Busy day, busy day.

Breakfast cooked by the 4 men cooks again (Fernando, John and 2 others), all mixing, slicing, stirring behind the long kitchen counter. Yesterday, there was nothing better than rafting and getting off the boat to four bare-chested men preparing lunch... but I digress. They were fully clothed this morning.

Breakfast, then pack, change into wet clothes (yuck!) and into the boats. A short way down the river we enjoyed a short hike to a waterfall and deep pool. We jumped from the high ledges into the deep water. Very fun.

The rafts were led by John in his kayak, as well as kingfishers of several varieties. I saw the kingfishers feeding several times, as well as Little Blue Herons [Egretta caerulea] and Snowy Egrets [Egretta thula]. Rapids were bigger and the rainforest dark and green, tall, beautiful--like a paragraph from Joseph Conrad.

After the bus ride back to town, Glen and I cleaned up and walked around San Jose. I bought my bird book, with cash to save 10% (price had gone up to 12,000c from 11,000c since day before yesterday). The owner complained of theft. I am glad to have it though, it will probably be my main souvenir. I worried over having enough cash for the rest of the trip (lots of calculations inserted here). 8300c a day, no more! I am sure we'll be fine.

My right eye is bothering me, so I have something else to worry about. I have changed to my new contacts and they felt good for a while. But now I have to keep blinking. I do pray that it is fine; and I am sure it is, the time I had the corneal ulcer it hurt much worse than this. I had bad dreams of optometrists last night--long rough dark night.

Today is less reflective, more practical. City versus forest.

Dinner was at Vishnu, a vegetarian restaurant in downtown San Jose. Unable to read the menu very well, we ordered "dos plata du dia." Very good actually--since the place was vegetarian, we had no fear of odd meat items arriving. Also, it was very cheap, 880c for two people.

Only 8 pm--maybe it is time for bed. Glen is so quiet today...