So somehow it's been nearly a month since my last update. Hmmm...
We've been busy, and the internet has been scarce. But, a lot of
exciting things have happened. Right now we're spending our last
'free' weekend in a busy beach town. The beach is beautiful and the
town is ugly. Seems to be the case with the more popular beaches. If
you ever come this way, head to the less popular locations!!
I'm recovering from some type of stomach sickness. We're not sure what
happened, but I couldn't get out of bed for a day. It was horrible,
nasty cramping and nausea, and really put me behind with my work. Very
frustrating. Also frustrating because there are so many cool foods to
try in town! Anyhow, I'm taking it easy, no worries. It will be nice
to let my body recuperate a bit more once the program is over.
Next week we wrap up our individual projects, present them to the
community, and then we're done! I'll be hanging out in CR for a few
days before heading to a family vacation in North Carolina. Hopefully
I'll get to see another volcano (!). The plan, unless I'm still
feeling under the weather, is to go to Arenal. It's a pretty popular
spot, and the visibility might be low since we're in the rainy season
now...but we still might go. Maybe. = )
Due to a time constraint (aka-the bus leaves soon and I forgot to do
something, aack!), this will be short.
Mastatal has been great. The ranch is beautiful, and I've been getting
to know some of the community members. Living with twelve people has
been a real challenge, and I'll be happy when we're done. It's so
green right now, the rains have brought out even more beauty than
before. Flowers are blooming, green things are getting green, the mud
is getting deeper.
Last weekend I played in a Gringas vs. Ticas soccer game. It was great
fun, even though the field is covered in mud holes and more of a swamp
than a field. Amazingly enough, the Ticas didn't win! It had very
little to do with our skill. We actually scored two goals for their
team (no comment). I spent a lot of time on the ground, in the mud,
but had an awesome time.
One of the local guys, the town shaman, came by and showed a few of us
how to weave baskets. It was an interesting experience, and I now have
a lovely (lumpy) basket to take home. He's an amazing guy, he knows
every plant (with the wall of green that is the outdoors, this is
really impressive), and he's the local thatch expert. He's helping one
of the students build a shelter for the kids to hang out in. It's been
interesting watching it go up, and watching him. Once he built the
structure, he popped off his shoes, pulled himself onto the roof, and
started walking around in his socks. It's a weird sight to see a
little old man hopping around (25 feet off the ground) in his socks.
With a machete in one hand and a cigarette in the other.
I've spent some time with the kids at the school too. They're all
smart and constantly moving. Their teacher is amazing. I'd lose
patience with them after an hour. It makes for fun games though!
Tim taught some of us to make mead. Yes, I can now make mead, but I
can't promise that it will be good. It's fermented honey, and can turn
out really sweet. Too sweet for me even! It was fun to make, and I'd
do it again.
Another local guy took a few of us to the highest peak (only ~4,000
feet, don't get too excited) in the area. It was a beautiful hike, and
we had great weather. I was battling a funky prickly rash-thing on my
back, but still enjoyed the hike. We saw a huge snake on the trail, it
actually eats Fer-de-lance snakes!
As for snakes, a local guy was bitten by a Bushmaster (super poisonous
and aggressive) three times. He was reaching for his toothbrush,
beneath a sink, and didn't look first. They think that the snake had
just eaten, because he actually lived. It was kind of creepy, I had
danced with him a couple of weeks before (he's a horrible dancer, but
very nice), and got to chat with him afterwords. Crazy!
I'll try to remember all of our other adventures and catch up later.
Must catch a bus!
