Mi Vida Después Costa Rica

I have been home from Costa Rica for about a week now, and it has been different adjusting back to my old life. It is weird going from such a structured routine of classes and home life to having more freedom again. I can drive where I want to go and know where I am at again. Although it is nice to relax at home and see my family, I already miss the lifestyle I had in Costa Rica and all the new adventures that I experienced. I miss having a structured routine everyday and always having a plan to visit somewhere new in the country. As much as I love to be home and relax, I am craving a new adventure and to explore new places. I used to enjoy being home all summer and laying around all day, but after this experience, it is frustrating to be so bored. Although I do not miss sitting in a classroom every day, it saddens me that I no longer use Spanish all day or at all. I am looking into different opportunities, such as volunteering at a local school with many Spanish-speaking students, to bring the language back into my daily life. I enjoy eating American food again and sleeping in my own bed the most, aside from seeing my friends and family. 

Since I was only gone for a month, I did not experience that big of a culture shock coming back to the United States, however, there are still changes in my life. In my opinion, the biggest differences between the United States and Costa Rican culture are: the pace of life, the way men behave, and the food. Life in Costa Rica is much more relaxed and slow paced. There is no rush to be on time to places, and the people are much friendlier and laid-back. In the U.S., most people are very busy and always in a rush to get things done. It was a nice change of pace to live in such a relaxed atmosphere. Now that I am home, I feel constant pressure to be doing something, and it is hard to sit and take a break. On the other hand, it is nice to not be stared at everywhere I walk because I am white and blonde. The men here have more respect for women, and it is not okay to yell or whistle at women who walk in the streets in most areas. Lastly, the food varies between the two countries. In Costa Rica, much of the food is carb-based and it is common to eat rice and beans every day (a dish I am very sick of). I miss the fresh fruits that I had everyday and drinking a glass of fresh fruit juice with every meal. Being back in the U.S., I am glad to be able to drink a glass of milk with dinner (Milk is not a common drink in Costa Rica, instead it is used to cook and make smoothies.) and snack when I am hungry. 

It is hard to explain everything that I did while abroad to my family and friends because some of the things, such as living with a host family, understanding the culture, and seeing all the breathtaking places, need to be experienced first-hand. When I was in Costa Rica, I thought after a month I was ready to go home because I was homesick; however, now that I am home, I wish I would have stayed another month to keep seeing new things and to learn more of the language. When I was in Costa Rica, I missed home greatly, and now that I am home, I want to be back in Costa Rica. It is a struggle that only those who have lived abroad will understand. 

I have grown so much as a person this past month and will never forget my amazing time abroad. I did not realize how independent I have become and all the opportunities I want to pursue now that I have lived abroad, such as volunteering, continuing to learn the language, and traveling to new countries. Through this experience, I have completely stepped out of my comfort zone and have a new understanding and appreciation for all of the different cultures around the world and hope to explore as many as I possibly can. Most importantly, I have discovered the true meaning of the Spanish saying used throughout Costa Rica "pura vida." The saying translates to pure life and means to live everyday to the fullest. I plan on continuing to studying Spanish and hope to live in a Spanish-speaking country again in the future!

Saying goodbyes at the airport.

Want to study abroad?

My recommendations for students who want to study abroad:

• Even if you are only thinking about studying abroad, start researching NOW!
• Attend your schools study abroad fair
• Talk to others who have studied abroad
• Talk to your professors and your school's study abroad office
• Make a list of places you're interested in and look up programs in those areas

Here are the resources I used in my planning process:

GVSU students:

• Padnos International Center

• http://www.gvsu.edu/pic/

• GVSU Financial Aid Office

• http://www.gvsu.edu/financialaid/

• Fredrick Meijer Honors College

• https://www.gvsu.edu/honor/

• GVSU Scholarships

• http://www.gvsu.edu/financialaid/scholarships-157.htm

Any students:

• AIFS Study Abroad

• http://www.aifsabroad.com/

• Veritas Universidad

• http://en.veritas.cr/

I also can be contacted at toliskh@mail.gvsu.edu to answer any questions and help in any way possible. Feel free to reach out! :)

Conclusión (en Español)

Mi Experiencia en Costa Rica

Los lugares y las personas
No puedo creer que mi mes en Costa Rica está terminando. Fue un mes de mucho aprendizaje, práctica, exploración y diversión. He ido a muchos lugares muy muy bonitos e increíbles como el Parque Nacional de Manuel Antonio, el Volcán Arenal, la Basílica de los Ángeles en Cartago, los playas y montañas de Jaco y mucho más. He visto muchos animales, plantas, y lugares que solamente puedo ver en este país. He conocido muchos ticos y he hecho muchos amigos de partes diferentes del mundo. Hay aspectos de la vida de Costa Rica que extrañare, pero estoy emocionada para ir a los estados unidos y ver mi familia, mis amigos y mis mascotas.

La educación
Ahora, estoy seguro de sí mismo que puedo hablar con los locales de un país que habla español. No tengo miedo para ordenar mi comida a un restaurante, pedir para direcciones o conversar con una persona nueva en español. Mis clases de Veritas fueron más fáciles que supuse antes de venir a Costa Rica, pero he aprendido mucho. Es interesante aprender español en un país diferente porque español es el primer idioma de los profesores. También, he aprendido muchos palabras y dichos de Costa Rica que no aprendería en una universidad en los estados unidos u otros países. Por ejemplo:

o   “Con gusto” es usado en vez de “de nada” siempre.

o   “Macha” es una chica con pelo rubio.

o   “Chiva” es igual de guay.

o   “Soda” es un restaurante pequeño y usualmente barato con comida típica del país como un café. Hay miles en Costa Rica.

o   “Casados” son un plato típico del país para almuerzo o cena con carne, pescado o pollo, arroz, frijoles, ensalada y a veces plántanos o papas.

o   “Por dios” es un dicho muy popular como “OMG.”

Nunca sabría estos dichos y palabra si no fue a Costa Rica. En total, he aprendido mucho en mis clases y también, hablando con ticos diferentes. Mi español ha mejorado tremendamente este viaje.

La comida

Pensaba que la comida de Costa Rica sería malo y picante antes de venir. Sin embargo, la comida es muy deliciosa y usualmente no es picante. Mucho de la comida en Costa Rica es de ingredientes frescos y locales. Ellos compran comida de supermercados. Normalmente, ticos comen tres veces cada día. La mujer de la casa usualmente prepara y cocina la comida para la familia. La comida tiene influencias de muchos países.

Es común para comer arroz y frijoles cada día con cualquier comida. Arroz y frijoles juntos se llaman gallo pinto. Comidas tipos para desayuno son frutas, frescas naturales, pan, empanadas, huevos y panqueques. Las comidas de almuerzo y cena son muy similares como gallo pinto, un tipo de carne y una ensalada. Platos populares son: casados, arroz con pollo/mariscos/camarones, empanadas, pasta, ceviche (pescado), olla de carne (guiso), tamales y chicharrones (chanco). Café es un artículo de exportación grande para el país y está bebiendo durante cada día. Hay muchos jugos de frutas frescas, como mora, mango, pina, papaya, carambola y mucho más.  

            
En mi opinión, la comida de Costa Rica es más sana que la comida de los Estados Unidos porque es muy fresca y hay muchas frutas y vedaras que son fáciles para comprar en los mercados. No hay mucha comida procesa. Me gusta la comida de Costa Rica.

La cultura

Disfruté aprender sobre la cultura de Costa Rica en mis clases, hablando con ticos y en las excursiones a lugares diferentes. Un parte de la cultura que no me gusta es la manera que los hombres ven, hablan y gritan a las chicas, especialmente las chicas que no son ticas. Los hombres tratan las chichas muy malas y dicen cosas inapropiadas. En el mercado de Cartago, hice salir el mercado porque me sentí muy desagradable con los hombres. Cuando Jessica y yo caminaba en las calles, muchas veces los hombres silbaron o gritaron. Es un parte de la cultura, pero me molesta mucho. Al contrario, hay muchos aspectos de la cultura que me gusta mucho como la historia, las personas amables y habladores, los edificios de San José, mi familia tica, y mas mucho.

Viviendo con una familia tica
Pienso que es necesario vivir con una familia de acogida si una persona estudia en un país extraño, especialmente si está aprendiendo un idioma nuevo. Mi familia tica era muy pequeña y vivía con Mi Mama Tica, su dos perros y Jessica. Mi Mama Tica era muy cariñosa y amable. Cocinaba desayuno y cena todos los días limpiaba mi ropa. Cada día, hablé con mi Mama Tica sobre su vida, la cultura, mis clases, mis experiencias y más. Practiqué mi español mucho porque mi Mama Tica no habla inglés. Ella me ayudó con mi pronunciación y fluidez mucho. No aprendería mucho sobre la cultura de los costarricenses si no he vivido con una familia tica. Tengo una relación fuerte con mi Mama Tica y voy a extrañarte mucho. Fue un gran parte de mi experiencia en Costa Rica.

Que he aprendido sobre mi

Fue una experiencia que nunca olvidaré. Estaba nostálgico a veces, pero estaba muy ocupada con mis clases, amigos, excursiones, etc. Ahora, soy orgullosa de mi fluidez de español y como mucho he aprendido este viaje. Soy muy independiente y aventurero. Tengo una mente abierta, especialmente sobre otras personas y sus culturas. Quiero viajar a mas partes del mundo y explorar más culturas y lugares. También, quiero continuar para mejorar mi español para el futuro. Esta experiencia ha cambiado mi vida para el mejor y estoy muy agradecida para esta oportunidad. 

Pura Vida

Conclusión (en Inglés)

My Experience in Costa Rica

Places and People

I cannot believe my month in Costa Rica is ending. It was a month full of learning, practice, exploration, and fun. I have been to many beautiful and amazing places like Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenal Volcano, Basilica de los Angeles in Cartago, the beaches and mountains of Jaco, and more. I have seen many different animals, plants, and places I could only see in this country. I have met many Ticos and have made many friends from different parts of the world. There are aspects of the life of Costa Rica that I will miss, but I'm excited to return to America and see my family, my friends and my pets.

Education

Now, I'm confident that I can speak to anyone in Spanish. I'm not afraid to order my food at a restaurant, ask for directions, or to talk with a new person in Spanish. At Veritas my classes were easier than I thought would be before coming to Costa Rica, but I learned a lot. It is interesting to learn Spanish in a different country because Spanish is the first language of the professors. I have also learned many words and sayings of Costa Rica that I would not learn at a university in the United States or other countries. For example:

·       "Con gusto,” which means with pleasure, is used instead of saying you’re welcome.

·       "Macha" is a girl with blond hair.

·        "Chiva" means cool.

·       "Soda" is a small, usually inexpensive restaurant with typical food of the country like a café. There are thousands in Costa Rica.

·        "Casados" are a typical dish of the country for lunch or dinner with meat, fish or chicken, rice, beans, salad and sometimes plantains or potatoes.

·       “Por dios” is a popular saying like "OMG."

I would never know these sayings and words if I did not study in Costa Rica. Overall, I learned a lot in my classes and from talking to different Ticos. My Spanish has improved tremendously this trip.

Food

I thought the food would taste bad and spicy before I came to Costa Rica; however, the food is very delicious and usually, is not spicy. Much of the food in Costa Rica is fresh and from local ingredients. Ticos buy their food from supermarkets or farmers markets. The woman of the house usually prepares and cooks food for the family. The food has influences from many countries.

It is common to eat rice and beans every day with any meal. Rice and beans together are called gallo pinto. Meals for breakfast include: fruits, juices, bread, pies, eggs, and pancakes. Lunch and dinner are very similar and often include: gallo pinto, a type of meat and a salad. Popular dishes are: rice with chicken, seafood, or shrimp, empanadas, pasta, ceviche (fish), meat stew, tamales and chicharrones (pork). Coffee is a large export, and I drank it every day. There are many fresh fruit juices, such as blackberry, mango, pineapple, papaya, starfruit, strawberry, and more.

In my opinion, the food of Costa Rica is healthier than the food of the United States because it is very fresh and there are plenty of fruits and vegetables that are easy to buy in the markets. There is not much processed food. Overall, I enjoyed the food of Costa Rica, which was a relief because I am a very picky eater.

Culture

I enjoyed learning about the culture of Costa Rica in my classes, talking with Ticos, and going on excursions to different places. A part of the culture that I do not like is the way men stare at, speak to, and yell at the girls here, especially girls who are traveling here. Men treat the women very poorly and often say inappropriate things. In the market of Carthage, I had to leave the market because the men were so rude, and I was so uncomfortable. When Jessica and I walked the streets, men often whistled or shouted. It is a part of the culture, but it bothers me a lot. On the contrary, there are many aspects of the culture that I really like such as the: history, friendly and talkative people, buildings of San Jose, my host family, and much more.

Living With a Host Family

I think it is necessary to live with a host family if a person studies in a foreign country, especially if they are learning a new language. My host family was very small; I lived with my Mama Tica, her two dogs, and Jessica. My Mama Tica was very loving and kind. She cooked breakfast and dinner daily and cleaned my clothes. Every day, I talked to my Mama Tica about her life, culture, my classes, my experiences, and more. I practiced my Spanish a lot because my Mama Tica did not speak English. She helped me with my pronunciation and fluency a lot. I would not have learned much about the culture of Costa Ricans if I had not lived with a host family. I have a strong relationship with my Mama Tica, and I will miss seeing her every day. It was a huge part of my experience in Costa Rica.

I enjoyed having a family member to come home to and speak with in Spanish everyday. I consider my Mama Tica my second mom. The food was delicious, and she would not cook foods that I don't like. At first, living in a stranger's home who did not speak English was very intimidating. The first day, I sat in my room scared and bored because I had no idea where I was or what to do. By the second day, I was comfortable with my neighborhood and host family and made friends through people in my program. It was also weird not being able to go in the kitchen and grab a snack or drink whenever I felt like it. Overall, I had as much freedom as if I stayed in a dorm room, but I had the opportunity to connect with a tico and learn more about Costa Rica and its people.

What I Have Learned About Myself

This trip was an experience that I will never forget. I was homesick at times, but I kept busy with my classes, friends, trips, etc. Now, I am proud of my fluency in Spanish and how much I learned this trip. I am more independent and adventurous. I have an open mind, especially about other people and their cultures. I want to travel to many different parts of the world and explore the cultures and places. Also, I want to continue to improve my Spanish for the future. This experience has changed my life for the better, and I am very grateful for this opportunity.

Pura Vida

Semana 4

View of San Jose from the mountain

I can't believe I have already been in Costa Rica for a month, and that I am leaving to go home tomorrow. It has been an incredible experience, and I am thankful for the opportunities I have had here to practice Spanish and learn about the people and culture of this country. There are many aspects about life here that I will miss; however, I am excited to go home and see my family.

On Tuesday I went to the indigenous reserve, Quitirrisi, which is about a 45 minute drive from San Jose. We met with Juan, the leader of that group of indigenous people, and he told us about the history of his people, including their struggles and successes. He also showed us around the historic land, and we we able to see burial sites, an altar, a hut, and place for fires. He preformed a religious ceremony for us that involved feathers, a shaker, leaves, and a fire. They worship 5 gods that represent land, water, fire, the sun, and the moon. After, his wife made us a traditional Costa Rican meal of rice, beans, salad, chicken, and tortillas in their home. It was really interesting to learn about the history and culture of these indigenous people, and I now have a new perspective of the culture of Costa Rica that includes this group.

With the leader of the indigenous people, Juan

Totem used for religious ceremonies

Burial site

Wednesday night our program directors took us to dinner at the restaurant Ram Luna. The restaurant was near the top of a mountain, and you could see all the lights of the city, which was a beautiful view. There was also a show with traditional Costa Rican music and dancing, which I enjoyed very much. Dance is one of my favorite parts of learning about new cultures because it is one of my passions, and it is interesting to compare the different styles between countries. It was a night full of laughter and fun, and I am going to miss our amazing AIFS program directors, Karla and Lourdes and our driver, Marco. They have made a huge impact on my experience here, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know them.

View of the lights of the city

Costa Rican dancers

My last day in Costa Rica was spent at el Parque Diversiones, an amusement park. Most of the rides were similar to fair rides in the United States, such as small rollercoasters, ferris wheels, and the scrambler; however, it was a lot of fun and a great way to spend my last day in Costa Rica!

I am relieved to be done with my classes and to begin packing for home. I am going to miss being here a lot, but I will always have these amazing memories with me.

Semana 3

Graffiti on the half-built house at Miro Mountain

It has been getting harder to wake up at 6:30 every morning; however, this week was full of fun activities. On Tuesday, I ate lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. It was interesting to read a menu in half-Spanish and half-Chinese, and the food was a combination of Chinese and Costa Rican food. I had a dish similar to sweet and sour chicken, and it was delicious!

Entrance to the zoo

On Wednesday, we went to the zoo. In Costa Rica they are not called zoos; they are called rescue centers for the animals. The zoo was smaller than the ones that I have been to in the United States; however, there were many different types of birds and monkeys throughout the zoo. Other animals included sloths, mountain lions, turtles, parrots, emus, and other animals I do not know the name of because they do not exist in the United States. Below are some pictures I took of the animals:

Parrots

Crocodile

Emu

Monkey

Monkey

Inside of the Church

On Friday, my Spanish classed traveled to Cartago to see la La Basílica de Los Ángeles, a catholic church, and the Cartago market. The church was huge and beautiful, with many paintings and gold features. Underneath the church, there were displays of gifts, such as jewelry, medals, pictures, and pins, that people gave to the Virgin Mary. On August 2nd, thousands of people visit the church to pray and give thanks. After, we traveled to the market which had every kind of fruit, vegetable, meat, and fish that Costa Rica offers. I did not enjoy the market at all because the men selling the fruits and vegetables stared at Jess and I the entire time, constantly whistled at us, and made inappropriate comments. It is a part of the Costa Rican culture for men to whistle and yell at women, but I have never felt so uncomfortable in my life. I would never return to the market, and I do not recommend that any woman goes there. The market in San José is much different. The people are nice, I did not feel unsafe around them.

The Catholic Church

This past weekend, Jess and I went to Jaco for a relaxing beach weekend with our friend, Julie. It is a 2 hour bus ride from San José, and only costs around $5. We stayed at Croc's Casino Resort, a beautiful hotel on the beach and spent most of the weekend relaxing in the pools and in the ocean. We watched the surf competition at Playa Hermosa, a popular weekend event in Jaco. We also went out dancing Saturday night and had a great time. On Sunday, we took a jeep to the top of Miro Mountain, a mountain in Jaco that has a half-built mansion. The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely incredible, and it was interesting to see the different works of graffiti. Overall, this weekend was full of much needed relaxation and exploring more parts of the beautiful country of Costa Rica.

View from Miro Mountain

Sunset on the beach

The huge pools at Croc's Casino Resort

El Volcán Arenal & La Fortuna

In front of the waterfall at La Fortuna

Hot springs at our hotel

This weekend was full of incredible views and relaxation. We spent Saturday swimming in the natural hot springs from the Arenal Volcano. I had never seen a volcano before, and it was amazing to swim in naturally heated water. The resort we were at had over 20 natural hot springs and 4 water slides.

Relaxing in the hot springs

 On Sunday, we rode horses to La Fortuna to see the waterfall and swim. The waterfall was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen, and although the water was cold, it was an unbelievable experience to swim in such a fascinating place. I now understand why Costa Rica is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world, and is a place that everyone needs to see in their life.

Horseback riding to the waterfall

Semana 2

View of San José from the top of the National Museum

This week was busy with schoolwork, three presentations and an exam. Since I  am only here for a month and am taking 6 credits, a lot of the material is condensed and there is homework almost every day. Having class four hours straight in Spanish is exhausting; however, I am learning a lot! Most of the week days I am really tired because I wake up at 6:30am and have class most of the day. Every few days I go through a cycle of: enjoying being here studying Spanish and learning the culture, being tired of classes and homework, homesickness, excitement to do something new, and looking forward to the weekend trips. I have talked with my other friends here and discovered they feel very similar, so I would define this cycle as the "culture shock" for us.

Daily life in a tico home: 
Everyday, I wake up at 6:30 and shower. My Mama Tica has a helper, Lucy, who comes to the house everyday to make us breakfast and clean the house. Around 7:30 I eat breakfast, which usually consists of fruit, coffee, toast, pancakes, or a cheese empanada, and walk to school. Then, I have class from 8-12. While I am in class, my Mama Tica usually runs errands or meets with friends, while Lucy cleans the house and does laundry. After class, I go to lunch with my friends at different local restaurants. After, I either have class from 3-5 or have an activity/tour planned through my program or the university. When I get home around 5:30, Lucy has gone home for the night, and my Mama Tica is preparing dinner for Jess and I. We eat dinner as a family and talk about our day and other topics about the culture and our lives only in Spanish. After dinner, I usually spend the night working on homework, relaxing, and watching  t.v. Sometimes, we go out with friends. My Mama Tica goes to bed around 8:30 every day and because I am so tired, I normally am sleeping by 11.

On Wednesday, I went on an art tour through my university in downtown San José. We visited three different museums, the Jade Museum, the Gold Museum, and the National Museum. The National Museum of Costa Rica was my favorite because it used to be the main military fort of the country and still had some of the features from many years ago. The Gold and Jade Museums had many artifacts, fossils, and items from the indigenous people of the past. I am usually not a huge fan of museums; however, it was really interesting to learn about the past of another country, see their statues and artwork, and how the past has shaped the country today. Below are some pictures from the museums:

Jade Museum

Artwork from the Jade Museum

Artifacts from the Gold Musum

Grave in the Gold Museum

Jail cell used during the civil war in Costa Rica in the National Museum

This weekend, I am going to La Fortuna in San Carlos with AIFS, my study abroad program, to see the Arenal Volcano, enjoy the hot springs, and swim next to a waterfall. I am excited to have a break from school, leave San José, and explore more of the natural beauty of Costa Rica!

Las Diferencias en la Educación Entre los Estados Unidos y Costa Rica

Grand Valley State University 

Universidad Veritas

After taking classes in Costa Rica for the past two weeks, I have realized that there are many differences between universities in the United States and Costa Rica that I did not expect. Universidad Veritas, my university in Costa Rica is much smaller than Grand Valley and is a private university that aside from the international students program, only has a few majors, mostly design, fashion, and architecture related. College is much more expensive in the United States than here, and public universities are free for Costa Rican students. Education is high priority in both countries. 

Veritas consists of a few main buildings, all located in the same area. There are no dorms at this university, a huge difference from the U.S., and instead, students live at home or with host families. It is a very different experience living with a family instead of in a dorm, apartment, or house with friends. For my month abroad, I enjoy living with my host mom because it helps me practice Spanish and understand the culture (also breakfast and dinner are cooked for me and my host mom does my laundry); however, throughout my four years of college, I would want to live on my own with friends like I do at home. 

The professors teaching styles are much different here than in the United States. First of all, speaking with them and in class only in Spanish is a huge change, but is very beneficial. In Costa Rica, it is considered "tico* time," which means that people are usually running late. My classes do not actually start until 10 minutes or so after they are supposed to. The lifestyle here is much more relaxed and not rushed, which is a nice change. We also have a half-hour break during our four hour class to relax, eat, and talk with our friends and ticos. My professors have been more lenient and open about the structure with presentations and assignments than at home; we are often allowed to present how we want and complete an assignment in our interpretation. There are rarely handouts with complete instructions or rubrics given out. Since we are studying the language, talking is the main focus in class and homework assignments, rather than written work. We spend most of the class period talking and reading aloud, instead of the teacher lecturing or doing individual work. 

I enjoy that we spend most of our class period in Costa Rica talking and working on pronunciation. Since there is only 3 of us in my class, it is easy to receive quick feedback and make changes. In the United States, class sizes are much larger and lecture based, which makes it difficult to work on pronunciation and fluidity (something that is very important when communicating with native speakers). I didn't realize how many letters and words that I pronounced wrong before taking my class abroad. I would like to see more of an emphasis on speaking in college classes in the U.S. On the other hand, I appreciate the structure of Spanish classes in the United States more. As someone who is detailed-oriented, it was difficult for me to complete assignments and projects without a rubric or set guidelines. Both styles of teaching have their positives and negatives, and I am thankful I have had the opportunity to learn both ways.

*A tico is a native Costa Rican person

El Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

Jess and I representing GVSU at the beach in Manual Antonio National Park.

Smoothies at the Croc Bridge.

This weekend, I went to the Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica with my AIFS study abroad program. It was a relaxing weekend and was nice to get out of San Jose to see the beauty of Costa Rica. It was about a four hour car ride from San Jose to Quepos. On the way, we stopped at the "Croc Bridge" to see many crocodiles in the river below and have a delicious smoothie. It was a little scary to look over the bridge and see so many crocodiles below you.

The plane in the restaurant, El Avion.

After we arrived in Quepos, we checked into our beach front hotel, Kahare and went out to dinner at a restaurant called El Avion. The restaurant was one of the coolest places I have eaten; it was built from an actual plane that you can go in and overlooks the ocean. The food was also great; I had chicken and rice and a coconut flan dessert.

My group through AIFS at the national park beach.

On Saturday, we traveled to Manual Antonio National Park. The park had many different animals that we saw with the help of our guide, such as sloths, three different types of monkeys, birds, lizards, crabs, and raccoon. The monkeys were my favorite because they weren't afraid to be close to humans; however, you have to be careful because the monkeys are known for stealing food and peoples' belongings. There were also many different kinds of trees, and one of the most beautiful beaches that I have ever seen. After exploring and watching animals, we were able to relax on the beach and swim in the ocean. The park was amazing, and is a place everyone needs to visit in their lifetime. Below are some pictures from the park:

On Sunday we spent the morning swimming in the ocean and hotel pool and then, returned to San Jose. This weekend was an unforgettable experience and recharged me for this next week of Spanish classes.