis. Here are some pictures:

A really cool looking caterpillar!

Giant caterpillars!!

This butterfly was just born this morning. It is hanging to dry its wings!

Well, that’s all for now. Tomorrow we are heading to Puntarenas. We will be staying at an all-inclusive resort for two days. I will need the relaxation before a semester of student teaching (which I am getting very excited/nervous for!!). Sorry for such a long post but I just wanted to share some of the beauty of this country with you all. Peace and Love!

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