I quickly ate breakfast early this morning and ran out the door to find the bank. I needed to withdraw some colones to spend at the market in downtown San Jose. I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about Americans using the ATM, and then being mugged because someone saw them at the ATM and knew that they had money… but I figure that most criminals probably aren’t up and around at 7:00 in the morning. Just in case there was any danger lurking around the corning, God placed a security guard right outside the ATM for me! The bank had not yet opened, and I think that he was waiting for someone to come and unlock it so that he could begin his day’s work. He was conveniently waiting right by the ATM, which made me feel very safe!
I met my friends Esther and Emily outside of the institute and we hopped on a bus heading for downtown. We had such a fun morning! We went to two different touristy markets. The first one is pretty big. It has everything from balloons, hair-stuff, and hammocks, to gross smelling fish and other meats and foods. The three of us had a few “items” that we were on the search for. Every vender has a different price and every price can be made lower through bartering… We located the items that we wanted and then scouted around to see who had the lowest price. I wish I could tell you about the things that I bought because I’m very excited about them! However, I bought several gifts… and the recipients of those gifts will probably be reading this so I just can’t divulge. Although, I did buy a super cool skirt for myself; it is made of all kinds of different colored fabrics patched together – it’s very cool! I only brought one pare of pants this summer – since I was told that I couldn’t wear shorts. So this skirt will be added to my skirt wardrobe. (Today I wore pants to school for the first time and everyone was like – Wow! You are wearing pants?!!? How different my life is here! Haha)
After the first market, we went to a Musammani, which is a chain of bakeries that are here in San José. Let me tell you how much I LOVE Musammani. There is a huge one right up the street from where I live. Although it is out of the way, I try to walk by it at least once a day. As I walk by, my nostrils are flooded with the tantalizing aroma that seeps through the doors! There is no smell like it! The three of us made our purchases and enjoyed the delectable pastries. Then we headed to the artesian market. This is my favorite market. It is more of an open-air environment and the venders are much more friendly here. They even encourage bartering. They always try to talk to us in English, but we usually tell them that we are trying to learn Spanish, and they are very happy to help us practice! I was on the hunt for two specific items that I wanted to buy – one for my dad, and one for my brothers. I’m trying to find the “perfect” one – the right design, quality, and price! Although I saw many of these items today – I didn’t see the perfect ones that I am scouring for. Since I have six months here, I’m not too worried about it. ☺
After we were done shopping, we walked around trying to find the right bus to get back to school. We finally saw one but it was quickly passing us. All three of us acted fast and stuck-out our hands – hailing it down (there is a special hand movement that they do here to hail taxies and busses. It’s not like in the U.S.). It actually worked!! The bus stopped and we quickly got on feeling very accomplished and proud of ourselves!
My classes today went really well. I love my conversational class! It is two hours long and usually pretty fun. There are only four students including myself. Every day we have some type of assignment that we have to discuss and be critiqued on. Today’s assignment was to interview a Tico about technology in Costa Rica. What is their opinion on Internet and video games, do they have one etc. So I interviewed Celsy. I didn’t prepare anything for class; I just talked to her about it yesterday and then reported on it from my memory. Usually I have everything all planned out – what I’m going to say and how I’m going to say it. But today I just winged it (which I usually can’t do in Spanish!). And it was so great! Afterwards my teacher said to me: “Trabajo suber bien hoy. Tu espanol está mejorando cada día!” (Super good work today. Your Spanish is getting better every day!). Wow, that meant so much coming from her and was super encouraging! Now, I think she might have been just being nice – because I don’t feel like my Spanish is getting better every day… but it was still very encouraging!
Well friends, that sums up my wonderful Friday here in San Jose. I just finished eating dinner, I’m sitting upstairs, and I can hear the charming pitter-patter of the rain. I’m going to get started on my homework for the weekend – and then call it a night! I hope that wherever you are, and whatever your day looked like –that you are filled with peace and joy through our Savior! Buenas noches!
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