Puerto Viejo - Outdoor Spanish Course, lots of birds, Zumba and Muay Thai

By now I have been in Costa Rica for over 2 weeks, more than one of which I spent in Puerto Viejo. At first, I didn't find it so nice here because there were tourists everywhere and I had to get used to the hustle and bustle. But now I find it really relaxed and cozy here. Especially since my reception here was very pleasant. I was picked up from the bus station by my host mom Josefina, with whom I stayed for the first 6 days. I stayed with her for the first 6 days, after which the room was already booked and I had to move. But more about that later. Josefina lives with her 3 cats in a small house on a quiet street on the outskirts of Puerto Viejo and rents out 2 of her rooms to guests. She showed me around the city and my school, where I take my Spanish course, and took me to a few stores. But also to a friend who is a jeweler and repaired my bracelet.

La casa Josefina. Mia in the foreground, Richie sleeping on the chair.

My room.

Richie likes to lie in the middle of my things and wants attention.

Mia with a slightly arrogant look.

Puerto Viejo itself is not very big, but it is very lively and full of restaurants, bars, and shops.

And everywhere you see tourists riding bicycles around. And I thought to myself, I'll just adapt and get myself one of those vehicles. In any case, it's super practical for going to school, going on trips, or just getting from A to B faster.

The main reason I am in Puerto Viejo is the 2-week Spanish course I am taking here. I just want to be able to communicate with the people in whose country I am. And it can't hurt.

Since I was the only student in the first week, I basically had individual lessons. There's just not much going on before. In the first few days, I learned a lot, but it's still extremely difficult to apply it all. After school, I would always do my homework right away and then lingered on the grounds and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Since the grounds border the forest, you can see and hear many birds and other animals. So I was able to take some beautiful pictures in the first few days.

Slate-tailed Trogons.

Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher.

Green Iguana.

Playa Negra.

Family outing on Sunday.

Great Blue Heron.

Tricolored Heron.

Jewel Heron.

Aztec Gull.

American Woodcock.

Sanderling.

Brown Pelican.

Black Vultures are everywhere here, they sometimes even sit on the road.

But I never get bored here in Puerto Viejo. Every day I discover something new. And when I ride my bike through the city, I feel really comfortable now. Relaxed people everywhere, reggae music wafting out of houses here and there, and you already know some people and greet them friendly. 'Pura Vida' as the Costa Ricans say.

And when I feel lazy, I sit in front of Josefina's house and do nothing. But sometimes there is something going on there too. Because right now everyone is already in the Christmas spirit and there is Christmas music playing or there are parades through the city. But I have also been active and went to Zumba with Josefina twice, which she regularly attends and asked me if I wanted to come along. Why not try something new?

 The parade on the last day of school. I think it was organized by the school or the teachers. They drove through the city with loud Christmas music playing and distributed candy.

As I mentioned earlier, I had to change accommodations after 6 beautiful days with Josefina. Originally, I had booked a hostel right across from the school for 10 days. However, I found that rather unsympathetic because people are always hanging out there, sometimes it smells like grass, and loud music is playing. Josefina recommended another one to me, so I changed again and now live in a cozy hostel with cats, a dog, and a lot of very young people, in a 10-bed room. I won't do that all the time, as the hustle and bustle in a hostel can sometimes be too much for me, but occasionally, especially for financial reasons, I have to go through it.

By chance, I discovered a flyer from a Muay Thai trainer on a large board at the bus stop. And since I had already started with it in Germany, I just wrote to Francisco. And now I go to Muay Thai around 2 times a week. :)

Whew, everything was deleted several times.

Best regards