I've finished my second week and things are going very well. I am more comfortable speaking Spanish and the instantaneous verb conjugations during conversations are getting easier. I've ordered meals and asked bus drivers questions (and the important part is they understood me!). It was a very busy week but I am really getting a lot out of my classes. I'm still the only one in my classes so it is six hours of intensive Spanish! This week we went to a movie in San Jose, A La Medianoche Y Media in a little local bar. For those who had very limited Spanish there were English subtitles much to my professsor's disappointment! Hard to believe but there is a zoo right in downtown San Jose that we visited as well. In a little coffee house close to the University of Costa Rica my professor who is helping me with my medical Spanish had a poetry reading with about 8 other local artists. I don't understand Spanish humor or poetry but with time I'm hoping that will improve. Today we visited the Britt Coffee Plantation which the locals say is The Best Coffee in Costa Rica. If you are ever in Costa Rica and near San Jose or Heredia make sure you tour Britt. A fabulous meal is served after the tour and of course all the coffee you want to drink. That should catch you up with my activites for the week. My umbrella and I have bonded and are best friends during the rainy season here. Until next time...¡Hasta luego! ¡Pura Vida! Mary