Over half way through!

I can't believe that I have been here nearly two months and I have less than a month and a half to go. This has been an incredible experience and it is going by so fast. The past week and a half have been fun and relaxing, and I have started a new spanish class that is more advanced, so hopefully the extra challenge will take me that much closer to finally understanding this language! I have been battling a bit of a cold, which is annoying since this is a tropical country, but other than that all is well. I am so excited for my family to come in less than two weeks, and hopefully the random rain storms will have died down a little by then. Hopefully when I go to the beach this weekend there will be lots and lots of sun! Sunday we discovered the US in Costa Rica in the form of the Mall Escazu. It was beautiful, the area was beautiful, there were fancy cars and even a Microsoft in the area. And we even found a store that reminded me of Nordstrom, and we fell in love. The funny thing is they have wool coats and hats and scarves and gloves, and we asked some of the locals when they wear these things (because it is winter here right now and still not that chilly) and they said they wear them just for fashion, and we laughed. I did try on a few coats and it felt good to be bundled up! But I am sure I will miss the heat when I hit the rain and cold at Christmas.
We decided we needed to stop depending on taxi's and start using the public transportation a little more. So after churh we took the bus to find the mall. Well, four buses and a few homeless parks later, we reached our destination. And it only cost like a dollar! It was amazing, and a true cultural experience.
So someone recommended that we go to the town of Orossi. After a long bus ride through gorgeous mountains, we arrived at this tiny little town and there were Christmas lights! It was a little chilly and we were starving after the bus ride, but soon we got some good food and had a fun time together. Especially when we found a bakery with fresh cake and ice cream for only a dollar.
We arrived at the church in Cartago just in time for a wedding! I thought of you Heidi and snapped a few pictures of the bride. The church was pretty, though in the middle of construction, and packed for a service. Since it is Catholic, it was interesting to watch the people crawl down the isle on their knees and say their prayers. A little different from our service in the morning, but I enjoyed it.
That's right. We are roller skating in Costa Rica. It was a great way to bond with all of San Jose's sixteen and seventeen year olds and listen to corny American pop music. And it only cost $2! I am not going to be used to actually having to pay more than a few dollars for movies, and skating and all that. Anyway, I better get back to my homework...I actually have a lot more for this class, but still not too much so I don't have time for latin dance class tonight, as long as this cold gets better!