#kayakroll

Yesterday, I woke up early in the morning to go on my pre-booked canyoning and rafting tour through the tour company Desafío. First, dos chicas Mexicanas y yo went canyoning in the jungle. We rode in the back of a truck to the location. Have you ever been in the back of a truck while off roading? Esta muy divertido! Jaja. It was raining, so we got pelted by the rain, but viewing the jungle and the farmland from that perspective was well worth it. The wildness of the rainforest aquí is indescribable. We hiked through tall canyons and followed the streams that wind through them. We rappelled cuatro veces. Two of the four were very tall, and the other two very small. After rappelling about 6 metros bajo de los rappeles altos, tenemos que let go of our rappelling rope and hold onto another rope connecting our harness to the rope held by the guía (guide) at the bottom. It acted as a zipline–but controlled by the guía at the bottom of the rappel. Sí. Jaja. This would not happen en Estados Unidos. Pero that is what made it so much fun: the thrill. In addition, there was a narrow canyon we hiked down with a small pool about 5ft long and 3ft wide. We were told to cannonball into the pool, and found it was about 8ft deep! Pura vida. 

Las chicas Mexicanas fueron muy amistosos (were very friendly). They did not speak much English, so we communicated via my broken Spanish. I received many raised eyebrows this day, trying to communicate con las personas hablan español. However, I have found that all Spanish speaking locals and visitors are very patient with my language abilities and do their best to communicate with me and help me improve my Spanish. 

Entonces, we went white water rafting on the Río Balsa!! I enjoyed this very much!! This allowed my adventurous and childish side to come out! Our guía, Rodland, made the adventure very fun and educational. I sat on the front of the boat during one of the rapids for a bull ride de rafting, swung off a rope into the río, and swam in a rapid (on purpose jaja). Rodland pointed out monos (monkeys), many birds, sleeping bats, an iguana, and a poisonous dart frog during our venture. Rodland and I became friends right away and discussed the cultural differences of Los Estados Unidos y Costa Rica, and helped one another with our native languages. 

Rodland and another guía, Jonathan, explained to me their experiences trying to visit Los Estados Unidos. Jonathan has tried to visit the states 3 separate times, but the process is difficult, expensive, and not many are granted visas. Each time a Tico applies for a USA visa, s/he must pay $300 and a $30 fee for a 6 minute phone call with a person who explains what s/he must do. Jonathan and Rodland both learned English by becoming guides and interacting with tourists. This is incredibly hard for me to believe because they both speak GREAT English. If you have tried learning a language, or you are bilingual, you understand how difficult it is when a person talks rapidamente (quickly) in your non-native language. Es imposible entender (it is impossible to understand). The phone call that explains what the visa seeker needs to do to obtain a visa has a person who speaks very fast on the other end. Jonathan said the explainer quickly rattles off what you need to do and then hangs up. This is very difficult for those who’s native language is not English. For now, Jonathan has given up trying to come to the states– he’s wasted much time and money, and to no avail. 

Durante the rafting venture, Jonathan was doing tricks and rolling in his kayak and I said, “quiero aprenderlo” a Rodland. Se dice, “sí? hoy? (yes? today?)” Me: “en serio? (really?)” Rodland and I went to Río La Fortuna after our tour (my pictures two days ago) and he brought a white water rafting kayak! There, he taught me how to roll the kayak (from right side up, to under water, to right side up again–literally: roll the kayak). I didn’t perfect it, but I understood how it works and did it a few times (with help). Then… I went over the falls. Jaja seriously. My family won’t like to read this, but it was so awesome. It was something on my bucket list; of course with a better landing jaja, but CHECK. Jiji. I suited up! *Thank you: How I Met Your Mother* PFD. Helmet. Skirt. And down I went… of course I went down stiff as a board (my upper body) because I was scared shitless! Therefore, I went under (upside down), tried to roll up, but had to pull the skirt to get out. That. Was. Pura Vida. 

Despues, visitamos Jonathan y su novia, Desíre, en su casa and they invited us for dinner. We brought cervesas de Costa Rica (Imperial), ate a delicious cena de ensalada y shrimp and played Costa Rica checkers (which is VERY different than checkers en Estados Unidos jaja). They are all extremely friendly, welcoming and fun to be around. All the while I was able to practice my Spanish and get tips and corrections from mis amigos.. I’m definitely getting better. I’m hoping to be almost fluent by the end of my 2 and a half weeks here.