Day 3 Jamaica

On my Final day here in Kingston, Jamaica I went to a morning mass to learn the religious traditions of the local people. Jamaican government guarantees the freedom of worship. Most Jamaicans are Protestant. I went to a small Protestant church just a few miles from the hotel I was staying at. The church was small but it had an elaborate painting on the inside. This was a copy from that in the Sistine Chapel. However, this was a more faded painting, After a lot of fun and meeting new friends at the church I went back to my hotel. Once I got back to my hotel I decided that I could get a quick a game of golf in before my departure. I thought that I could enjoy nature and relax on my last hours in Jamaica. I played exceptionally well. I made three hole-in-ones, 6 eagles and the rest were brides. On many of the holes I hit odd minigolf like drives. On my first hole-in-one it hit the cart path and then a rake and went in. The other were similar to this. After my great round of golf and a new course record. I had a large feast and I left.

Day 2 Jamaica

On my second day in Jamaica I went to see their natural mountains and forests. Jamaica is full of mountains and forested areas. I woke very early to get a ride to the launching site. In the morning I kayaked throughout the rivers and streams. I saw many different plants that did not grow in the United States. I also a monkey like animal that lived in the trees above the rivers. The rivers themselves wound around with sharp left and right turns. Halfway through the trip I lost my paddled and it floated down a waterfall. I then had to find a way to get to the bottom of the waterfall. I decided to go off the edge and was excited for the thrill. I went off and my heart was beating like never before. I then used my hands to get close to my paddle and continue on my journey. I stopped along a bank to have a sandwich and was back on my journey which  was near complete.  Right after lunch I arrived at the launch site again. I quickly changed and got ready for the afternoon adventure. On the afternoon adventure I rode an ATV throughout the mountains and forests of Jamaica. I drove off a couple of exhilarating jumps. I drove for many hours discovering the landscape of Jamaica and taking many pictures in the process. After the long day I went back to my hotel to change for a laid back diner. I had a dish made of fruit and nuts which was more filling than I thought it would be. Finally, I went back to my hotel to go to sleep before my final day in Jamaica.

Day 1 Jamaica

This morning I flew into Kingston the capital of Jamaica. Today the island is covered with sunshine and palm trees. After catching a ride I went to the Grand Lido San Souci Hotel. Here I stayed here for three days. This morning I went to the Bob Marley museum. Here I learned about his early life. Bob Marley is a Jamaican reggae singer. He is very famous for his dreadlocks. Additionally, I heard some of his early great songs. In Jamaica the largest meal of the day is served in the evening and there are not any big lunches. Especially on Sunday most families have a feast. After my small snack I went to the Dolphin Cove where there is a very numerous population of dolphins. After taking many wonderful photos of the swimming and jumping dolphins I went back to my hotel to get changed for the large meal planned for tonight. I went to a restaurant that mainly served chicken in almost any way one could want it. I order the most common type there which was seasoned with herbs and spices that were native to Jamaica. Finally, I went back to my hotel to go sleep for another great Jamaican day.

Intro to Jamaica

Jamaica is a country located in the Caribbean. Jamaica won there independence on August 6, 1962. This is a tiny island that is popular to many tourists because of its consistently warm beaches. Jamaica has a population of 2,930,050. The main language spoken there is English. The government is a constitutional, parliamentary democracy. The main economy for the nation is tourism and agriculture. A paramount crop is the sugar cane which is the majority of their exports. .The capital of Jamaica is Kingston. Jamaica founded the music types ska and reggae. These types of music helped shape the cultural life of Jamaica today.

Day 3 in Costa Rica

As I wake up on my last day in Costa Rica I am sad to leave the fun I have had the past two days. Today I went down to the lobby and ate my last breakfast. I got ready for the day and decide what to do for the day. I decided to go to a Primera league game. I took a taxi the arena around midmorning. The crowd was going crazy when the game went into overtime. The game ended with the home team winning. At the football game I learned how devoted fans were to their favorite and local football. Before the flight I decided to go enjoy the nature of Costa Rica. I went to a national park. The park stretched for miles among the lowlands and plateau. I saw many exotic animals that do not live in the United States, including poisonous dart frogs.. The trees and life created fresh air which was different from the city air. Throughout the forest there were many waterfalls, ponds, and creeks. As I leave the park I have some nuts and fruits that were growing in the trees. I then head for the the airport to depart this lovely country.

Day 2 in Costa Rica

Good morning. This morning I grabbed some eggs and warm biscuits before a day of snorkeling. I walked to the tour guide’s building on the beach. The tour guide explains what we were going to do and then we got on the boat and rode to the reef. My flippers and snorkel were on and I was ready to look and observe the waters below. I saw many fish swim through and around different types of coral. The guide shows many different species of fish in there natural environment. Eventual we swam back to the boat. As we were getting into the boat I dropped a flipper. The guide thankfully went and got it but as he was climbing into the boat we saw a shark and new it was time to go. Once I got back to the beach it was getting dark. I then walked back along the beach to my hotel as the sun was setting on the Pacific Ocean. I got back to my hotel then showered and changed. I was tired from a day of snorkeling so I went to the hotel restaurant to eat dinner. After dinner I watched a film from a local film festival that was translated to english and went to sleep.

Day 1 in Costa Rica

Hello, Today is the first day of three on Costa Rica. This morning I flew into the airport in San Jose. Today is Thursday. The weather couldn’t better than it was with a beautiful blue sky. As I took a taxi I noticed the wonderful flowers on the sidewalk and diverse music playing on the radio. After I dropped my bags off, I went to the beach to relax. On the beach I saw many creatures in the water which made book made me book a trip to go snorkeling the next day. Around lunch time I went to a local beach shop to grab something to eat. Here I also purchase a soccer, or football, to practice the main sport played in Costa Rica. Once back on the beach I play a pick game for several hours in the warm sun. The locals are much better than I will ever be at soccer. Although not being good it was fun and it was time to walk back to my hotel. After the relaxing day I decided to run and have dinner with the locals I met earlier. At their house their mother prepares a family recipe of beans vegetables and beef. The taste could not be duplicated in the United States. After dinner I took a taxi my hotel and went to bed excited to see what another day in Costa  Rica will hold.

Intro to Costa Rica

The Republic of Costa Rica is a small nation on the isthmus connecting North America to South America. Costa Rica has a population of 4,755,234. It borders Nicaragua and Panama. Costa Rica’s government is a democratic republic. This nation is split up into seven provinces. Throughout these provinces the currency is the Colon. The main exports are microprocessors and food. The main food is bananas and pineapple. Costa Rica is covered with plants and animals. The Capital of Costa Rica is San Jose. The main language is Spanish. Also in Costa Rica the main natural resource is hydroelectric power. Additionally, the main religion is Roman Catholic at 76%. Finally, Costa Rica is filled with lowlands and has an interior plateau with an average elevation of 4,000 feet.

Day 3 in Argentina

On my last day, Juan has planned to take me to his grandfather's farm in central Argentina. At the farm, Juan wants to show me the agricultural part of Argentina. Early in the morning, Juan and I have to get up to make the long three hour drive out to his grandfather’s farm. On the way out the farming I saw miles and miles of cows and horses. This makes me even more excited. Upon arrival Juan’s grandfather greets us and shows us to the barn. At the barn we will move sliced meat to placed where it needs to be shipped. After an hour or two of work Juan and I get a game of soccer with his cousins at the farm. At half time it began to rain at the farm but it did not keep us from playing and finishing the intense game of futball. Once the muddy game was over Juan gave me a change of clothes and we had a delicious home cooked meal that mainly consisted of meat. On the ride home I slept from the exhausting game soccer. At Juan’s house I packed to leave before I had my last meal of curantos, which is true shellfish, meat and veggies.

Day 2 in Argentina

Today is Sunday. I went to church with Juan and his family. We are going to The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. This is one of the biggest churches in Argentina. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is located just outside of Buenos Aires. On the inside of the church there are many ornate and beautiful paintings that would compete with many European churches. Additionally, The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has two large bells towers that can be seen for miles. The Cathedral holds a wonderful mass, Juan’s family tells me. Now I am at the church and I can see all the beauty with my own eyes. Juan, his family and I walk in to together and we get a pew in the middle. After the mass is done we cook a small lunch. Next I decide to walk along the local streets and see their vendors. Many people are selling artwork on the streets of Buenos Aires. I can tell a lot of hard work was put into the pieces. Then I head back home after purchasing a few items for myself and my family back home. Here at the house, Juan’s family has been making a great dinner. The dinner consists of arroz con loche, a small rice pudding; chorizos, red sausage; and slachia, long sausage. After dinner, Juan and his family dance the tarantella. This is a fast whirling dance that originated in Italy. Once the fun was done it was time to go to bed.

Day 1 in Argentina

Today I have landed in Ezeiza International Airport, the main airport in Buenos Aires. I have flown down to Argentina with my friend Juan. He has relatives in Argentina. Today is Saturday. Today Juan’s family is making breakfast consisting of sweet rolls, which was covered with a glazed substance like a donut, called medialunas and coffee. After the wonderful breakfast Juan takes me to a local art museum At the museum there were many great paintings. After spending the morning at the museum, it was time to eat lunch. We ate at small restaurant that served empandas as  their main dish. This is a pie stuffed with veggies, cheese, and beef. After lunch Juan and I went to polo game. Polo is a game played on horseback. The players are trying to hit a small ball into the opponents goal. Once the polo game was done Juan and I drove back to his cousin’s house where we changed to go out to eat. His family and I went to a premier steakhouse located in the heart of Buenos Aires. At the steakhouse there was live music and dance. The dinner was prepared with delicious beans and the steak was full of wonderful flavor. Once back at Juan’s cousin's house I went to bed to prepare for the great day yet to come.

Introduction to Argentina

Argentina is the second largest country in South America. They use the Peso. The main language is Spanish. The climate and seasons run opposite with the United States. The name Argentina means “land of silver”. Silver helped start the country Argentina when it first began. Currently the economy is supported by manufacturing and agriculture. Argentina’s capital is Buenos Aires and it is the largest city. Buenos Aires is also the most populated city. Argentina has a republican, representative, and federal government. Argentina is broken up into 23 provinces. These provinces have their own government with executive, legislative, and judicial branches.