Gabi, Katherinne and Me

Almost forgot to share the stories about spending the night at my teachers house a couple weeks back. Marielos was in San Jose so I went over in the afternoon to help Katherinne with her geometry and Gabi with her English.


The study session turned out like this....Katherinne taught me Geometry in Spanish, Gabi taught me how to dance and then we ate like queens (grilled chicken, it was dreamy).



The next morning Marielos taught me how to make maiz tortillas. Trying to post the video for proof. If only there was a video of her whipping them out like crazy. You can tell who lacks practice!

A tico day in Costa Rica

Cannot get enough of the Costa Rican way of life. Chill. Simple. Hilarious. And after I explain today, you will understand.

Wake up. I have class at 9 a.m. I hear the tucans. Need to eat breakfast. It is pinto (rice and beans, mixed with cilantro and onion) It is pinto everyday. I'm addicted.

Strap on my shoes, preparing for the hike down the mountain. Yes it's on the road, but roads in Costa Rica aren't just roads. They're mysterious paths that offer treacherous walking spaces. The cows enjoy it, probably because they have 4 legs.

Always, ALWAYS when I walk down I'm greeted by nearly 79 dogs. My favorite, ha, has teeth the size of your hand. He's tied up. Always saying hello with his teeth. Thank you to the person who invented ropes and collars.

Today is a bakery day. I pick out three unknown delightful pastries and head to my class. Still walking, 4-5k's each way. The roads are gravel (monstrous rocks) and I'm showered with dust every minute. Always laughing when I walk past incredible views and horses stand, enjoying it.

(Tamal asado)

During class, Marielos makes me Batido de Mango, drink so much I almost explode. I try this new Costa Rican dish. Tamal asado. Practice with direct and indirect objects. The phone rings. It's the clinic. Marielos had an appointment today, now it's cancelled. Why? Well, the president of Costa Rica decided yesterday that today's afternoon would be a holiday. Why? Because Costa Rica's young futbol team had a game at 1pm, so all public employees had the afternoon free. Now, her appointment is rescheduled in November. Pura Vida.

Imagine Obama saying, "Ok, tomorrow you don't need to work in the afternoon" BUSINESS STOPS? WHAAAAAAAT? Futbol is THAT important.

My Spanish is improving. I'm learning slang, local phrases. It's hilarious. Class is finished. Walk back through Santa Elena. Every store, shop, business that is open has people gathering around the TV's, the big game. I learn Costa Rica lost but can tell by the amount of people walking in the bar, that the party continues.

And now, the venture UP the mountain. Sometimes I stop, to catch my breath. My heart beats so hard I think it might jump out. It starts to rain. Perfect, rain, wind! Every car passing waves. It must be my sunglasses. Or the fact that I'm drenched and obviously a gringo.

Back to the Tree house Hotel in Monteverde.

Lunch. Rice and beans with a hot dish. Coffee break at 3 p.m. And back to work.

Can't stop laughing about the president making this afternoon a holiday for the futbol game. Aweeeesomeness!

Playa Samara

What a great last 5 days. Ok, who am I kidding, what a great last 2 months.

First and foremost....need to say: Feliz Cumpleanos para Lauren y Claude! Hope you both had great birthdays last week. The big 18 for my cous Lauren and 50 for my uncle Claude! Keep 'em coming!

Went to Playa Samara with Sindy and Alonso. Sindy's family lives there, owns a restaurant and hotel right on the beach. Spent my time on the beach....walking, running, swimming.

At one point I swam out to a stationary boat with a few new amigos. Was interesting being so far out in the ocean, made me feel pretty small!

A few of my favorites from the trip:
-Watching the sunrise on the beach
-Harvesting and drinking fresh coconuts (pipas)
-Standing in the back of a truck, weaving around the mountains to the beach of turtles
-Learning how to make Chicharrones
-And this has to be the best....Last night I was convinced by a high school guy to call the house of his girl'friend' because he'd already called twice and her father wasn't impressed. Talking to the mom in Spanish was pretty interesting, while I had two guys whispering in my ears more words!


Now.....the trip in photos!

PLaya Samura when the tide's low.....

When the tide is up!

Puerto Carrillo

No biggie, just crossing a huge river in the truck,en route to see turtles!

Ariel and I rode in the back for the 1.5 hr trip, much roomier than having 5 in the front!
(Ariel is Sindy's little brother)

The beach where we were supposed to see turtules, no turtles this day tho!

Playa Corozalito.....Protected area for turtles to lay eggs

This is what happens when people don't throw their trash in the garbage...

Learning how to make Chicharrones, lessons from Sindy's father

My turn to stir....I was loving this.

Finished Chicharrones! You don't want to know what these are made of! They go great with a torilla and lime!

When in Rome........This shot was put in front of me by Sindy's mom and dad. I had no choice. After I took it they told me what kind of egg, I'd like to say "sorry" to the turtle that I ate in Samara.

Watching Costa Rica beat Trinidad and Tobago in futbol!
Restaurant Meli!

LOBSTER!!!!!! This is at Sindy's moms restaurant. It was GIGANTIC! And delicious!

Samara!

Me sending my best to you!

Quite the life for the horses here....mountains, palm trees, the ocean!

Ahhhh another sunset!

Playa Samara at it's finest.

The sunrise this morning before I had to leave....Sunrises here around 5:30 every morning.

The restaurant in Samara that Sindy's parent work at.

This is the hotel that I stayed at. If you find your way to Samara someday please stop by to say hi to Sindy's family, they'll treat you like you're one of them! Such a great place, has a kitchen that guests can use and is only 50 meters from the beach!!!!!!!

Back at the Tree House Hotel
now, this is what just happened! Loooovvvvveeee Yooouuuuuuu Costa Rica

...to the beach!

Tonight I'm heading to Marielos's house to 'teach' her daughter Katheryn geometry (ohhhh Mrs. Gueltzow, I hope you're sending me math vibes) and to work with Gabi on English words. Thinking I'll spend the night there and have a Spanish class tomorrow morning before I head out of town for the weekend.

Headed to Playa Samara tomorrow with Sindy and Alonso. Pretty stoked about the beach for 3 days!!!!
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Learning the online world

Spending time everyday exploring the never ending internet. Working with social marketing. It's huge. I have accounts in....Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, LinkedIn, what else seriously it keeps growing!

Read an interesting arlicle from Fast Company last month that talked about social marketing. It's an interesting read, check it out if you have a minute.

And then just the other day at Hidden Canopy, Alex de Carvalho walks in. If you want to know ANYTHING about social marketing, this man knows it. Turns out he's a professor in Social Marketing in Miami. I may have asked 107 too many questions, but was very intrigued.

If you need to know anything about social marketing online, do yourself a favor and check out what Alex has been doing on the web. He's built his own brand up so much he was recently mentioned in AdAge. Wondering, how much time this would take for one to establish?

What will be the next big thing?