(Stay Tuned for the Sequels – An Afternoon and An Evening!)
So this is not going to be a deep or profound post, I just want to share what one morning in our life is like here. We awake usually around 7-7:30 with no alarm - just whenever the sunlight starts creeping in our windows. I carefully look at the floor before stepping out of the bottom bunk because I have found giant millipedes and baby lizards roaming in the wee morning hours. Jaxon likes to catch them, although sadly he pulled off the wiggling tail of the baby lizard this morning. The tail flipped and flopped like a fish out of water, but the lizard seemed no worse for the wear as he scurried off under my bed. If Jax is still asleep when I awake, I’ll write a little or I’ll roll out my yoga mat and stretch, breathe and sit for a bit to get my head and body clear.
When Jaxon wakes up it is time for breakfast! He is a hungry, growing boy. Usually we have cereal, toast, maybe yogurt and fruit, coffee and juice. We went to the grocery store last night and here is what 15000 Colones or about $30 will by you in Sarapiqui – Choco Crisps cereal, milk, small heavy whipping cream (for my coffee!), 2 avocados, 3 bananas, 2 yogurt smoothies, 2 yogurts, a giant carrot as big around as my wrist, Oreo cookie wafers, a roll of cheese crackers, bakery bread sticks, a bag organic sesame logs, a small can of peas, one pack of microwave cheese popcorn and a 6-pack of Imperial beer (Costa Rican). I think that is it. Groceries are surprisingly expensive here! We fix our own breakfast and dinner, but lunch is included.
Then we go and check in at the main lodge to see if there is any work for us to do. Yesterday we went to a local school while Sergio gave a presentation on the rainforest. The day before, we took a GPS through the forest and mapped points to help design a topographic map. In a few minutes we leave again for two more schools. (I need to hurry and get dressed, so will wrap this up!)
The kids are extremely rambunctious as this is their last week of school. You can smell the anticipation of the holidays in the air. All of the tico houses are already decorated for Christmas with lights, garlands and even tiny snowmen – so funny since they probably have no idea what those white, round men really are they never get snow here. And the porches have little decorated Christmas trees. (75% of Costa Ricans are Catholic.) The children finish their school year this week and return in February to a new grade, so for them, this is their summer holiday about to start. Yeah – 3 months of freedom!
They do not celebrate Thanksgiving, so not turkey and stuffing for us this year. However, my new American friend Stephanie and I are going to cook a Costa Rican style Thanksgiving on Saturday. I can’t wait to report on that!
I will post some pictures of our room and some “roommates” when we return from the schools.
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Happy Thanksgiving!!! Jaxon, don't worry about pulling the tail off the lizard, it is one of their defences. If a predator (in this case you) tries to grab hold of them, they shed their tail and take off. They will grow a new tail, usually in a short period of time. Other than the beer, your food selection sounds horrible, but you know me give me MEAT! The beer is actually pretty decent. When I was there it seemed like food was pretty cheap. Good steak dinners were around $6.00 (or 500,000,000 colones actually I never could figure out the exchange. Usually, I would just hold out the money and let them take what they want). That was great that you saw a toucan. You used to be able to get them in pet stores until they discontinued importing birds. The toucan is almost impossible to breed in captivity, so it is rare that you see them anymore. Well I have to go. We're frying a turkey today. Miss you guys.
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