Life in San Jose begins.

Today was the first orientation meeting for International students at the University of Costa Rica. After a couple hours of sitting and listening in the auditorium to all the technical aspects of the registration process, etc. we finally broke for lunch after which we met again for a bus tour of the city of San Jose.

Any guide book will tell you that when visiting Costa Rica not more than 2 days should be dedicated to seeing San Jose - there's just not much here worth seeing compared to the rainforests, beaches, etc. But, it is my new city of residence, and so a bus tour was a nice experience.

After the tour I spent some time talking to the guy who guided it. Turns out he is from an organization called "Surá". I am a bit unclear of the details, but they are a group of diverse scientists who do "Environmental Consulting" with projects concerning anywhere from reforestation,environmentall impact, organic farming, or, apparently, giving international students tours of the city!

At any rate, the tour guide asked me what I studied, and when I replied that I am studying GIS and have worked as a cartographer he told me that he might be interested in me working for him and gave me his card for me to contact him! Yeah... so it's extremely difficult to keep from getting my hopes up too high. In fact, I better quit talking about this because I get more excited the more I do!

Standing next to us when we had that conversation was a member of the Universityfacultyy who works with study abroad. I mentioned that I was interested in helping out with a volunteer program started by international students here that is involved in all types of projects serving in the community. She was really excited about my interested and invited me to help out with a national science fair for elementary school kids. I am really excited to find out more about that!

On my way home I had a huge smile on my face and stopped by a "soda" or cafeteria for dinner. I really can't say enough about how much I like the food here. For about 4 bucks I had a huge plate of beans, rice, amazinglytastyy cabbage salad, friedbananass, and fried cheese. All that, and super nice service. Actually, I think it would be impossible for a Tico to provide anything but super nice service. They are all so friendly!

Well, I better get back to enjoying chillin' with all the other travelers here at the hostel. See y'all later!