Day Four Costa Rica

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Spent the day orienting ourselves to the city and making our way to the zooological aviaries on Zoo Ave. It should have taken us 20 minutes but nothing, especially navigating, is easy here. The zoo and aviary is known for rescuing all types of animals and birds but most live there uncaged and free. Amazing menagerie of wild life, most I've never seen before outside of a zoo. Settled in the midst of the zoo, surrounded by lush trees and plants sits an fancy restaurant with colorful peacocks wandering around through the tables freely and friendly waiters fluent in English. So helpful. It's amazing how you miss communicating in your own language And it's only been four days.

Interesting facts about Costa Rica...gas is above $4.00 a gallon and you don't pump your own gas, by law, gas must be pumped by attendants. This provides many jobs for the relatively uneducated populace. Most people end their formal education after sixth grade. Few attend high school and only a small percentage go on to college. Security is very present. There is a policia in every pharmacy and I police station every few blocks. Security jobs are plentiful and it seems the government provides all sorts of menial jobs to help support the average worker. At the hotel where we are staying, there are three or four women who cook the breakfast and take care of the rooms. These are premiere jobs for women. The are reliable and pay an adaquate salary, there are also tips to be made. They are very friendly and try to speak English. Yesterday I tried to use my Spanish with our young waitress, I said como usta usted? She cracked up laughing and I didn't know why. Megan told me later you only use usted when you are speaking to some important person like a judge or a professor. Oh well. Live and learn. Hasa mañana

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