What comes come to mind when you think about Independence Day? One thing that always comes to my mind is partying, it’s almost like a natural feeling. Funny thing is, I’ve never really known the story about Central America’s liberation until now (and I am half Central American.) Despite this fact, I will tell start out by telling you that September 15th marks Central America’s Independence Day but the celebration begins on the 14th during night time. One of the coolest things that shows patriotism is that at 6:00pm no matter what your doing, where you’re at, and who you’re with, everyone stops and sings the national anthem. The radio even participates and puts the national anthem song on air. Living in Cedros, I got to see almost all my community members come together to sing the national anthem last night. Children are dressed in traditional clothing and carry a “farole” (similar to a lantern used to symbolize unity) around the entire community as the group of musicians lead us with their vibrant music. We cheer and dance as we walk around the community but before the musicians came, we got to see BOMBAS!, or rather fireworks. After this mini celebration, people got out to bars and like everyone else - I went out :) Usually, your family tells you to take a Taxi everywhere when it gets dark. My host family recommended that I take a Taxi everywhere after 6pm but last night I took the bus at 8:45pm and nothing happen. This day all bars have promotions 2x1 beer, free drinks between 9 to 11pm at Club Nova, Cazique (Costa Rica liquor) smoother than tequila. So when you order a bira make sure to order two. 

Ah, one thing about you should know about buses: Once you get on a bus and realize at that moment it is the wrong bus DO NOT GET OFF. Pay the driver and then get off at the next stop because what I did was got on and got off. So once I got off, the bus driver said “ay, you need to pay me. So I walked up the stairs and said ohkay but needed to pay him twice because the the meter counts how many people mount the bus. A total FAIL! Buses are usually 210 colones depending on where your traveling to. Always carry menudo on you and don’t pay the driver with bills higher than 2 mil colones (chances are they might not have change) and make sure you count your change. I’ve had bus drivers who do not know how to count so I demand for my correct change! 

A risk is worth taking even if the outcome is a hundred and two mistakes 

Firstly, I want to start off with last week activities and go through everything before I start talking about this weekend. In San Pedro where the Outlet Mall is located if you walk 4 to 5 blocks, you’ll find a Patinera or a Skating Ring, similar to the one showed in the movie, “ATL.” You will also find people from all ages, beginner and professional skaters, and the best part - a lot more guys than girls. Usually, this is the “spot” to come hang out or go “fishing”… The music starts with disco and then changes as the night progresses. They played Micheal Jackson’s best hits and a bit of freestyle. The skating ring functions 3 times a day. You have your morning, afternonn, and night hours. Haydee, Mateo, Esther and I went during the night (7 to 10pm hours). We rated our skates for dos mil colones, ($4) and checked our bags and extra clothing for ($1.50) at the “coat check.” Overall, very cheap! The best part of the night was the time of “La corrida” which means the people who know how to skate 80 miles per hour have about 15-20 mins to do so. Everyone clears the ring for those people and BAM it literally becomes a competition between those skaters of who can skate the fastest. After leaving early to meet up with one of our friends for a concert near UCR, who we didn’t end up finding, we decided to eat a fast food restaurant on La Calle Principal called, “Comida Rapida” which is open 24/7 in case you get the munchies after a night out. I paid 1300 Colones (500 colones to the dollar) for a juicy hamburger, 8 oz drink, and chicken empanada which is the a typical fast food meal. I loveee, lovee the TE FRIo from this place, so if you every get a chance try the cold tea from this place. Also, one thing everyone should know about Costa Rica is that the food is fairly cheap. The most you should pay for a meal that includes a drink is $5. A casado is typically what most people eat for lunch and it includes: rice, beans, salad, platanos, and your choice or steak, chicken, or fish. Sometimes, I can hardly finish it because it truly is a big dish. So after stuffing our faces with pure grease, we decided to have a couple drinks. In CR, you can practically purchase beer anywhere, so we decided to buy at a “7-eleven” right next to do the restaurant. $2 for a 120z Dos X beer and $1.50 for an Imperial (Costa Rican beer) Right around the corner for this place is the street full of bars and every night you’ll hear american music and latin tunes coming from different clubs. The club “Xcape” is starting to be labelled as a gay club for men but not true. Last night I went and didn’t really get the feel that is was a gay club. Most of these clubs/bars close at 2am but if you really want to party hard and stay out until 5-7am you definitely want to hit up San Jose but always make sure you go in a group because the Taxi Ride might be pricey. Now, let’s move on to Friday night where we went to Karaoke 88 at 8:45pm and it was jammed packed! Latino music was playing but there is a selection of English music that one can sing. Again, all these places are all located near UCR and its really easy to bar hop. If you looking for a fancy place and appreciate the interior of the building, you might want to hit up Jazz Cafe, where there is live music and expensive drinks or the city, Escazu.

A friend once told me, “iron sharpens iron”..makes sense, don’t you think?

What can I tell you about Jaco Beach? mmmm.. let me think. It’s a beautiful and touristic beach to go to where the waves are aggressive yet playful once you get through the breaks. However, I recommend you bring swim shoes if you can’t withstand the the pain of rocks pressed upon your feet. You can rent a surf board for $10 and although we wanted to surf, my group and I just hung out :) There are many cheap hostels and hotel one can stay at. My friends and I stayed at “La Cometa” for $10 a night for an non-ac room and $12 for an a/c room. It was a nice, comfy “inn” and the host was very nice. I recommend it! Pictures coming soon..! 

Above the ACM building. 

Hoy es mi quinto dia en Costa Rica y creo que ya estoy adaptada con el ambiente! (Today is my fifth day in CR and I believe I have already adapted to the culture.) Sooooo for updates, I don’t know where to start! My family is very generous, I have a two younger brothers ages 11 and 14 (I believe). And an older sister who has the cutest baby girl! When I first arrived, I was under the impression that I would share a room or rather a relatively small room…but turns out I have my OWN ROOM AND BATHROOM! ahhh! and it’s way better than back home :) Everyday, I take the bus which costs 210 colones approximately .40 cents to and from school. Everyone here takes the bus since gas is sooo expensive. One of the things that surprised me was that young people and “older” people are obsessed with fashion or rather beauty. I kid you not, everyone has there own swwaagg, I like it. Oh, another thing is there is A LOT of PDA and everyone seems to be in a relationship. So if your planning to come study aboard in CR, bring you boyfriend or girlfriend with. One of the BEST THINGS CR has to offer is there food and diversity of people. You eat rice and beans with every meal unless its fast food. They have sushii here!! for any sushi lovers like myself. You literally can get a big proportioned meal for 4 dollars - cheeappp!! I’m about three blocks away from the University of Costa Rica and every block surrounding the campus has little restaurants, tenditas, bookstores, and fashion shops.  Things to bring with you when coming to Costa Rica:

• your own beauty supplies. This includes: champu, conditioner, lotion(s), mouse, gel, pads, tampons, etc. 
• an Umbrella & Raincoat! 
• an unlocked cell phone (so you won’t have to text with an old school nokias using T9)
• light sweaters if traveling fall season.
• your favorite pillow and throw blanket
• pantuflas (or house shoes)
• an open mind :) 

 El amor es tener Dios en el corazón y tener el diablo en tu piel..

Hi everyone,

hopefully this is the correct page to write on my blog. To keep you all update, I came back from Dallas, Texas, this past Saturday. The weather was incredibly hot with temperatures of 100 degrees or higher. I have not really been home since then because I am on my college campus helping the first-year students move-in and participate in long-day activities. I am excited and NERVOUS about arriving in Costa Rica THIS SATURDAY because for one, I have never gone soooo long without seeing my family and second, my host family seems like a conservative one and I come from a “liberal” family. I am excited that I will have a tica “sister” since I only have two older brothers. I hope they aren’t allegeric to chocolate turtles or chocolate covered nuts because that is what I got them as a gift from a famous candy shop in Chicago. What I am really looking forward to is seeing their amazing beaches such as, Playa de Coco, Montesuma, Mal Pais, and Monteverde (amazon). I heard from one of my students that the hotels or rather hostels that people can stay at while visiting CR, costs about $6!! The most she said, was $10 and that is wayyyyyyy affordable (once I arrive I’ll let you know if that is true or not.) Also, she suggested I get a Lonely Planet to help guide me on what things I can do in CR but I know ACM will have a lot of information on that :) Sooo Friday I will make sure I have packed everything —> next post will be in CR! 

Choa,

Diana 

I would like to visit Africa specifically, Equatorial Guinea because I’ve heard  that it is the only country that spanish-speaking within Africa. 

Aaahhhmazing mini vacation to Minnesota and Spooner, Wisconsin these past four days. I am finally home and trying to get everything ready for Costa Rica and spring semester at Columbia College in Chicago. And guess what? I will be leaving tomorrow to Dallas, Texas to see one of my dearest friends who I now call her my sister :) So as my first post I shall not overwhelm any of you all who might be peaking at this post. I shall be back Saturday morning and will keep you updated on everything till then. 

…P.S. “If you’re tired of walking then RUN!”