30 Day Writing Challenge: My Commute

My Commute

My homestay

My commute from my homestay in San José, Costa Rica, to my study abroad university, Universidad Veritas is easy and fast. I live right around the block from the school. It's easily a two-three minute walk. I head downstairs, unlock the double lock with my key, head out the door, and then turn around to double lock the door once again with my key. The amount of security and locks at my homestay is interesting, but I definitely feel safe I take a left at the stop sign, and I'm basically on campus. I usually leave my homestay at 7:58am, even though class starts at 8am. One, because it is part of the culture for Ticos to run late due to conversations and other priorities, my profe is never there on time. Also, since I live two minutes away, I can make it to class right on time. Today, this morning it was nice and cool out. It felt great. I also saw a couple of stray cats. Seeing stray animals is very normal here. It's sad, but normal. I always make sure to give them some love. Side note, the animals here are much smaller than in the U.S., especially the cats. I still haven't figured out why. 

Stray kitty!

I almost always head back to my homestay when my morning class lets out at noon, since I don't have class until 3pm or 6pm depending on the day of the week. Buying groceries and making my own lunch at my homestay is a lot cheaper than eating lunch at the nearby restaurants every day. Every once in a while, I'll definitely go with some friends. Once again, I have to open the double lock and then double lock it behind me.

view from my university

When I leave for my afternoon class, I usually grab my umbrella because it typically starts to rain about 3 or 4 o'clock. Sometimes it also rains at like 8pm, so an umbrella is great for after my 6 o'clock class. Once again, I open the double lock and double lock it behind me. Today, I left early for my 3pm class. I felt that after my difficult Spanish final this morning, I deserved a treat. I got some skittles and a coke from the on-campus deli and headed to class. Soon after I arrived in class, the rain started pouring. If you've ever been to Costa Rica, you know the rain is no joke. The picture below was from the other day when I forgot my umbrella. In my two-three minute walk home, I was drenched. Today, I just missed the downpour. As it often is, it was hard to hear my profe because the sound of the rain overpowered her voice. Nevertheless, I'll take the rainy commute over the snow going on back at home right now. 

The rain here is no joke