Hola

Hey everyone. I know it has been a while since I’ve written anything. Its not because there is nothing interesting going on, it’s just that things that once seemed noteworthy or exciting are now just part of my everyday life and I don’t even think to write them down. Even though I definitely don’t have a very busy life, I am rarely bored and lacking constructive/fulfilling activity. The truth is some of the most beautiful and gratifying experience can’t really be explained in writing and I just appreciate them in my own quiet little way.

Anyway, the last month has been beautiful, meteorologically speaking. The temperature has been in the high 70s, low 80s with sun and a light breeze most days. At night it gets cold enough to wear a sweatshirt…definitely ideal sleeping weather. It only rains once in a while, but usually very heavily and without warning. Of course it always seems to be when I’m out walking around with no protection and have to resort to hiding under a mango or avocado tree. I guess during the next 4-5 months the temperature is going to gradually get hotter and dryer to the point where it’s uncomfortable. I can already see that I’ll have to invest in a fan for my bedroom.

On another topic, my host sister got married two weeks ago. It was a big catholic wedding in the main church in Nicoya with family and friends from all over the country. She arrived 2 hours late, I guess because the hairdresser messed up her hair and they had to redo it or something. Meanwhile we all sat around awkwardly in the church wondering what was going on. After the church service there was a big party in my town’s community center. There were way too many people who I didn’t know and the music was way too loud so I went home early and went to bed.

Two Fridays ago I went on a little spelunking adventure with my friend Andres. We went to Barra Honda Nation Park, which is about an hour west of Nicoya, where the Tempisque River meets the Golf of Nicoya. We got a tour guide who took us on a 2km hike up this mountain to the entrance of one of the park’s seven caves. We climbed down a 60 foot ladder to the first room and then down another 12 footer to the second room. There were all kinds of cool stalactites, stalagmites and crystal rock formation and everything was so beautiful and natural. The pictures don’t really do it justice. I guess the other caves are bigger and really dangerous, and you can only go in them with a special license or something. Luckily the place isn’t very well known and hasn’t been ruined yet by tourism.

It is still coffee picking season and the harvest is in full force. The bean pickers get paid about $2 a bucket and if they work really hard they can fill 8-10 buckets a day. This is really good money and the main source of income for a lot of the farm laborers. During other months they get paid about $6 a day to do “machete work” or pick corn or black beans which is barely enough to get by and feed a family (if your not an alcoholic). Since people make good money right before Christmas and New Years, and the weather is perfect, there are usually all kinds of parties and community events. I guess the festive mood usually lasts into February. December and January are supposedly the best months of the year, at least in Guanacaste anyway so at least I have that to look forward to.

Umm...what else.....oh yeah, I have gone to 3 different birthday parties in the last month. They usually involve lunch with cake and the men playing guitar and singing for 4 hours strait. Other than that I cant really think of anything else to write about. Enjoy the pictures and keep an eye out for more coming soon.

Heath