Friday, May 29, 2009 - Kimmie & Taelor

Today was another day that we went to classes at St. Gregory. We were again spread out in groups of twos and threes to go into the different classes and observe. At 1:30 today there was a soccer game that 4 of the exchange students participated in (Davis, Abe, Lizzy and Taelor). While the game started almost the entire high school was watching but then as the rain started to become a little heavier the people fled to shelter. Only the true fans and players stayed during this quick little shower. The game ended right at the end of school (2:20) and the team all of us americans were on won! Now as the weekend has begun everyone has gone off for small weekend trips. Some headed towards the beach and others go and explore volcanos. The others that are staying in San Jose plan for a relaxing and quiet weekend.

ps. HI MOM! / We all send our love to each and everyone of you (:


TEACHER COMMENT: No photos available for today. More after the weekend.

MAY 28 - EMILY AND DECLAN

Today we continued our Costa Rican experience. We went together to Inbioparque, a park dedicated to biodiversity and nature. It was about a 45 minute bus ride from the school, and we spent the time talking, listening to music, and simply enjoying our time together. Finally we reached the park. We waited outside for a few minutes and eventually got our tickets and entered the park. We started at the gift shop, buying snacks and souvenirs before starting the tour. We made it thorough the forests slowly but surely, stopping often to take pictures of pretty flowers, exotic birds and even sloths. We went through the snake house despite the protests of some people and we saw different types of frogs that ranged from brightly colored and highly poisonous to the common tree frog. We raced each other through the labrinta (maze) and walked through El Jardin de Mariposas (garden of butterflies). We saw iguanas everywhere, most just hanging out soaking up the precious sunshine. Too soon we reached the end of the forest and the tour, but everyone was hungry and excited for lunch. We all sat down and ate and talked for a little while - some of us going to visit the other gift shop - until we noticed a playground behind the restaurant! We were very excited and eager to be the first on the see-saw, the monkey bars, the slide,or the swings. We ran from one to the other laughing, taking pictures and having a great time! Some of us even got an intense game of hackysack going. Eventually it was time to go. It had only just begun to sprinkle and we were all very happy that the rain had held off for so long. The ride back to school was short, but fun, and when we got back to St. Gregory we all went our separate ways,exhausted but excited after our spectacular day!

May 28 - Lizzie

So, today was different than any other day. Instead of trying to fit in, we got to be tourists with our disposible cameras and all. As usual, we all met up in the library/lab of the school and from there we took off on a tour bus to San Jose. Our driver was Raphael and the guide was Juan. He liked to talk a lot; he could out talk me if he wanted to. But he was great. He told us every little detail about every mountain, street, and building (including the brothel).

Our first stop was a monument of a war against Nicaragua. The monument was cool and the park around it was beautiful. Next we drove around the city a little more and we arrived at the National Theater. To me it was one of the coolest theaters ever. It would be amazing to sing there. Outside the theater we got 5 colones bills which are like $2 bills in America; pretty but you can't use it. Next we walked over to the Gold Museum and commenced the most boring tour in my life. After that tour I now understand why my friends give me blank stares when I talk about math....to each his own!

By this point all of us were starving and I don't remember the next step but, finally, we got to the restaurant. We all ate an authentic CostaRican meal of beans, rice, plantains, some potato like thing and our choice of chicken, beef or fish. For dessert we could have coffee or rice pudding.

When we left the restaurant we went to a gift shop. All of your gifts are really cool! After we shopped we returned to the school (an hour late). At this point everyone went their separate ways. Some of us went to a party at Taelor's house, but there were a lot of people who did other things.

Overall this day was fun. We sang and talked our little hearts out and tomorrow we will do it all over again when we go to Inbio Park.

May 27 - Mattie and Adi

Today was a normal school day at St. Gregory's. As a class, we are starting to get into the swing of things. Once again,we dispersed into our given classes. The classes are listed by grade and letter, e.g. 7B, 8B,etc. The kids are very loud in the classes. They have behavioral grades which determine whether or not they pass the grade (sometimes).

Lunch yesterday was spaghetti. The lunch lines are very crowded and the buffet area is very small. Some kids from our group brought lunch from our host families' homes. I think that's the best thing in order to avoid the crowds.

During lunchtime, we had a basketball game. It was Cary Academy versus St. Gregory's at first but then the two schools became intertwined. We watched it and it was really fun.

As we continued throughout the day, it began to storm heavily. For Ticos, it was not surprising but for us, it was. After school, we all went with our host families to various places. Tomorrow we go on a city tour, to the National Theater and to the Gold Museum.

Monday, May 25 - by Ashleigh and Jess

Today was our first day of school. We were greeted by the upper school students singing the Costa Rican national anthem. Then we watched a traditional dance by the second graders. Some students danced with them. We also enjoyed a traditional Costa Rican breakfast, "gallopinto". It is rice mixed with beans. After breakfast and dancing, all the Cary Academy students received a class assignment. We were asssigned to a seventh grade class, "7B". We went to one class, and then had recess. Then we went to physical education. After that class was over,we ate lunch. After lunch we went to the classroom and sat for three more classes. When school was over we went to the mall. At the mall we walked around with students from St. Gregory's and Cary Academy. We tried on some dresses. Than we saw "La Noche en el Museo:2". It was in English with Spanish subtitles. When the movie was over we called it a night and went home to eat dinner. We washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, then got ready for bed.

We love Costa Rica already, even though it's only the second night!!

Day 2, May 24 by Kaity, Rachel and Jimmy

Today was our first day with our host families. We spent the morning with them,and that afternoon we went to a " picnic" at Mauricio's home. While there, some of us played soccer, went swimming, and ate. It ended around 3PM because it started to rain. It is afterall, the rainy season! After that, we spent the rest of the night with our host families.

Teacher note: Since we get our students' blogs a day late we have already posted the photos which go with this text. Tonight we will add yesterday's photos to what the students write about their first day at school.

SUNDAY PICNIC

After a day of airplanes and layovers, we arrived in San Jose where we met our host families.

Today, Sunday, we all were treated to a picnic at the country house belonging to Adi's family. You can tell by the photos that we all had a wonderful day playing soccer, swimming, eating and talking. Tomorrow is the first day of school!