Suppose it's time for an update. Where to begin...

Right now I am in an internet cafe drinking a cold Imperial typing lab inventory.

Cathy and Jim left a few days ago, and I was sad to see them go. While they were here we had a great time tooling around the country. We started out in Malpais near the park where we rode horses through the mountains and on the beach (stopping at the house for a beer and a break by the pool). Then we headed to Arenal for a night where we hiked around the volcano and went to mass at the base of the volcano with a congregation dressed in white. The hotel in Arenal was beautiful, and we had a great view of the volcano. The clouds actually completely cleared from the volcano for a brief period of time lending an amazing veiw of the smoking top of Arenal at sunset. Next was Monteverde where Cathy and Jim bravely conquered the ziplines, but opted out of the Tarzan swing. We also visited both of my old host families in the San Luis valley. We drank fresh coffe and ate the tastiest tamales ever at Oldemar's house and watched a smashing sunset at William's. It was a great trip and we only had one close encounter with the central american grizzly bear. (Cathy and Jim--Javier's daughter is doing well, and Javiers form of transportation is a lovely light pink bike.)

The dry season is officially in full swing here, and the temperatures are rising daily. Let me paint a picture of CR, on the coast, in the dry season. The unpaved roads are dustier than you can imagine. People driving quadracycles and motorcycles look like bandits with their hats and sunglasses on and a bandana tied around nose and mouth for protection against the dust. Plants line the roads to protect houses from the dust, and as a result the plants are all covered in a greyish film of dust. Fancy hotels and restaurants spray off their plants periodically and wet down the road to prevent dust. Oh Costa Rica how I love thee.

Since my return to the park after Cathy and Jim left there hasn't been too much going on. Four students from the Universidad de Costa Rica came for a few days because they are friends with Luz, one of the cooks. I had great time with them. It is funny how some things are unchanging despite cultural differences. One example being circle of death. The card meanings may change slightly and the name may be a little different, but the gist of game itself is the same. College students around the world love (or hate) a good game of circle of death, and that's all I have to say about that. The UCR kids returned to San Jose and offered me a place to stay if I ever find myself in San Jose. On their last night we purchased fresh pargo from the pescadaria just outside the park, and feasted on some delicious fried fish. Also in the park now are a group of volunteers from the UK and a tico named Jamie (pronounced High - mee). They are rebuilding the boat house and mending the bridge that was taken out during the rainy season.

I am passing my time helping the volunteers, doing lab inventory and bits of research in the ocean. Milton has also recently convinced me to teach myself calculus....we all know how amazing I am at math. He is bringing me books on their next trip to Cabo Blanco. I also read. A lot. Any book suggestions are more than welcome. Anyone who is interested in fishes and likes to read, I highly suggest Probably More Than You Want to Know About the Fishes of the Pacific Coast by Milton Love.

That's all for now folks.