Only the drunk drive straight in Costa Rica

Only the drunk drive straight in Costa Rica. My adviser mentioned this to me on the way back from Sarapiqui and it's true. Most roads seem unnecessarily curvy and even the straight ones are decked out with an obstacle course-like arrangement of potholes that require an impressive level of control over the car to avoid bottoming out. Otherwise, regarding private transport, Costa Ricans are not the most courteous nor sensible drivers (far from it, in fact running a red light is commonplace even on busier roads - traffic police are scarce). I speculate that every Costa Rican has a bolder alter ego whose emergence is prompted only when the Tico gets behind the wheel.

Anyway, this past week was, for the most part, great. I spent the majority of it here in San Pedro but for a few hours on Saturday when I visited my rural site. I played soccer with some Ticos earlier in the week and the level of play was better than what I had experienced earlier. I was beginning to think that Costa Ricans, though completely enamored with futbol, simply weren't very good. A few players from the upper division at the University of Costa Rica joined us and it was a vigorous hour of uninterrupted play.

On Friday, Kelsey and Amy (Howard - a student from Colorado College) went (e)Spinning at the Outlet Mall 200 meters from the ACM. For those who don't know what Spinning is, it's basically a workout on a stationary bike that you do standing up in front of an overly-enthusiastic (given the banality of the exercise) instructor. They play music loud enough to get a comatose patient's blood racing and apparently it's a great workout. I stayed behind to play Solitare (I had just learned to play and was determined to win although I had no concept of the strategy needed to do so).

About 14 unsuccessful games in, Amy returned, out of breath, yelling, "Scott come quick!". Both myself and the program's director (remember, our fearless leader with whom I share a name) walked over (ironically, we were both "needed"). Amy told us that Kelsey fell from her stationary bike and cut her leg and assumed that she would need stitches. We hopped into Scott's car and drove over to the Outlet Mall. We got to the spinning club to find Kelsey and what remained of her leg (I kid), wrapped and elevated. I understand the wrap job was courtesy of the concerned women across the hall at a nail salon. Kelsey, understandably, seemed too distressed at the time to speak/understand Spanish. The loud music at the club probably didn't help either.

We moved Kelsey outside and waited for the paramedics (who at been called prior to our arrival) to arrive. They told Kelsey that she'd have to go to the hospital for stitches and that they'd take her there in an ambulance. We got in the ambulance, it was the first time for both of us, and took a short ride to El Hospital Casa de la Biblia. We immeadiately went back to a room where they do "minor surgery." After a few questions and minutes of waiting, in walked the doctor (he introduced himself and now I forget his name). He began the procedure and I was impressed at the sterility of it all. That being said, the doctor's unbuttoned dress shirt revealed an immensly dense patch of chest hair which I imagine must have been at least as biodiverse as one of the nearby rainforests. This forest hovered above Kelsey's sizeable gash for the entirety of the procedure. Her leg, up to this point, has not rotten off or even begun to turn black so I'd imagine that all is well.

Anyway, during the stitching, to pass the time and break the awkward silence, I asked the doctor what he thought of Costa Rica's next qualifying match against Mexico (in Mexico City). He responded with an elaborate, yet ill-informed analysis of how he thought things currently stood in CONCACAF (which includes the Caribbean, and North and Central America). I didn't have the heart to correct him, though I would never question his abilities in medicine (Kelsey's stitches are beautiful), he seemed like a stubborn and simple-minded man.

The whole stitches incident was over in a flash and we were back in the ACM building before we knew it. I spent Friday afternoon playing with an 8 month old Border Collie (pastor overjero or sheep dog - they don't have a specific name for Border Collie in Spanish). My host sister is caring for him while his owner is out of town. He's rambunctious but far less neurotic/psychotic than my Border Collie.

The next morning (Saturday) I met my adviser at 9 to visit my rural site. Kelsey had planned on accompanying us but she stayed home to nurse the leg. It's a shame too because I must tell you that I will be spending the next two months in an absolutely magical place. The road there cuts through primary forest as far as the eye can see for the first hour and then through banana plantations for the last 30 minute stretch. My house is small and very pretty and I have will have a younger (slightly shy, but very curious) brother named Esteban. My host mother seemed pleased that my Spanish is pretty good and behind the house is a beautiful garden where the family grows pineapple, yucca, avocado, a large squash-like vegetable (I forget the name), sweet lemons, and probably more. After taking a tour of the house we drove back through the town of Puerto Viejo (which has internet cafes all around so I will most likely still be able to update this blog every week) and then turned off to enter La Selva (the OTS-run research station) to meet up with my host father, Danilo. We found him finishing lunch in the mess hall and then he led us across a suspension bridge over the Rio Sarapiqui so we could discuss my project in his office (he will also be my primary adviser). Danilo seemed quite interested in my project and generously offered me access to any equipment I might need from the OTS even though I am here as a student from the ACM. He's going to take a few days off of work to help me get started with my project (which is in both of our interest as he is currently is working administrative duty at La Selva and working in the field is his true passion).

After the meeting was over with, he hopped in the car and headed back towards San Jose. I spent 5 minutes outside at La Selva and saw 2 species of toucan, a pecarry, and howler monkeys. When I got back to San Jose I called some of the other students to see what was going on for Saturday night even though I was already well-tired from the day's trip. It turned out that they had planned on going dancing (MUCH) later that night. I obliged, not wanting to be the lame one. When I got to the club, it turned out that most of the other students had decided to stay home and rest. It turned out being just me and one other student (with his host sister). It was a late, but decent night.

On Sunday, Kelsey and I walked through San Jose looking for an artesenia where I could find a Guatemalan-style belt. We found a crafts bizaar type thing but I didn't find my belt. I might try again this afternoon.

It was a less eventful (relatively speaking) week but a good one. I learned how to prepare plantains today which should help me make friends in the future. Anyway, that's all for now.

Scott