¡Hola!

Well lots has happened since my last entry, sooo let me just start with Friday and work my way up! So Friday night is the big Reggae night in Cahuita, when all of the "clubbers" come into town for the crazy "nightlife" at CoCos. Which means that I ate some rice and water and then watched CSI with Holly. Par-tay.

Saturday we took the bus into Puerto Viejo in the morning. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain for most of the day! But we still managed to do some shopping, and it was a nice change from Cahuita for a bit. Holly and I got pizza which was definitely a nice change from all of the rice! We got back, had a nice nap, and just relaxed for the rest of the day. Saturday night we all went over to another volunteer's home, Amber, to watch some tv because her host family was out. We couldn't figure out how to get the TV to work, so we just watched a bootlegged copy of The Devil Wears Prada and relaxed. Not a bad way to spend a raining evening.

Sunday was the big hike/snorkelling tour. There was a lot of confusion as to wear we were supposed to meet, and where we were supposedly told to meet. We were at the park entrance, when apparently we were supposed to meet at "Parcequito Cafe"...Park...Parque... they really need to give us a break on this Spanish thing. Anyway, I got scolded for reasons unknown to me, about how another volunteer living in my house didn't show up, and I was unimpressed to say the least. Apparently it was my responsibility to keep tabs on everyone else, 7 years older than me, who knew...? The organization here of the actual program is pretty brutal. Anyway, aside from that bitterness, we eventually found our tour guide and headed to Mr.J Big Tours! The sky was really overcast, but we headed out on a boat ride which was really fun. Similar to riding the waves on Lake Erie. So I thoroughly enjoyed that, and then we stopped near Point Cahuita and did some snorkeling. Even though the weather was below par, I was still able to see some really cool fish, and the coral was beautiful. I love snorkeling, it was very meditative. And then we stopped at Point Cahuita for some fruit, and interacting with the monkeys. It was amazing! We actually fed the monkeys, I had one climb onto my back and grab watermelon off of my head. And then he pulled my hair. The monkeys are super cute and friendly, they have faces of little old men, with really hilarious facial expressions. I never imagined I'd be playing with simians, but I guess there was a lot about this trip that I was not expecting!!

After that we did a big "hike" which was more like 20 minutes walking around the beach. We saw some other monkeys, some really pretty butterflies, a giant spider which did not impress me, and...raccoons. Everyone else from the UK here went crazy taking pictures of these cute little animals. I'm fairly certain that I have about 3 fat ones living in my garage at home. I offered for them to come and take them, but I was ignored. Anyway, the tour ended up back at our beach, so we spent some time in the sunshine and in the water for about 15 minutes while the weather agreed with us.

After that I had a nap (big surprise) and packed up my belongings for the big move! Sunday night we all went out to dinner at an Italian place. Not before I could have another "Talking to" by a volunteer co-ordinator. Apparently I was not supposed to clean the host family's house. I was warned not to try this again. I really didn't know what to say here, as I paid money to stay here and did not feel comfortable eating food next to colonies of ants. Instead of complaining, I cleaned, but hey, let's not get too crazy here. José, my host, didn't seem too insulted when I helped him rake his yard for 30 minutes, but I guess some how washing the dishes was unacceptable. Sorry for venting, but I feel like I'm back in grade 8 and constantly in trouble over here. Anyway, I digress...dinner at the Italian place was lovely, we ordered pizza again and it was fantastic. Then it was time for my big move!

After a slightly more than humiliating ordeal of bringing all of my matching luggage to the new house, I moved in to Aloisa's. It is actually soo nice, with doors that lock, and a double bed, and an actual bathroom. I was very impressed. Ken-Roy, her 15 year old son, and his two buddies Tito and something I can't pronounce, were at the house with Jodi, another volunteer. They were dancing, and I don't really know how it happened, but it turned into a big 2 hour dance class with the locals, Jodi and myself. They were impressed the white girl could dance! I had to laugh at one point, because it was so Carribbean. They were teaching me these crazy moves to reggae/hip hop music, and the monkeys were howling in the background.. it was insane. Pura Vida. But I guess Ken-Roy is making a dance video that they have been working on for quite some time, and I'm now included in it. They taught me some choreography and it was pretty good. The boys together dance really well.

And then today... 5:15 wake up call! We headed up to Pariso, the school that I'll be teaching at with Francisco, the principal of the school. We got there about 2 hours before we get to teach any kids, so pretty much the other volunteers and I put on our ipods and had a nap on the ever-so-comfortable wooden tables. Then it was time for the kids. I worked with Sarah, from Wales, and for this week I am just pretty much shadowing her. We get two or four kids at a time, from a grade three classroom. We work with them on mathematics, and help them in areas they are struggling. The kids are absolutely adorable, even thought I have no idea what they are trying to say to me. I could communicate a little bit, but it was fairly basic. I was only there for half a day, as I still have spanish lessons to complete. So I hopped on the hour long bus ride back to Cahuita. I came home to have a nap, to find Celiné Dion being blasted in the house. I walked in expected to find Aloisa, but no, Ken Roy was making lunch singing his heart out to "Canada's Pride and Joy". This is the same kid who was busting out some insane hip hop moves the night before. But whatever floats your boat..

Spanish lessons were great. I had another new teacher, who knew? She was really friendly though, and chatted with me alot about life here compared to life at home. She's hoping to teach in the states for a year next year. Apparently she lives up in the jungle and it's gorgeous, so she offered to take me up there sometime soon. I'll probably take her up on that offer. She also went over the vocab for all of the numbers in spanish, so that tomorrow in the schools I will feel a bit more useful communicating with the kids.

So I guess that's about it for now! Each day is getting better, and the girls I was teaching with today said that as soon as you start in the schools the time just flies by. So looks like I'll be home before I know it! Thanks for all of the messages and the emails, I'm off to enjoy another night of rice and CSI...

Love Love

Natalie xoxoxo