http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Central America Caribbean , Costa Rica , Cartago en-us Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:59:56 BST Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:59:56 BST Les francais vous savez comment ca marche maintenant... Descendez et ca causera dans une langue que vous comprenez I got to San Isidro de El General on Sunday and what a day to get there San Isidro is the patron saint of farmers here and he is celebrated in San Isidro no need to explain why here for the whole week of May 15th which means that on Sunday I was welcomed http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/San-Gerardo-de-Rivas/blog-276339.html English speakers you know where to find the English version...Il ne faut jamais crier victoire trop tot je sais mais victooooooooiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire Deja 4 jours seule et je ne me suis pas encore perdue Jeudi je me suis un peu baladee dans San Jose surtout pour m'acheter un guide plus detaille du Costa Rica le Lonely Planet que j'ai achete avant de partir couvre toute l'Amerique C http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Irazu/blog-274862.html Hier die Neuigkeiten von unseren letzten Tage in Costa Rica Golfito Golfito liegt im Sueden des Landes an der Pazifikkueste. Mit dem Auto ist diese Gegend einfach zu bereisen. Der Ort selbst ist touristisch wenig attraktiv und so machten wir Ausfluege ins Umland. Zuerst besuchten wir wie wir schon in unserem letzten Eintrag anklingen liessen Pavones. Dort befindet sich hier muessen wir etwas http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/blog-274855.html Hello AllOn Yesterday and the day before I rented a bicycle for the afternoon. On Tuesday I went to Tapanti National Park which was a really tough uphill bike ride and got to see some of the mountains and the river that flows into Orosi. I went with a girl I met from Colorado who was studying spanish this week. On Wednesday we did another killer ride to the Ujarras Ruins which I had seen befor http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/blog-269776.html Hey AllYesterday I was in Cartago again to see my veterinarian friend Jose who accepted a job in San Jose in December. He is working for the department of agriculture here and for the USDA in the US. We had a nice breakfast very close to the Basilica de Los Angelos or as is commonly said here La Negrita. The story is as follows A little indian girl was in the woods gathering firewood and s http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/blog-268696.html HiThis week has been busy with lessons every day and meeting some of the new people who have come to the school to study this week. I have also had lots of homework and so havent taken many pictures. I feel a little better speaking Spanish in Orosi but today I took the bus to Cartago which is a much bigger city and it is difficult to talk and understand with all the hustle and bustle. The bu http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/blog-267763.html Hello EveryoneYesterday I spent the day with the family I am staying with. I baked some desserts for the kids and for the adults. In the afternoon we went to visit Maritas sister and her parents up on the mountain where I had had my 4 hour hike on Saturday. The homes are built into the side of the mountain with basementslike in Pennsylvania. And the driving up in those mountains really do http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/blog-266406.html Hello againToday is Saturday and no classes for me. I have spent the morning doing a 4 and onehalf hour in the high mountains to the south and west of the Orosi Valley. There were really nice views and I have photos of the village but I am not able to post them until I can borrow a card reader from the owner of the school next week. The owner of the internet cafe has a reader but it wont http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/blog-265748.html Hey EveryoneEvery morning I have been walking with Marita around Orosi. Marita is the mother of the family in Orosi. We have been walking every morning for at least an hour. I will try to post some pictures of the Rio Mache which is the river that runs near the town. The town gets its electricity from the river via a hydroelectric plant near the town and the river. Our walks are always aroun http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/blog-265487.html HeySo much has happened since I arrived in Costa Rica After I spent my first night with my assigned family we all woke up and had a sandwich a banana and coffee for breakfast. An extended group of female friends and family had planned a walk to the hot springs starting out at 7.30 am and so I went along. It is no problem to go at that time since I was up since first light at 5.30am. I had b http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/blog-264850.html Hey EveryoneI made it to the village of Orosi and I am sorry that I have no pictures yet but I hope I can post a map for people to see where Orosi is. I had no problems with my flights and from Miami to Costa Rica I sat with a very nice young guy who is an engineer in Costa Rica. We had a nice time chatting and he suggested that I go to Puerto Limon to see the Caribean Coast. I would like to http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/blog-264142.html I have one more week before my flight leaves for Costa Rica. This will be the first of two trips I will be making to Central America in 2008. During the first I hope to strengthen my Spanish Language speaking abilities and get a better idea of the Costa Rican culture in a relaxed atmosphere. During the second trip I will be with a group of undergraduate and graduate students from USF. The stu http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/blog-261391.html The newest adventure to hit Turrialba Costa Rica 'Costa Rica Christian Fitness Adventure'. httpwww.costaricachristianfitness.comIts purpose is to combine doing fitness with learning Spanish at CISA doing Volunteer work with Voz Que Clama Mission all in a Christian environment. It's a chance for people to get away from distractions and get in shape. Right now there's a family and a single http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Turrialba/blog-257148.html It's been quite awhile since I've written here....Life's taken quite a turn these past months...all for the goodI ended up going back to Toronto for a few weeks in August. I had a lot of things to do Mainly to plan my wedding in October Tony Sanchez and I got married October 12th at Hacienda Experience in Tayutic close to Turrialba. My family all came plus my great friends. It couldn't have http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Turrialba/blog-229200.html Kathryn who we had met on the bus from Panama had invited us to stay with her so we went up to Turrialba to stay a few nights. It was a 2 hour drive passing plantations and rural settlements. Some of the housing was small and uniform and we found out later it was for the Nicaraguan workers on the coffee and sugar plantations.We found Turrialba to be a small town with a main square lovely church http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Turrialba/blog-219124.html De Visita por El IrazuEl dia de hoy decidi darme una vuelta a eso de las 4 a.m. por El Volcan Irazu y bueno esto es lo que me encontre espero que lo disfruten tanto como yo lo disfrute.Mario Arana http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Irazu/blog-204437.html its monday and it is 2217 ive been working since 0830 but it will be worth it we have packed or fully loaded two vehicles full of kit including a boat and engine and we are heading off tomorrow to San Lucas Island the place with the prison. WE are arriving tomorrow the participants arrive Wednesday for their 4 day survival camp. Plus a lot of sillyness and fun games. I will down load the photos w http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-194632.html Hugh Amanda and i started toget the kit organised for the change over. Hugh and Amanada had the far greater task of sorting the food.I was now in charge of radios and electrical equipment.My afternoon was spent packing for a road trip to visit Alpha 2 at the base of Vocan Tonorio up in the North of Costa Rica. I really can't wait to get out of FB getting cabin fever. Had cabin fever more like... http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-194127.html A new challenge greeted myself and hugh today at the morning meeting. We are to plan vehicle movements and kit allocations for the change overs trekking and island phase. Simple i thought umm no kit here people there vehicles every where and some how we had to assign vehicles people and kit to alpha groups and campsites. Confusing Yes. Easy No. Head ache Yes. Achieved it of course.All pl http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-194123.html WHAT TIME IS IT GUESS WHAT ITS BODEGA TIME......Highlight of the day Taking the satisfaction from knowing i now know ever inch of the bodega whats in it and that all that is in there is usable... The past 5 days have been worth it.I managed to get the nintendo games system we found in the staff room working everyone had failed before all it took was some silver foil and a paper clip. Again i k http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-194121.html Myself and hugh were locked away in the Bodega all day.The highlight today was getting out alive...oh just thought bodega means shed more like a warehouse. http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-194118.html Bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega bodega http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-194117.html Hugh and myself have taken on the responsibility of clearing out itemising and chucking things from the bodega. Have we taken on more than we can chew...Where did the day goUneventful day really still missing Alpha 3. http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-194113.html Being back in FB is bit of a culture shock i wasn't ready for. The pace of life is so much different to that on project. Much slower not as structured. It hit me quite hard. Missed being on project today.Highlight achievement I built a 5m swimming pool with 6 desks a tarp and some polythene. It was great we bought some inflatables and found an inflatable strecher. Fun and games were had by al http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-194110.html Woke up 0530Up and out 0600On site we didnt have to today as very unfortunately we left Alpha 3 i didn't think i would be so disappointed but it was a real shame to leave the group and the project behind.Work today. Drive back to FB. Achievements Made it back safely. Highlights. Cathcing up with everyone at field base. Having a semiwarm shower. http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-194104.html Woke up 0445Up and out 0520on site 0530 on time againWork today. Same route but when you stop and take it in its beautiful. To think we are in an indigenous reserve away from the so called normal way of life.We had to move 25kg bags of cement and sheets of 8x4 and 5x3.Fortunatley we managed to move the cemment up and over the hill in the Raleigh Landdy thankfully. The Sheets we carried on pol http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-194102.html Woke up 0445Up and out 0520on site 0530 on timeWork today. Same route Moving 4m timber today lengths of 4x3 heavy work again but getting up early means we dont work in the heat of the day. Achievements All timber shifted. Finished our out door shower which consisted of a wooden frame which supported a bucket with holes in. It worked wonderfully.Highlights. Swimming in the river and cooling http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-194095.html We awoke full of energy and raring to go for our first day on project. WE arrived on site at 0600 the locals had started at 0530. That was to be our start time from now on. Our day consisted of moving concrete building blocks 500m's from the bottom of a hill even at 0700 it was extremely hot up over the hill across a stream and a little further to the project site.Basically we had 300 blocks o http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-194087.html I hope you like is everything ok your end dave and I are having a great old time out here more news to follow. As for all the concern of us being caught in a Tsunami we are all ok. Cheers. http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-193498.html Although it was a sunday we were up far earlier than we would normally be but having no electricty means you don't stay up very late after dark. Which at the moment is 1800ish. After a breakfast of porridge we started our new kindom out we discussed group roles Had tool time with Roy AKA me and generally organised ourselves for the forth coming work. It involved quite a bit of theory which the http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Cartago/Volcan-Turrialba/Turrialba/CATIE/blog-192631.html