Despedida de Donostia

Xabier y Ana
Helene and I
Xabier Jr. and Helene
María and I after lunch and coffee

Relaxation before the storm of home!

At the Peines del Viento Sculptures at the end of Ondaretta Beach

Zurriola
¨Clásica de San Sebastián¨
Txampi con foie
Bon Jovi
Helene and I taking a break from bike riding along Zurriola Beach
Bon Jovi Open Air!!!!!!
A great shot of Buen Pastor Cathedral on a clear day :)

The past two days I must admit have not been filled with anything but pleasure! Friday was one of the best days I have had in recent memory for no other reason than I felt very relaxed all day long. Life can´t get much better than Friday. The morning started with a 30 minute jog turning into a 45 minute jog, just to enjoy the sunshine the day had to offer. My next mission was to find a Bon Jovi ticket at FNAC, the local Best Buy type store. After spending some time there, and also purchasing a CD and movie for my classroom, I headed toward Zurriola, ¨the surfer beach¨to read a little, and soak in the rays. Laying on the beach is not something I can do for hours, but I was so relaxed, and enjoyed listening to the conversations of the people around me, and what they talked about amongst themselves, while hearing the waves crash, and feeling the breeze that provided a nice balance of weather, not too hot, not too cold that I spent a couple of hours there. I secretly had a motive for wanting to go to Zurriola beach, because it is in the neighborhood of Gros, which is also where my favorite pintxo is found, in a restaurant called Senra. So, of course, I headed there, and ordered Txampi con foie, or foie (duck liver) with mushrooms on top, smothered in a light ali oli sauce, and drizzled with vinegar, olive oil, and maybe parsley. When a food melts in your mouth, I think you have the right to use the expression. This literally ¨melts in your mouth¨and has a rich flavor that must be soaked up with the basket of bread also given to you at any restaurant (nearly) for every meal. I was also engaged in conversation with a, shall we say, frequent visitor to the restaurant I would assume, who had once lived in San Francisco. Not the most in depth conversation, but it was conversation J. I cannot say how many times over the last year that I have thought about eating Txampi con foie, which Lisa and I always used as a motivator to get through studying, or to treat ourselves to. Absolutely in my mind a delicacy in this town. As for the walk home, I opted for the Spanish style, or window shopping to be exact. However, I didn´t just window shop, I shopped. It started with the purchase of a necklace for myself (red and gold detail…West Valley gear), and spiraled into…well…a couple other necklaces and earrings, a couple of books I need to find time to read, and then a stop at the Buen Pastor Cathedral shop to make a purchase for my goddaughter Kendall, who will be baptized next week. I made it my mission on this trip to not leave the shopping until the end, or I knew I wouldn´t do it. Suffice to say, I think I should be done J.

The day was capped off with the best concert I have been to in my life, which I never thought I´d say after seeing my man George Strait multiple times. I didn´t realize how many Bon Jovi songs were hits that I actually knew, but I guess that is what happens when you have been singing for three decades. My 22 Euro ticket was worth every euro, as my seat was near the stage, but on the side, so although I couldn´t see the whole big screen, it didn´t matter. Bon Jovi, clad in a brown leather jacket and million dollar smile, opened with ¨Raise your hands¨, to which everyone did just that, and to my astonishment, sang every word as well. From infants to youth to adolescents and adults, to ¨mayores¨ (older people), everyone in the Anoeta stadium rocked and danced to nearly every song for two hours, including ¨Living on a prayer¨, or as the Spanish sang when Bon Jovi directed the microphone toward the crowd, ¨Leeeeving on a prayer.¨ Chants of ¨Olé, olé, olé, olé¨prompted Bon Jovi to come back out for the encoure to sing another five songs! Then, as he and the band tried once again to leave, he proclaimed San Sebastián ¨the city that is never satisfied¨, grabbed his guitar, and preceeded to sing three more songs. When chants of ¨otra, otra, otra¨ began to spread among the 35,000 people present, Bon Jovi´s smile hinted that he couldn´t leave the stage yet, and when he said, ¨Aren´t you ready to go home yet San Sebastián?¨and not one person had moved from their seat, he indulged the crowd in another two songs before officially having to leave the stage. All in all, he sang a solid two and a half hours, and seemingly felt guilty for leaving the stage after all that time with such a captivated audience. Strinking for me was the dedication he showed his fans, and his passion for what he does, and he could never quite say ¨no¨to playing another song because he knew he was a crowd pleaser. Also, as a foreigner at a concert given by someone from my own country, easy to be seen was the uniting of people from wherever throughout the world through music. We were all singing the same songs, and enjoying the same experience, although from all different walks of life. Around me was a pregnant woman and her husband, a younger couple Spanish couple, a middle age Spanish couple, and in front, a group of four lower twenties Spanish girls who chain smoked and danced the night away to every song, and then me, a two week visitor to a city, and a region in the world that has captivated me. Walking out of the stadium, I hopped on Bus 5 to Antiguo, like a local, and was reflecting on the night before getting off at my stop 10 minutes later, and how much I have learned about this place in the last year and a half. Two young ladies who showed the bus driver their address and got off the bus presumibly in the wrong spot, reminded me of what once was, before having a pretty good dominiation of the city. I felt like a Donositarra.

Still riding off the high from the night before, and waking up singing Bon Jovi, I joined the family for a day of biking the town. The Clásica de Donosita, or San Sebastián annual bike race, started at 11 on the streets of Donostia, so in the spirit, we too hopped on our bikes. We caught the racers about five minutes into their race, and then continued on our own, along the bike paths that I always had the desire to use, but never had a bike. We rode to the Sagues neighborhood at the end of Zurriola beach. Present were Helene, Ana, Xavier, and Xabier´s brother Iván. From there, we breaked for a coffee, and Ana and Helene rode to Helene´s swim lessons at the pool on the beach, while Iván and I followed Xabier on a guided bike tour around the entire city of Donosita. At several points, I had no idea where we were, save for the occasional view of Monte Urgull in the distance. Last year, they had been reconstructing several of the bridges and paths, so I had never been in several of the neighborhoods before. Everyday here has been a new experience! After returning with an appetite, Xabier prepared bocadillos (sanwiches on baguette rolls) of iberian ham, tuna, lettuce, and tomato, with a garlic mayonaise. Although a sandwich on half of a baguette is more than plenty, we all finished with full bellies, and then headed to the beach! We walked to Playa Ondaretta, claimed our spot, and didn´t move for about four hours, except to get into the water, roll over, or stand up to stretch out. Another completely relaxing day, and I left astonished at how the time had passed; we left the beach at 8:00 pm, just as the sun had started to wane. An enjoyable three hour dinner starting with sidra, iberian ham and bread, garlic olives from Corning, sauteed vegetables, and ribs with sidra sauce. Coupled with great conversation, and ice cream for dessert, who could ask for more?!!!!!

A little of this, a little of that

Beach time :)))))))))))
Iconic symbols of Donostia
Miramar Palace overlooking the city
In front of the Ayuntamiento (town hall)
One of many fruit stands near the house

Since Monday´s visit to Ipparalde (the French Basque country), the last few days have been spent here in Donostia. On Tuesday, after a morning run in the pouring down rain, but hell bent to do it anyway, I showered and set out to get some research done while the rain was holding up. Plans to visit the Mitxchelena library were post-poned, we shall say, when while walking next to Café de la Concha, the rain returned. I ducked into the café for cover, and decided that I would have a couple of pintxos there and start to work, as I knew they had Wi Fi. This turned into a two and a half hour work period, after which I rewarded myself with a little break to go shopping before meeting my language exchange partner, and now friend, María, in the afternoon. We met in front of the McDonalds on Boulevard and went to Bideluze to have a coffee and catch up on our lives over the past year. It was really great to see her, and I felt so comfortable talking to her, whereas last year, I was always really tired, or had spent a whole day at school, or working on my translation project. From there, we decided to check out the Museo San Telmo, a recently rennovated museum in la Parte Vieja. It was our good luck that it was the free entrance day! We spent the first hour watching different videos that had to do with an amazing exhibit in which they interviewed hundreds of people from different places around the world, asking them the same question. We watched a video on what love means to each person, the hardest moment in their life, what family means, and what happinness means to them. Being someone that is intrigued by the way that people live their lives, and cross cultural awareness and understanding, I could easily have watched all of the videos and spent all afternoon in that section of the museum. However, we ventured into the other parts, which were equally interesting, and having to do with Donostia, and Basque culture in general since it´s beginnings. After my despedida from María, I had about an hour and a half until dinner, and a craving for patatas bravas (potatoes with a Tabascoish sauce) and ali-oli, so I went to the other Bideluze, and indulged..just a little bit. This brought back a great memory, of going to Bideluze with my friend Lisa to celebrate after finding out that Brandie and Jeff were expecting Colton!!!! Dinner with the family concluded the day!

Yesterday´s agenda started with a return to my university, Universidad del País Vasco, to meet with two of my amazing teachers, Natalia and Mari Mar. Unfortunately, Mari Mar couldn´t stay as she had another work obligation, but we got to catch up quickly for about fifteen minutes. She is a wonderful lady!!! Then, Natalia and I got to work together for about an hour and a half or two hours. And, although she was my teacher, it was nice to be able to hang out with her on a different level. I left the university after visiting the USAC office, with a feeling of joy. I remember leaving last year feeling so inspired by Natalia and Mari Mar to be a good teacher, and felt the same after walking out the door yesterday. Natalia and Mari Mar had worked together all last year to make their own text book, which I got to see hot off the press, and it was AMAZING!!!! I can´t wait to get a copy of it in my own hands for use in my classroom back home. They said that they thought of me a lot throughout the process because I am a teacher too, and because I was a student that had to suffer throught the DELE textbook that is the only other one available. Walking through the halls with Natalia, I could see her love for her students, and her job, which inspired me last year, and have inspired me again….couldn´t be better timing as I have exactly one week at home before returning back to work. J After lunch, I jogged in the SUNSHINE, and then went back down to the Parte Vieja to hang out and enjoy any ray of sunshine that mother nature gives us here. I of course, had to eat my favorite mushroom pintxo, as a pre dinner appetizer, and then aimlessly wandered the streets of the Parte Vieja, enjoying my own company, and observing others before entering the house to find Tortilla de Patata on the dinner menu again J

At dinner last night, Xavier told me that it was supposed to be nice weather today, so I knew that I needed to spend the day outside. After a thirty minute jog around Monte Urgull, I raced home to put on my suit and head to the beach. Instead of going to the already crowded la Concha, I went to la Ondaretta, near the Peine´s del Viento sculptures. A nap preceded reading of one of the books Natalia gave me, ¨Basque Anthropological Culture Perspectives.¨ It couldn´t have been a more perfect day on the beach, with the breeze flowing just gently enough to keep me cool, so I wasn´t forced to get into the water to cool off, as I heard everyone around me saying, ¨el agua está congelada¨ (the water is freezing). Hunger peeled me from the beach, and I knew exactly where I was headed: Warrenchena. However, I had to find it first, which is reminiscent of when I lived here; I could never find it in the maze of the Parte Vieja. However, I found it, and enjoyed my iberian ham, cheese, and red pepper sandwich on a baguette. I then took the afternoon stroll, had an ice cream, and visited my favorite jewelery store: Eguzkilore. My new thing is treating myself to a piece of jewelery when I travel, so when I wear it, I can recall all of the fond memories of the tripJ. So….I bought a ring with the eguzkilore flower in the middle, and I love it! I took one last stop at MiraMar Park, on the mansion overlooking the city´s grounds, to read and rest before heading home, and working……….

Some pics of la vida donostiarra :)

A walk along La Concha after pintxos and a little bit of shopping :)
Sunset from la Concha
One of my favorite pintxos....some sort of mushroom thing!
Had to endulge...Bideluze is the bomb! Patatas bravas y ali oli...and no I didn´t eat them all! :) (although I wanted to...hehehe)
My friend María in front of the Museo San Telmo that we visited yesterday; it had some GREAT exhibits!!!

Frantzia, Francia, France

Ben and Maite showing the de la Fuente´s their home
Sare´s main drag
Inside the Catholic church in Sare
Ben and Maite´s garden
Maite´s birth home in Sare, France
In Maite´s birth home, to the left, where the bread was heated near the wood stove
Ben showing Helene and her friend Leire how the boot-remover works!
Ben and Maite Larralde´s home in Sare, France
With Ben and Maite, ex-Corning-ites :)

The last two days here in Donostia have been filled with what the Eskaldun (Basque people) call ¨Shiri miri¨, or ¨drizzle.¨ After having two days of PERFECT weather, the last two have been sub part weather wise, but for me, more than fabulous in the realm of culture learning. Yesterday, after waking up at noon (yes, noon), I squeezed into mass here in Antiguo just five minutes late, before heading over to Aimona (Grandma) and Aitita (Grandpa´s) house, the home of Ana´s parents who live a couple hundred steps from la Ondaretta beach for Sunday lunch. In attendance at the lunch, which is customary each Sunday were myself, Ana, Helene, Adela (Aimona) and Javier (Atita), and Ana´s uncle, who is a Jesuit priest. I had met Adela and Javier once before when Helene forgot her house keys last year, and we had to hang out there until Ama (Ana) got home from work. At this time, Javier told me that he was one of the co-founders of the Ikastolas (Basque schools) in the 1960´s; something he is to this day very proud of. Lunch consisted of a starter of asparagus (white) and potatoes, then baked Spaghetti with melted cheese on top, third dish Bonito (tuna) with tomato sauce, and then strawberries, a mini ice cream with a chocolate shell, and of course, coffee. After lunch, we watched the afternoon news for about an hour before heading back home to take a siesta, after which I ventured out into the drizzle to find a coffee shop and do a little bit of work. The night was capped with a mini salad dinner prepared by Xavi and an early night to bed.

Today, being a national holiday in Spain, both Xavier and Ana had the day off, and graciously offered to take me to France so I could see some French-Basque countryside. Although the Decemberish weather continued, we definitely made the best of it. I called Ben and Maite Larralde, who were my family´s ranch neighbors in Corning for many many years, and who had relocated to their hometown of Sare, France last year, to tell them that I was going to be in their vicinity After having left Sare as teenagers, and living in Corning for over 60 years, they decided to come back to where their family resided because they had no children to help care for them. They had a beautiful house in the hills of Sare built, they packed their bags, and have lived here for the last year. They welcomed the de la Fuente´s and myself to their town, and started with a drive down the ¨main street¨of 2,000 ish people to the house that Maite was born in. It is now owned by her nephew and his wife and has been parcially converted into an albergue, or home/hotel for travelers. The part of the house that had been Maite´s familiy had not been re-modeled, so she proudly explained how the garage on the bottom floor had been the horse stables, and how one horse specifically would neigh only as the German soldiers walked past the windows, and for no one else! I got the tour of her old bedroom, the kitchen, and in the living room, most intriguing was the hole in the wall next to the wood stove where the bread was baked, and subsequently heated before eating. She also explained a little family history, and one story in particular is one to remember in that on the day she was born, one of her older brothers drown in a water trough after her father told the older kids to go outside and play, so as not to disturb her and her mother.

From Maite´s birth house, we followed a narrow road about five minutes to their current home, nestled at the bottom of a hill, with a beautiful garden in front. The typical Basque arquitecture dominated with a patio extending out one side of the house, and the contraventanas, or shutters, painted red to contrast the white paint that was the rest of the home. Inside, pieces of their lives in Corning were littered about, including photos of Beñat (Ben´s real name) herding sheep, and a certificate of service from the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. They led all of us proudly around their three bedroom house. The de la Fuente´s were especially interested in the Larralde´s story as they too are proud Basque, and relished in the fact that Ben and Maite both spoke a very proper and modern Basque, and without an English accent. Xavier also asked for their phone number, as he is going to reccomend to the TV station he works for that emits a Basque History program, that they interview Ben and Maite on their story of immigration and return to the Basque country. The wonderful afternooon concluded with coffee, and pastel vasco (Basque Cake only found in the French side of the Basque country), and a tri-lingual conversation between the Larraldes, the de la Fuentes (including Helene and her friend Leire) , and myself. Most intriguing was the switching of tongues as Maite speaks English, Basque and Spanish, Ben speaks Basque and English, and understands Spanish, Ana speaks Spanish, Basque and French, but little English, and Xavier English, Spanish, and Basque. I could even follow the Basque conversation pixka bat (a little bit).

After the goodbyes, we took a quick stroll though the beach side town of St. Jean de Luz, and then home to have pizza and sandwiches J. Tomorrow…..needs to be another day at the office!!!!!!!

So thankful....

Getaria´s Port, and ¨El Ratón¨Island
Ana, Marijo, and I ¨pintxo hopping¨in Zarautz
Mmmmm, pintxos!
In front of the port of Getaria
Jai-alai (Basque hand ball) in Getaria
Jazz Festival on Zurriola Beach, Donostia

Since my twenty six hour trip to get here, everything else has been absolutely marvelous!!! I cannot express how happy I am to be here, back in Donosita, and to be learning something new each and everyday. I feel like I have become acclimated to the time change very easily. In fact, on Thursday, and Friday night both, I went to the Parte Vieja to take in the night life, and enjoy Jazzaldia 2011, the annual international jazz festival that takes place in Gros, on Zurriola Beach, where they have five stages set up. I have also started each morning running to the Peines de Viento sculpture at one end of the beach, and along the beach (on the path) to the Parte Vieja. Yesterday, I ran around Monte Urguall, and today around the river, to the third bridge, and then by a couple of my friends´ old homes, by my own old apartment on Calle Fuenterrabia, and of course, by the Buen Pastor Cathedral. It is absolutely soothing to be able to walk/jog wherever I need to go. Also, I have probably trekked ten miles in the last two days and half, so not to mention, great exercise as well J.

In addition, today was a very memorable day because the whole family had the day off, so it was the traditional Saturday lunch. We ate at about two, and the de la Fuentes eat outside on their patio when the whether is nice, which it was again today. We had a first course consisting of pintxo con txaka (slice of bread with a crab/mayonaise type spread…typical Basque and DELICIOUS) and sliced tomatoes with ham. Then, we had a homemade soup consisting of pureed carrots, scallions, and squash, before the main dish of pork loin with garlic. Dessert (ice cream cake) and coffee rounded out the meal, as did about a half hour conversation with Xabier and Ana. After lunch, we all attemped to work a little bit, and Xabier brough home some materials for me from his work at the TV station that will help me with my project. However, I think all three of us ended up taking a mini siesta instead of truly getting to work….

For good reason we all took a siesta, because in the afternoon after dropping Helene off at a birthday party, we went to Zarautz. Zarautz is a town 15 minutes from Donsotia along the coast that I had visited only once (and when the weather was HORRIBLE!), where we met up with one of Ana´s college friends, Marijo, and her husband Jesus, who are both also Basque. They took us to the quaint town of Getaria, which is connected to Zarautz by a walking path, although we chose to drive to the town of 3,000 inhabitants. When we arrived, we caught the end of a game of Jai-alai on the frontón (court) on the main street. We also visited the only Gothic Cathedral in the Basque Country, and took some pictures before Xabier and Jesús left to pick up Helene from her birthday party. Marijo had no problem playing tour guide, which was just fine with the rest of us. This meant that ¨the girls¨, Marijo, Ana, and I were left to waste some time…aka..pintxo hop, and listen to the jazz music in la Plaza de Musika in Zarautz. We had the typical Zarautz pintxo (sourdough bread, green pepper, jam, and tortilla de patata), and one with artichoke heart, pepper, and jam. These were of course accompanied by several ¨zuritos¨, or half glass samples of cerveza. This all before dinner………..and at about four different bars. From there we headed to a restaurant on the beach where we ordered a three course meal. As a starter, I had grilled vegetables, second plate Rape, a white fish, and for dessert, a typical Basque dessert that was toasted almonds on the outside with a yogurtish filling….incredible. To round out the meal, white wine, excellent conversation, and then two more stops for zuritos before a stroll along the beach to the car. I must say that I am continually impressed with the hospitatily of the Basque people, as they are always willing and open to sharing their Basque culture!!!

Back ¨Home¨ to Donostia/San Sebastián!

La Concha Beach
View of La Concha beach from Monte Urgull
Catedral Santa María-Parte Vieja (old part of town)
Overlooking La Concha, from Monte Urgull
Pintxos (Basque version of tapas), and Sangría

Semi Home Stretch

Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste
Jordan The Mermaid

June 29, 2011 La Fortuna to Guanacaste…..Semi Home Stretch

Today, we spent the majority of the morning on the bus, with the destination of the sunny side of the country in mind, Guanacaste. We drove for about 4 hours to reach our Hotel Nacazcol, which seems to be a condiminium community/hotel. Many of the students’ rooms are not rooms after all, but condos with fully stocked kitchens, upstairs/downstairs, and all of the ammenities. After lunch at the Restaurante Capitan Morgan, we once again loaded the bus, and took off toward Playa Hermosa, a more remote beach on the Pacific Coast. We were given three hours (in my opinion, about 1 hour too much) to relax, swim, and spend time on the beach. I didn’t get in the water much, just a twenty minute dip, but enjoyed watching the kids make Jordan into a mermaid with sand, and talking to one of the venders. His name was Winston, and he is from Nicaragua, saying that he spends about half of the year here in Costa Rica, and the other half back in Nicaragua. He was 24, and I felt half bad, as he said that he has to come here because the life is better, yet he doesn’t have many friends besides his twin brother, and the other vendors. At home he says that he goes out with friends and family, but that here, he just works, and goes back to his home. I tried to imagine what his life is like, and am only left thankful for my own. Luckily for him, he has a great attitude, and loved talking to me about the Howler Monkeys, or Congo Monkeys, that congregated in the trees above us. Our return trip back to the hotel left only time for dinner, and then bedtime, which I think we all welcomed with open arms.

La Fortuna.... "Soakin' it in

La Fortuna Waterfall
Baldi Hot Springs swim up Bar

June 28, 2011 La Fortuna…… “ Soakin’” it in

The morning’s festivities in La Fortuna kicked off with the standard eggs, pancakes, and fruit buffet, and a gorgeous view of the Arenal Volcano looking along the path lining the cabins, through the tropical vegetation. A ten minute bus ride, pass Rogel’s (our bus driver) mansion that he kindly welcomed with a honk each time we passed, landed us at Lake Arenal. Mom and I got our teamwork together, agreed upon our rowing commands, and boarded the two-man kayak for the 30 minute one way excursion to the swimming hole. The majority of the students participated, and for some of the teachers who opted out, the boat followed us as our guide Julio lead us around a tiny portion of Central America’s second largest lake. After the swimming stop, spanning 30 minutes, we headed back toward the dock. Wanting exercise, Mom and I would rotate sprinting out the paddling, and taking it easy, while still enjoying our surroundings. That took care of the arm workout for the day, and after lunch, we tackled the leg workout. We trekked down 480 stairs to reach La Fortuna waterfall, and to give the kids a chance to swim in the water. The water, much too cold for me, was beautifully cascading down the cliffside, and was perfect for photo ops. The real challenge laid on the way up as we all broke a sweat, and then treated ourselves to ice cream and water at the top at the waterfall store, which was very conveniently placed….

The afternoon adventure consisted of a stop in the town of La Fortuna, located just a 7 minute drive from our lodge. Knowing that Costa Rican coffee is some of the best in the world, several of us knew we wanted to buy some coffee to take home with us. There was a coffee shop located adjacent to the church called Earth Coffee. The owner of the plantation was in the shop, and told us that his plantation is located just outside of San Jose at an elevation of 6,000 feet, which according to one of his co workers, is one of the prime locations in the world. The coffee sample was delicious, yet due to the heat, Mom and I and some of the kids decided to indulge in a coffee/milkshake that was delightful itself. Mary, Mom, and I sat on the chairs outside, and began to converse with the other worker, only to find out that he and his family won the reality TV show “ Under One Roof” meaning that they won the home on the show in Fiji. Random? Yep.

Due to the physicality of the day, our nighttime trek was to the hot springs, for with La Fortuna is known. The spa we chose was called Baldi, and it was extremely relaxing. For about 2 and a half hours, we spa hopped, testing out the different temperatures of water, letting the man made waterfalls massage our backs, and fighting off naps while the jets soothed our muscles. These were not natural springs, but they did the trick because we all slept well despite the lightning and thundershowers during the night.

A Zippin' and a Hikin'

Lake Arenal
Arenal Volcano
Iguana
Ready to zip line!

June 27 Sarapiquí de Puerto Viejo to la Fortuna…A Zippin´and a Hikin´

After an early wake up at the Ara Ambigua Lodge, we headed back toward the river, got harnessed, strapped, and helmeted in, to zip our way through the forest! My Mom opted out of the optional excursion for fear of jarring her back, and hung back with another gal who chose not to participate as well. We convinced Mary to do it, although she deathly feared for her life, and I was fearing for hers as well after two lines, simply by looking at the ¨Oh Shxx¨look on her face, and coming to a stop at the end of line two only to have her asking the worker hooking her up to the line for a ¨sacerdote¨or priest. Although she was joking, she wasn´t really! For about an hour, we flew over the top of the forest, overlooking the green vegetation, and at times, dodging trees that got just a little too close, and then on the last line, over the river where the photographer captured us for some great shots. The higlight of the trip was one of my students making friends with a worker, and getting his phone number, and taking a picture with him….his Tico charm got her! Most proudly was I, that she was speaking with Mr. Antonio in Spanish as well. Little did I know, when I asked about a cute bracelet she was wearing later on at lunch, I found out that Antonio had come to the bus as we were pulling out, and asked for her to roll the window down so he could give her a bracelet….ah….young love!

From Sarapiquí, we loaded up the bus again with Rogel at the wheel to head toward La Fortuna. A pit stop at ¨The Green Iguana¨ where we saw upwards of thiry iguanas roaming the riverbead around a little gift shop, and around the porch, preceeded our arrival into La Fortuna. Pulling into the town, we were in amazement at the size of Arenal Volcano, an active volcano, and thankful that we had arrived after seeing it for so long in the distance. After lunch, and a quick nap, we took off for a hike to get a better view of the volcano, and to a lookout where we could see Lake Arenal, an engineered lake that provides electricity to 60% of the country of Costa Rica. The hike took about a half an hour in, and a half an hour out, plus time for photo ops at the ¨mirador.¨ Tired, and with naps on the mind before dinner, Margel, surprised us by saying we were going to stop for an hour in the town of La Fortuna. A cute little town, that is one of the most turistic in the country, we only perused the shops around the central plaza, which of course was located in front of the Catholic Church. A thunder shower, and pouring down rain put an end to our time in the town, although we had all learned early that we must always carry a rain coat with us! Pasta, salad, and garlic bread rounded out the evening, as did many laughs with Brian, a tour guide from Maryland, Mary, my Mom, and I.