Refreshed

The past couple of days have been spent working on my tan and on keeping the mosquitos away.

A few days ago, I met a guy from Minneapolis named Ryan. We've been hanging out a bit, which is way cool - one, because he's good company and two, he keeps the Ticos away - which is AWESOME! These Ticos love light skinned girls and don't care one bit if you tell them you have a boyfriend. It's really annoying...

I moved hotels yesterday and I'm SO glad I did. My last one was close to the beach, but was really musty. My current room is a couple blocks from the beach, but it is cleaner and has an AIR CONDITIONER! It has gotten extremely hot here, so I've been avoiding the sun from about 11-4. Oh - the other good thing about my new hotel is that it has a POOL! The water is really cold and feels like heaven.

Another thing that is like heaven, is the lemonade at Bar Locanda! It's sooooo fantastic! In Costa Rica, they have a lime that is orangy in the center and is very sweet. The bar makes the lemonade with that and blends it with mint. It's one of the best, most refreshing drinks I've ever had! I have had one or two every day since I discovered them.

I went out last night and hung out with Ryan and some girls and a guy from North Carolina. We went to a bar called Arriba, which means "up" in Spanish. It's upstairs, has cool lighting and a cool open-air view.

After Arriba, we went to Bar Olas (waves) for a beer. Most of the bars here have free pool tables. They are really large tables, so it's pretty challenging (and fun).

Most people in Costa Rica are open and are quick friends. The local saying is "Pura Vida" which translated means "pure life." EVERYONE says it. It can be used in place of "what's up," as a reply to "how are you," or to "how do you like Costa Rica."

Costa Rica is tranquillo (laid back). The locals are very trusting. I didn't pay for my last hotel until I left and no one asked me about it until I went up to pay. You have to ask for your bill at the restaurants and bars. I've almost walked out on a couple tabs on accident because they just let you hang out forever and don't bring the check, so you kind of forget. Night before last, I had quesadillas and my server forgot I had them, was just going to charge me for my drink and I had to remind him. ... "Pura Vida" pretty much describes their whole culture. It's really refreshing.