September 1/14 

I am officially CERTIFIED... and CERTIFY-ABLY AWESOME!!!

After a month of intensive study as well as jam packed weekend of celebration I have finally had a quiet Sunday afternoon to collect my thoughts and reflect on the recent events in my life.

I will attempt to share some of the ‘highlights’ but I fear words may not do them justice.  What an experience thus far! Here goes…

I would never go so far as to describe myself as a ‘seasoned’ traveller by any sense of the imagination.  It’s an adventure in ‘itself' to actually LIVE in a community as opposed to being a tourist at a resort!  As I mentioned in a previous blog, the casa we live in (Casa Baier/Reinio) is breathtaking with an incredible view!  We absolutely LOVE this place! The fact that Nick and I are responsible for maintaining and caring for the house comes with even more 
‘unexpected’ adventures or should I say… frustrations! Of course, we have weathered a few ‘storms’ including water mishaps, power/plumbing issues and of course, unwelcome guests!! Gotta love the ‘rainy season’ and the subsequent ‘river’ that flows down our street! And, getting things done here often requires lots of patience and eventually a ‘do it yourself’ kinda attitude! Apparently ‘tico’ time is the schedule we now go by… yup, no rushing happenin’ here… it’s truly pura vida lifestyle and I am actually very appreciative of this (except when I have only half of house with power!)

So, with help from our amazing neighbours as well as our own resourcefulness these homeowner kinda ‘adventures’ are dwindling, leaving more time for the good stuff. Bring it on!!!

(Note to self: garbage and recycling pick up is something to forever be grateful for! LOL, Yes we have to carry these items into town ourselves!)

There are many things to celebrate! Firstly it’s been a month since Nick and I arrived here in Samara!  We are slowly learning about the village, meeting lots of wonderful people and the ‘ways’ of living here. I feel fortunate to have started my time here at the wonderful school I attended. I spent 160 hours in class and 10 hours practice  teaching!

The four crazy-busy weeks of the course just flew by and after successfully completing a portfolio and passing the exam… I am happy to report that I am an official graduate from the TEFL Costa Rica  (teaching english as a foreign language) course! This well-earned certificate comes with amazing memories of hard work, intense study and introductions to many wonderful ‘new’ friends including fellow classmates, instructors, students (local Ticos) and other locals who live and work in Samara!  Without a doubt, this is one of my most successful challenges and I am now qualified to teach english as a second language anywhere in the world! For now, I am staying put to discover Samara and other parts Costa Rica! 

Every Friday after class Nick, my classmates and I went out to celebrate the end of each challenging week… we would start with dinner, usually at one of my favourite eating places, Coco’s (a mexican restaurant)! Then venture to Arriba’s bar (apparently a guy from Barrie is part owner) where we would play darts (apparently I’m either lucky or skilled? jury still out on that one?? LOL). Finally we would end the night at Tabanuco’s dance club (the owner is the husband of my new friend Barbara, owner and director of the school I attended)! 

Yes, we’ve had a few ‘good’ nights out!

(2nd Note to SELF; do not wear high heels to a bar on the beach!!)

A week ago Friday, we welcomed Tanya to our Casa! It was wonderful having a friend from ‘home’ come and visit us!  She fit right in to this lifestyle, embracing the weather, people and of course, welcoming the critters with a flash of her camera! She quickly accepted with ease, the bats, crabs, spiders and of course, the dogs that continue to come by for a visit!  She enjoyed meeting and made friends with my classmates and was great company for Nick while I was in school! YAY Tanya!

Nick went on a zip lining adventure with some of the girls from the school and had a blast! He caught some amazing footage of literally ‘flying’ through the jungle,  with his goPRO camera! He also experienced some repelling and rock climbing, horseback riding and tubing down a freshwater stream. He ended his day being coated with mud and relaxing in the hot springs! Yes, he was tired but still had energy left to join Tanya and I on a boating excursion the next day.  We were shuttled to Playa Carrillo, where we boarded a small boat to look for whales (see picture of the humpback Tanya caught as we were about to boat out further to look for dolphins). We were so fortunate that the whales were still in the area ( apparently they bring their babies closer to shore for protection until they continue their migration ). We saw spinner and spotted dolphins as well as sea turtles. Fishing was not so successful but still we tried! We went swimming/snorkeling as well but unfortunately the waters were a bit murky from the intense rain the previous night! One person found a beautiful star fish (see pic). On our way back we stopped to say hello to a huge crocodile sunning itself. He posed for Tanya before slipping into the ‘scary’ muddy waters of the river! YIKE!

 (3rd note to self: BELIEVE the signs that warn you of crocs!)

We have all fallen in love with the howler monkeys who like to ‘hang out’ in the trees right in front of our Casa. Tanya got some wonderful pics of the flora and fauna surrounding our house, village, the beach and countryside during a ‘drive’ she took with our neighbours Patrick and Sharon to a nearby mountainous village! All in all , I think she enjoyed Samara! I must add she was a great ‘study’ helper for me (apparently I’m a ‘browner”) and is now safe in sound back home getting ready for school! 

OH yes, school!! To all my teacher friends out there… I am thinking of you today! I will miss our ‘traditional’ end of summer hot tub at Deb’s tonight!!  Cheers to Deb, Martha, Pat, Scott, Gerri, and whomever else will be soaking up the last of the summer as the stars twinkle and say… ‘yet another school year is upon you …bringing with it many hours of planning, organizing, assessing, paperwork, activities, challenges and the gratitude that comes from a career that brings surprises each and everyday!’ To all of you, remember I am there is spirit, cheering you on as you greet those eager, nervous, innocent smiles (tears?).  Hopefully I will be doing the same in November?? I have an interview at a local school which has taken a ‘break’ through rainy season and starts up again in November… will keep you updated!  I will be home in no time, Oct. 27th, to check up on all of you!! LOL

So today was a quiet day! Much needed after the celebrations on the weekend! 

We had our graduation party on Friday night at Tabanuco’s (complimentary champagne and shots…thanks to Barbara and her husband the owner!). It’s a lovely beach front bar and restaurant… lots of fun with a great bunch of people!

Before all our classmates ventured off to their next adventures, Nick and I hosted a potluck/party at our casa! What a special night! Because we live so far out out of town, no one had been here yet. When they arrived ,they marvelled at the view and our AWESOME casa! Our outdoor patio and large table were perfect to gather round to share stories, play ‘card’ games (teehee) and welcome all who joined us (including new friends from the area). This night was one of the highlights of the month for me! I loved having everyone here! Good food +good drink + good friends = laughter and FUN! 

I mentioned our wonderful neighbours … yup, Sharon and Patrick patiently put up with our carousing and music on Friday night! They have been a tremendous help including offering household items… so today, Nick helped clean out their lower level cupboards! 

I now have a coffee maker, crock pot, blender and chopper! Whoohoo. Hmmm perhaps I will cook up a feast and have them over for dinner! YUP, I am now have time to start all the things I have had to put on hold, including painting a sign for our ‘road’ and planning what to paint on the walls… yes, murals are the new ‘plan’ since I don’t have any large canvases!   I am also going to borrow an idea from that Mexican restaurant I mentioned earlier… a local artist painted funky designs on water containers and they are now light fixtures for the restaurant! (see pics) What a great idea!  Another ‘to do’ item is to take some spanish lessons (Final note to self; start with cognates! Anyone back home know what a cognate is? I’ll buy you a beer here in Costa Rica if you do!! LOL)

OK all, its about time to start SEASON 2 of ‘The Newsroom’! Anyone been watching this miniseries?? We LOVE IT! Nick and I are hooked, thanks to Matt who gave them to us! (Nick has been very patient waiting for me to finish school so we could continue. NO TV here but

that’s ok… when done this one, we have True Detective next! We also have a local pub that will stream Monday night Football for Nick:) 

I will sign off now with more updates to come… including my job interview and progress on painting! Nick is heading to Nosara to see about volunteering at an animal refuge, depending on ease and costs of taking bus there! Tomorrow we are heading to dinner in town to say goodbye to Laura (from Arizona) and as the weeks pass more of my classmates will be 
leaving :( 

All I can say …so far it has been an exhilarating experience to conquer fear and nerves about changing one’s life!  I miss my kiddies and family and friends but thank god we’re all soooo connected and just a ‘click’ away! Drop me a line or two to let me know how you all are! 

love and hugs xoxoxo

Alicia (and Nick too , of course)