Crunch time

I arrive at three weeks in Ostional a little tired, but hopeful that this project will work out. I now realize that this project would have been sufficient work for about five people, but I have been given a time extension and may stay an extra two weeks in Costa Rica. Luckily I am surrounded by beautiful people who are more tha willing to lend a helping hand with my project.

So, thus far I have constructed a hatchery (picture below) in which I will place turtle nests and hopefully grow some little turtles. I spent my 21st birthday building the structure with my pot-smoking host-padre, so it holds a special place in my heart to say the least (most of the hombres in Ostional are under some sort of influence throughout the day). Now, I have to move a couple tons of sand around and look for turtle eggs at night when they arrive to nest. I essentially spend most of my time listening to music and moving sand around on the beach, but if there is a more beautiful place to work all day, I would like to see it!

Anyway, this weekend the real fun begins: everyt town in Costa Rica has a festival during the day of their saint, and Ostional's just happens to be this weekend. The town will crown a queen, have a parade, and have a rodeo where anybody who is brave enough can hop up on the bull. Hopefully I will be able to steal away from this project for a little while to enjoy the fiesta, and I will post some pics in my next blog post.

Good things,

Pablo

Me in my temple: the hatchery

A howler monkey in the mango tree in my backyard.

The Ultimate Goal! This is a leatherback turtle from the town-run hatchery.

My little niece, Farchee, the future queen of Ostional

The hatchery in the morning light.