Rich...

"rich is not who has the most, rich is one who needs the least"-unknown proverb.

i shed a tear today as i watched a homeless man share his bread with a stray dog. He reached down and petted the black mangled fur coat as he tore a piece of bread into two and gently offered it to the animal. I have yet to learn so much in this life!

Swept away by the rain!

It was only a couple of months ago that I found myself talking to a little old lady at the bus stop who was afraid to go out in the rain. I had never heard of such a thing before!!! Afraid of the rain?!* Afraid that she might get caught up in the current and drown?!* I had never seen rain like that before, that strong and mighty, nor had I ever thought of such a peculiar (or what I thought peculiar) fear, UNTIL.... I experienced the rainy season in Costa Rica!!! The rain here is so powerful. During the rainy season it rains for 2-3 hours straight and since the water has nowhere to go in the already over saturated soil, it gushes out of the drains, spews from the streets and runs down the sidewalks making it impossible to maintain a firm grip between the soles of your shoes and the ground beneath. Some blame El Niño for the recent extra rains, some the tear in the ozone layer, others try not to focus on the negative and set their sights on summer, almost as a mantra repeating, "summer is just around the corner." Whatever the cause, I now understand the little old lady who doesn't leave her house when it starts to rain and share these pictures with you.

Mi corazón dice SI

Yesterday was a politically-charged day here in Costa Rica, as the citizens voted on the free trade agreement, CAFTA, deciding that "Si!" (Yes), they would sign on to the agreement between the U.S. and the other Central American countries. The final result, with 60% of the population voting, was extremely close: 51.7% yes and 48.3% no.

TLC

This is the buzz word here lately, and one only wishes the acronym stood for Tender Loving Care, because it is one of the most polemic debates this country has ever seen. Yet, TLC stands for el Tratado de Libre Comercio or the free trade agreement with the United States known as CAFTA. Costa Rica is the only Central American country that still has yet to ratify the agreement. However, the decision is now in the hands of the people….with an upcoming referendum. On October 7, Costa Rica citizens will go to the polls to vote SI or NO al TLC. The debate has enveloped the country in the last months and there is propaganda from both sides everywhere; there have been rallies, demonstrations, marches, buttons, and televised debates. The apartment below us happens to be one of the headquarters for the SI campaign and last week we were awakened to sounds of glass breaking as a group threw rocks through the window and sprayed the building with the words “NO AL TLC”. Those against the treaty claim that Costa Rica will never be able to compete with the imports that will enter tax free if the treaty is signed. The public services such as electricity and water will become privatized, meaning that prices will go up. Those who stand behind the SI banner, argue that the treaty will bring new jobs and possibilities to Costa Rica. In their opinion Costa Rica must sign the treaty if it wants to continue to compete in the global market. It is hard to say what will happen on October 7, but one thing is for sure, it is a pivotal time in the history of this nation.

Not cheap!

Many things in Costa Rica are cheap, like a pinneaple for 50 cents or a t-shirt for 2 bucks but in my opinion the overall cost of living in Costa Rica is high. I heard on the news the other night that Guatemala City is the most expensive central american city and San Jose, Costa Rica is second. Gas here is more than $4 dollars a liter and many of the other products are imported so they cost more than they would cost in the States. For example, peanut butter costs $4 bucks.

Highlights!

After an almost 2 week trek across Costa Rica, I finally feel like I can say that I have seen Costa Rica!I still have many places to visit yet on my list, but I have now been outside my University town, and seen both the Carribean and Pacific coasts. My favorite beach so far would probably be at the National Park Manuel Antonio (Pacific coast) where squirrel monkeys played in the nearby palm trees. One of the highlights was watching a sloth creep slowly along the telephone wires trying to get to the next tree. I saw the glowing red lava spew from the Arenal volcano at night, but was a little disappointed by some hotsprings that turned out to be just your local swimming pool with hot water. My favorite meal would probably be the Carribean rice and beans (made with coconut juice), patacones (fried plantains) and fresh fish. Here they serve the whole fish to you, so it looks like it's staring at you. I have a friend who loves to eat the fish head and all, sucking out the brains. She says its the best part.

Did I mention that I love dogs?

Big dogs!! None of those small yippy, sit in your lap dogs. Sorry Sam (my dad's dog). I have run into the most beautiful dogs here. My absolute favorite is Akira, who is a Samoyed/Huskie cross. She has beautiful blue eyes and and a milky white coat. And then there is Rover(that's what I dubbed him anyways) who I met on the beach. He even swam with me in the ocean for awhile. I almost had to switch host families when I got to Costa Rica because I had put on my questionnaire that I liked big dogs and my host family had a scary looking Rotweiler that I was sure was going to kill me, but he ended up being one of the most docile dogs I have ever met. As soon as I buy my own place, I am getting myself a big dog.