I was walking home from class after a very long day of classes and it was one of those moments that just lifted my spirits.  I saw this on the elementary school wall in San Jose, Costa Rica.  I couldn't help but smile.

So, remember this when you are having a hard day.  Somebody always loves you!

Recovery took longer than I anticipated. However, I can confidently say that I am almost back to full health now.

Manuel Antonio was great last weekend in spite of rain on Saturday. There were loads of monkeys, sloths, and other fascinating animals as well as gorgeous beaches.

Classes seem to be going well. Tomorrow (my last day), I´ll be learning the imperative tense. Finally I´ll be able to tell other people what to do in Spanish and English!

My plans to blog regularly in Costa Rica have pretty much been squashed... However, I am here on the outskirts of San Jose studying Spanish, meeting people, and visiting various places. Pictures will be posted when I return most likely.

I´m staying with a great host family (along with two other students). I walk 30 minutes to and from school every day, I´m in class for about 6 hours a day, and it rains practically every afternoon here. In the evenings and weekends, I´ve managed to meet new people, go dancing, and visit Monteverde (and Manuel Antonio this coming weekend).

I was dreadfully sick yesterday, but I am quickly recovering today. My friend theorizes that it was a result of me not finishing homework before I went out to have fun Tuesday night. I would blame the food, but it´s so tasty that it just doesn´t seem possible...

I'm back home!  I've been working in Atlanta the last week or two and right now I'm crunching through history homework before I leave for Costa Rica on Sunday.  Enjoy the blog posts though - Europe pictures and posts will sporadically appear over the next months, I'm sure.

Welcome to the White Cliffs of Dover, one of my top five fav's from England.  Dover played an important role in English history as the point of contact with the rest of Europe.  The short, safe link to French mainland (particularly the port of Calais) was heavily used and is still used in conjunction with the Chunnel to transfer goods between England and France.  Calais was a defensible stronghold traditionally held by the English until the French regained control (late 1550's) during Mary Tudor's reign.

In more modern times, Dover was heavily fortified as the point of first contact with German air raids in World War 2.  In fact, my friend Michael and I found a bunker carved into the side of the cliffs.  It's almost eery to be in history like this.

The best part of Dover, however, is the nature.  Majestic chalk cliffs, beautiful water, French mainland visible across the channel, sweeping wheat fields, and endless hikes along the cliff ridges.  I would love to go back some day with a backpack and just wander for several days, sleeping in the abandoned bunkers and absorbing the costal serenity.

As Bev (my literature teacher explained), you only stay sane on trips to England by planning what to see next time.  There really is just too much to do and see.  The Dover trip was a great Sabbath hike after a brief pilgrimage to Canterbury on a beautiful summer day.  Highly recommended for potential visitors to England.