2/26 to 3/14 Finding Rachael

Rich's sister Rachael was studying in Costa Rica this spring. The guys had been planning on visiting her somehow at some point. The original details are foggy to me, but it turned into one of those great romantic birthday surprises you might see on HBO...you know, the ridiculously unlikely way that things line up and work out against all odds.

"we are still on the island of ometepe, planning on leaving soon. actually we were planning on leaving today, but that has changed to monday. it is nice here, and very cheap to stay and eat. on monday we will take the ferry across the lake (10 hours, i hope i don't get seasick) to san carlos. from san carlos we have to try and fenangle our way onto a panga (very small boat) with our bikes so we can cross the river into costa rica. not sure if it is even possible, but we will give it shot, knowing full well that we may have to turn around."

"we made it to cano palma, biological station, on sunday, unannounced. the entire transport there worked so well and was so easy. rachael had told me the steps one had to take to reach the station. we were able to camp for free at a hotel the night before, about an hour from the boat to the station. the woman there was exceedingly nice. in the morning, at the hotel, we had 3 two-toed sloths in the tree above us. the ants ate my feet up, and my camp stove was spitting fuel at me. not a great night. when we arrived in pavona, where the boat was to leave from, we met ronald. he runs the car-park, as you can't easily get a vehicle down the river or up the canal. he spoke english well and was fully trustworthy. he introduced us to his father-in-law, don edgar, the owner of the vista mar hotel, across the canal from the station. by fate, he was waiting for some clients and offered to give us a ride, for free, to the station. the canal that we started on was narrow, with trees on either side, touching one another. thick jungle rain forest. dark, muddy water. the ride took about an hour. as we pulled up to the station, which was flooded from recent heavy rains, there were a couple of people in the look-out above the submerged docks. as we got close, not quite sure what to say, the girl sitting there broke the awkwardness with "hey, you're woody!"

it was more of an accusation than a statement. we landed and were greeted by those around, all of who knew who we were, and also that we were not supposed to be in costa rica yet...

we spent five days there at the station, participating in some of the surveys and events, as well as eating with the group and everything else. i saw some wildlife, including a large american crocodile and a few caymens, many colorful birds, iguanas, and some huge spiders and other scary bugs. it was a great time."

-- luludilly