learning the lingo

me in spanish school
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We arrived in Orosi straight from England after an exciting ten hours spent at LAX (One of the dullest airports I have ever been to so were a little jet lagged.  Spanish lessons started the next day at 8am!  We had lessons at this time Monday to Friday for two weeks.  Lessons were fun and our teacher, Margoth, was great.  Now we just have remeber all our verb endings and go and speak some Ticos in all our new found tenses.  Have learnt more grammar than I ever did in english, french or german.  Have met some lovely bird people and americanos.   There are lots of retired americanos staying at the hostel - odd, although i suspect not all that odd for Costa Rica - we shall see.

We were down at the bottom an hour ago you know
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The language school is in the Orosi valley, a fertile coffe growing area.  There is lots to do when you aren't busy doing your homework.  we visited natural hot springs, a cloud forest a river beach with excellent swimming and went on a very gruelling bikeride to the Cachi dam and up probably the longest, steepest hill in the world to Paraiso.  Thanks to the bird folk for showing us some flying things in Tapanti cloud forest and lending us your bins.

We are thinking of setting up a twinning operation with the famous Harry Tuffins of The Marches.

a spot of birding in Tapanti Cloud Forest
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Alex beaver boy, as James bird person thought he was called for a whole week, played in the hostel 5 aside football team last night, and despite a sterling performance lost 25-15 to the local taxi drivers.  Mind you, he was nursing a bad back after falling off his chair in the internet cafe when he found out that England had won at both cricket and rugby.  we are off to watch costa rica play honduras tonight - i don't think beaver boy will be making an appearance but you never know.

our home for two weeks - it was nicer than it looks
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If you ever find yourself in this neck of the wood be sure to visit super anita # 1,2 or 3 - a well good set of shops that sell eveything in the world.  We are thinking of setting up a twinning operation with the famous Harry Tuffins of The Marches.

We are off to La Fortuna, Monteberde and Rincon de la Vieja next (in a spangly doble traccion hire car)