AMAZING

Hello Everyone!

Life is so good. Im in Santa Teresa on the pacific coast. Costa Rica is unbelievable. My first day started off with a 7 hour wait for a bus to Monteverde. I could have cruised around San Jose for a few hours but I got the feeling that there wasnt too much to see and it didnt seem very safe- so i stayed and read. I met two awesome girls - Morena from Switzerland and Kim from Canada- and without their help i would have missed the bus-which decided to leave 20 minutes early. Time doesnt really matter here- the bus drivers leave when they feel like it- so you always have to be prepared. I took a catnap on the bus and woke up to lush green jungles and winding roads - super sketchy bus ride. Theres no guard rail and you look down and there is about 6 inches between the bus and a cliff. OUT OF CONTROL.
On the bus i ran into Pete Segner- a guy i went to middle school with - who was traveling with a guy named Julian. The five of us went out and had a huge dinner at the treehouse- a restaurant with a tree in the middle of the building- and drank imperials and listened to live music. The weather was cold, windy and rainy. I slept like a champ. Right before i went to sleep i met Zuhayr- who has been my traveling companion ever since. I feel like ive known him 10 years- and I consider him to be my brother. Hes hilarious- and we have laughed more over the last 4 days than i have in years.

Our first day we did the zipline canopy tour- which was the most amazing thing ive ever done in my life. 12 zip lines, rapel, tarzan swing and the superman zipline. The superman zipline was 3 minutes long- 300 feet in the air over a canopy of trees. You fly like superman and its the most incredible feeling in the world. I was freaked out but smiling. It was insane. Then we went on a night tour and saw sloths, a neon green viper, some bugs, and other random mammals and birds.

Zuhayr and i met up with a girl named Brittany and the three of us were like the three amigos - we danced and laughed and drank the night away. So much fun.

The next day Zuhayr and I left for La Fortuna to see the volcano. It was cloudy most of the time - but we managed to find our way to the hot springs nearby. Zuhayr and i met up with some germans- Chris and Elena- and the four of us had a blast together. Baldi- the name of the hot spring place- had like 20 pools and waterslides and wet bars and set the precedent for debauchery. One of the waterslides- i didnt realize this at the time- lets you go 45 km per hour- i dont think ill do that one again. In costa rica- people prettym uch let you do whatever you want. Which is nice.

My spanish is amazing- the germans were robbed in san ramon and i had to talk to the police for them. Its amazing how quickly my spanish has improved and im loving it.

Currently in Mal Pais/Santa Teresa- about to learn how to surf. Lots more to tell you-but i just dont have time right now. Off with zuhayr and our other friends- antonio and jane ray- to go attempt to surf.

There are monkeys in all of the trees here- and the vibe is incredible.

Chao