Otra Fin de Semana

Another very busy weekend of traveling. Friday decided to go to Volcan Irazu with 2 girls from the program we got up early to get the bus to San Jose and than after the now routine asking of direction every 2 minutes found the next bus stop…some great views of the country side and got very cold at the top of the mountain….Unfortunatly we were basically in a rain cloud at the volcano and could see absolutely nothing we all felt like very stupid tourist for paying 10 dollars to freeze our buts off in a cloud but on the bright side we met a girl from germany and we spent a good 2 hours in the little café eating the best donuts I have ever had and all shivering together. Then went on to a little city called Cartago to see the Basilica/Church which was muy linda and we saw ruines from an old church to, went on quite a search for a café supposedly owned by one of the women that runs the proram who I think is so sweet and so affectionate. Anyway after reaffirming once again my dislike of San Jose we returned home. The next day me and one friend spontaneously (totally describes me haha) decided to go to Puntarenas for Carnival which is Mardi Gra celebration Costa Rica style…sooo back to San Jose we went! Another long busride but were able to find places to sit to watch the parade which was very cool…lots of marching bands, cheerleaders, motorcycles, some preety cool floats one about saving the enviroment and than a lot with just preety people on them dancing uncomfortable….really awesome costumes and amazing dancing skills as usual. It was so cool to be right on the beach and hear all the celebrating. At night many people get really drunk and sleep on the beach in tents our bus we were supposed to take did not leave till 4 am but we managed to find a bus going to Heredia this bus was defiantly filled with err local culture? There was one extremely drunk guy who “fell in love” with my friend and just kept saying Jamaica and marijuana plus I learned some new curse words form him…but defiantly the most uncomfortable long scary bus ride I have ever experienced but defiantly worth it and yet another life experience. Made it back around 1 am and accidenlty woke my padre up because they bolt locked the door opps! Next day I was looking forward to a day in bed….but my family invited me to one of their nepews 6th birthday party. I was not in the mood for a big family gathering where I can understand anyone or know anyone but decided to go. It was up in the mountains and the house and view was incredible…the house was actually a consturucted circle and they had this huge area for the party that just looked out over the mountain..you could see San Jose and Heredia and all the surrounding campo. The party was actually really fun…they have a huge family and everyone watched the kids hit the piñata, open presents, play games, there were clowns, music and food. I think big families can be a real blessing and kids just add so much enjoyment just watching there enjoyment I guess. Talked to my sister in law and she told me about her travels to Europe and Costa Rican culture. It was fun noting the differences and similarities between the cultures and doing things with my family like that makes me feel really apart of the actual experience of living here more than traveling around and going to school. Plus I like the days when I can only speak Spanish the whole time b/c I am with my family..sometimes on these days I accidently almost slip back into English cuz I get so comfortable or excited about somthign that I want to be able to say something…but its defiantly getting easier my father showed me the whole house at the party and I taught him the word for rainbow and potatoe in English, he said it so cute and he is interested in learning English..its great to be able to practice with people who understand how hard it is to learn a new language.