8/21

First day in Costa Rica and it's already rainy! I arrived safely and it only took slightly over an hour to get through immigration. Upon arriving at the hotel around 11:30p were met with some of the profs and then headed up to bed as we began around 7:30a this morning. The morning included a short history lesson of Costa Rica and a visit to a butterfly garden. After lunch we began our first official class with a lecture on snakes, esp which ones are venomous and how to identify them so we can avoid them in the field. No worries mom, someone in the program suffered a snake bite 2 years ago, so the likely hood of it happening again this soon is rare.
After learning not to suck the venom out (only removes about .2%) and not to touch snakes with a r.a.n.a. (rojo amarillo negro amarillo) pattern, we headed for the market. Just in time for the rain to start! Luckily the market was covered. Taking up a full street block, you could buy everything from elaborate hammocks to fresh fruits.
I will try to write again soon, but we will be out of touch for about 2 weeks starting thurs.

Love to all!