A group of students at the end of a long day of picking coffee. We made about $1 per person for 8 hours of labor. Lets just say we have a much deeper respect for your cup of Joe now.

Another group of students learning about the gardens of a women's group in Palmichal. The women grow herbs and medicinal plants, and also bring juvenile offenders from San Jose to work on the small farm (finca) as part of their rehabilitation.

Wow, that's the biggest hummingbird I've ever seen at our backyard feeder! Now that we have gates this won't happen anymore.

A lizard we spotted in the forests near Volcan Arenal. This was after seeing Howler and Spider monkeys, and after hearing the eerie rumblings of the Volcano in the distance, shrouded in mists. Pretty cool.

Believe it or not, the locals don't kill these cockroaches. Why? Well, they eat the bad types of cockroaches and don't breed like crazy. So, you might actually see some of these when you arrive here. As a matter of fact, we had one in our toilet having a little swim about a week or two ago. Ahhhh, bichos (bugs).

Well, sorry not much written here, but I am still under the gun with work. We now have internet at home, so maybe Amy will start to contribute a bit more...? It only took me 2 and a half months to get the internet installed, not for the complicated nature of the job, but more becuase we live in the sticks and because the owner of our house lives in Nicaragua. This complicated things a bit.

Anyway, we wish you all the best. These pics (in these 3 postings) are from several adventures: one to Palmichal (nearby in the Canton of Puriscal) as an icebreaker for new students; another to Volcan Arenal for our anniversary; a trip to Monteverde, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and Volcan Poas where I was working as the rapporteur for Conservation International's Global Tourism workshop; and finally some local adventures.

OK, I need to work. I hope this note finds you all well.

Saludos, abrazos, y besos a todos.

David (and Amy by proxy)