Orosi

Well, since I didn´t like San Jose, I decided to do something about it - I left. With my new friends Melissa and Isaac, I headed out of town via two buses to a small town called Orosi. Situated in a valley full of banana and coffee plants, it´s pretty much perfect. It´s a good size, quiet, so much safer, and gorgeous. Our first afternoon, we joined a group of four on an hour-long hike to a hot springs. This hotspring is in the side of a river, and locals have stacked sandbags to make a little hottub. It was the perfect thing for my sore back after lugging my pack all over creation.
We spent the evening watching the vice presidential debate at a bar and just marveling at how peaceful this place is.
Today, we took a trail up to a waterfall. The man who owns the land, Nando, is somewhat of a local legend, and he met us on the trail and took us up. With some crazy climbs holding on to just a thin wire, I was glad to have his help. And then it started to rain, which made it even slipperier. When we got to the falls, Melissa and I bravely jumped in, if only for a minute. Nando talked a mile a minute, all in Spanish, which I can understand fairly well but have trouble speaking still.
After the waterfall, he took us further up the mountain to his house, where he served hot water with tea and showed us his farm. He is building a hostel on his property, and it will be complete with a pool table and swimming pool, not to mention amazing views of the valley, fresh produce, and geese! It´s definitely a place I would love to return.
I am so happy to have found this tiny town with its natural wonders and friendly people. There is a cheap language school here that I would love to attend, but I don´t think I have the time right now. I find my vocabulary to be sufficient, but my grammar could use a lot of help. I guess practice will just have to do!
I am excited for what will be next - meeting up with old friends and enjoying the Caribbean coast - but am sad and nervous that Melissa and Isaac are returning to the states. Just another adventure!