More exciting activities!

I have just been sitting on the balcony in my shorts watching a pair of black hawks circling and looking at the view over the Gulf of Nicoya. It is very hot although this morning there was also some misty rain resulting in a lovely rainbow.

I set off for Curi Cancha Reserve this morning to do a jungle walk. I had been told it was safe by school and when I asked the forest ranger if it was bastante seguro (fairly safe) he said 'bastante' so not completely reassuring. But a couple I met said it was too high for many snakes and encouraged me to look inside the huge fig tree. I walked for about two hours and at one point went round in a circle, after which I decided to follow the signs back to the information centre. I saw some great views, hummingbirds and one or two other birds, lots of forest noises. I kept my eyes to the path and had my walking stick with me. 

On the way back I stopped for a coffee at the coffee centre which turned out to be a good choice. They had been demonstrating and so handed me a free cup of frappucino, and I purchased a cinnamon roll.

Towards my coffee stop!

I discovered this week that as well as having no army, Costa Rica does no mining or exploration for underground reserves of any kind as their environment and wildlife are more important for them. Together with the lovely friendly people I think it's a great place. In the coffee shop I was looking at a book of the national parks which pretty well cover the whole country.

On Thursday I went into Santa Elena in the afternoon and changed my watch that had stopped for four days, only to find it had started again! Then I got back to find my original watch had started again too, and now the new one is losing a few minutes so I think the environment here is not good for watches maybe. I also visited the Serpentarium, where I saw frogs, turtles and a good range of snakes. There really are some nasty ones, fer de lance, coral snakes. Pit vipers, bushmaster, rattlesnake and the harmless vine snake I saw at Sarapique. Some just look like twigs, others are more like branches! I now look very carefully as I go up the road in the dark, especially as the guide said they had found one crossing the road in Santa Elena!

Last night after work I went back to school to spend some time relaxing in the jacuzzi; I have a fair bit of homework this weekend and there will be no escape next week as I will be alone in the class with the same teacher as this week. It was a bit sad yesterday to say farewell to my classmate of two weeks. She is going on to the school at Flamingo which is a beach resort. Others are moving on to various places, but Judy and John from USA are around for two more weeks and we are meeting for lunch tomorrow.

Yesterday was fun at work; I think I understand that I had made an error on some labels, but even worse there was a long debate with one of the associates because some of her work was being turned away! Also an american couple tried to purchase something with a credit card and said they had never been given a pin. They left looking somewhat upset as clearly they had come on holiday and found themselves without a card to use. At times like this I am at least able to step in with some English explanations.

Things at the apartment tick along well; there is an amicable arrangement with the cleaner who comes every day. If she takes my washing out of the machine she folds it all up nicely, so likewise, if there is household washing when I go there I do the same for her!

I am planning to go out for lunch a bit later, and if energetic enough I can go back to the sepentarium for a night visit with my ticket from the other day. But I may have walked far enough. It's interesting living within about a 5 mile area but amazing how much there is to see, especially when the only transport is feet, unless on a booked tour, when it's a tourist minibus.

My house is the long green one at the top and my balcony is top right. I took this from opposite the school, so as you can see it's not far, just all uphil!

Second week

Well I am feeling much more settled now, and referring to the apartment as going home! The weekend gave me time to reorganise myself with the hindsight of how the week's routine was to be. So I now have one rucksack packed for school and work and another for outings and a list to check so I no longer leave anything vital behind.

On reflection it probably wasn't surprising I felt at sea, as there were absolutely no constants other than me! New country, new climate, different shopping, different home, school and work both in a different language, and finding my way around a new area on foot! I have fallen into a pattern of having a running shopping list and when I pass one of the shops I buy a few things as they have to go in my rucksack. I have got to know which shop sells good things and which sells normal things at a lower price. And if I want variety I have to go to Santa Elena. So last Saturday I bought beetroot and water melon there. I have also decided to eat at school on my afternoons off as we can order a take away meal for about £4 which saves cooking a couple of nights.

I had a funny experience at the apartment the other afternoon when I thought I heard knocking. I went to my door and no one was there so returned to the balcony. The knocking continued so I went to the garden door and found a couple who were booked in and didn't know what to do. So in my best Spanish I had to send a text to the school and get instructions.  I have only had 'passing' neighbours so far. Fortunately I have not had the visitors that one of the other couples had in their ground floor apartment at the school. The lady moved her shoe to find a snake, apparently harmless but nevertheless gave her a shock. I am glad I am not on the ground floor. The only amusing thing that has happened is that the new cleaner got confused and used one of my laundry capsules in the dishwasher- needless to say it didn't work, so I have now written a label in Spanish and put in the packet.

We have a new teacher at school this week, it appears we move on each week. Yesterday we had to do a presentation in Spanish on a topic of our choice for at least 10 minutes. I spoke about my hobbies. We also have a new student in our group so three now, but both go this weekend, so I may have someone new next week.

I have had a couple of interesting conversations, one with a chap I bumped into on my way to volunteering. He just decided to engage in conversation and made no allowances for it not being my own language. It was an interesting interlude before I told him I mustn't be late! Then today someone came into the shop and asked me to go to a vigil in Santa Elena at the weekend and bring a candle with me. It's to do with the environment and world peace.  Also at work today when the filing was done I was invited to sit and sew with the ladies and when I mentioned I had run out of a coloured silk they were able to sell me some from their stock for the artists.

This is Maria Elena who gives me my instructions.

The arts cooperative.

My route to work!

The weather has been dryer this week until this afternoon when we had light rain. However the wind is very strong , but there have been some lovely views. Yesterday I went to the Cheese factory started by a group of Quakers who settled here; tomorrow I am going into Santa Elena to return my watch that worked for just over 48hours. Now that's going to test my Spanish! I am going with a German student who is here this week.

Sunsets from my window.

Clearest view so far!

Weekend encounters

What an interesting weekend for wildlife! Yesterday evening I went on a night walk when we were taken out around one of the reserves with torches. There were warnings about staying in the middle of the paths and not touching anything. It is strange really as it is easy to forget you are in a different and potentially dangerous place as to all intents and purposes, you could be in an English forest but with more exotic plants!

Our guide was very knowledgeable and into snakes and fungi, both of which are pretty lethal in the majority of instances. (I do hope my tinned mushrooms are ok! Fresh ones are horrendously expensive, perhaps they have to be checked!!!!!!) we saw both; we saw both a baby and an adult pit viper in different places, the latter he escorted us away from as he said it was too active. I am sure he said it was a side striped version but the link 

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Eyelashpalmpitviper.cfm

 shows what I thought it looked like. We also saw a tarantula which ran out of its hole, stopped then ran back again. I am sure it must get fed up with this nightly ritual for the tourists

 http://www.anywherecostarica.com/flora-fauna/invertebrates/tarantula

I did not take any of my own photos as nighttime photography never works for me and I didn't want to get that close to anything!

In addition there were beautiful preying mantis carefully camouflaged on a moss covered tree trunk and only about an inch long. There were lots of very big spiders and a kinkajou clambouring through the trees.

Today I walked in the direction of Monteverde, starting out in dry but very humid weather. I investigated one or two sidetracks with signs to waterfalls, reserves and in one instance a cafe.  On entering the Children's Reserve (so called as it was started with money saved by children), a white nosed coati strolled across the path about five yards in front of me!

As I still hadn't found the information centre I decided it was wise to retreat and decided that none of these areas should be visited without a guide. They are all approached by long tracks, clearly designed for vehicular access, and much of the traffic along the gravel road is tourist minibuses.

As my walk was completely uphill I thought a coffee stop might be a good idea, so approached something with a cafe sign, but retreated when a lot of barking ensued. I then found the Fonda Vela hotel from last time and had a coffee there. I had a little chat with the waitresses and they only charged me about 50p for two cups of coffee! By now today's 'showers' had started ( we would call it torrential rain), so I am now considering the rest of the day; possibilities are

Spanish revision

Embroidery,

Read my Spanish novel,

Listen to podcasts,

Watch Costa Rican TV

Go out to eat when/if rain stops

As I said to the gardener ( who incidentally is working despite the weather), it is not the day to sit in the garden and paint!

Santa Elena

Today I set about exploring Santa Elena, after a relaxed start and good breakfast. It has been a very hot day although at lunchtime thunder has just started. It's about a 20 minute walk into the town, which has everything you could wish for including an umbrella and a watch to replace my casualties so far. The umbrella is bright pink so I had better not take it on the wildlife walk this evening,
and the watch is green, pretty compatible with my holiday gear! Both were the cheapest I could find. 

I did a tour of the town and recognised the book shop the minute I set foot in it, but the town has changed in that all the streets are hard surface and there are pavements everywhere. After my explorations I found a coffee shop called the Orchid coffee shop and had the first cappuccino of the holiday!  I rather stupidly asked where the orchid garden was and they said 'behind the cafe'! When I investigated, it is as I remember. They said if I bought a ticket for the tour I could then come back any time. It's about £7.50. Everything here has a higher price for tourists; perhaps something we could learn from! Similarly the hotel I enquired to, have said I can swim for $25, which is quite a bit but not if I go there to relax for a few hours, so that will be my plan.

Santa Elena is down in the valley so the journey home was quite a climb; if I go down for an evening meal I think it will be a taxi back which is only about £3, however there are plenty of restaurants nearby. I wish I had taken my sun hat but the sun rather took me by surprise. I have realised that I always need my rain gear, and now when i am thinking about going out for lunch the clouds have rolled in up the valley!

My home in Monteverde

Monteverde

GToday I travelled to Monteverde with various other attendees, some of whom were dropped off elsewhere to attend a school on the coast. It seems that some people are attending different schools and doing sightseeing in the afternoon so it becomes a purposeful holiday. Not a bad idea- next year perhaps. It took about four and a half hours to get here travelling through beautiful verdant and mountainous countryside. The last 20 km was on gravel roads!

My apartment is great with views across the cloud forest although there is one tree that blocks the best bit of the view! My dining room, bathroom and bedroom all have large windows looking onto the view. It was mid pm so looking a bit dark!

I have found the supermarket and another organic veg shop so have had ratatouille and pasta for dinner! I will have great difficulty making tea as there is no kettle, jug or tea strainer but an up market coffee maker and various electrical appliances. I will have to be inventive! 

Tomorrow I go for my test at 7 am; it's a good job the school is a matter of minutes away. I think I will be doing a lot of walking, and it is quite hilly.

I appear to have given a good account of myself at the exam and have been put in a class with another young woman from USA. She is from a Cuban family so I feel she has a bit of an advantage but sometimes I get things right and sometimes she does. Both of us seem confused about similar grammatical subjects but I was told at my interview that my grammar is good. I did finish the exam paper and more or less understood it all. Our teacher this week is Carlos and we have had some deep philosophical discussions as well as going through exercises. We have 4 hours of lessons with a coffee/ snack break. The school has lots of facilities including a rather nice jacuzzi. There are lots of activities we can sign up for so tomorrow (Wednesday) I will have a Costa Rican cookery lesson and eat the results, then watch a film I went down for this evening but found the equipment malfunctioned. I may have a quiet Saturday and explore here as it has been busy and challenging so far. I will have shopping and laundry to do too and perhaps might eat out. Whilst the school staff speak slowly and clearly, other people just chat on. I try to look intelligent but sometimes I am only getting the general drift! It's quite tiring having to concentrate so much.

These are photos of my home Casa Torro and the road to reach it. I am apartment 5 at the top.

This the school.

I was clearly the new girl when I went to my volunteering yesterday as I did all the filing for them, then rearranged a display. Today I graduated to checking and labelling incoming stock, so was taught to use a rather old fashioned labelling machine. I could revamp the systems but don't think that's what I am here for! Everyone is very helpful and they asked me to take my embroidery today to show them. At the end of the afternoon they invite me to take tea in the cafe. Yesterday a lady called Laura walked home with me. It was raining cats and dogs and as we approached my turning we were offered a lift! She went off in the van and I did see her again today. Today they told me I do not need to go every day. I think in reality there are not always things to do. That will help me as it is a full day and getting to the bank and such tasks are difficult because of the hours. At the school they have now suggested 3 afternoons per week.

So now of life's little challenges......

Well I caught my umbrella on the school gate yesterday so that is rather misshapen now. I don't think my watch likes the damp or it has just decided that 40 years is old enough, so has stopped completely. Whilst I think I have mastered the kitchen appliances, the dishwasher didn't wash the dishes today. But I have found out how to use the coffee maker for tea and a saucepan to cook an omelette(no frying pan). This morning the water in the bathroom was cold which I attributed to using the dishwasher but was apparently a power problems in the village. So a bit of a lather and quick cold rinse had to do! But mostly all sorted and I have now been able to open the safe too.

My wet weather gear was put to good use today as the rain of the gods came early but had dried up by home time. Last night it went on into the night with thunder and lightening. Hence the lush greenery. 

So onto cooking supper and then homework, my daily pattern!

Arrival in San Jose

I arrived at the hotel around 5.30pm and have already tried the pool, the jacuzzi (where I met Kimberley and Daniel from Charlotte USA) and the restaurant where I had proper fresh food to make up for the series of airline snacks I have had today. I am hoping my body clock has now switched to Costa Rica time as I have been up nearly 24hrs! Tomorrow am off to explore the city.

View of San Jose by night from my 9th floor room

And by day

Saturday was a day of education visiting the two main museums in San Jose. The first was an underground museum combining art, a numismatic gallery, the precolumbian and gold museum. There was a wonderful exhibition of musical instruments from'pre contact' times, the name given for the period prior to the Spanish invasion. They were mostly pottery including aerophonic, membranophonic, and idiophonic and were beautifully made, from pottery or metals. The second was the Jade museum which again gave the cultural history of how various tribes were organised and lived symbiotically with nature; it displayed jade and pottery pieces used in ceremonies an had a very educational display of items used in sexual ceremonies!!!

I also visited the market which was similar to many I have visited before. However the thing which quite overwhelmed me about San Jose was the noise, which accelerated as the day went on. So from the morning with the music blaring from shops and the traders encouraging you to part with your money, the streets filled with numerous traders ( I was told many come from Nicaragua) selling everything from fruit and veg to scarfs, socks and hundreds of battery operated fluffy dogs. They were all trying to outdo one another with their sales pitch and the noise was incredible!

Recollections and anticipation

I will be spending my first 4 weeks in Santa Elena, Monteverde, Costa Rica, after a couple of days in San Jose.  I last went there in 2008 on a group tour with CTS Horizons. My travel journal reminds me that I enjoyed exploring the little art galleries, some pretty little cafes and observing the birds, insects and flowers.  I particularly remember the Orchid Garden and hope there will be time to do some painting.  I still have the Heliconia print on the wall in the spare bedroom but I lost the yellow and orange butterfly earrings, so here's a chance to replace them!

My accommodation looks fine but it will no doubt be different from the Fonda Vela hotel I stayed at before!  It appears to be almost next door to the language school which has to be a bonus as my first day starts at 7am.  No I don't do lazy beach holidays............
http://www.cpi-edu.com/accommodation.htm

I have looked at the map and identified where the apartment and the school will be, and the supermarket, the clinic, the post office, the dentist and police station. Lets hope I don't need them all!

The Fonda Vela hotel

The road to the town where I managed to fall and graze my knee!

 The café and craft shop

Orchids!!!!

The countdown

I have just been to my last Spanish lesson and hope that all the wonderful teaching Paloma has given me will enable me to give a good account of myself! My plan is to return from Central America, more fluent, more confident and with a wider vocabulary. I have my dictionary and my Spanish verb table book and am just about to sift through my homework books to look at all those words that have come up in our conversations. Reality and excitement have now kicked in!
Strangely certain words seem to have cropped up regularly for example maletero-a car boot, but I can't imagine needing that on my travels.  I have read the guide book and fixed in my mind the words that MUST NOT be used in S America and the polite form of greeting and address.  I have copied the pages from my DK Spanish picture dictionary with all the food and drink items to ensure that I do not starve