Making it to Tamarindo...

I finally made it to Tamarindo. It was a five hour bus ride, but it actually wasn’t too bad. The buses are halfway decent as long as it is not raining. Mario told me to catch a taxi to the bus stop in Heredia, but I am trying not to spend money so decided to walk it. It is about a 20 minute walk, which isn’t far until you put 50 pounds on your back and another 10 on your front! I wasn’t exactly sure where it was so I just asked everyone I saw on the street. The last person I asked was a creepy guy (he didn’t look creepy when I asked though) and he told me I was about one block away. I found it without any trouble and got on the bus. After sitting down for a minute that creepy guy got on the bus and sat next to me. He started talking and wouldn’t stop – I told him I was married and was meeting my husband in San Jose, but he must have known I was lying because it didn’t stop his efforts. I quit talking, but he didn’t. Finally we got to San Jose and I hailed a taxi to take me to the Tamarindo bus station because I was running about 5 minutes behind. I got in the back seat and creepy guy got in the front as we were pulling away! I was getting really irritated now. I got to the bus station and realized I had missed my bus by about 5 minutes! I had to wait three hours until the next bus! Dude sat down next to me at the bus stop and wouldn’t stop (I had already told him I wasn’t interested like 100x) so I pulled my knife out of my pocket, pointed to my steel toe boots and told him I thought he better catch a bus back to Heredia because he wasn’t coming to Tamarindo with me! He left =)
I met Chad on my journey. I wanted to go to the soda and buy a coffee and he was the only U.S. American I could find to watch my backpack for a minute. He is probably about 25 years old and has been working in CR for 7 months! He was going to meet his family who just flew in for vacation. He was super sweet and gave me his phone number and email address in case I had trouble finding a hostel. We got off the bus and parted ways.
I walked for what seemed like miles wondering how I was going to find Botella de Leche, the hostel that was recommended by Alex (my surf instructor). Finally some super sweet Ticos stopped and gave me directions. I am sharing a room with three other people, two of which I met on the bus, the other is an Aussie who has been travelling through South America for 4.5 months. I think it is going to hard not to extend my trip – you can travel on nothing really! I went out last night with them and watched the Lakers game.
Today I woke up super early, 5:30 because I had to find my school. I really like it! I think I will learn a lot in two weeks. After school I walked two miles to the nice supermarket, Auto Mercado, because I thought they would have more vegetarian options than the small market right next to the hostel. I was soooo wrong! The store was bigger and nicer and WAY more expensive. I bought stuff to make a couple salads and some rice and beans and it cost $60! That was my entire food budget for Tamarindo so that is all I will be eating for 2 weeks! After taking a taxi (who screwed me and charged me $5 – it’s only $1 in San Jose to get most places) I went to my surf lesson. First, we have to walk about 3 blocks to the beach and then ¼ mile at least to get to the surfing spot. It was pretty far for me to carry my surf board on my head! But, it was worth it because I got up and rode two waves! Not much, but better than none like some people. I am only going to go every other day because I have a lot of homework to do. I met a girl who is in both my class and my surf lessons. Her name is Carly and she is really sweet. She is from London so she talks with an English accent and uses funny words!
Anyways, I have to get some reading done so I will try to check in tomorrow. I hope everyone is doing well!

Mucho amor y paz…