Blogs from Alajuela, Alajuela, Costa Rica, Central America Caribbean - page 3

Four weeks at a private school just outside Alajuela. Boys attended classes, some in English, some in Spanish, made some great friends and played soccer. Chris helped in the High School English classes, Dianne helped in the Elementary school and preschool, teaching first grade and helping evaluate the teachers. All this time (including previous two weeks while at ICLC), we were staying with a wonderful host mother and her son in Alajuela. She cooked and cleaned our clothes and made us feel so welcome in her home - genuine Tico hospitality. ... read more

I met my friends first friends from Atenas, Kat & Layne, at Cafe El Balcon (The Balcony Cafe) in Atenas. It's a popular place for Gringos, run by a woman named Melanie who seems to know and remember everyone. She has an accent but I'm not sure's a Tica...speaks both English & Spanish very well. I ordered their Tico breakfast with Gallo Pico (beans & rice), Huevos (eggs), Queso Frito (fried cheese), Platanos Fritos (fried plantains> and Jugo Naranja (orange juice). Coffee was included but alas I am not a coffee drinker...almost seems criminal in Costa Rica! The food was delicious and the three of us were busy talking about my recent travels in CR as well as their experiences. It was a big breakfast but I ate it all!!!! I came home right afterwards and ... read more

Finaly after delays and 26 hours travelling , we made it to costa rica! Stinking of mosqueto repellant and greasy from factor 50, we are ready to travel to tierra hermosas center. LOVING IT Note to self : costa rica did not require 2 fleases and thermaal socks ! ... read more

We had a later start today setting off at 10am to a shopping mall where we spent an hour picking up final souvenirs and gifts. We then travelled to 'El rancho' where we had lunch followed by an afternoon of activities which included volleyball, waterpolo, salsa dancing and some team bonding taks!!. Despite everyone feeling tired, all are in high spirits and although looking forward to being at home again, all are a little wistful at saying goodbye to our new friends, the driver Omar and our tour guide Alcides. The boys have finally had enough rice and beans and are currently ordering pizza!! Hoping to be back at Taunton School between 6pm and 7pm providing there are no delays or unforeseen problems!! Looking forward to seeing you all then! The Costa Rica crew.... read more

We left Portland around 9:00 on US Airways arriving in Phoenix around 11:30. Before we left we got our last little Portland delight of some coffee at Coffee People, not really keeping in mind where we were going! :) During this first (and shortest) flight I quickly polished off The Stranger. Probably not the best thing to be reading to start off your Honeymoon, but it was a captivating read nonetheless. We ended up getting our last taste of American food in the Phoenix Airport and then we were on our way to Central America! Upon landing we were escorted to the Customs and Immigration in Costa Rica where we waited in a long time to get into the country. After they made sure that we were cool we immediately exited the airport and felt the ... read more