Gone

This picture is of my son, Michael from the US and daughter, Kathleen from Montreal, away from home.

I feel like I'm on another planet in another time. The streets here are filthy, remember when we littered in the US? Well, it makes a big difference in how I feel because of the mess everywhere. I know if it were clean I would feel safer. Here in CR every house has burgular bars, barbed wire fences and some with concertina wire. At my house they even parallel park the car up on the front porch (cement pad like thing) and slide the bars across for the night. The porch is only about a half foot bigger than the car. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. Today, I took the bus home by myself, no other students along, because I know the 3 buses that will take me within walking distance. It was only 4 o'clock and completely daylight so I felt okay. We have found our own personal cab driver, Rubin, who we all trust to take us around when we need it but I am trying to take the bus just to prove I can. I am learning the language but do have some frustrations. Tonight I passed up an invitation to dinner at Kathleen's house because I need to study and I'm exhausted from the weekend and I know I'll get behind if I don't make it up now.

Geese I miss my family and friends.

Today it was 78 degrees and the Ticos put on jackets. It was wonderful but still very humid.