Costa Rica: Monos

My first weekend in Costa Rica, our group traveled to a little town by Quepos to visit Manuel Antonio National Park (which is a rainforest - how cool is that?!).

Towards the end of our hike in the park, I was pretty far behind the rest of the group. I'd stopped to take photos (surprise!), and as I was walking to try and catch up with them a monkey crossed my path. A MONKEY PEOPLE. This was the animal in elementary school I would always say was my favorite, and now it just walked in front of me!

I honestly couldn't believe that a monkey had just be-bopped out of the trees and crossed the path. I could have tried to pet him he was that close!! Then another monkey zipped across the path, this time even closer to me. And then another two darted past.

Right around this time the cool factor that white collared monkeys were within two feet of me started to wear off and I had the same feeling I get around the squirrels here. - I don't like to say squirrels or monkeys scare me per say, it's more that I am highly aware of them and want to give them as much space as possible. - And let me just say that the feeling I had was not for nothing! All of a sudden five more monkeys come running through the rainforest, swinging from trees, and running across the path right in front of me. I look around and don't see anymore coming so I continue to follow the path, because now I'm really far behind the group. But when I turn the bend in the path I see one more, right in the middle, and he sees me.

We had a staring contest for what seemed like twenty minutes. He was definitely pondering whether or not he wanted me to cross because he knew he was in control! I was freaking out on the inside! This monkey could probably tell I had no idea what to do, and that I would have walked the hour back around the way I had just come so that I didn't disturb him. I did backtrack a little, and wait for the couple behind me to catch up in case I needed witnesses for when the monkey attacked me. (es una broma, es una broma....) Finally he decided he had had enough fun watching me sweat and he went off to find his friends. I quickly proceeded down the hill, gave the next monkey I saw a wide berth, and made it safely to the beach. Successful day without monkey attacks!

Costa Rica: Casas son cárceles?

Driving through the streets of San Jose to my host family's house, my first thoughts were:
     1. Wow, this reminds me uncannily of the Azores.
     2. I just got into a van with a random person holding a sign for my program. Anyone could print that off...
     3. Did I just tip the guy who brought my luggage to the car the equivalent of $10? Yes, yes I did. 
     4. Oh great, I just spoke Portuguese. 
     5. Wow, the lady who I sat next to on the plane who said they cover all their windows with bars was right!

And on that note, here are some pictures of the lengths they go to for protection. A friend said that all the bars reminded him of a prison. I feel like the bars and such make the houses more like a fortress - it's hard to get in, but once you do it's so nice inside!

A business in my neighborhood. Walked past it all the time and never got a glimpse inside; sealed up tight!

Normal for a house

Fierce guard dog. I honestly think so many people have little yippy dogs because they're another form of security; every time someone passes by, they start barking!

Literally all of the houses and buildings are impenetrable from the outside. Friends had something like five different locks they had to do just to get in their house. I was told that there is a lot of petty crime in the city, and that if given the opportunity you'll get cleaned out. This got me to wondering though, I always felt really safe. Was this a false sense of security because I was the ignorant gringa? Or was I just in a better part of the huge city? Or do the people of San Jose actually just like the asthetics of the bars? (Just kidding about that one, although there was some beautiful wrought-iron fencing!)

Maybe that got a great deal on that circular barbed wiring?

Also the dichotomy of the houses needing to be so protected really got me. Costa Rica has no army, and is the Switzerland of Central America because of its effort to maintain peace. I saw so many shirts and bumper stickers with paz! Yet their people don't feel safe enough in their own homes to live without a barrier of bars, locks, and gates. 

When I was speaking with locals about this, many said that it was the influx of Nicaraguans that had increased the amount of petty crime. Interesting. Don't know if it's true, but I did find people's opinions on their northern neighbors fascinating. But that can be for another time!

Costa Rica

I am back in the states, I am back at school, and Junior year is about to start. How is summer already over and how in the world am I already a Junior?! Part of me is ready to be here and at school, but another part of me wants to hop on the first plane back to Costa Rica (and not just because they had six seasons of Criminal Minds on netflix)! My time there studying abroad was fabulous and I completely fell in love with the country. And of course I had some "Dear Toto" moments too. But before I start on all of those here are some photos from my time over there!

Walk to class

Beautiful view I got to see everyday

Volcanic lake

There was so much wildlife!

The waterfall we explored and swam

We randomly came upon a student flash mob! This is before I jumped in, but we later found out it was all international students, so we really fit right in!

The only time getting up at 4:30am is worthwhile.

San Jose city lights

Mi familia!

Pacific Ocean! The first time I've ever stepped foot in it!

Mama sloth with a baby sloth.

Friendly monkey right?

Us with Maggie and Leo!

Trucks: Myrtle Beach Edition

On our trip to Myrtle Beach, we ran across some trucks.

I think they went mudding - look at how big those tires are! I thought that the Confederate flag in the back added a special touch.

"Gotta Love 'em - G.R.I.T.S. -  Jack It Up Cus' Fat Girls Can't Jump" and I have to say, that truck looks tall to me!