Big Bad Snakes and Cute Frogs.... Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Volcan Turrialba » Turrialba » CATIE By LaurenB June 3rd 2007 My time in Costa Rica is drawing to a close, but there are a few really great things ive gotten to experience this week. First, we went to this museum/zoo of sorts that only had snakes and a few other creatures. We received a talk about the indigenous snakes of Costa Rica (two of the worlds most poisonous are locals here) and then they proceded to take the snakes out. Without much of a safety talk beyond ¨stay back 3 feet¨ we [View Full Entry]

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"White Water" Rafting Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Volcan Turrialba » Turrialba » CATIE By LaurenB May 25th 2007 Okay, so Im not a swimmer. If ever in deep water, Im good for about 30 seconds, than its over. Not being comfortable in the water is in conflict with many vacation activities. When I was in Dominica a few months ago, one of the most beautiful places Ive ever seen, Titu Gorge, was of course, a gorge. With a little coaxing and a floatty belt, I was able to experience that place. Here in Turrialba, the rivers are king. Rafters from all over come [View Full Entry]

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Zip-lining Thru The Jungle Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Volcan Turrialba » Turrialba » CATIE By LaurenB May 21st 2007 They call it "Canyoning" because your zip-lining over canyons. You can also repell down waterfalls. It was great! I just did it. The waterfalls are a bit tricky cause the rocks are so slick from thousands of years of erosion, they are as slick as wet marble. Its very hard to find your footing, add in the water coming at you and it can be a little dicey. Zip-lining was amazing. Your harnessed in so your basically sitting down as you fly thru the [View Full Entry]

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In the United States, a lot of time and effort is put into keeping insects/bugs/vermon out of the house. Whole industries are built around the best way to kill the bug with the least amount of effort--in essence, how far away can i stand with a can of spray and still end its existence. The climate is often the deal breaker. I remember in New Orleans how bold the cockroaches were. They came out in the day, and walked along the sidewalks, and when you thought you had it cornered, they would take off flying. While I was living in Dominica, [View Full Entry]

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Today is gonna be a good day. How do i know this.....because my shower this morning wasnt ice cold. There was a hint of warmth for a fleeting moment. My usual shower is fridgid--no long showers in Costa Rica, mostly because your hyperventilating from the sub-zero temp of the water and your body will only let you do that for but so long. In most of the Carribean and here in Costa they use a thermoheat system--i have no idea what that means, but apparently not much...enough complaining So, things are goinging well. Ive got a daily routine down with [View Full Entry]

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Hey!! Well, Im here!! I arrived safe and sound and now im sitting in an internet cafe in Turriabal. Carlos (the driver from the company) met me at the airport. Took me to the bus station where I waited fr the bus to Turrialba. The ride was very much like the ride from the airport in Dominica to Ross (for those of you who have been in Dominica--very narrow and curvy) My tico mother met me at the bus station and took me home. She is a cute little lady, doesnt speak a lick of English! Communication was a little [View Full Entry]

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Well, tomorrow I fly to Costa Rica. To live with a family I dont know in acountry where I dont speak the language--Im a little nervous, but excited. Ive been wanting to do a language immersion program for years, and truthfully, this is probably gonna be my only opportunity to do it. Dreams do come true... So after working for the last six months to pay for this adventure, its finally here. I fly into Miami from Washington, D.C. and then straight into San Jose, CR. Someone from my program is picking me up and taking me to the local bus [View Full Entry]

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