emily and her life

So here I go again, yesterday I had typed for about 15 minutes and the dial up that we had lost the connection, so I will try with fingers crossed!
We left off in La Fortuna and were there for four days, we left and journeyed by private car to Cariari where we cought a bus to the River Tortuguero. The town was dirty and hot so I was glad to get on the bus, we traveled through a few huge banana plantations and wow I will never eat another banana that is not organic. The amount of pesticides that they spray on the fruit here is frightening. So we cought a long boat up the canal for about 1.20 hours, we were a bit confused as the boat was dropping off locals as well and we had no idea where to get off. We guessed and were right! We were famished and got some almuerzas and found a place to stay for the night, dropped our stuff off and arranged for a tour of the beach and turtles that night. We then passed out for a few hours, man traveling takes it out of me!
We woke and had a Coca cola moment and then went to the beach. We lucked out and had a full moon and the beach was very bright and all was visible, making things very easy to see. We first saw a large green turtle and she decided after a few minutes that this was not the place for her and turned back to the sea. After meandering for about 30 more minutes we saw a female beginning to dig, we sat and waited. After about 30 more minutes had passed we were able to approach her and watch her laying her clutch. To see this huge animal not moving except for the contraction and drop of the eggs was very moving. She shed tears as she laid her eggs to rid her body of excess salt. We could only watch for so long to give her privacy, but she soon finished and we watched her cover the eggs and we made our way off of the beach, satisfied as having seen that. Then Klaus noticed some movement on the beach and we saw another huge turtle moving up the beach for some more laying time, we continued walking and then saw tiny turtles moving in the night for the water. These things were miniature compared to what we had seen before, we all laughed at them clambering over our feet and hands, giving them words of encouragement. I lifted up one and it kept flipping its flippers and was so amazing. We watched them until the park rangers came and acted like we had to go, so we did. After all those guys have guns.
the next few days were spent exploring Tortuguero National Park and watching some amazing wildlife} Birds, monkeys, snakes, skinks and lots and lots of spiders. We went to the Carribean Conservation Corps and learned a ton about the life and history of turtles, very neat and spent the afternoons watching soccer games. We decided that it was time to move on and got a boat to Limon, our captain was really great at pionting out wildlife and we saw so much more that day! Sloths (3 toed), howler and spider monkeys, thousands of birds (migration) and crocs and Caymans. I kept shouting "crikey" whenever I saw either. Only Klaus laughed, and I thought I was funny. We arrived in the port town of LImon after traveling on the boat for about 4 hours and I do not recommend staying in Limon to anyone, unless you have large, bulging muscles and a bodyguard named "hulk" or something. We took a bus to Cauhita a funky Carribean town where we met Jimmy Cliff, and I thought he was dead! This Jimmy Cliff was a loon, he showed us his collection of beachcombers delight and gave us some fresh coconut water to drink. I had a bit of a cold at this point and this seemed to make me feel better. That or the really spicy food that we ate, more on that later. Jimmy's collection was amazing, he even had Human Teeth, I asked if the shark had gotten the rest of the man and he laughed and laughed. He said " I don't know mon!" So we said out bye and Klaus gave him a key for the collection " a key to the heavens!" and we walked and then ate a huge spicy carribean dinner at Miss Ediths, I professed my love to miss Edith right after dinner, it was amazing. She said she would take me as one of her own children. But I love my family too much so I declined.
the next day after some bugs had made quite a meal of my elbow in the night ( I have around 25 bites in a very small area) we walked to the national park in search of some more animal sights, we got them! Many types of monkeys were everywhere and we walked to a point about 2.5 miles out and saw a large gang of about 10 capuchin, you know the cute white faced ones? Well they were really friendly at first and posed for pics and came really close to us, all I kept thinking was "these are wild animals" and I guess they learned that whatever is in a bag is food. Klaus got some great pics, then changed lenses and had me hold his bag, I looked over my shoulder and saw 2 staring at me, really really colse to me. Then one bared his teeth and kind of snarled at me, it was really primevil, I saw scared out of my mind. adrenaline started to pump and I said" we need to leave right now" Klaus said there was so much fear and emotion in my voice that he was freaked out. When he turned and saw those monkeys he knew too. We ran out of there double time.
After recovering we had a good night of no more monkeys and then came here to Puerto Viejo which is where we are, in a great place with a pool and hot tub, and there is no one else here! whooo0hoo Have a great Halloween everyone!
Oh yeah, congratulations to Ben and Will, they won first and Second prizes in a costume contest! Love you boys!

Hello all, Well I am convinced I have a unique touch and am able to break anything I come in contact with. bad things happen in threes, well I have successfully broken three things in a row. The first was my camera, no explanation there.
The second was when Klaus and I were planning a trip to the Santa Elena cloudburst preserve and the bus left at 8am. Breakfast was provided by the hotel (thought it wasn´t too filling) We woke up at 630 to the alarm and got all ready, for some reason it was cold outside, strange. But we got up ate really good meusli and fresh, fresh pina y melon de agua. Then the news came on. It was 630 and we had been up for at least on hour. I had hit the wrong time zone on my clock and it was one hour ahead of where we should have been. So we had to go and nap for another hour. I broke time.
After that mishap we went on a bumpy ride, as they all are, to Santa Elena Preserve. They have an amazing building that you drive up to and I was reminded of Jurassic Park. The fancy building amidst a lush forest with wild noises eminating from it. After getting out and stretching a little we set off into the forest for our hike. It was really green and dense as it was the secondary forest, the primary was a few Km away from us and it had a fee to get into. The path was really clear and I think it was someone´s job to sweep it nightly as I saw broom patterns in the dirt. Eh well, gotta keep it nice for the tourists right? We crossed eight suspension bridges ranging in length and height. Klaus wanted to get them really swinging, but I didn´t want too I guess I am a wussy. We were there for about three hours and only saw a few colorful birds and wild bugs, but nothing else that was movng around. The amazing part were the trees and Fauna of course. Huge ferns and bright colorful flowers in the most unexpected places. Unreal.
We Had to go and eat of course after this strenuous hike, and after we were done I noticed the cook, an older Señora, had cut her finger. I asked her what had happened and she made a chopping motion to her finger and said ¡Aii! We all laughed, but it looked painful.
We went to the Lecheria for some helados (I hope it was nonfat) and then walked to the frogpond. I think I know an awful lot about frogs right now, but they are really amazing. WE got to see many different species and my favorite was this teeny frog that was transparent in light. I could see it´s inner organs working, that was a sight for my eyes. We also walked by the El Bosque El Niños the forset of children and I lauged because all the signs said B.E.N. Just like it was Ben´s forest =)
We left Santa Elena for la Fortuna yesterday morning and rode up the craziest dirt road I have seen in a while, We rode across Lake Arenal and got our first view of Volcano Arenal, the top was covered in clouds at first but they blew off and we could see the peak, wow. It began to rain after we had crossed the lake and were in the bus, we drove on a paved road (!) to the town of La Fortuna and found a wonderful place with a balcony and an amazing view of the volcano. As I type this I can glance up and see it also.
Oh yeah we had the best meal of my entire life for 34$ in La Fortuna, if you ever are here go to Choza La Laural. We had a platter of varying foods that were so amazing I wanted to melt. 2 whole lobsters, huge shrimp, fresh pescado, sirlion steak, pork tenderloin and half a chicken all from the BBQ: Dad it was heaven! There were a few veggies also, but it was wild. We were staring across the table from each other with glee in our eyes and all we could say between bites was ¨I can´t believe it¨
We took a guided tour into the rainforest, of course it dumped on us but it was ok I am used to getting wet by now. We saw a few toucans and a few huge Turkeys in the trees, odd. Again amazing trees and plants. After hiking for about an hour, think the dipsea stairs hiking, we came to an observation piont for the volcano and the show started. I was mezmerized by the lava flow, to see and hear the huge red hot boulders crashing down the side of the volcano was just breathtaking. I cannot describe it properly, you have to have experienced it for yourself to appreciate it fully. Angela and Travis you have to come here.
After watching for about an hour we then went to Baldi Hot Springs. This too was unreal. A system of hotsprings feeding many different pools of water all with varying degrees of heat. the main one had a swim up bar and it was really chilly, well compared to a few other ones the hottest was 187 degrees! They had water slides and waterfalls all over this place, it was wonderful. It also had no roof, so you could see the moon and the volcano from a few pools as well. We took full advantage of those pools, the minerals were so good for us, My hair feels so soft today and so does my skin. It was a very surreal experience, sitting in a hotspring pool sipping planters punch and watching a volcano spew lava. I love my life.
So for today who knows what we will do, I will tell you the third thing that I broke was the toilet at breakfast. And I will leave it at that.

Have gone by and I am still standing! We arrived early from houston, where I only saw a few ladies with large hair and a handful of cowboys. I love people watching. The aeropuerto in San Jose is really small and efficient, we were waved through customs I hope the US is as easy. Drivers here are a different breed as are most in foreign countries, they tend to drive where they want and honk to jockey for position while attempting to pass everyone else in sight.
Our hotel was nice, cool clean and sort of hot water. They also have a house monkey named George. People name animals after friends or family members here as an honor or a joke, you decide. George was really friendly jumping into my arms and licking and nippig at my hand. It was the first time I had ever held a monkey and he was a good experience. Of course this morning he decided to attach himself to my head and hair for a few minutes, to my dismay as I had just washed it
We walked to the Mercado and around Alajuela for a bit, ate lunch at a Soda where we were stuffed for a few dollars. I am still a bit off on the exchange rate, but am getting better. I had a nap after lunch, during a HUGE downpour and when I woke up the sun had gone down. I couldn't figure out what time it was and thought I had slept the entire night and it was the next morning! I kept asking Klaus what day it was, after figuring that out (Tuesday) We went out for some ceviche at a cool Peruvian place, and then went back to bed, I love being on vacation.
We rode a local bus to Santa Elena this morning up a paved road, then off a paved road for another 90 minutes twisting through the mountains and hills. It was fun to be bouncing and listening to the bus grunt and groan. Oh yeah My camera isn't working either! I think I have this curse of cameras and other places that I go. At least this time I didn't drop it off of an elephant.
Well we are safe, happy and full of good food. I can't ask for much more. Talk to you soon.

// posted by Emily Larsen @ 1:33 PM 0 comments

Thanks for the info on the remedies dad, I sure hope I won't need anything like that! The issue that I have found with Malaria is (well aside from the fact that I don't want it) is that I didn't get the pretreatment that I would have needed (DOH!) well here is a link to the CDC site for all interested I read it and it was very informative. I am also a bit freaked out now, and I grew up in Mn too the land of the mosquito!
http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/index.htm

so the final hours are ticking by and all I can do is wait and wonder what it is that I am forgetting. Somehow my bag seems really heavy, and I only have a few things in it. But I am sure I am forgetting something, oh well I hope it isn't a crucial piece of survival gear, I can buy anything that I need once I get there. But will I be able to communicate my needs to others? I only speak a bit of spanish but am very effective at gestures and a smile. We know where we are staying fthe first night and that is all so far...leaving it up to the weather I guess? I hear it is really rainy there right now, good thing I have a rainsuit and tons of plastic bags they are invaluable to me when I travel.

Nerves are in definite effect right now, the jitters you get right before a big trip. I'll just have to wait them out...maybe I should drink some coffee that will help for sure right? Hmmmm, I still have to go the bank then I should be all set. I have to ask for all of my money in new $20 bills, I guess in Costa Rica they won't exchange your money if it is old looking, torn or in general poor condition. I bet the banker will love me, I have a huge ziploc bag full of bills and a few dollars in change also.

Lets see Jenna and Sean will be getting married on Dec 11th, I really want to go and will try my damdest to get there. (but one trip at a time Emily) but I am excited for them none-the-less. They have been together for a long time and have helped me through some interesting days in my life, I am very proud to call them my friends! I love you guys

Next stop the coffee shop, then I am off! Wish us luck

// posted by Emily Larsen @ 3:11 PM 0 comments

Hi, I am trying to figure this email thingy out before I leave tomorrow. There is so much I have to do and I find myself here on the computer. We went to see Mason jennings last night at Slim's in the city and he was fabulous, he really hasn't changed much since the days at the 400 bar in Minneapolis, a bit more of a stage pro but still amazing to watch and dance a bit to. The drunken Frat guys right in front of Klaus and I were a sight. Singing in a circle the slow love songs at the top of their lungs, wierd! So I have to go and do things, I hope this works....

On Friday night my cat, Squeaks, made a visit to the local bar. My roommate and his G/F walked down there and Squeaks just followed them. She and Dave walked into the Deuce and Dave noticed a man behind him saying "hey there, how did you get inside here?" He turns around and sees the cat weaving through the patron's legs. Dave did a double take and the chase begins....Dave chased him outside and had to stop before being rundown by a car. He follows Squeaks across the street and behind the Toy store about half a block away, where he finally coaxed him into his arms. Dave returned to the Deuce to tell his gal he had to quick run home and by this time most of the people had noticed there was a cat in his arms (I wonder if a few thought they had had one too many) so he runs back home and tells me of the excitement and I can't stop laughing. Dave went to leave again for the bar and Squeaks actually tried to follow him um, no buddy!

got into nursing school and I am really proud and excited for her!!! She is a really fun, smart and talented gal and I am happy to say she is my pal! I had to clarify for her sake!

So I just got the best news of the year (as far as I can see) one of my best friends is going to have a baby. I am shaking from the news and I am so amazingly happy! She will be a wonderful mom and so will Sean, author of the hottest book on the planet ya know. I am thrilled that she will have an opportunity to mold a life in the manner that she and he see fit. Also, her dad is going to be the best grandpa in Minnesota, go Tom. Life doesn't get much simpler than two people who love each other who are able to share their love have it grow into something else. Ok so I am getting sappy. I'll stop, but I am really excited!

I am leaving fo Costa Rica in a few weeks and I have do decide what to bring. Hmm what to bring? Not to much, as all I bring will be on my back for a few weeks I am thinking less that 20 Lbs will do. I am really excited about the shoe factor as I will only be bringing a pair of flip flops and keens for the entire time! (That is really good for me)
I am also thrilled at the idea of immersing myself in another culture and forgetting all the daily woes that come with life in the USA. I will be gone for the election and hope I will want to return. There has been a funk that has swallowed most of the soul of the US for a few years and I long for the feelings of happiness and brotherhood again, or at least a slighlty nicer vibe ya know?
So back to what I am bringing: there is the socks dilemma, I think I will bring one pair for cold nights only. I've made a few lists to help me along the way, an old habit I picked up from a friend and at the top of them is make list which I cross out, so at least one thing is done.
I hope Squeaks won't mind the love of others while I am gone!