top of the World

This is the volcano Arenal in La Fortuna , Costa Rica. This is one of the things people come to see in this beautiful country and they are usually disappointed because the clouds are low and nothing can be seen. Well, not only did we have 2 completely clear days but the volcano had erupted about a week ago for the first time in 38 years with lava and not just smoke, and so we just had to visit. No knowing whether or not we could even get close we planned a trip to visit the hot springs at the foot of the volcano. The springs are pools, 7 or so of them, ranging in size that go up part of the foot of the volcano. As you go up in elevation and closer to the volcano the water gets hotter and hotter.We then worked our way back down into the one at the bottom that is really a swimming pool with a bar in the middle. Well, we deserved the party after braving all that hot water. As it started to get late we dressed and went to a lookout spot at the base of the mountain and were lucky enough to see a spew of hot lava slide down the side. I did get at least one picture of that to share . Then to top it off as we were getting ready for bed the damn thing erupted and scared us all to death. It sounds a a whole lot like when an airplane breaks the sound barrier and you can feel the earth move. We were not staying on the side of the mountain were the lava flows so all we saw was the big cloud of black and gray smoke come out of the top. Now how is that for a really different day? Well, this weekend in Costa Rica just got better and better.
This morning, after spending what seemed like a week yesterday crossing the continental divide on the worst roads (sort of roads) I have ever seen I had another memorable experience. At nine this morning I was more than 800 feet off the ground flying through the tree tops zipping along on a wire cable. Yes, Don, I did it and did not look down. You can still see lots if you look out and not down. Anyway it was so exhilerating I can hardly believe that was me hanging up there. We went on the best zip line course in this country. It had 12 lines that traveled all through the rain forest in the mountains and the last one was 3280 feet long. That is more than half a mile.
Riding in a car in Costa Rica is a death defying feat. The Ticos all drive at will. They pass on the right, they pass of the left, they pass on a curve and think nothing if that curve happens to also be on a hill. I nearly passed out I had held my breath so many times on the road trip this weekend.
No wonder the leading cause of death here is auto accidents. I thought since this was a tropical country they would be more laid back but not behind the wheel they aren't.
After traveling around this country I am exhausted and now have a had week of school. It finally happened that can speak Spanish. Maybe the weekends are meant to do that. I have been practicing with whomever, waiters, desk clerks or taxi drivers and it doesn make a difference.