At the Cross

So this weekend I undertook the most strenuous thing I have ever done in my life...and it was well worth it! In the mountains just outside of San Jose are 3 crosses...3 separate statues/monuments in 3 different places known as the "Tres Cruces." There is a trail (kind of) that leads to all 3 of them that is know for having amazing views of the city and surrounding areas. So a group of about 15 of us decided to hike it on Sunday with the help of a few Tico friends. Round trip the hike is supposed to take quite a few hours so we left at 8 in the morning on a bus to downtown San Jose. From there we took another bus to a town a little ways up the mountain and then we began to climb...and climb...and climb. San Jose is about 4000 ft above sea level and by the time we got to the last cross we were at 7000 ft! (Needless to say, I was a little sore Monday morning!) The view was incredible- the sprawling city on one side and rolling green hills on the other. We stopped for a while at the last cross to take in the view and rest before hiking back down. It was incredible! Here are some pictures to enjoy:










An Hysterical Cultural Experience-

So I went to the doctor today (finally) after being sick off and on for over 2 months. He told me I have bad allergies (there is a lot of dust during the dry season) and a sinus infection. I was given a prescription to take to a pharmacy near my house...3 medications and a shot. He said the pharmacist would give me my shot. So I went there about an hour ago. The pharmacy consists of a room with a counter and a bunch of medicines on shelves behind it. I handed the prescription to the pharmacist and she began to search for them. Then she got the shot and went to prepare it. I wasn't quite sure what would happen...would she just lean over the counter and shoot my arm or have me sit in one of the chairs behind the counter? So I waited until she called me to come back where she was (in Spanish, of course). I walked back behind the counter and noticed that there was a little room. She waved me to come in, so I did. It was more like a closet with a doctor's bed and peeling paint. I sat on the bed, but she instructed me to lay down on my stomach. Confused, I followed the directions and found my self an inch away from a wall full of ants! (I should have been more disgusted, but I have gotten quite used to them by now.) The she told me to loosen my pants...suddenly I understood perfectly. I walked out of the room a few minutes later with a slightly sore bottom...and I laughed the whole way home! :)