Classes at Academia D'Amore

Hola a todos,

Escribo hoy por sola una razón - para decirles que una vacación a Manuel Antonio, Quepos, y Academia D'Amore es una experiencia magnifica e inolvidable. Viajé a Costa Rica el Febrero pasado durante sola una semana, y asistí a clases durante cinco días. Antes de llegar a Manuel Antonio, había estudiado español durante dos años pero nunca he aprendido más rápido que cuando estudiaba a la Academia D'Amore. Después de tres días de asistir clases con Wilmar, fui a una fiesta donde la mayoría de la gente no hablaba inglés, ¡y me comuniqué casi sin dificultad! Nunca habría podido hacer eso antes de visitar Costa Rica. ¡fue tan emocianante!

Anyway, if you speak some Spanish already, I imagine you can tell from the paragraphs above that my Spanish still needs some work. Regardless, I improved SO MUCH thanks to my week in Manuel Antonio. I can only imagine how much progress you folks have made that have been lucky enough to visit for 6 weeks+.There's so much besides learning Spanish, though. Some highlights of my trip:

-The airport: a single paved strip and an open-air terminal welcoming you to paradise.

-David, Damaris, Gustavo, and Wilmar-Everyone I came in contact with at the school is wonderful. Really just nice, friendly, laid-back yet professional people.

-Louie: I showed up without a hotel reservation and just startedwondering down the road in Manuel Antonio from a spot that seemed nice. As I was walking, a Canadian dude yelled out asking if I needed a room. He set me up in a little place that I could best describe as a cross between a condo and a treehouse - there was even a trap door. I attended a party at his place where David D'Amore showed off his guitar skills.

-My host Mom: Doña Margarita is a wonderful woman, and was extraordinarily welcoming and kind to me. She's also a great cook.

-The weather. While I was there in February, it was perfect except for the 15 minutes every day when it sprinkled a bit.

-The monkeys. They're a riot, really. I could watch them for hours. And you WILL see them when you go to the park.

-The beach. It's perfect.

-The ATV tour I took - we rolled through dirt roads, muddy river beds, and even small rivers before ending the day watching the sun set at a house on top of a hill. But don't take my word for it - get out there and make your own memories.

Brian Williammee

Arlington, VA (US)

bwilliammee@gmail.com