Sunday Afternoon

Our hotel - the Country Inn and Suites - is very nice. I am actually working through wireless internet right now (it is intermittent, so hopefully it will last long enough to get pics up). The staff is very friendly and has helped us fix any problems with our rooms (like burned out light bulbs - no roaches yet!! :)

After getting settled into the hotel, the rains came down (and the floods came up...) Yes, it is the rainy season here in Costa Rica, which means rain almost every afternoon. And it rained and rained today. While in the market, it sounded like a torrent. But it couldn't dampen the students' spirits, and they still shopped for a good hour.

Before we went to the market, we drove through downtown San Jose. Compared with other Central American cities I've seen, this looked like Paris. But for many students, it was still a culture shock. The traffic is crazy; there are people everywhere and buses all over the place. Many buildings are run down, or have graffiti on the sides. People walk along the side of the street with no sidewalks. Many students felt it was very "cultural."

Then we got to the "mercado." For many, this was their first time in a central american style market - the items are very colorful, very eye-catching, and the peddlers can be a little pushy. But many students found their way around, practicing their Spanish skills (cuanta cuesta?) and buying little souvenirs.

After a full day of travel, and then shopping at the market, we are back resting at the hotel. We leave for dinner at 6:15 (very soon) and I for one am looking forward to some authentic Costa Rican food! (I ordered tacos w/ meat :) Hopefully I'll get some pictures up soon.

Stay tuned!!