I can´t believe that this experience is half way over! This past Sunday I was able to go with Regan and her host mom´s extended family to Cartago to go and visit a beautiful church. The name of the church is the Basilica de los Angeles. It was very neat to go visit and we were able to go to mass. It was interesting to experience the change in weather, going from warm, pleasant days in Nicoya, to a very chilly, rainy day in Cartago.
It´s been a struggle to use what little materials we have to create lesson plans, but it´s so rewarding in the end seeing just what can be done with so little. The students are doing well, and I´m impressed when they are able to answer respond in English in their notebooks.
I had the opportunity to go with the 2nd graders to the Zoo on Friday. It was really fun! Before we went, I was able to do a review with the students, naming the animals we might see in English. At the zoo, we fed a camel and also an ostrich. The students really seemed to enjoy the visit.
One thing I enjoy about the life here is how friendly the people are. On the zoo trip one of the mothers was very nice to me. Even though my Spanish is very minimal we were able to talk a little. She offered me a sandwich and water and was just so sweet the whole trip.
I also love the fact that right next my host family´s house there is a small market that every morning my host sister walks around the corner to go get fresh bread for breakfast or if we need something for dinner we can go right there and get it.
Some of us had the opportunity to climb the cross mountain in Nicoya. It was a little bit of a tedious hike, very much uphill, but once we got to the top, the view was worth it.
On one of the visits to the the beach we saw the congo monos! Monkeys! It was crazy how close they were and being able to watch them swing from branch to branch.
The beach we visited was the Carrillo Beach, which was beautiful! We were able to arrive very early in the morning and got to take some great pictures because the beach was so empty. I´m excited to be able to visit the volcanoes soon and hopefully zipline through the rain forest!
Me in front of the Basilica de los Angeles Church.
Carillo Beach
The View from Cross Mountain
Giraffes at the zoo.
The whole second grade class at the zoo.
