Daimond Inn Hotel Alajuela

... Of course Bev is wonderful and very easy going so I don’t think she held it against us too much! 

There were three benefits to staying at this not-so-great camping spot.  At night, once it got pitch black, we were able to walk over to a perfect viewing spot for the volcano.  We could see, in short intervals, red hot lava rocks rolling down the side of the volcano.  There wasn’t a lot but it was definitely interesting.   Also, tour busses where stopping here to view the ...

... is normal for a first time festival. There were rumors that the prices were too high, that the location was too remote, that it was rainy season and that local participation was low due to lack of initial involvement with the project. I have hopes that next year, they will have a better turn out, and will correct some of the things that needed to be done. I am privileged to have been a part of the very first Rainforest Aid!

Next, Mike ...

... hike was over. It was pitch black outside without our flashlights turned on. I really enjoyed it. But then we were starving so we had dinner at the hotel and there were a bunch of young kids that were really annoying; they kept wanting us to dance with them in this club at the hotel but we went in there and there was no room and there were 20 like 13 year old kids running around and we didn’t want to be involved.. There wasn’t much to do otherwise ...

... away for 2 bucks each. haha So i finally got internet, and electicity. and possible a phone somewhere around here. But all is good. I´m prob going to head to Costa Rica in about 3 or 4 days and then down to that meditation retreat help exchange place for a few days. Theres this crazy river on the boarder of Nica and Costa Rica called the Rio San Juan which flows to the carribean coast. Its a 12 horu trip down adn about 16hours back ...

Hello! We have been experiencing some technical difficulties that past 2 days. I (Elizabeth) accidently dropped a glass of water on my lap top yesterday.... whoopsies! We immediately took care of it and let it dry all day. However when we turned it on today, everything was fine except the internet and wireless connection uninstalled themselves. We are able to use the internet when we hook it up to the modem but it is being a pain! Once we get this chord we need, we will be up and ...

... 12 feet to the periodical section.(I almost said the periodic table, but that's another tale) Ahhhhhhh! Most of the post-election issues had arrived. Utne Reader, Readers' Digest, Consumer Reports, Boy's Life....[Sorry, I jest. It's not that old!] Within a few minutes, seated at round library tables, with small piles in front of us, we left San Jose behind for another universe. Time stood still. But the earth did not! I had barely found the digital camera ratings in ...

... pictures of parakeets in the trees..waiting for pictures). The owner has an uncanny sense of humor and when we asked him about police, etc. he said nothing in Costa rica is predictable, hours, police responding, electricity, water, etc. The outside restaurant on the veranda had fresh flowers. We were sorry to miss our breakfast in a beautiful setting but they packed it for ...

... a quiet evening hanging out at the hostel, and Filip has now gone out to meet Adrian again - I decided not to go as it's cold and wet and I have to fly to Lima in the morning. have mixed feelings about Peru now and am sad that my time in Central America has gone so fast. I would stay here longer if I could - the weather gets better every day, I meet lovely people all the time and there's still loads more I want to see and do. I will be back one day!

... yeah I know it is over the top but true. Too much time alone. I thanked him again and boarded the bus and he looked happy as well. We bgan to climb high into the mountains. The air was foggy and cold and all the windows of the bus that were open were slowly being closed. We saw a few accidents from the wet and the fog and we even picked up a man selling coffee and burritos on the side of the road in the mountains. He was a happy addition to our crew and made plenty of ...

... before lunch, Pauline and I went back to check on her to see if she felt better, but she still wasn't up for it.

So after lunch we lazed about a bit. I read and napped in the hammock and watched the rain pour down. You can often tell time by the weather here: rain means it's 1:30 or 2pm. When it stopped, three of us ventured down to the swimming hole, which was so refreshing! We shared the river with dozens of pirahnas (no kidding!) and were right near a gaping bat cave ...