First, we boarded the bus at 8 am and went to the Universidad de Costa Rica, which is near the language academy where we'll have our intensive Spanish course. The classrooms and university in general is very nice-looking, but the best part was lunch, where we finally got a break from all the strenuous sitting and got to eat outside under a tree with a faint view of the mountains.
The day consisted of lots of powerpoints of the syllabi, talking about rules and regulations, lunch, and then more soporific powerpoints in a dark room with the recent rise in blood sugar slowly lulling us to sleep. Unfortunately we had to arise from our drowsy state and take the oral part of our Spanish placement exam. I don't know what level I'm in because they still have to factor in our written test, but my exam went on for a while, which I think means that they were testing more advanced grammar questions, or maybe trying to force me to use subjunctive more often.
That took up most of the day, so we went back to our hotel and then back on the bus to go to this restaurant by the Costa Rican congress building. It also had a view of the Penitenciaria (penitentiary), which now happens to be a children's museum! (photo below) Que precioso. The restaurant was very cheesy and touristy (it also reminded Vanji and me of a pirate ship), but it was cute and had some delicious fried plantains with a pesto-like condiment.
We headed out later to Mac's American Bar near our hotel for the most authentic Costa Rican experience (I wish there was a sarcasm font). It was the first one we could find, and really more of an excuse to stretch our legs than to stay out late, since we're leaving at the crack of dawn for Las Cruces tomorrow, a six hour drive.
Also, most people I've encountered so far in San Jose say mucho gusto (much pleasure) here instead of de nada in response to gracias. I like that a lot better, so cheery!
Sorry about the lack of animal pictures as promised! We've been mostly in a classroom all day, so there's nothing very interesting to post as of yet. Tomorrow we're heading to the Las Cruces biological station in San Vito, and I'm sure there will be lots of flora and fauna to fill my next entry.
Hasta luego,
Anya
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