Playa Hermosa/Jacó

The third week of November was my adjustment week...I finally started to feel comfortable with all of the Costa Rican customs and culture.  This was the weekend that I wanted to socialize with some of the TEFL students and other staff at Máximo, so what better way to do that than go to the beach?

We left Máximo at 7:00 a.m. and headed for Playa Hermosa.  There are actually two beaches named Playa Hermosa in Costa Rica (not that it's confusing at all...), one in Guanacaste and one in Puntarenas.  We went to the one in Puntarenas since its closer...only about 2 hours away from San Pedro.  Playa Hermosa is a gorgeous black sand beach just outside of the more touristy beach, Jacó.

First, we stopped for a stretch/bathroom break...where we also got the opportunity to take pictures of some crocodiles wading in a river.  This is really a tourist stop, as most of the people taking pictures of the crocs were foreigners.

Once we got to Playa Hermosa, we enjoyed the first sunny day of our stay in Costa Rica just relaxing on the beach and swimming in the Pacific Ocean.

 

After Playa Hermosa, we went to Jacó for lunch.  Jacó is way more developed, with lots of hotels and more tourists than Playa Hermosa.  I liked Playa Hermosa more, as it has a small beach town type of vibe...definitely more my style. :)

Adjustment period

After my culture shock abated, I finally started to feel at home in Costa Rica.  The city still has its downfalls, and as much as I'd love to live closer to the beach or in the mountains (since transportation here is insane), I'm oddly happy living in a big city.  I moved from the apartment I spent November in to a house in Vargas Araya, which is about a 10-15 minute bus ride to work.  Everything is close; there's a market a block away, as well as a bar/restaurant, Chinese restaurant, bakery/panadería, ice cream shop, and a couple of video rental places.  My roommates are great, and I love the house.

Last night was the Christmas party at Máximo.  It was so great to have fun with my new family.  I really do love everyone that works there.  We had great food, dancing, drinks, and gift giving in the form of Secret Santas.  

I'm really excited to go home and play in all the snow.  Flagstaff got 18 inches at the airport, and there was a foot at my parents' house.  I'm looking forward to seeing all my friends and family and telling them about my Costa Rican adventures...I feel like it's been forever since I left home.  Part of this comes from feeling like I've changed. Maybe it's because I'm living an independent life for the first time and I've had to adjust to everything on my own.  I've met amazing people, but my loved ones at home mean everything to me.