Did you miss me? :-)

[merimask]

In the immortal words of Sam Gamgee, "Well, I'm back."

Costa Rica was an incredibly beautiful, frightening, exotic, remote, wild place.  I have much more to say and pretty pictures to share, (the ocean was absolutely insane!  The surf was HUGE and the snorkeling was amazing!!!) but for now I just wanted to let my F-list know I survived the ordeal with only a little sunburn and LOTS of bug bites (I'm apparently yummy to Costa Rican bugs).

Also, no horrific flaming plane crash so yay me.  :-)

Umm...  I've been completely (Utterly!  Totally!  No cel phones, no internet, no nothin'!  We were lucky to have electricity...I'm totally serious)  out of touch, so if anything really earth shattering and/or important (or just plain funny) happened to any of you, plop a response with a link to the pertinent entry in here so I can go see.  I'd hate to miss anything, but I'm lazy and you are all such busy folks!  So spam away!  Tell me what's new and exciting.

Here's a quick reflection for your edification:  wandering Mariachi bands in Costa Rica are vicious mercinaries.  The restaurants act in collusion.  They seat Americanos in obvious, visible positions that are easily viewed from the road.  The Bands wander about, on foot in the jungle heat, looking for prey.  When they spot a group of touristos they pounce with instruments blazing.  They ask if you'd like something romantic or happy (DON'T ANSWER AT THIS JUNCTURE!  IT IS LIKE OPENING THE WINDOW FOR THE VAMPIRES!!).  Once they pin you down, they start playing.  Loudly.  And they'll just keep on playing louder and louder until you pay them to go away.  You must pay them enough (whatever arbitrary amount that is.  Depends on the size and arrogance of the band) or they'll just hang around...playing.  They don't care if you are eating or crying or waving frantically to stop...they just keep playing.  If you are stubborn, they get annoying with the marraccas and the loud  "EPA EPA!!  WAAAHAAA!" and freaky Central American toungue trills that make your hair stand on end.  It's exactly like a musical shake down.

Best thing to do is look 'em right in the eye (look for the leader...dude with the guitar usually) and say firmly "No mas, por favor!" and usually they'll go away quietly. 

*smooch*  Missed you guys!