How about with last Thursday?! We had class on Thursday and afterwards I went to the Centre with some friends from class. It was great to get to explore the town with them and see what shops would be our favorites. Then I came home and had to get ready for our party. It was literally one of the best nights of my life. I finally felt that my family could get to know the real me because everyone was there with their families. We danced ALL NIGHT. Holy cow, the next day my calves hurt so badly!! We did not leave there until 11:30, which is by far the latest that I have gone to bed thus far. The next morning I woke up at 6:30 and was on the bus to San Carlos by 7:30.
On Friday, we got to San Carlos around 1:30. The hotel was BEAUTIFUL!!! We could literally see the volcano from our windows. There were even two nice rocking chairs on the patio to enjoy the view. The hotel had a wonderful pool area and amazing hot springs (these were my favorite!!). It had such beautiful nature and really good meals!! On Friday, the whole group pretty much just stayed together and swam and enjoyed the hotel. On Saturday, we had a class trip to a waterfall. It was seriously the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. We had to walk down more than 200 stairs (someone counted) to get there, and even the walk down was so pretty. Once we got down there, we were able to swim and climb on rocks to the other pool areas filled with natural water from the falls. I cannot wait to show you all pictures from there. After that, we hiked back up the stairs and went to the hotel. We again swam and got to know one another. On Sunday, I went to mass with Vera. Let me tell you, the services here are waaaay different. It was nearly 2 hours long and communion was a sight to see. Everyone flocks to the front who is getting communion instead of going by each row. The church was beautiful!! Afterwards, I quickly ate my lunch so I could get to ziplining on time. I am not sure what came over me to try this, but I am SO GLAD I did. At the first platform, I was not sure I could make it, but it got better with each try. I got to see some gorgeous views that I would not have if I did not jump to my death about 11 times... :) Then we went back to the hot springs and it was pouring, but somehow, seeing a volcano from a hot spring is totally worth staying in the rain for. We tried Imperial (the beer of Costa Rica: sorry mom!) and it was soooo good! I was shocked. :) And on Monday, it was the first day with some GOOD sun, so all of us lounged around the pool to catch some rays before we left.
When I got home, my mom actually jumped with excitement when she saw me! She gave me a huge hug and immediately asked if I was hungry (surprise, surprise!). Then I unpacked and did TONS of homework. All in all, I can say that this was one of the best weekends of my life. I got to really get to know the people on the trip and see AMAZING sites.
School is better already. I am understanding the teachers so much better and feel so much more comfortable talking. If everything keeps going in this direction, I could really get used to this place. Miss you all still so much! Love you! :)
I have been on a mission to find that beer so that we can at the very least share in a small portion of your trip as your are there. I'll see what I can do. Sounds like Costa Rica is treating you very well! Keep soaking it all in, you sound like you are doing a great job of that already. Where are the friggin' pictures!? ;) Love you!
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