Ok party people, I am sorry that it has been a week since I last blogged. It is amazing how fast time goes here between school and work. But I have had some great experiences with the locals, so let me catch you up on my weekend activities. I don’t have time for a long blog, but promise to get some more things posted over the next few days because I do have some funny stories to tell. In the meantime, I will give you a quick glimpse at my weekend.
I invited 3 of the teachers from the school to bring their families to my house on Saturday for a day of swimming and fun. I had invited them the week prior, but Mitzi told me that she didn’t tell her children until the night before because if she told them any earlier her younger son, Jose, would keep asking about it and drive her crazy. Turns out kids in Costa Rica are very similar to kids in the US.
We decided they would come over at 10, which would give us a couple of hours to swim before lunch. I spent Friday night “cramming” like I was getting ready to take a final exam because out of the 9 people coming over, only 2 spoke English, and both told me that they would only use Spanish on Saturday and expected me to do the same. Talk about getting thrown into the deep end. And while it is necessary and very beneficial, I was nervous all morning.
They arrived around 11:15 (Tico time), and the boys were so excited they just ran straight to the pool and didn’t wait for the adults. While these kids live by the ocean, they don’t get to swim in pools very often and were thrilled with the opportunity. They really were so sweet.
Everyone left around 5:30 and shortly thereafter I headed back over to the pool to join a small going away party. While I was having a few beers with my “neighbors,” 3 of the teachers (one of whom had been at my house during the day), Roger, Julie and Victor, showed up to invite me to go to the "disco tech" (read: hot sweaty bar where people dance). Of course I said yes, wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to have some cervesas and learn a little Salsa.
We had a great time, spent the night dancing and stayed out until 4 a.m. (which is way too late for my old self) When we left the bar, all 3 teachers came back to my house and ended up sleeping in the beds downstairs. The following morning Victor and I went to one of the local "sodas" (small local restaurants serving Tico food) to get breakfast for everyone. It was only my 2nd time to ever eat beans and rice (the 1st was the day before at lunch) and the 1st time I have ever had them for breakfast.
Here is what I learned about Costa Rica in my night on the town:
1. There is a reason Latina women "slick" their hair... you sweat your ass off so much here that by the end of the night your hair is wet anyway, so it might as well appear wet and stylish from the start.
2. When you hear that women in Latin America wear short tight clothes, you have no idea how short and tight they mean. I am not sure how some of the women moved in the skirts they were wearing...and let me tell you, there is no "rule" as what size you have to be before you stop participating in this fashion statement. There were women of every size flaunting what they had. Oh, and a lot of them also choose not to wear underwear. Nothing but class.
3. Old gringo women seem to be prime time targets for young Tico men. Not sure if it is a physical thing or a financial thing or both… either way it is gross to watch.
4. Hangovers in Costa Rica feel worse than in San Francisco because of the heat, however, lounging in the pool is a great hangover cure.
5. Surprisingly, rice and beans are really great hangover food. They taste delicious and provide you with carbs and protein all in one!
More to come, but here are some pictures of the weekend activities…
Roger, Julie and Victor at the disco tech. Roger and Julie both grew up locally, but Victor is from Columbia.
If any of you are wondering if I am happy in Costa Rica, I hope this picture answers your question.
Here we are at the end of the night. We closed the place down and they had to sweep around us while we finished up our Salsa lessons. 
Julie and Victor dancing.
All of us having lunch next to the pool. 1st time I have ever eaten beans and rice. Delicious.
Julie, me, Mitzi enjoying a beer by the pool.
Julie, Jose, me, Mitzi enjoying a beer in the pool.
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