Sorry

I apologize to the folks I have been freaking out with my stories of biting things and unpleasant creatures. Truth is, even the creepist of critters here are fascinating...you can´t help but get excited when you see a large or unusual insect or spider...It´s all just so different from home. Plus there also seems to be a habit here the people get into: The ´freak out everyone at home´ syndrome. There is one man I work with, let´s call him F. J., who likes to tell us all about the most threatening, the most dangerous, the most deadly creatures Costa Rica has to offer. And when you spot one of those scary and dangerous things, you feel sort of lucky. I know that sounds crazy...but when something builds a reputation for being a bit of a terror, you feel almost like you´re seeing a celebrity of the animal-insect world. Such is the case with scorpions. Everyone here loves to tell Í saw a scorpion´stories that include where the scorpion was seen, how it bite them, etc.
So in the spirit of more creepy stories...This morning a kindergarten student brought in a case with a tarantula in it. It was very cool. And huge. And yes, a little creepy, but safely in a plastic box. The little boy showing it to us said, ¨Don´t pick it up! You can´t touch it!¨And we explained that really, we had no desire to put our hands anywhere near that large, hairy spider. But it was pretty neat to look at.
On the cuter side of things, we saw another troop of capuchin monkeys out the window of our science class today. They took some impressive tree limb leaps.
Funny, because in science today we were learning about quantum leaps. Quantum leaps are very different from monkey leaps. A monkey-quantum leap-if there was such a thing- would involve a monkey disappearing from one place and reappearing some where else entirely. Which of course generally doesn´t happen in the ´real´ world. But in the quantum world...anything is possible.

Animal sighting!

Yesterday while walking through the pasture to work I saw this little thing moving in the grass. I crept a little closer and saw it was a little baby armadillo! It was munching along in the grass, his little armadillo tail sticking out behind him. He was really very cute. He had the cutest little face and these tiny little ears that pointed straight up. I don't think I've even seen an armadillo outside of a zoo. Michael, however, has seen many because he is from Texas, where apparently armadillos are as common as fruit flies. But he missed seeing the baby armadillo, which was so darn cute I wanted to pick it up and take it home. Can one keep an armadillo as a pet? Or do they bite?

More adventures in the classroom

So today a student of mine was stung by a poisonous caterpillar. Really. I was not aware that there was such a thing as a poisonous caterpillar. Apparently they hurt quite a bit. She had a welt on her leg larger than a quarter. I was quite impressed with how calm she was about the whole situation. She came up to me, sweet as can be, and asked, "Um. Rebekah? Can I go the office?" I asked why. She said, "Um. Because I got stung by a caterpillar. See?" and then showed me the large welt. I think if I had that thing on me my response might have been a bit more panicy and distressed.
But, these kids here, they are used to everything. When our class was distracted by the monkey troop the other day, one student said, "Whatever. So what? We see monkeys like EVERY DAY." I guess one can be jaded anywhere.
There was also an exciting scorpion moment at recess. Two small and very angry scorpions were crawling about a cinderblock while some 1/2 grade students screamed their heads off. Scorpions, it seems, are scary to everyone, even the kids of Costa Rica. My very brave boss came out and caught both scorpions in a plastic bin. After capturing them, we stood there looking at the two angry little buggers, thinking, "Now what?" I suggested Michael and my Scorpion Freezing system. He opted, I believe, to crush them under something instead. Then he fed them to the army ants... which are just about the coolest, toughest cleaning machines out there. You put an insect or scorpion carcass on the ground and they will devour it en masse in no time. They also travel everywhere in perfect little army ant lines.
Watch out, though, they bite!

Phone is working again!

Our phone is up and running again! As far as we can tell, it magically fixed itself. We reported the problem to the phone company, but no one came out here to look at the line. Yet somehow it repaired itself. Or perhaps the phone folks fixed the line from some other location? Well, however, it happened...we are pleased to have both phone and internet back in our home!
Last night we attended a special dinner held for the teachers by the school commitee. It was lovely. The food was great! The best food here is that which is made in people's homes. One can sample and enjoy home-cooked food at the many potlucks and gatherings that happen here.
I feel that my Spanish is improving day by day. Ticos (Costa Ricans) are really supportive when you try to speak Spanish and they give lots of helpful tips. I've learned so much just having conversations with my Tico co-workers. It really helps to have as many conversations with Spanish speakers as possible-- particuarly those who do not speak English (as is the case with most Ticos in the area). We also usually conduct our staff meetings and parent/teacher meetings in Spanish which I find really helpful for learning as well. Also, it forces one to be really attentive in all meetings. You can't let your mind wander for a moment because you'll lose the thread of the conversation. Which is good practice for me because I am often plagued by Mind Wandering. I am a champion Day Dreamer.
Michael cut off all of his hair last night, as he does every fall. His head feels nice and fuzzy.

When it rains, it pours...

The above title refering, of course, to not only the rainy weather here but the tendency of various things to go wrong at once...
Our phone at the house is currently on the fritz. It makes a horrible click click click sound when you pick it up and doesn´t want to connect to the internet. We´re not sure what happened. Either it was a storm related accident or perhaps a rat-wire chewing incident. Or it was perhaps some electric disturbance caused by the large metal deck being built on the outside of the house at the moment.
In any case, we are phoneless. Not that it matters, really. We have a lot more time at home to read and talk now that we aren´t spending time checking é-mail! You´d be amazed how much time is gained by not having access to the internet at home.
The other funny thing that happened at home occured a few rainy nights ago. Michael and I were returning from a music perfomance by Tricia at Dulce y Marzo´s, a little cafe here. It was rainy and dark- but we were well prepared with our flashlights. We walked back from Cerro Plano through the rain and mud and then up the slippery steps to the house. After this long wet journey, we approached the door, eager for the warmth of the wood burning stove and the possibility of dry clothes...and then the key didn´t work. For no immediatly evident reason. Michael struggled with it for awhile...as the rain continued to pour and the many legions of moths fluttered about our heads...but the key didn´t want to open the door. There was a moment in which neither of us said anything at all. Just looked at each other in the rain, and thought.
Michael decided the best course of action was to try breaking in the back door, which he did with a few kicks and leaps. The door burst open and we were inside! Now the poor door is a little uneven at the bottom, where the kicking occured, but otherwise none the worse for wear.
Otherwise things are still lovely here. We discovered a wild guava tree in our front yard! It might seem odd to say we ´discovered´it... but we have many, many trees in our front yard so it´s easy to not know what´s there.
We also learned that Dulce y Marzos makes just about the best quesadilla I´ve ever had.

Our hotel in Samara

Samara Picture 3

Samara Picture 2

Samara, beach picture 1

So this weekend Michael and I went to Playa Samara with Erica, Tim, and May. It was so lovely. Sunny and warm and the water felt great. Strange to swim in the Pacific Ocean here, where the water is as warm as the Caribbean but with huge waves. Some of the largest waves I've ever seen, in fact. Strong enough to topple you several times over so that you end up somewhere up shore upside down. But- don't get me wrong- it was great! Even with the wave toppling. The setting at Samara is just perfect- palm trees, white sand, and sun. Just as you imagine a tropical beach should be.
We found a great little hotel for just 8 dollars a night! (per person...)

Breakfast, at Samara

Funny Things That Happen Here...

...There are often moments when you marvel at the situations that come up here that would never come up in Philly. For example, today my math class was interupted by a dog. Yes, a dog. In my classroom. He ran underneath all the desks and the students squeeled with joy. It was hard to return the focus to fractions after that.
I've included a picture of him here, later seen sniffing at student lunches.
He's a pretty cute dog. If a dog had to join my math class, I'm glad it was this little guy.
Yesterday also there was a stray horse standing on the road. No saddle, no rider, just a horse. Standing alone. Looking a little befuddled, actually. We stood and looked at it for a while and wondered: How does someone lose their HORSE? It's not like losing a gerbil. Or your car keys. You don't just turn around and suddenly say, "Hmm. Now what did I do with that horse of mine?"
Another example in the "only here" department... at Wednesday's yoga class it was raining so hard I couldn't hear the teacher. She had to shout the directions for each pose. Kind of alters the meditative effect of yoga when the instructor has to scream to be heard.

Another picture of torch run

La Luz de la Libertad

Here are some photos of the "torch run," the celebration of indepedence here in Costa Rica. It is, in fact, the celebration of independence in many Central American countries (all former parts of Guatemala, which gained its independence from Spain in the 19th century, I believe). The torch begins in Guatemala City and is then carried by runners down the Pan American Highway to Panama. At stops along the way, folks light torches off of the main torch and carry the flame to each community. Here in Monteverde, students from the public high school run down to the Pan-American highway (a long trip. It's a hour by car, at least) and pick up the flame. They carry it up to Santa Elena, where our students light our school torch and carry it up to Monteverde. The oldest students in the school must from from Santa Elena all the way to the school. All the grades below are stationed at various stops along the main road from Santa Elena. The torch is passed from hand to hand so that every student in the school gets to carry the flame at least some distance. Even the smallest students carry the torch...they take it from the beginning of the school driveway to the playground in back.
Pretty neat tradition, I think. Made me get a little misty eyed, actually. The tradition began because, according to legend, the news of independence, the so-called "light of liberty," passed down Central America by runners in just this way. Of course in those days, there was no Pan-American highway to speed things along.
What I was really impressed with was how the older students helped the younger ones carry this large and cumbersome torch. Without even being asked to do so, the teenagers just rushed to help out their 5 and 6 year old schoolmates. It just warms the heart. A "light of liberty," yes, but also a light of kindness and friendship.

Michael at the stove

Dia de Los Ninos

Friday was "Dia de Los Ninos," or Children's Day, a holiday here in Costa Rica. We had a half-day of fun and games at a nearby farm. I was in charge of the sack race, always a popular pastime. Students laughed uproarisly and hopped and fell all over the place. It was great. Somehow the students convinced me to join one of the races and I discovered that I am somewhat lacking in the Sack Race Skills department. I was thoroughly beaten by a ten year old. She had crossed the finished line while I hopped helpless around the half-way point, shouting, "This is really HARD. This is so much harder than it LOOKS." All the while, students laughed and laughed.
Some of the other events included a water-balloon toss, a Dizzy-Lizzy race (where you put your head on the bat and spin around in circles) a frisbee relay, and one very amusing race that involved blowing into a cup of flour. I was very concerned someone might get flour in their eyes. Fortunatly, no one was blinded. They did, however, spend the rest of the day walking around with flour in their hair.
We finished the round of activities with some group/cooperative puzzle type of games. In one of these, students had to hold on to each other in a group and stand with the least amount of total feet on the ground. The teachers did this as well. We (the middle and upper school teachers) managed to put together a group in which only four feet were on the ground with nine total people (Ann and I sat on the shoulders of some others). We thought about possibly stacking all on top of each other, like a pile of pancakes, but we were concerned that the person at the bottom might loose their eyeballs (as in: they might come shooting out of their head. You never know).
Then we all gathered and ate many yummy treats.
We also sang "Free to be You and Me," which I love. I know, I know, it's hooky.. but you gotta love the sentiment..."In this land every boy, grows to be his own man, in this land every girl grows to be her own woman...Take my hand, come with me, where the children are free, take my hand, come along and will ride...TO A LAND, where the river runs free, TO A LAND, through the green country, TO A LAND, where the horses run free, and You and Me are Free to Be, You and ME!
Seems like that song could be about this magical Monteverde...

Weather, running, and some assorted other things

It is 8:23 a.m on Wednesday, and I am writing this entry in the teachers´ lounge at my school. The weather is sunny and windy. A cool breeze is blowing making the trees dance and the temperature ideal. We are now officially in the ¨rainy season,¨ although one might find that hard to believe, given the glorious sunny days we´ve had. It does rain some in the afternoon and evening, typically a strong downpour with thunder. Here in Monteverde, though, they say the rain is a gift; without it, our precious Cloud Forest jungle wouldn´t survive.
Yesterday I ran 5Km with my friend Gina during one of my teaching breaks during the day. It was great. Hilly, but great.
Started taking Spanish classes on Monday here at the school, taught by one of my co-workers. I was quite thrilled that they placed me in the ¨intermediate¨class. I did, however, muddle through the test the teacher gave us on the first day. I was able to understand the questions, but as my spelling is so terrible, my responses are occasionally unintellegible (Did I spell that wrong?). I also keep throwing Italian words into my Spanish. And the odd French word as well. So my language is a big jumbled mess of some sense and some complete nonsense. Somehow folks seem to understand anyway. It helps that everyone here is so helpful and patient.
Saw a cool lizard yesterday on Gina´s porch. It was a vibrant green- almost flourescent.
Also saw a troop of capuchin monkeys out the window of the school during a staff meeting. We had to stop the meeting for the moment to watch them scamper through the tree tops. (There is an unspoken rule here in Monteverde: You always stop whatever you are doing if a monkey viewing opportunity presents itself).
Michael saw a snake while hiking yesterday, only the second one we´ve seen since coming here. Apparently there are many snakes, they just choose to not be visible.

Baking Bread and seeing Monkeys

While hiking in the Monteverde Reserve today, my friend Erica and I saw quite a large and impressive group of howler monkeys. We watched them scuttle about the canopy for some time. There were at least six of them, one with a tiny baby on her back. It was pretty amazing. Seeing them scamper through the treetops takes your breath away.
Yesterday, my co-workers Jonathan and Heather taught me how to make bread. I am hoping I will be able to follow the directions they gave in order to make it again myself at some point. We shall see. Perhaps I should start with something a little less ambitious than bread. The cookies were a big step...I shouldn't take giant leaps yet. But! We have all the time in the world here, so I might as well practice my bread making.
Also went to a fabulous little restaurant yesterday where they make thick, flavorful corn tortillas by hand ( they actually grind the corn right in the restaurant.)