The Beginning

I had lots of people ask me before I left if I was going to start a blog while in Costa Rica. Of course I said no because why would I want to waste my time writing everything down, also who the heck would want to read it? Well I still don't know if anyone actually wants to read this but after being here for 4 days I realize now that I am experiencing way to much not to write it down, at least for myself.

The first few days were crazy to say the least....

• Donde esta al aire acondicionado?
• Beware of the transportation 
• Pura Vida?
• Ejercicio
• Don't get comfortable just yet...

So after a long day of traveling we finally made it to the big city of San Jose. We somehow managed to get to our new place, though I wasn't sure the taxi guy actually knew where he was going, and we met Michael the live in tenant who only spoke spanish of course. He brought all our 10,000 lbs suitcases up three flights of stairs, we paid him, and he asked "any questions?' Me being the american said..."donde esta al aire acondicionado?" of course my spanish didn't go that smoothly. Michael looked at me with wide confused eyes and just said "No" while shaking his head slowly. My first thought... Crap I remembered to check if this place had everything except the air conditioning. Turns out there's no such thing as air conditioning in San Jose, at least that we've seen anyways. So the first thing on our shopping list was a fan! In all honesty though it hasn't been bad without air conditioning! Maybe I'll get used to it and my utility bill in College Station will go down next semester! 

It seems that the one thing we can't escape here is the many types of transportation. our apartment is literally 20 feet from a railroad track which does not have any protection or warning besides the train blaring it's horn non stop, cars and busses are constantly zooming by us, crosswalks for pedestrians are FEW and far between, and I've been inches away from being hit by a car at least 3 times now! It's a little overwhelming walking the streets of San Jose, but then again what else are we going to do being that I haven't made sense of the bus system yet.

Pura Vida is the saying plastered everywhere here in Costa Rica. Literally it means "Pure Life" but I'm still searching for it's meaning to the Costa Rican's. I was expecting super friendly and chill people but I haven't really experienced that yet. Maybe it's because we are in the big city, but I haven't given up yet on Pura Vida.

Word to the wise cycling and cardio classes are SO much more fun in spanish! I had no idea what my instructors were saying but I just followed along and had a blast! 

I'm sitting here on Sunday evening after an uneventful and relaxing day, thinking I'm starting to get used to this place! Then OUT OF NO WHERE a high speed chase ends right in front of our window... Like RIGHT in front of our window! People are yelling, screaming, fighting, getting thrown to the ground, guns are out, and now I'm freaking out! It took about 10 cop cars and a swat team of some sort, but after about 30 min they are finally gone... just when I thought I was getting comfortable. 

Pura Vida!

Kayleigh