Traveling to the Coud Forest

Pictures will follow, but just an update.

The plane rides here and the stay in the hostel was just fine. My largest disappointment was that at the airport, an embargo on weight was in effect, so the extra weight I had packed and was prepared to pay for, I had to send back home with my parents...which happened to be most of the things I was bringing for the school! I had dissection kits and some small electric balances but those had to get left behind. I only home some other people can carry them for me. I want the school to have the supplies so much!

Today we did a small gathering with Bethany, the coordinator for the interns at the school. She lives about a forty five minute walk from my house. There were about three hills between there and downtown Santa Elena (where I live) so I definitely got some exercise today. We looked at the hill that the school is at the top of (the mother of all hills) and I made a mental note on how long it might take me to climb it tomorrow morning for orientation.

Bethany made a vegetable soup from some things we have never seen before. She lives in a little house by herself that literately overlooks part of the forest. Sometimes she sees monkeys out there and the trees are amazingly dynamic.

Everything here IS green, but such a different and more varying picture. All the green is bright and deep. The color saturation here is like it was after my own heart. Nothing about the color here is weak. The "clouds" shift over the hills, so I never really know how much further it goes. Just the extensiveness of it is breathtaking. Today was overcast and raining on and off, but still beautiful. I can't wait until it is clear again.

I am living in a very small house outside of Santa Elena, my host mom doesn't seak any english but her children do. I met her two daughters yesterday, Milady and Johanna (not sure if these are the correct spellings), and they were fun. Her son, Andres, will be coming home soon...he was on vacation with his grandfather. I think. My spanish is weak, but I am already understanding more than I did yesterday.

Tomorrow we are meeting at the school for orientation, a potluck lunch and then an afternoon of planning and organizing with our mentor teachers. Mine is named Anna, she is the high school science teacher. I am really excited to begin working with her.

I should get home and take a shower before dinner.

Remember, I love mail (internet and snail) and thank you ALL for your love and thoughts.

With Love,
K