My first full week of school has been very busy. Challenging and fun. So far for extra curricular activities I have attended mass twice -- if you want to go to church, the catholic church is the only game in town, and have attended a novena and wake for a young woman who died a few days before I arrived. Very interesting. I took the bus to Heredia which is much bigger than San Juan de Flores and walked around. I was able to buy a smart card so I can now download pictures. They have a big market in Heredia where everyone buys their food and supplies. The smells are unbelievable and I don´t mean it in a good way. The streets are called Calle Peligroso (dangerous street) which means you take your life in your hands if you try to cross one on foot. The drivers are crazy and it doesn´t matter if there´s a light or not. If one wants to turn, one toots one´s horn and go. Most of the time it works, but sometimes it doesn´t and that´s interesting to watch the ensuing altercation. The sidewalks are narrow and crowded with people. The people are friendly and polite and helpful. The streets are loaded with potholes and no one seems to work on them. Most of the time we have water, sometimes not. The showers are cold, but in this weather it feels good to me. So far I have eaten lots of Tico food and like it all. I had a tamale at the wake which is very different from what we eat. The masa is white and is mixed with potatoes and is filled with garbanzos, chicken, rice and other stuff. Really yummy. Saturday Elieth and I will go to Sarchi, a pueblo of artisans. It´s very nice, not commercial, but I will have Elieth buy what I want because there is one price for Tico´s and another for the stupid turistas. The weather is nice and so far not too rainy. But since it´s winter here the Tico´s are freezing. I swear it´s not less than 75 degrees but everyone is wearing coats. And I´m sweating like a pig, or puerco, to you. I´ll post a few more pictures of flowers, etc. for you enjoyment. Love you all. I´ll write again after I go to Sarchi. Adios! Mimi