The New Pad and School's Started!

On Saturday we found ourselves a pretty cool apartment for the month, up on the top floor of Casa Tortuga (House of turtles). It's pretty open air apart from the bedroom and bathroom and in a lovely location on the edge of the town and a stones throw from the beach. It's a five minute walk from the school, and yesterday was our first day there. We are on the TEFL course, 11 of us in total, and the first day was intense to say the least. It was a long day from 10am until 7.30pm and from day one we were planning our own lessons to teach to real live Tico students this week. The teachers are pretty dynamic and there are people from all walks of life on the course to get to know. Got to do some study now before school starts, over and out all. x

T'is the Rainy Season For Sure

We knew it would be wet, but not this wet... so have chatted to some local Tico's and they have confirmed that it's the worse case of what they call winter (wet but still warm) for many years! However, the country is so green because of it, the beautiful colourful flowers, shrubs and trees everywhere, almost overwhelm the senses. This contrasting with the backdrop of tropical sounds, and sightings of tropical birds of paradise more than compensate for the inconvenience of the heavy and relentless rainfall. And after all, it's only water!

From our balcony we watch how the locals operate a bicycle whilst holding an umbrella and their shopping simultaneously! It's a skill that we are hoping to acquire if we stay here long enough to get our hands on some push bikes. So far our enquiries have only made it as far as local hire shops that are asking crazy money for a months hire but we are hoping to ask around and see where they sell old bikes, I for one am missing two wheels!

We have had some homesick moments of course, how could you make a giant leap like this and not? It's been quite strange because it takes the mind and body a while to realise that it is 'okay' to relax, and that this is what it is all about. We have had good contact via the internet and today we are moving to a house without but will have it in the school that we start in on Monday.

We have had the pleasure of meeting the village Dr already and what a pleasurable experience that was, seriously, a lovely guy, okay so he was charging us, but nice to know he is there and has a heart. Rene had an ear infection, and is on the mend now. He asked him to stop by on Monday just to see that he is better, as he said that he would worry otherwise! All the locals are lovely in fact, pretty laid back and are particularly helpful, possibly in part because of Rene's fluent Spanish abilities. Most of them have a go at English with me though when Rene is not by my side and I have to try and converse, but I am trying to learn Spanish albeit slowly.

Okay time to pack up and move on again now, will blog again as soon as we can. The photo is of the view towards the beach nearest to us.

Monkeys

A few more days of Costa Rican living and we have experienced some of the local Monkeys, just happened to be walking past the bus stop and saw a load of them hanging out there, waiting for scraps. video on facebook as probs uploading on the blog. Other than that, enjoying chilling at our lodge and off to see see some waterfalls this afternoon. It's expensive here, one of the down sides, it's not as cheap as they say which is a bit worrying. However we are in a tourist trap town currently. So tomorrow we are off to Playa Samara which is 4 hours away by coach (only 52 miles away) the town where we will be studying the TEFL course next week, to settle in and see what it's like to live there. the roads are bumpy and slow! Also it rains a lot, September is the wettest month though, so just riding it out! In between the showers it's sunny so catching a few rays when we can. Rene has written a lovely song on our terrace already, the guitars are an asset to our trip, we will always have music wherever we go. The local people - Tico's are lovely, relaxed smiley people. Adios for now xx

It's all good!

Continuing on...rene's suitcase showed up shortly after we had shopped and kitted him out with a new wardrobe! Anyway all good so far. After a couple of chilled days at the Eco lodge we headed to the coast on a small aeroplane - 12 seater, and being a nervous flyer, was a bit preturbed to see that the (short) pilots couldn't actually see over the cockpit dash! However, I reassured myself that all the instruments required to get us there safely were in front of their eyes, and I put myself on 'looking left and right' duty! Rene was pretty chilled, and we headed up into the skies and the views themselves proved to be a wonderful distraction.



After landing in the the very lushous and stunning Nicoya Peninsula http://www.nicoyapeninsula.com/ and a short car ride we found ourselves at our pre booked eco lodge by the beach, in the town of montezuma. Famous for a hippy, easy going, slow paced life and surfing. I think there are some illegal substances going around judging by the looks of some of the street dwellers. However, nice place and we have quickly adapted to the pace of life. We have yet to venture up to the waterfalls as the rains have been quite heavy, intersperced with short breaks of sunshine. Rene is not much pleased with the price of wine here..and moreso the shortage of good red Italian wine, but yet he remains calm considering the importance of this sparcity! The Argentinian cartons aren't half as bad as they look!



We have sighted a large iguana, some huge pelican type birds, a large,well giant hamster thingy scuttling around which yet has to be identified. Monkeys have yet to show themselves to us also. The flora and fauna is stunning, and everywhere looks like a prehistoric dinosaur could pop out any moment!



Enough for now, we have to get back to the hammock and rocking chair on our veranda. love to all. xx

The Eagles Have Landed and...

..it is beautiful!! After an eventful journey - a delayed departure from Heathrow with BA to Miami, leaving little time left to catch/find our connecting flight with American Airlines amidst a schedule of 100's of AA flights and following the blue dots around Miami international (I don't advise it!) and then finally to land on this beautiful shore (20 hours after departing romford) with a stiff neck from airoplane napping, was a joy! However to find that only ONE of our suitcases came around on the carousel! So the one with all our toiletries, Rene's entire wardrobe and random other essential items (Swiss Army knife!) has gone to LA or somewhere else instead.

The Tacacori eco Lodge, our first two night sleepover, welcomed us last night at 10pm (uk 5am). It is a stunning haven with wonderful owners who are French. But today we have awoken to a condundrum of...which of my clothes will fit Rene. So far only my socks have done so, my t-shirts and shorts will only leave him breathless and looking a little camp and I don't think he will take too well to advances from effeminate Tico's. We are optimistic that it will show up later today though otherwise a shopping trip in down town San Jose is imminent. The rest of the day's itinerary may include a walk to the next village, some jetlag naps and no doubt some reflection on the huge leap that we have made!

Renegade Rocked for The Last Time

Last night at Wimborne's Rising Sun, Renegade Rocked for the last time! What a great night it was, and what a lovely crowd. God bless the blues and let's hope they know the 12 bar in Costa Rica! I can only seem to post one photo per Post so I will email the rest of the band pics to the band!

Leaving Party Success

Well what a send off! We had a great night, thanks to all for your support towards our big, slightly extravagant change of life! Thanks to The Renegaders, to Baz Jones for his musical contribution, and Simon jones for all the photo's, oh and also being man enough to play a pink bass guitar! Thanks to Waddle to for the venue. Thanks to the FRFF posse for all their dancing and my wonderful t-shirt. Now better finish the packing. Byeee