The last thing you guys heard was that I was possibly going white water rafting this weekend. Well, that plan has changed since I really need to start watching how much I spend here on fun activities! Tonight, I am going to an Italian restaurant with some friends that one of the professors here recommended to us. Apparently it smelled awesome when they walked by it yesterday after class. Afterwards, we are going to meet up with more friends to go to a Karaoke bar. Since I am in Costa Rica, I have no idea what it is going to be like, especially since I have never gone to one in the United States either. I just hope that there won't be that much smoke, since smoking in public places is legal here. I wonder if all the songs are going to be in Spanish? I'm going to have a blast! :)
On Tuesday, I went to my first tango class here (me wearing shorts and a tank-top). When I got there, I spoke to the male instructor Max, and he started laughing in less than fifteen seconds because he knew that I can't understand rapid Spanish that well after I said "I don't understand" after his first comment. He then asked for the female instructor (I don't remember her name) to come over, and then she started talking to me in intermediate English. My whole hour-and-a-half class consisted of me following the techniques by observing others around me, and her only speaking English specifically to me when I had a confused expression on my face. I could tell by the first fifteen minutes that this class was more in the upper intermediate level (which I'm in the lower intermediate), but I decided to just stay and see how well I could do. There was an even number of men and women (five couples), but only two men danced with me. One was really nice and even showed me some new technique moves! Although, he pulled me in way too close for my comfort so that our foreheads were touching and we were within kissing distance. It wasn't in a creepy way, I just don't like being THAT close to a complete stranger. After my class ended at 7:30pm, I got ready to take the first of two buses back home. I normally only take one bus ($.75 each way) to school every morning, but everyone here warns women against walking alone at night past sunset. But since I took two buses and apparently there is traffic at 8:00pm here, it took me an hour-and-a-half to finally get home, when it only takes less than fifteen minutes driving. I named this post "Tango" because I am very excited to continue taking classes while I am here in Costa Rica; so actually, I will be improving both my Spanish and Tango skills. I think the photo above is of the two instructors at Fantasía de Tango, but I'm not sure exactly.
I've been very stressed out this week because of the amount of grammatica homework assigned every night for the past two weeks (10-30 pages). I haven't even been able to spend time with my family or friends here lately because I've been spending hours and hours on the homework load. I had a nervous breakdown yesterday and cried for over two hours at school because I've been so frustrated with my lack of Spanish proficiency! But it should be getting better now, since there was a serious miscommunication between the professors here as to the amount of homework load that should have been given in my class (now there should only be 4-6 pages every night). To look on the bright side, I've been practicing a lot of grammatica. :) I can't wait until my brain actually starts making sense of all the Spanish I've been cramming into it the past few weeks! I'm thinking the rural stay (three weeks of living in a rural community with only one student in each community, so all of us are spread out across Costa Rica) is really going to help with that, since most of the people in the rural communities in Costa Rica don't speak any English. I'm going to miss not being able to Skype or facebook chat with Elliot for three whole weeks, since most of the rural communities only have café internet access, and that costs money. But I will get through it, (along with missing my mom and loved ones) because they are always in my heart and thoughts. <3
On Tuesday, I went to my first tango class here (me wearing shorts and a tank-top). When I got there, I spoke to the male instructor Max, and he started laughing in less than fifteen seconds because he knew that I can't understand rapid Spanish that well after I said "I don't understand" after his first comment. He then asked for the female instructor (I don't remember her name) to come over, and then she started talking to me in intermediate English. My whole hour-and-a-half class consisted of me following the techniques by observing others around me, and her only speaking English specifically to me when I had a confused expression on my face. I could tell by the first fifteen minutes that this class was more in the upper intermediate level (which I'm in the lower intermediate), but I decided to just stay and see how well I could do. There was an even number of men and women (five couples), but only two men danced with me. One was really nice and even showed me some new technique moves! Although, he pulled me in way too close for my comfort so that our foreheads were touching and we were within kissing distance. It wasn't in a creepy way, I just don't like being THAT close to a complete stranger. After my class ended at 7:30pm, I got ready to take the first of two buses back home. I normally only take one bus ($.75 each way) to school every morning, but everyone here warns women against walking alone at night past sunset. But since I took two buses and apparently there is traffic at 8:00pm here, it took me an hour-and-a-half to finally get home, when it only takes less than fifteen minutes driving. I named this post "Tango" because I am very excited to continue taking classes while I am here in Costa Rica; so actually, I will be improving both my Spanish and Tango skills. I think the photo above is of the two instructors at Fantasía de Tango, but I'm not sure exactly.
I've been very stressed out this week because of the amount of grammatica homework assigned every night for the past two weeks (10-30 pages). I haven't even been able to spend time with my family or friends here lately because I've been spending hours and hours on the homework load. I had a nervous breakdown yesterday and cried for over two hours at school because I've been so frustrated with my lack of Spanish proficiency! But it should be getting better now, since there was a serious miscommunication between the professors here as to the amount of homework load that should have been given in my class (now there should only be 4-6 pages every night). To look on the bright side, I've been practicing a lot of grammatica. :) I can't wait until my brain actually starts making sense of all the Spanish I've been cramming into it the past few weeks! I'm thinking the rural stay (three weeks of living in a rural community with only one student in each community, so all of us are spread out across Costa Rica) is really going to help with that, since most of the people in the rural communities in Costa Rica don't speak any English. I'm going to miss not being able to Skype or facebook chat with Elliot for three whole weeks, since most of the rural communities only have café internet access, and that costs money. But I will get through it, (along with missing my mom and loved ones) because they are always in my heart and thoughts. <3
So noce to read your posts Crystal. You are such a good writer. I can see a best selling book coming out of this blog. (You know, like EAT, PRAY., LOVE!) Hang in there and know you are missed.
ReplyDeleteLol, well Cristina might say otherwise, since I'm really only writing like I would explain to someone in person. I've never read the book, but I'm sure it's much better than this!
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