A List of Firsts

Fun fact about Costa Rica. The Jurassic Park movies were filmed here- on some islands.
This past weekend, as I ventured to Corcovado, I really did expect a T-Rex or a Raptor of some kind to come barreling out of the trees. It was beautiful. This past weekend, I saw whales, poisonous snakes, other snakes, frogs, lizards, sea turtles, dolphins, blow fish, monkeys, toucans, macaws and I’m sure something else I am forgetting. LIterally, my senses were in overdrive just trying to keep up.
We started this little adventure at the very early morning and all before lunch I had seen: gators (or maybe crocodiles, but I don't know the difference), the sunrise (yes it was that early), the beach, surfers, mangroves, been on a boat out of a river and into the ocean, mountains and I am not sure what else. All of it was just way amazing. All before lunch time. After lunch, a monkey had broken into our bungalow and stolen snacks and ransacked our place and we went on a hike through the rainforest, which was conveniently located right near the beach, and saw baby sea turtles awaiting their release.
The next day I embarked on many firsts for myself. I went further out into the ocean than I had ever been before to an island where we hiked to Costa Rican ruins. Before we arrived at the island though, our boat chased whales that were indescribable. We saw several snakes which can kill a human in less than 2 minutes with their bite. They were swimming all over the water. Ok, not all over, but we did see like 8 of them in the water that was the same water we would later be snorkeling in (also a first for me). Also, just to add to the element of danger of those snakes, the place we were staying was a 40 minute boat ride to the nearest town, which did not even include a clinic. There would be no hope for you. All of everything was just incredible.
It seems even to me now that when I type this out, the full effect is not given to the places I saw. Not to mention, the people who were our guides (boat & island) were possibly two of the nicest people ever. I feel like I have two great friends now in them. The whole trip was beyond belief. I was swarmed by monkeys, macaws threw fruits at me, bats flew at my face, I saw whales, and all this just breaches the surface. Those are the things that concrete words can be put to. The other things, like the mountains, the island, the rainforest and the ocean all in one place- those can't really be given justice only with words. Even the pictures I have do nothing for the place I have seen. I really wish I could've captured it better, but I am not sure anything short of seeing all the amazing beauty God created could do it.

Through Tica Eyes

If ya'll didn't know, Costa Rican people are called Ticos. That is the first lesson of today. As for the rest of stuff, I decided to just share some information about what I see on a daily basis. Number 1. Driving around on the streets everywhere are Toyota Land Cruisers. They are the coolest cars ever! When asked what car I would be for an interview I said a Toyota Land Cruiser. They are so amazing. They come in a variety of colors and styles, which now it sounds like I am talking about fashion but really they are cars and I suppose I should really say models. Either way, their coolness factor is way high. I really want to own one. I should just drive back to the States come the end of November, and then I would have the coolest car ever made, and I would say my car came from Costa Rica, which is another element of the awesome scale. Number 2. I see countless rat tails on a daily basis. No, not the real tail of the little varmints, but the kind of hairstyle Luke Skywalker had. I don't know if they are trying to use the force or what, but guys and girls alike rock the rat tails. Some are braided, some have beads, some are a dread; either way rat tails are not a thing of the past or just from movies from really far in the future, or the past or whatever fictitious world Star Wars was made in. Number 3. I see crazy drivers. The people driving here are insane. The honking of horns is like its own language. I hate when people honk. Here it's like a way to communicate all kinds of things. People honk to tell them to go thru the stop sign, they tell them to go in front of them, they tell pedestrians not to walk because they will mow you over, the taxis honk to tell you they are coming so if you want to get in. It is truly a language all of it's own. It is really crazy. Also, if there is a line of buses and one is not going, every single bus honks and ever car following in that line the entire time. It is insane. I hope all these things have given you a little insight into just the average day of a Tica. Well, me trying to infiltrate the Tica world.

Doing Big Things

First for updates. Today is the one week anniversary of living with my Tico family. They are great. I feel like it has been a lot longer that I have been here in CR. We have done lots of things though. One of the highlights was a late night run to Taco Bell for fiesta fries. Yes, fries at Taco Bell. I think I have tried more new foods in this past week than I ever have before. Everything is delicious! Things from the US that we have that are good, multiply that by deliciousness, freshness & better, and that is the equation for the food down here. I now like coffee. I hate coffee in the states, but here, it's incredible. That horrible after taste thing doesn't exist. The bread here is like mana from heaven that I eat for breakfast along with fruit that is wonderful. I wish I had more adjectives for the food here because really it is incredible. Classes have started, and they meet on a weird schedule for me. They only meet once a week, aside from Spanish which meets everyday. And here, everyday means Mon.-Thurs. because I don't have class on Fridays. That is a fabulous thing I could get used to. This weekend I think some friends and I are heading to Manuel Antonio, which is a beach next to the rainforest. Basically, it is the best of both worlds. I supposedly will see monkeys & sloths roaming around in trees as I sit on the decks of restaurants there. I watched Ice Age last night on my computer just to see Sid the Sloth, so I would know what to look for this weekend. It should be, from everything I have heard a weekend filled with lots of sun and lots of pictures.
As for the address that some of ya'll keep looking for, here it is...
If you wanna send stuff make sure you put on the package somewhere "FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY- NO COMMERCIAL VALUE"
And, just for the record things take about 2-3 to arrive here.
NAME OF STUDENT
Seccion de Movilidad Estudanil
Ofincina de Asuntos Internaccionales y Coooperacion Externa
Universidad de Costa Rica
Cuidad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio
Apartado postal: 11501-2060
San Pedro, Montes de Oca
San Jose, Costa Rica

Life in the Big City

So here I am in San Jose, Costa Rica. I have been here for 2 days (almost), and so far I am highly exhausted. I am safe and sound in my hotel room, and I will be meeting my family tomorrow. (They won't actually be living inside the city) We have had orientations and we will continue to have them all this week. We have walked around the city a lot. As I walked I noted several things about this city. There are birds EVERYWHERE. Pigeons are not a joke running around like ants do at home. They are everywhere!!! I hate birds for all of you who have somehow missed this in my life. I have jumped from them and have ducked as they fly around just above my head. A bird pooped right in front of me as I was walking and that will just not be ok with me if something from the sky drops & hits me. I think I may end up drop kicking a bird by the end of this trip. Next thing. There is NO DEW down here. I have a minor liking to Diet Mountain Dew & there is not a Dew to be found down here. They have Pepsi products, but not Dew. Bad news. I may or may not write on here again this week mainly just because I may or may not have internet in my home when I get there tomorrow afternoon. Anyway- Over & Out from CR.

Getting There

In case you are really not up to date on my life, I am studying abroad in Costa Rica for the fall semester. I will be leaving on Aug. 2. I really leave on that day before so I can get to Atlanta to catch the plane. Basically, I am going to start (and try to continue to blog each week) so that I can keep everyone informed. Here is what's going on now...
I leave the country in less than one week. Somewhat a weird thought. I have never been out of the country and it's kinda hard to think about something that you never have experienced before. I haven't ever left Knoxville other than vacations and such, so experiencing a new culture, new language, and new people all at once is definitely a lot to take hold of at once. Packing for such an experience is no easy task either. Thinking about 4 months and what all you want to wear and what will be necessary in that time frame is interesting. You have no idea what you're going to be doing/feeling/experiencing, and yet you have to have clothing and various other things packed. I feel like I am having to prepare for any type of situation that could arise, but I don't really ever prepare for things. Then, I have to plan ahead 4 months, which I have never been known to plan more than a few hours in advance. All of it is... I don't want to say overwhelming, but different. I feel like the hardest thing right now is there are just not enough hours in a day to do all I have to get done.
I will get all of ya'll the address of where to send things and more details about how to send stuff cause I know several people have been wanting that sort of thing. Also, everyone should add me on Skype. My Skype name is valen.emmert If ya'll need more information just let me what you need.
PS- before I leave the country... ya'll feel free to give me a call and just remember to keep me and the fam in your prayers and hope that we stay sane as everything kinda comes together here in the end.