About time I updated this thing. The internet is slow and sparatic.
Things here are absolutely amazing. The weather is warm, but there is a nice ocean breeze to keep you from overheating. Next month is supposed to be much hotter. I have had 2 student groups come through so far. One from Lehigh University and the other from Westfield University. Both went very well. We took them snorkeling, on hikes to the waterfall, and did shell o rama. Mark Wainwright came with the second group and he is pretty much a badass. Knows everything you can thing of to do with tropical biology and them some. Im going to watch the superbowl at his house in Monteverde with a few other gringos.
The snorkeling is awesome. Tons of fishes which I can identify, sea turtles, octopi, eel, snail. etc. I see something new everyday. I am sporting a nice snorkel tan that looks something like pale in front and strangely tan in back. Its the next big thing. There are howler monkeys and white face cappuchins (sp?) that come through frequently and eat fruits from the trees. I was actually peed on by a howler monkey while walkng to town the other. True story and something that would only happen to me. I swear he was aiming. Ha. I also came face to face boa constrictor while leading the students over some rocks to shell beack. He was in pursuit of a lizard. We scared the lizard away but it was really neat to see up close and personal.
The food is great. Pretty much rice and beans with fruit and meat at every meal. Coffee breakfast lunch and dinner. Fresh squeezed juice as well, mmm. The staff and I get along and great and I am working on my spanish with them.
Everything is great here.
Hope all is well with everyone in the states and the snow is not too cold!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Arrival
This will be a boring post, but I made it to San Jose in one piece with all my luggage. Everything went smoothly at the airport and my dad and I spent a few hours VIP style in the Crown Room before my flight.
It feels so good to be back! My spanish is rusty to say the least, but I've managed to get by with a new fangled spanglish. I'm staying in a hostel tonight then taking a bus across the country in the morning to Cabo Blanco which is the park I will be working in while I'm here. Weather is warm and the sun is shining. Can't wait to get to the coast and reunite with the Drs Lieberman.
It feels so good to be back! My spanish is rusty to say the least, but I've managed to get by with a new fangled spanglish. I'm staying in a hostel tonight then taking a bus across the country in the morning to Cabo Blanco which is the park I will be working in while I'm here. Weather is warm and the sun is shining. Can't wait to get to the coast and reunite with the Drs Lieberman.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Anticipation
So I started a blog.
I have no idea if I will actually update it, or if anyone actually cares to read it. Regardless, it exists.
The title to my blog, El país de Nunca Jamás, means Neverland in espanol which I found fitting. Peter Pan was always my favorite fairytale, and as I grow up I still find the idea of Neverland and infinite childhood extremely appealing. Costa Rica is my Neverland of sorts.
As I kid, I have vivid memories of donning my homemade Peter Pan costume, throwing all the couch pillows on the floor, turning the fan on, and jumping off the couch onto the pillows. Every time I jumped I was convinced I would fly. Much to everyone's surprise--I never actually took flight, but I gave it my best damn shot. I was convinced if I believed enough it would actually happen one day, and for some unknown reason turning the fan on was a necessary step.
My first trip to Costa Rica (and every trip) I spent hours listening to Milton ramble on about exciting and dangerous excursions he had taken in the name of science. The students would gather round and loose all track of time as he entertained us with stories of rat catching under gunfire and deadly snake bites while gathering tree data. Eventually I had my own stories to tell (balla ant attack). He told us we were the lost boys and he stepped in for Peter Pan. Before I knew it I had found my Neverland, and even though it didn't entail flying I was the happiest I'd ever been. So maybe I'm a nerd or maybe I'm a thrill seeker, but science and the jungle are my idea of Utopia.
I found leaving Costa Rica just as bittersweet as Wendy found leaving Neverland, but I always figured I would return. Looks like I was right.
For now I am counting down the days in anticipation of my 6 months in the rich coast.
I have no idea if I will actually update it, or if anyone actually cares to read it. Regardless, it exists.
The title to my blog, El país de Nunca Jamás, means Neverland in espanol which I found fitting. Peter Pan was always my favorite fairytale, and as I grow up I still find the idea of Neverland and infinite childhood extremely appealing. Costa Rica is my Neverland of sorts.
As I kid, I have vivid memories of donning my homemade Peter Pan costume, throwing all the couch pillows on the floor, turning the fan on, and jumping off the couch onto the pillows. Every time I jumped I was convinced I would fly. Much to everyone's surprise--I never actually took flight, but I gave it my best damn shot. I was convinced if I believed enough it would actually happen one day, and for some unknown reason turning the fan on was a necessary step.
My first trip to Costa Rica (and every trip) I spent hours listening to Milton ramble on about exciting and dangerous excursions he had taken in the name of science. The students would gather round and loose all track of time as he entertained us with stories of rat catching under gunfire and deadly snake bites while gathering tree data. Eventually I had my own stories to tell (balla ant attack). He told us we were the lost boys and he stepped in for Peter Pan. Before I knew it I had found my Neverland, and even though it didn't entail flying I was the happiest I'd ever been. So maybe I'm a nerd or maybe I'm a thrill seeker, but science and the jungle are my idea of Utopia.
I found leaving Costa Rica just as bittersweet as Wendy found leaving Neverland, but I always figured I would return. Looks like I was right.
For now I am counting down the days in anticipation of my 6 months in the rich coast.
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