La Fortuna

Hola!!

I said i was going to start a blog so here it is! Feel free to tell others about it! Here is the first post, an email i sent to my family and a few friend this past Saturday.


Hola!!! Estoy en Costa Rica y tenia un buen viage!

Hello!! I´m in Costa Rica and i had a good trip. It was quite a task to get out of LA due to the luggage security machine breaking down causing us all to be late and creating much anger and anxiety in many passengers...then when i got Mexico City and had to go through customs AND immigration AND run around the airport to the main terminal, read info in Spanish, ask for help in Spanish just to have people say..i don´t know, hahahha, find my airline and gate to be their in 1 1/2 hours just to get there 15 min before take off..not to mention, try to find something to eat and spent $11 on a candy bar, bag of chips, water and peanuts! My most expensive dinner of snack ever. Needless to say i slept the duration of my 7 hour journey and upon arrival was greeted by Jean and have enjoyed every minute I've been here. For those of you praying for a specific thing...i´m still holding on!! :):):) Will need prayers a lot week 3!!!

This is the first time i´ve had to use the computer. My phone does not work here AND the phone system sucks for travelers so I can´t even buy a SIM card for my international phone i spent weeks searching for, how ironic! I´m in a city called La Fortuna which is home to Vocan Arenal a very active volcano. In fact, when i look out my window i see it´s beauty and splendor. I have seen and heard it erupt several time but last night seeing the lava flow and red sparks light up the night sky and hearing the rumble of the earth was breathtaking. it´s kinda funny cuz living in southern cal it is usually followed by the shaking of the earth...thankfully that didn´t happen.

This morning the good Lord woke me up at 5am just in time for the sunrise..also breathtaking and to top it all of, the volcano erupted again.! wow...pix to follow. I also went on a hike and saw the lush terrain of jungle after the last big explosion that killed 70 people in 1968 as well as the terrain that was untouched by the erruption. I walked over ash and molten rocks from it. of course, pix to follow. I´m at a beautiful resort and spa called Los Lagos (check it out on the web) and am headed to the natural hot springs that is actually heated by the volcano. I´ve eaten plenty gallo pinto (beans and rice) plantain (fried bananas) and fruit pineapple, watermelon, mango and papaya! some of my favorites Costa Rica foods! I´m here with a group of 18 and we leave tomorrow to go back to Grecia which is 3 hours away to begin intensive Spanish study..in fact, i´ve already been practicing!

The next two weeks i have better emailing capabilities and will upload pix and send more updates. i´m gonna figure out how to do a blog too so stay tuned....

I love you all and look forward to sharing my experince with you! write when you get a chance!!

Pura Vida and God bless!!