Move over sunshine, here comes the rain!

Wow! So apparently we had some good luck with the weather these past few weeks, because the rain has come and it is on a mission!!! I am beginning to think that I just don't have very good luck. We woke up yesterday and decided that we needed to do something fun, so what do we do? We rent a quad and head out for Malpais. It was so hot and the air on our faces felt amazing....And then, we became storm chasers. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves in to when we set out for Malpais. The drive there was great...hot but breezy. We crossed the river and were making our way down the hill in to Malpais when a HUGE storm hit! Literally it was like someone had a fire hose turned on us! So, we now know it is possible to be cold in Costa Rica. I was sitting behind Kori and we were getting hit so hard by the rain, it actually felt like we were getting pricked by needles. We had a very short visit in Malpais because we were scared the river would get to big to cross. Luckily we made it and on our way back to Montezuma we ran in to our friend Gerald. The look on his face pretty much told us that we looked like drowned rats. He just pulled up next to us laughing, so we joined in. As soon as we got back to Montezuma it stopped raining so we thought a trip to Cobano would be a great idea. Plus we had to go to the bank and gas station. Low and Behold, on our way to Cobano it started down pouring again!!!!! We made it to a little restuarant across the street from the bank to wait out the storm. After a few hours and some hot seafood soup, it settled down a bit. So, Kori ran across the street to get some money. As soon as she stepped in to the ATM section it started down pouring again. We sat there laughing at each other from across the street and after a few minutes she made it back to the restuarant. We had no idea what to do because the rain here is so intense, it hurts when you drive in it. But, lightbulb moment!!!! We went and bought GRANDE trash bags and made our own little ponchos. We have pictures, dont you worry! I am sure that we laughed the entire way home because not only were we wearing trash bags, but we intentionally went through mud puddles to get warm water splashed on us. It was FREEZING!!!!!!!!  Let's just say that we picked the WORST day ever to rent a quad. But, it was such a great day, full of laughter and memories! And now we are set on owning our very own quads....Watch out Jolley's, Kori is addicted!!!!!! 

More to come!!!!!!!

I LOVE COSTA RICA!!!!!

Hi all!!!! Today we just got back from Malpais. We stayed at the Malpais Surf Camp and it was amazing!!!!! (anyone who comes to Malpais must stay here, it is incredible and cheap!) They had everything you could possibly want; a pool, a pool table, ping pong table, fun music...ah, the list goes on and on. It was so beautiful too! I can not believe the luck that we have had with the weather here. :) We rented some quads yesterday and took them up the coast in Malpais. We traveled with Mike and Kristian (both students at our school) and at first Kori and I didn't drive them because we thought they were going to be too hard, BUT when we got behind the drivers seat, we pretty much took over driving after that. Don't worry mom and dad, I still have all of my limbs. :) 

We had to have the quads back by 10 that night with the gas completely full, otherwise we would be charged some crazy amount of money. So, Kori, Mike and I went out on a mission to find Mike a shirt (because that silly guy forgot to pack one) and get gas. (keep in mind that Kristian is still back at the hotel waiting for our returns) We arrived at the first gas station in town only to be told that they were out of gas, but tomorrow they might have some. So we ended up driving up the mountian (with a very steep incline) and getting to the other gas station (about 7 kilometers out of town) only to be told that they were also out of gas. We figured that these quad companies have a deal with the gas stations....some crazy conspiracy I think. So we made our way back down the mountain and headed back to our place (I think we were gone for over 2 hours....Oops). We arrived to our villa only to find a note Kristian left saying that the key was at the front desk. That was sign number one that we were in trouble.....OOPS!! It didn't matter though, we had so much fun, no one was going to take that away from us. And we had a great story to tell him too, so he didnt have much time to be mad at us. :) 

After a long day of beaching, swimming, and quading around we had dinner at Brisas Del Mar. Steve and Donna, you will appreciate this more than anyone else....and just to confirm, the food is still absolutely amazing. :) After that we decided to ride around on the quads for a bit, but when we set out it started raining. It was soooooooo hilarious! and so worth it. Kori and I both had some sort of fo-halk going on because only the top part of our hair got wet. ha ha! 

Later we went back to return the quads and had the genius idea of asking how much it would be to keep them over night. It was only $15 so we were in!!!!!! This morning Kori, Mike and I all set out on our last little adventure with the quads. It is VERY hot today and I am sure that I have a few burns on my tookus. Oh well! PURA VIDA!!!!!

Before Kristian left we asked him for the taxi drivers phone number so that we could get a ride back to Montezuma. He pulled out the card and said here is "Air Condicionado's" phone number. We all looked at each other and bust out laughing. The whole time that Kristian had been in Costa Rica he had been using this guy as his driver and he thought his name was Air Condicionado because his business card said "Air Conditioning"-Marino. He actually said "Hola Air, Como estas?" ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! I still can't stop laughing at that!!!!!!! 

We met another guy in Malpais, Tommy, who is also from Santa Barbara. It is crazy how many people from California are here. The word is out!!!! :)

And Krista, I am not kidding about the sweating thing. In fact when I get back, lets just sit in a sauna for a few hours a day. It will melt everything off!!!! 

I miss you guys a lot!!

LOVE YOU MAMA, PAPAS, and MORFAR (that is Danish for my grandpa)!!!! 

An Update :)

I just got back from Cabo Blanco, a beautiful natural rain forest here, and it was beautiful!!!! We didn't see any animals, but I was okay with that considering we have monkeys at our place. This morning I woke up a little early and walked in to town. Before I left our place a little monkey came over and sat down in front of me. He was so cute, but after seeing the cats ear that looks like it was attacked by a monkey, I decided to keep my hands to myself. So far everything has been so wonderful. Although, I swear one day before I leave I will get hit on the head by either a coconut or a huge lizard. They are out to get me!!!!
We took the bus to Cabuya to go to Cabo Blanco today, but it wasn't that crazy bus we took the other day. This time there was no rolling back down hills, but there was a lot of bouncing. What is amazing here is that the bus will wait for you to go grocery shopping. Why don't we have this attitude in the states? Everything is so stress free here, I LOVE IT!!!!!!
It was pretty funny the other day when Kori and I went to Ylang Ylang for lunch. We sat next to this girl that talks SO loud, and basically heard all the town gossip. We are starting to think that people know things because they happen to sit by here sometime, not because it is such a small town. We met two guys from Santa Barbara here last night, this world is sooooooo small! I am also shocked by the food here. I am pretty sure that all I eat here is bread, rice, chips, and some fish. Please don't let me continue to eat this way when I get home unless you throw me in to the sauna for a few hours a day. I am telling you man, sweating is the key point in the carb overload I am on.
I was at the beach with my freind Vera yesterday and while we were talking we took our eye off the tide. And, that was a huge mistake!!! A huge wave came up and took my sandals, shirt, shorts, and I had hardly enough time to throw my bag in to the bushes above me! I was able to recover my clothes and sandals, but the walk back to school was pretty uncomfortable. Many of our friends here stopped and asked what had happend to me. I had forgotten a towl so I was drenched and covered in black sand!!! Ah heck, what can you do? ;)
I love the new people at our school. They are such a riot to hang out with at school. Literally the stories that Kori have told about Mike are SO true!!! He keeps us laughing! I am sure he will have a great one liner at least once a day. Don't worry, we will keep you posted.
I think we are off to Malpais tomorrow with some of the people from the school. I am sure it will be a blast! Hasta Luego!

un moto para 3 por favor ;)

Man, it feels good to sit in this air conditioned room, and it gives me a chance to blog! So a few days ago, while lounging in the hammocks, we saw a truck drive by with 5 kids in the back. Three of them were standing by the cab, another was in a car seat that was sliding around, and the last one was in one of those things that you have a baby use to learn how to walk. It was hilarious!!! At least they were trying to be safe right? ;)

Kori and I are getting use to riding on a moto with our friends, soon we will have to take a picture. Three people on one moto is quite comfy though. Our friend at school said he saw a family of 5 on one once, that is something I have yet to see. Either way, the lifestyle here is sooooooo different. I am officially use to havine a meal for 2 hours minimum and just not caring what will happen next. It is hard sometimes because I am such a planner, but pura vida is really starting to wear off on me. :) 

Last night after we had dinner I had to walk home and it was raining sooooooooo hard. I ended up falling down in the street and just laying there laughing. It was quite a site. I couldn't see a foot in front of me because it was raining so hard. And today.....well today it is BEAUTIFUL and SOOOOOOO hot!!! we are really lucking out. I am curious to see what the next two weeks will bring. 

BESOS!!!!!! 

hola!

Hey there everyone! I am so shocked that another week has gone by.....So much has happend. This past Saturday we went on the canopy tours again with some of the students at our school. It was really fun, but some tourist that was there decided it would be a smart idea to put his hand in front of the zip line. Kori and I were at the top of the platform with one of the guides and the sound it made was horrible!!!! Then he told us what the guy had done and I almost threw up thinking about what it was going to look like. We got to the next platform and the tip of the guys finger was freaking missing! It wasnt a huge piece, but it was enough to make me feel pretty sick. We had just arrived at the waterfalls too, and everyone was pretty much feeling a little sick and I can say for sure that it ruined the rest of the trip for everyone. He was fine though, nothing to bad.
Apparently there are a lot of whales that go by the beaches here. I have not seen any, but some of the other students have. I accidently called a whale basura *trash* instead of bayena and i have yet to live that one down....The ticos like to make fun of me, but come on, I am trying!!!!!

There are so many beautiful beaches here, and it is great to have them all as classrooms. There hasn't been a day that I dont take some time to go swim or just lay on the beach. Yesterday one of our friends here took us surfing again. It was so much fun. I went out with him first for a couple of hours and then we walked back up the beach to get Kori for here lesson. Here is where it proceeded to get funny. He went and got another surf board, and then told me that while he taught Kori I was going to practice paddling.....I was sooooo exhausted after the lesson and I thought he was joking, but nope.....he said that I need MUCHO PRACTICAR!!! ha ha ha!!! So, I went out for another 30 minutes or so and snuck away when he wasn't looking. Don't you worry though, he took great care of us. He ended up making us lobster that he had caught the day before....I couldn't even remember the last time that I had had lobster, and it was SOOOOOO good. I wish I could upload a picture of where we were learning to surf, but the internet here doesn't really give you that option unless you want to sit in a chair for many hours....I will just show you all when I come back.
Today we started class again and we were soooooooo happy to have our teacher again. Frederico is so awesome and he is very patient with us, which is what I need right now. The other night I made it a goal to only speak Spanish. It was difficult, but everyone was helpful. I just have to make myself do more of that. We have met so many people here and it is such an amazing experience to hear how other people have found Montezuma. Another ten students got in last night and we sat out in the hammocks talking. There are quite a few people from California, but there are also some from D.C., England, Kansas, and I believe Japan. There is such a crazy mix.
We just learned today that if there is a full moon and it rains that night, then it will proceed to rain until the next phase of the moon. On Saturday we had a full moon and it definitely rained, so the weather is changing a little. We have been so spoiled with sunny weather, but to be honest, the rain has been nice. It gets a bit cooler. The only problem is the walk in to town in the mud. Most of my white clothings has cool splotchy brown spots everywhere. It is all good though....I am having such an amazing experience.
I miss you all lots and lots! I wish I could hear your voices. Just know that I love you all to pieces!!!!!!!!

Todo es bien!

Wow, so time just flies, literally I feel like every day blends together. I am shocked that so much time has passed already. Spanish is starting to make a little more sense. So is having a beach as your front and back yard. I just keep thinking how blessed I am to have this opportunity. Kori and I have a new teacher this week. His name is Fredrico (dont forget to roll your r's!) and he is great. I feel like I am learning a lot more, mainly because he can talk louder than the river that runs by our school. Our other teacher Luz spoke so softly so my responses of Si and por supuesto started getting a little old. I have come to the realization that this little town is going to miss me. :) I am sure that I am freinds with at least 80% of them. The others I just haven't had a chance to meet. Estoy encanta con Montezuma. It is so ridiculously gorgeous here and we have been so lucky with weather. Don't get me wrong, it rains here, but most of the days are very sunny. Yesterday Kori and I were on the beach talking with some friends and within seconds a storm came in, lets just say that we looked like drowned rats in about 10 seconds. It was like someone was throwing buckets of water on us. 

The soccer games have been a lot of fun too. They havent been so lucky with weather though, every time there is a game it down pours, but todo es bien because we get to sit under a little building while we watch. 

The other day I went in to town with a friend, Gerald, who we met here in town, to get gas (yeah, you actually have to drive 7 kilometers to get to a gas station from Montezuma) an go to the bank. He was able to use the atm but the gas station decided to close a little early, and even with extreme begging, they wouldn't let him get any gas. This is where I was put in quite a funny situation. We started driving back to town and we took a different turn and he proceeded to say to me "Jamie, you get to meet my family. I dont have any more gas so I have to go pick up the quad" and I thought to mysely.....What?????? So, we got to his house and I watched some tele with his mom and brother where I proceeded to not use the Ud. formal use of conversation. OOOPS!!!! So, I am sure they thought, "gringa" but that is okay, it was an experience I won't forget. At least I had learned from Kori's meeting with another of our freinds families that you can say "Mucho gusto conocerle" which is a formal way of saying it was a pleasure to meet with you. 

One of my favorite things is when you are in the middle of a conversation with someone and they ask you something and the response you give is "gracias." I have experienced this about 10 times a day. Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming and that is the only thing you can remember. 

Literally, I am FINALLY enjoying the cold showers. It still is a bit of a shock, but now they are something that I look forward to. I went swimming at the beach today and the waves here are SO strong. I think I kissed the ocean floor a few times, but thankfully I was able to scramble out before it got too serious. 

You will never believe this but Kori and I have a cat. he is hidiously ugly and I am sure that he was in a fight with a monkey because his ear looks like it is about to fall off. He won't go away though, literally, I feel like he is our cat. I know mom and dad, I dont like kitty's but I am forced to like this one!!!!!! What to do what to do. And Steve and Donna, we have decided that if we shave Monty frequently he would LOVE it here!!!! ;0)

I miss you all lots and lots! I apologize for the infrequent blogs, but the computers here are SO hard to use!!! 

HUGS!!!!! 

I am tired of "second doubting" myself

As you can see by the title of this little message, I might be losing the ability to speak english....Seriously my brain is on overload and I am beginning to think that I am going to make up my own language here soon. This past week has been full of adventures. Spanish has been a little overwhelming, but the ticos here are so willing to teach. Wednesday night there was a storm here that was like no other rain storm I have ever seen. The entire sky was full of lighting pretty much every second. It was so incredible!!! And I am sure that we got more rain in twenty minutes here that Santa Barbara will see all year. 

The challenge of walking to town when it rains is pretty hilarious.....You should see the backs of our legs. They are covered in mud. :) and not only that, most of the trip to town is up and down hills, so let's just say that I have been doing all kinds of surfing. :) ha!

Everyone here greets you with a kiss and an "hola guapa" and I have to say who doesn't like to here "hi pretty" all day long. It just makes you feel pretty, even if you are saturated in sweat. 

Soccer games are a big deal, and they are SO much fun to watch. Most of the town settles in under a covered area and watches. It has been so incredible here! I wish I could be a bit more witty today, but I dont have the patience! The computers here are SOOOOOOOO slow and very dificil to use. :)

Ciao for now! 

sweaty is the "new black" ;0)

todo es bien!!!!!! ;0) After two days of traveling we arrived in Montezuma on Thursday. When we landed in San Jose a huge storm came in, so our little puddle jumper flight was cancelled. We ended up having to stay in San Jose for the night at a great little place called Brillas del Sol. I would recommend it to all of you ;0).

It took us some time to get settled but so far we have had lots of good food and we are meeting many people. We went out kayaking on Sunday for Kori's Birthday with some new friends they attempted to teach us how to surf, If I had my camara right now I would upload a picture of my battle wounds. (dont worry, there will be pictures when soon!) Let's just say thay my entire right calf is black and blue and my left arm has a knot the size of a baseball. oops! Apparently I need to keep practicing. The school is absolutely amazing. It is a little overwhelming right now because there is so much vocabulary that I need to learn. Our teacher is an amazing woman that has traveled all over the world and she is quite a character. There are about 15 other students here, many of them are also from California. One of them knows the company that I work for because he lives in San Francisco and I am pretty sure he said he had surgery at one of the centers we manage. It's a small world! 

The school has a great location, literally right accross from the beach. The third floor is the "Tranquil" spot, and it is filled with hammocks and chairs overlooking the beach. I have spent a lot of time up there. We also have the Montezuma River that runs right next to the school, and of course there are so many animals. I think I am going to have to buy one of those nature cd's when I return just to make sure I can fall asleep. 

It has been VERY hot and suprisingly not as much rain as I thought there would be. Don't get me wrong though, when it rains here is POURS!!!!! And man oh man, sweating is just something I am going to have to get use to. Oh, and when they said that a cold shower is refreshing after a hot day, um, they were wrong. It literally takes my breath away when I get in but as soon as you get out, it is back to sweating. Oh well, that is why "sweaty is the new black" ha! The computers here are kind of hard to use, mainly because thier keyboards are a bit different, so it makes blogging and emailing a little hard. Pero Esta Bien! 

I definitely miss everyone! Cuidate!!!!!! Besos y Abrazos! 

Ciao!