Costa Rica - PURA VIDA!

Attention, ready, go... My adventure begins!

It all started with me quitting my job. A very strange but at the same time liberating feeling. The preparation for this upcoming time couldn't have been better. Vaccinations, health insurance, banks, authorities, and much more - everything was taken care of or informed accordingly. During the preparation time, one should hardly be able to sleep due to excitement, but this did not grab me. I could hardly imagine what was to come. It was only a week before departure that I started to feel excited. It was intensified by the Hurricane "Otto" that was blowing through Central America. Even a few days before departure, it was not really clear if I could fly. My feelings were very mixed, but I was always sure about one thing. An incredible time awaits me with unforgettable impressions, experiences, and beautiful as well as bad moments.

The evening before, I checked and packed everything. Backpacker-style and packed only the essentials (or at least I thought so...) - shortly afterwards I sent some clothes and accessories back home. It is important to mention that until today the package has not arrived. On November 26, 2016, I flew to Costa Rica via Madrid. After a good 18 hours, I arrived in San José. The unavoidable delay at the airport in Madrid and the long waiting time at the immigration control in San José could hardly affect my good mood. I spent the first night in San José before taking the Interbus to Tamarindo the next day. The journey was very impressive - a green paradise in all directions. I enjoyed the moment so much that I didn't even think about taking a photo. In Tamarindo, I stayed at the Studenthouse "Casa Carolina" for the next four weeks. It would be an understatement to call the "Casa" just a house. A three-story villa greeted me with palm trees, a pool, and hammocks. Although I had booked a double room, I did not have a roommate for the entire stay. The rest of the first day, I strolled through Tamarindo. A small but inviting place. The Ticos (locals) in Tamarindo are very friendly and understanding. At the beach, I enjoyed my Imperial - la cerveza de Costa Rica. When I arrived home, I met my roommates and a few other backpackers. ALL SWISS (booo!). I expected Swiss people, but not exclusively. Nevertheless, I liked it very much and had a great time with them.

The next day was: First day of school! The school is well-maintained and the infrastructure is good. The classrooms are partly closed and partly open. The grounds also include a cafeteria. Patricia is an excellent cook. All staff members as well as the teachers are very welcoming. I felt comfortable from the first moment on. After a placement test, I was able to skip a few levels and started at level A1.3. The classes lasted four hours per day and were held in an alternating rhythm - one week in the morning and the next week in the afternoon.

The week passed by in the blink of an eye. There was no routine. If you enjoyed the sun on the beach with a fresh coconut the day before, you would be busy trying out the different national dishes the next day. I won't even mention the freely roaming animals like iguanas, howler monkeys, or squirrels. The first weekend, I spent in Monteverde with six other students. We rented a car and drove to Monteverde, which was five hours away. I was the only one who could drive because the others were too young or forgot their driver's licenses at home. The drive with the 4x4 was a huge spectacle. The closer we got, the "worse" the roads became. From concrete to asphalt, to dirt roads with small and large stones. The huge potholes were no obstacle as I could simply drive over them with my Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. In Monteverde, we had a canopy tour, a coffee/cocoa plantation tour, and a night walk in the forest. The canopy tour was simply fantastic. Ziplining over the forests of Monteverde and a "Tarzan Jump" in the heart of the forest. The weather was excellent, which is not usual for Monteverde. The subsequent plantation tour was impressive as we witnessed the entire production from A to Z. We also had the opportunity to taste the beans in every different phase. The night walk in the forest was initially very exciting. We jumped with joy at every tiny insect. Over time, it became boring as we looked for larger or more dangerous animals. Shortly before the end, we were able to observe a highly poisonous neon-green snake and a large, hairy, orange-black spider. The next day, I enjoyed myself on the roads again and when I got home, I treated myself to a cold beer by the pool.

The second week was all about "sun, beach, sea, surfing". While my family and friends from Switzerland reported freezing temperatures, I experienced the complete opposite in Costa Rica J ...I could easily get used to such a winter.

The next weekend trip took place in La Fortuna. This time, there were only five of us going to La Fortuna, which is "close" to Monteverde. However, the two places are separated by an impassable mountain, so a three-hour detour is inevitable. There is a faster route that does not go through Monteverde. But since I left my battery charger with an international adapter in Monteverde the week before, we took the longer route...

In La Fortuna, there is the Arenal Volcano and the adjacent Cerro Chato. We arrived shortly before 10:00 pm, so we only enjoyed a beer at the backpacker's resort and went to bed. The next day, a full-day hiking tour awaited us on Cerro Chato. Shortly before we set off, it started raining. And I mean really pouring rain. That's why the entire staff went to the supermarket to buy rain ponchos. The only remaining color, of course, was pink. The hike started shortly before 10:00 am. When we arrived at the volcano, an breathtaking panorama of the Arenal Volcano awaited us. Due to the weather, we could only admire the beauty of the mist. It hardly bothered me because the hiking tour became even more amazing. We walked, climbed, and crawled through the jungle - just AWESOME!

Before darkness fell, we arrived at the other end of the volcano. Now the hot springs awaited us. We put on our swimwear and relaxed in the warm water. The tour guides even had drinks for us. Around 8:00 pm, we drove back to the hostel and then went out to party in La Fortuna. What a great weekend!

Regarding Costa Rica itself, it can only be said that it is a tropical paradise. Due to its size, if you take the time, you can admire all the beautiful places and natural wonders of this country. The local "Ticos" are proud of their identity. This characteristic gives this country a certain charm. Furthermore, they are very understanding and welcoming.

My adventure couldn't have started any better. In a few days, it will be "Hola Ecuador"! And to conclude, I can only say:

PURA VIDA!