'A que hora es?'

Hola mis amigos y mi familia,

It is my second day in Costa Rica. I am staying in a small town called Orosi for the remainder of the week, taking part in a one week intensive Intermediate Spanish class. I found an amazing group of people that run a Hostel, a restaurant, and a language school, and was able to book a room and take classes for under $200. They are called Montana Linda, so if you ever find yourself in these parts, I highly recommend it. Es muy bonita, pero modesto!

The biggest challenge so far, as I assume it probably is for most of our Interns this summer, has been becoming comfortable with language. In my one-on-one-classes, my instructor and I are able to (just barely) communicate with each other the meaning of words. In the stores, I have been able to ask clerks to weigh my fruit, and count out eggs for me, and even ask people to tell me the time (one of the first things I learned to ask in Spanish, but somehow here, it just isn't understood!). It makes me feel even more grateful to have the opportunity to be immersed, and forced to be outside of my comfort  zone. Here, I can be exposed to dialect, where "a que hora es" flows like one word, rather than chopped up enunciated sounds that lose all meaning.

Soon, I will show you the world I see with photos and more description, but for now I must go and abril mi libre.  Es mas importante estudiar el espanol, porque hablar con los Ticos!