2nd Day of Classes

Today was the second official day of classes. I woke up this morning to the barking of the annoying dogs next door. I am glad that my perro Tico named Tiki is not like that. I ate breakfast and then walked to school with two girls who live behind my house. We were able to shave the time down to fifteen minutes this morning, but it is a bit of a hike to get there. Each day we have to cross this crazy highway. Pedestrians do not have the right of way here, and some of the cars speed up when they see people trying to cross the street. It is a four lane highway with two additional turning lanes. The only thing separating the traffic is a poor excuse for a median. It is kind of like playing frogger!

I had Spanish again today. The intensive Spanish class last one month, and it is four hours a day every day.  I am definitely finding Spanish to be a bit of a challenge, but I am learning a lot. For class today we had to interview a Tico or a Tica about the meaning of some words and how they celebrate holidays here in Costa Rica. Afterwards I ate lunch at Veritas with a few new amigas. For the equivalent of about four dollars and fifty cents, I got a plate with frijoles, arroz, plantanas, juevos, y pollo. (beans, rice, fried bananas, eggs, beets, and chicken) The meal also came with limonada o te frio (lemonade or iced tea)

After lunch I worked on my homework in one of Veritas' computer labs. They have a number of computer labs including those for pcs and macs, which I personally enjoy. Midday, I walked back to my house and got a relaxing view of the barrios (neighborhoods) Zapote and Cordoba (where I live).

At six I returned for my evening class, Documentary Appreciation and Production. I am very please with all of my electives. This one seems just as interesting and exciting as the other two. The only problem with taking evening classes Monday through Thursday is figuring out how to get home safely in the dark. There is a free shuttle normally, but we got out an hour and fifteen minutes early because it was the first day of class. Two friends and I had the Veritas security guard call us a reliable taxis to take us home. Luckily taxis are really cheap when you are riding with other people. For all three of us to get home, we only paid the equivalent of sixty-five cents a piece. Once home, I ate dinner while my host mom and sister were working on a puzzle in the kitchen. I had bisteak y arroz con jugo de "pears" (Steak, rice, and pear juice).