My Life in Photos

looking for the whale sharks, didn't find them

jenny petting baby cows

palm grove!

too much cervaza!

hitchhiking!  my first time! :)  made it there and back in one piece

backwash, matapolo

for nicole!

love love love the view

cosita!

white faced capuchine!  hello!

Just when you think...

things might be normal for a while.  Coco had his stitches removed yesterday and the doctor confirmed that he has lost his eye sight on the side of the stitches.  The dr. who originally stitched him up could have saved the sight but didn't fully examine him.  Coco didn't tell me that he couldn't see, only that things looked funny and I just assumed it was from the swelling and the stitches. The dr. told him eventually his eye will turn a funny color and possibly die?  but again, this is a clinic dr. in the middle of no where.  I feel very bad about this situation.  Coco doesn't have money to go to a big town with a real dr. and isn't taking this news very well. 

New Casa Y Stuff

front of house

this week has been different.  I started working at the school and have spent most of my time with 2-5 year olds.  They are so much better behaved than American kids.  not to mention how cute the brown kids are!  ;)  Today I started working in the office, reorganizing and moving things.  Next week is Holy Week so there is no school. and sadly no alcohol sales all over town.  but don't worry, I'm stocking up! 

I started a painting at Coco's that I need to finish and need to bring my painting stuff into town.  

The week after I will be working M, W& F in the office and T & Th at night in the English classes for adults.  that will be a bit better for me!

Here are pictures of the new house.  It's actually really nice compared to most things in town, which makes me pretty uncomfortable.  Like more of a target for theft etc.  But I need to find something and this just fell into place.  the entire house is $400 and am currently sharing with one other person.  In may there will be 3 of us and I will move to a less nice room, for less money.  

my room

kitchen

dining and living

front porch

the bike i've been using.  mt. biking is hard work!

Coco's Bathroom Remodel

As requested.

Good Bye Ruby Tuesday

tastes just like coke but 8% alcohol.  Not the best choice with breaky!

thank you rolling stones:

pretending our Cuba Libre is coffee, too early to serve booze

this photo makes it look better than it is!

She would never say where she came from
Yesterday don't matter if it's gone
While the sun is bright
Or in the darkest night
No one knows
She comes and goes

Goodbye, ruby tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still Im gonna miss you...

Don't question why she needs to be so free
Shell tell you it's the only way to be
She just can't be chained
To a life where nothings gained
And nothings lost
At such a cost

There's no time to lose, I heard her say
Catch your dreams before they slip away
Dying all the time
Lose your dreams
And you will lose your mind.
Aint life unkind?

Goodbye, ruby tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still Im gonna miss you...


I thought it was appropriate.  I have a house that I'm sharing with another teacher at the school.  It's nice. my room is really nice and it's $225 for my share.  that's actually on the high side but i thought it was worth it.  I can trade rooms and drop down if i want to.

Coco got hit by a car on his bike.  5 stitches and a lot of nastiness.  Sorry these photos are all over the place.  forgot my mouse! 

One of the kids from my class.  Went to the beach with him and his family this weekend with some other teachers from school.

Here's some photos from the weekend.

An Outing of Sorts

dorky, inferma y hungover

taking abandoned beams out of the jungle

Yesterday I went to the forest with Coco, Dani, Walter and Alan to retrieve some abandoned posts.  it was up and down and across streams.  Really hard work for them.  I carried the water.

manly work!

My first cocoa tree! aka where chocolate comes from

Walters leg, took 4 months to heal, skin grafts etc. after being bit by the super deadly fer de lance snake.  he's lucky to have lived

walter and coco this morning.  walter's been sleeping in the hammock for the last couple days.  he lives in the forest in a  tree platform close to the abandoned beams.

coco and unk

Puma tracks!  Mama and baby! Baby tracks not shown

Camilion

Community?

This has been my home for the last 6 days.  My only complaint is the bugs.  I’m getting eaten alive by no-see-ums.  No amount of DEET or coconut oil will stop them from biting the ef out of me.  I look like I have chicken pox.  From the house I can watch the mangrove fill up when the tide comes in, see monkey and of course many many birds.  The bathroom has been remodeled since I’ve been here, which is nice.  I’m still looking for a different place to stay.  The owner of the house has been staying here too and another dude named Rasta.  It’s been interesting to say the least.   But everyone is very accommodating and respectful.  Coco does most of the cooking. 

coconut water! my favorite!

 On Sunday we had guests over and Coco’s friend Jackson, who’s a chef, came over and cooked for us.  The other two dudes weren’t here but we invited the director and a teacher from the English school over.  All in all a really fun entertaining day, full of learning survival skills and great photos.  

Yesterday I woke up sick, I had a fever all day.  Today a sore throat, but am feeling better.  The flu is going around here I hear.  Again, I can’t say how thankful I am for basically the kindness of strangers to let me into their life.  And to show me the real Costa Rica.  This might not be what I thought my trip would be like, but honestly, I think it’s better.  There has been some unpleasantness that’s for sure, but as Coco keeps saying “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”. 

coco cleaning the toilet & shower, before the remodel

Before I forget, the drinking water comes from town, as in purchasing it in a large container.  the rest of the water comes from the well.  I have to pull water from the well to flush the toilet, do the dishes and to shower.  the shower consists of a bucket or two of water and plastic bowl to dump in on myself.  Adventure!  :)

inside "platform" kitchen area

the well

Sean learning how to open a coconut without a machete

Jackson showing Carrie how to open an old coconut with back of machete. coco instructing sean