Costa Rica Update

Mom and I arrived finally, and safely after a delay in Houston. I am writing this from my cousin Jack´s computer. The keyboard is a bit different, so I struggled to get into my account for five minutes trying to find the @ symbol. One combination of buttons I pushed made the cursor arrow turn into a rainbow. That´s part of why this will be short. The other part is because every minute I spend here is a minute I am not sitting by the pool eating a(nother) mango.

For lunch today we went to "the melon man" and we bought scores of fresh fruit for about two dollars. I can have all the avacados I want.

Jack met us at the airport with his friend Abus, and we took a quick ride up long and narrow roads scattered with pedestrians, dogs and bicyclists to get to Villa Antigua where Mom and I are staying. The owner of Villa Antigua is Denis. Right now we are the only guests there. Denis told us to make ourselves at home because his house is our house. And it´s a nice house. Denis made us breakfast this morning, gallo pinto, and black coffee.

Denis has two dogs, and one of them has taken to following me around. He waited for me this morning at the door of my room, and even followed me to the bathroom. He laid by my feet during breakfast, not begging... just waiting. Yes, I´ve been here two days and already adopted a pet. His name is close to ¨"bobby" but I call him perrocito.

Last night Jack took us to his favorite hang out, Bar Amigo. There we met an amazing cast of characters including the owner, ¨"Weymouth Pete" and a man named Jerry who convinced me to go to the Festival de Cebolla which was going on down the street. We also met Jack´s next door neighbor who is about my age. David is originally from California and teaches English here. He came with us to the Festival later, and then to dinner and karaoke. At the Festival, which reminded me of the stalls and stalls outside of the temples in Japan, I lost myself in the smells and lights and music. I bought a CD of pan flute music. Read this as: I might have been drinking a little bit. We capped the night off back at Bar Amigo where Jack and Mom made me step dance for everyone. You know, because I don´t look Irish enough.

Oh! Did I mention, I also saw a horse tap dancing? It´s just something they do here apparently.

I could go on and on and on but I want to go back outside because David (who called in sick today) showed me some baby basilisks running down the river a little while ago and then he saw an big adult one, but I didn´t. And I won´t if I stay inside.

By the time you read this I'll be gone (again)

Mom just arrived with all her luggage. I am about to begin packing my own stuff, and then we'll have dinner and go to church.

At 6am in the morning, when this posts itself, we will be boarding a plane to Houston, TX. From there we will fly to Costa Rica. In Costa Rica I will meet my cousin Jackie for the first time. We're going to stay in Santa Ana, and then travel to Arenal, then Mom and I will go alone to Monteverde and meet Jack back in San Jose.

While I am gone some very awesome improvisers from Tokyo will be in Boston visiting and performing. The only downfall to my vacation plans is that I will completely miss out on seeing them. If you, however are in Boston this week please make it a point to try to get to Improv Boston and catch a performance. I got a chance to work with them while I was in Tokyo last fall. They're very funny, super talented, and it's not a show you get to see every day. Go see them , for me. And take pictures. And then tell me all about it later.

Three Hole Punch Flies (on) Planes

I've scheduled this update to present itself in all its superfluous hyper-link glory right as I am boarding my flight for Chicago, Illinois.

As you read this I am walking next to Stephanie Jones onto a plane. Can you picture it? We each have one bag, my hair is probably a mess and Steph is drinking an Amp. Yes at 6am. We are both doing little dances of excitement and anticipation as we scootch past arm rests on the way to our seats.

But why? This is why!

Because Three Hole Punch is performing tonight, April 17th at the Chicago Improv Festival!

We'd love to see you at our show, which is billed with Boston's own Psychic Improv at The Annoyance Theatre at midnight. Tickets are here.

Check our website for a list of other groups we're looking forward to supporting while we're out there.

See you in Chicago!

Packing

The prospect of traveling to another country always brings up some new issues to think about. Yesterday Mom and I checked out a local sporting goods store to buy "hiking shoes," which are recommended for our horseback ride up the volcano in Arenal.

"These are just super expensive ugly sneakers."
"Do you think we could just wear our normal sneakers?"
"I guess so. I mean, as long as you're comfortable walking with them."
"My leg brace doesn't fit into anything else anyway."
"I think we'll be fine."
"Do you think we should buy backpacks with water reservoirs?"
"They have those?"

Clearly, we are ready to fly to Central America for a week.