Directionality and Howler Monkeys

We got to spend some awesome quality time with the Wilmarths over breakfast this morning getting to talk to them more about their mission and what initially brought them over to Costa Rica in the first place.  It was really cool to hear about their “Goats for God” project which started out as a sort of loan project.  They would give a goat to a local and they would breed it and give the kid to someone else and so on.  They do more of a breed and supply program now.  It was fun to hear about how things had just fallen into place for them and while they had never planned on staying in Costa Rica to begin with, doors were thrust open for them and they have now been living here for almost 30 years.  

Felix enjoying the view of San Jose

As we were sitting there on the deck, we were continually getting buzzed by these little black stingless bees that were going after the fruit juice on the table.  Turns out that if you can find the quickness to catch one of those little buggers, you can shake it around in your closed hands and then let it go and your hand will smell like flowers.  Interesting little bit of Biology there.

            We left the Wilmarth’s well into late morning and made our way back into town the way we had come.  At least we hoped.  One the way in last night I remember we all sat their wide eyed at the end wondering how on God’s green earth we were ever going to backtrack that same path again.  Luckily God knew what was up and at a particularly crucial intersection, one we were afraid we would miss and at one point thought we had, there was a bit of an “accident of interesting circumstances” that forced us (and everyone else) to take the turn that we were supposed to take.  Turns out a particular semi driver had not known the exact height of his substantially tall load and had tried driving under a bunch of fairly low hanging electric wires.  The force of the impact had shattered and crushed the windshield of the semi and cracked and pulled down a massive telephone pole across the road boasting 15 or more other bunches of wires. So we wouldn't have been able to turn wrong even if we had tried with chunks of inactive wire and a telephone pole strewn across the street.  Luckily I don’t think anyone was hurt.

            The next several hours were a good test in directionality and navigation for all of us and after 7 hrs (which should have been about 4) and umpteen wrong turns, backtracks, and u-turns later we finally made it to Samara!

            The hotel we are staying at is simply gorgeous and is a remarkably good deal for the price we paid.  While we were unloading the car and setting up our room, Dad and I kept hear this deep guttural calling noise coming from the woods beside the hotel and initially I wasn't quite sure what it was. A bird maybe? Turns out they are actually Howler monkeys and though I haven’t actually seen one yet, I really really hope that we get a glimpse of one before we go!

Just look at that setting!

            Luke and Anna biked up the road and met us with Arden a little while later and then we walked down the hill to get a look around town.  I haven’t been here long but I already love it here! The town is quite small from what I have seen, I mean really small, and it all seems quite homey and inviting.  It seems like one of those places that is so small that everyone knows everyone and it’s like a town sized family. We were talking to one of the ladies at the hotel and she took one look at Luke and immediately was like “Oh! I've seen you around town! You have a little baby you carry in a pack on your back and you like to go fishing!” Yep, sounds about right!

            Shortly after that we went to a little Mexican restaurant for dinner and Luke ordered a few drinks for us so I could give them a try since technically I am legal drinking age here and will be in the states in about a week and a half.  I think he is determined to find SOMETHING that I like before I leave since my “uncultured” palate doesn't like hardly anything pertaining to alcohol. I think I liked the Mojito the best even though that is A LOT of lime!

            Anna had to head home shortly after dinner to continue her studies (she is here to go to school after all) and the rest of us spent about an hour mulling around town, taking a short trip to the local grocery store, getting a tour of where all the street venders would be during the day, and even a short trek to the beach at the end of the road.

            Luke and I got to talking about the activities tomorrow would bring and I can say that I can’t wait to finally try out my new spear gun!