Los Bichos continued...

I haven't seen my little 100 legged fellow since our first run-in. **Knock on wood** This is a good thing. He must have told his little friends that I enjoy meeting new bichos because today, I encountered a new one...he looks like a little box-elder bug but with tiny pinchers in front. Oh boy, the world of entomology I am experiencing. This guy was sitting just outside my shower and hadn't moved during the two hours this morning from when I woke up and when I left for school. Again, I closed my eyes to him and hopefully he'll either be sitting in the same spot or will have traveled to the great outdoors by the time I get home this afternoon. I don't mind seeing a bug and then it not being there when I get back or seeing a bug and it being in the exact same place as when I left it. What I do not enjoy is watching the bug move around my room as if he owns it. Either be a permanent wall fixture or be gone, please.

The screaming gecko I talked about my first night here is now my best friend. At the beginning of my stay, I only heard Gary (yes, I've named the gecko) in the far living room (the one we're never in). I thought that was a-okay with me and left it at that. However, a few nights ago (before the 100 legged friend incident), I heard Gary's screams come from the enclosed patio right outside my room. This is the patio my windows open to. Immediately, I closed up the windows and decided that I would not enjoy having Gary in my room.

Last night though, I was reminded that Gary eats the bichos. Suddenly Gary got his name and we became close friends. I'm still not opening my window for him, but his noises make me happy now. I should rename his sounds as well: screaming doesn't exactly fit what he says. It's more like a series of short loud "ecks." To be honest, it almost sounds like a strange laugh. (As you can see, we are becoming more and more friends...first I name him and now I tell you he's laughing, not screaming).

In another story, I was able to watch the UNI Panthers play and WIN in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. We have an abundance of American TV stations and thankfully CBS is one of them. It was pretty surreal watching my fellow classmates from Iowa on a TV station in San Jose, Costa Rica. The game was super close but we won 69-66 with a final seconds 3 pointer to put us ahead. What a game!

Week 1 is finishing up today for me with just 7 weeks left. I've been enjoying all of the observation time I have gotten this week and really look forward to getting even more involved next week!

in His peace,

Molly