It's finally Friday!!! I know, I know, I've only been in classes for 3 days now but trying to figure out Spanish for 4 hours straight every morning tends to give one a headache. It's not too bad though, I understand about half of what is being said. I'm taking two electives too, thankfully in English, Introduction to Marine Biology and Introduction to Tropical Ecology. We get to go on two field trips for each of them. For the Marine Biology one we get to go to a turtle nesting grounds and snorkeling on a coral reef. Yep, life is tough here in Costa Rica. I'm not sure where we go for the Tropical Ecology one, that class doesn't start until next week.

This week I get to go to Volcan Arenal, or Arenal Volcano. It's a live volcano that has lava trickling down it constantly. They also have hot springs to go sit in, which I'm looking forward to very very much. I just this morning figured out how to get hot water in my shower so I appreciate hot water more than ever. There are optional field trips every weekend and I signed up for all of them. Why not? It will save me from the very difficult conversations that I have with my host family. After this morning's conversation I think I'm going to end up with Corn Flakes for breakfast every morning. They think that because I don't eat much it's because I don't like the food. I've never been an early morning breakfast sort of person though. This morning it was bean sandwiches. I'm not kidding. I really need to learn this language!!! I also have the chance to go to Cuba for 4 days if I want. It's only like $400. Mom....? Dad....? :) How often do you get a chance to go to Cuba though???? I'm going to go with probably not any time soon.

I finally made some friends. I can't believe it took me 2 days!! That's unusual. Anyway, they walk with me to school everyday and back at night, which is very good because the crime is horrific down here. Not bad crime, mostly theft. But enough where there are bars on every single house and guards in every store and some of the more expensive houses. Meghan and I are going to get manicures today. For 2000 colones. That's a FOUR DOLLAR manicure. That's so sweet!!! Well, it's time to go watch a movie for class. A Cuban movie. Man, it sure would be nice to go to Cuba...Mom....Dad....
- posted by Jaime @ 7:38 AM