It´s been months. I´ve been lazy, far from internet, and preoccupied with living. The past few months have been wonderful and many adventures were had.
I have recently realized that my time in Costa Rica is coming is coming to an end (for now). It is a strange thought to think that when I leave here I will not be coming back, but I am suprising okay with this and ready to move on to new adventures.
The month of May was spent with the UGA Ecology Maymester. We travelled to La Selva Biological Station in the lowland (yes Brad, lowland) rainforest on the caribbean slope. It was suprisingly dry for May, but this didn´t seem to hinder the wildlife. We had some pretty amazing sightings including eyelash pit vipers of the yellow variety, fer de lance (dead and alive), toucans & other crazy birds thanks to Alexa, caiman, cane toads out the wazoo, mono congos (and their gonads), etc...Days spent here were hot and sweaty and wonderful. I think La Selva is my 2nd favorite place in CR. We went swimming in potentially croc infested river and made it out alive. The only casualty was one of Alexa´s beloved rubber boots. We also survived the "rapture," thank God. Research happened, papers were written, and science was learned. Our next stop was the pacific coast. Here we spent a lot of time doing tourist things like horseback riding, surfing, making ceviche, and being eaten alive by no see ums. We also kayaked through mangroves where we saw a croc and witnessed a large tree fall. It sounded louder than a gunshot as it snapped. Everyone´s head spun round as we watched it splash into the water. Luckily we were a few yards out of its range. That´s about all I have to say about that site. Our last stop was good ole San Luis. Always feels a little like home away from home. Students wrapped up projects here, and lived with homestays. I third wheeled with Alexa and Alex as we tooled around town listening to the rancheros, watching little house on the prarie, and speaking spanglish. The maymester was organized chaos, and the word organized is optional, but it was a great experience with great people.
After the maymester I hung around in San Luis working on the course book, hanging out with Alexa, and waiting for Myles and Elizabeth to arrive. We hiked to the waterfall and spent a lazy day in a nearby river picking fresh mangos and drinking Imperial. We also watched the Gold Cup as Costa Rica was knocked out early by Mexico followed by the United States. Mexico is good, really good, this year.
I met Myles and Elizabeth in San Jose and we headed straight back to the Monteverde area. Their visit included ziplining, waterfalling (quite an adventure in Montezuma), hiking in the cloud forest, watching a fer de lance strike, kill, and eat its prey (creepy), and a trip into to the Holy Grail of CR National Parks--Cabo Blanco. I think some of my favorite parts of their trip were driving through the countryside of Costa Rica. It never really gets old no matter how many times you drive through those mountains. The views are insanely breath taking, and I was in good company.
Now I am working with a group from CSUMB in San Miguel. My last group while I am here. I really like the group. We spent the first few days in San Luis cramming in stats, plant-o-ramas, and cloud forests then headed to the coast. Back home to my "familia de Costa Rica," the pacific ocean, and being fed 5 times a day the most delicious fresh breads that Luz can make.
It is the rainy season here, and let me tell you, it is rainy. The other day we had a massive raining cats, and dogs, and even larger mammals, rainstorm. It started around 4 am. Thunder and lighting included. Ever few minutes my entire room would be lit by lighting followed by thunder that would make you think there was a small earthquake taking place. This continued throughout the morning. Electricity went out. Luz cooked with fire by candle light in the kitchen. Everyone sat around in the comedor simply watching the great storm and pretending to work on other materials. You couldn´t hold a conversation without yelling over the rain on the tin roof. These are the kinds of days I love in Costa Rica. At around 10 am we went to take a look at the San Miguel river. In the dry season there is virtually no water at all to be seen, and if water is present it is crystal clear. The best way to explain the present state of the river was dirty chocolate milk, and lots of it. The creek had been transformed into a raging river. it rose to just under the bridge and you could hear large cobbles beeing tossed about at the bottom. The bridge itself was trembling under the pressuse, and every once in a while would jolt as large boulder was slammed into it. Milton took out the video camera and starting rolling footage. Where the river meets the sea was the really impressive part. It looked like someone had dumped all those galloms and gallons of chocolate milk into the ocean, and it was spreading before our eyes. You could see the surf break and instead of white foam it was dirty brown. We watched it spead out a mile in diameter at least. Everyone sighed as we watched our chances of snorkeling that week jump from slim straight to none. It was pretty cool to see. The bridge held through the storm and in the afternoon the rain slowed to a drizzle. Welcome to Costa Rica in the wet season.
Felipe pulled up on the quadracycle the other day with a large cage containing a guan tied to the back. Appearently, this bird had been harassing the residents of Cabuya and breaking into houses and gardens. The decision was made to release her in the park. The first night we kept in the cage and fed him. The following morning we released "Solidad" as she has been named. She stayed close to the kitchen and dining room for most of that day but became elusive the next. Two morning after her release I was woken up by Luz and the other cooks screaming. Solidad still doesn´t respect personal space. She was flying around the dining room, through kitchen, sitting on the stove and counters. I don´t care what species you are, you don´t sit on Luz´s kitchen counters. Dish rags were swinging and people were yelling. I was laughing. Solidad took refuge in the trees just behind the kitchen, and spent the rest of the day sulking. This was my favorite wake up call I can remember.
Currently I am in San Jose with an ear infection. Some sort of double bacterial and fungal thing. I guess it isn´t good when a worm and sand come out of your ear. Milton and the doctor´s sound effects were priceless. I am on the mend though and heading home Tuesday. At least this gave me a chance to watch the World Cup. Those PK´s were a heart breaker. Also there are lots of Crime show dramas in spanish on TV. Score. Today I went an awesome Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit with my friend Daniel and his family. Models of his sketches had been assembled and put on display. Did you know he designed the first tank?! The Vitruvian Man was my favorite. I never really took the time to see how perfect the porportions are. Humans are pretty incredible. San Jose has been a nice change of pace, but I am ready to get back to Cabo Blanco.
I guess that sums up the past few months.
So I have less then 2 weeks before I return to Georgia, pack up, and make the move across the country to Monterey. I guess I haven´t had enough of the pacific coast. The past 7 months have been nothing less then amazing. Costa Rica you did me good. Mischief Managed. I guess it isn´t goodbye quite yet, but Oh Atlanta I hear you calling.
Adios Amigos
