The School / La Escuela

By the time the bus arrived in Turrialba, I was in no mood to buy groceries as planned. I wandered aimlessly again, mastering the tourist look with one backpack in front and one in back. I finally found a sign with the words "taxi...here" on it (along with other words I frankly couldn't interpret) and stood there, staring at empty parking spots and wondering if I would, in fact, be found. Ten minutes later, a taxi pulled up and I literally threw my luggage in the backseat and half-sat, half-laid on it in an effort to just get the last leg over with. 1800 colones later, I was in a small driveway, greeted by Manuel, the program director. He showed me to my room, which I'll be sharing with Karen from Holland, and I unpacked. Then, a welcome chat and going over the things to do in Turrialba (a "small" town of 80,000), a 25 minute walk or 10 minute bus/taxi ride.

Then, the placement test. This was what I was most worried about. I got 11/20 correct, which led to raised eyebrows and "¡Muy bien!" from Manuel. Shoot, a 55% never got me that kind of reaction in PT school.

There are a total of three students here right now: Karen, myself, and Seri (no idea how to spell that) from Denmark. We'll all be taking classes separately due to mixed levels and intensive Spanish needs.

It's shaping up to be different than I envisioned, but I think good memories will be made! For now, I'm exhausted.

The expansive porch. Spanish classes
take place at the far end of the walkway.

The kitchen! My menú needs to expand, or I will surely die.