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!