costa rica bAck July-August 2007 Hola Amigos!!! I write from Manuel… it rains a lot this time of the year, thereīs a lot of wind and big waves. My friends surf under the rain, they say they get wet anyway but I prefer the warm sun, to get dry quickly... So when itīs sunny I get my surfboard and I jump head first into the waves... the small ones near the shore, since I am so small! Iīm really happy, our family trip is getting closer and closer. Very soon weīll travel to Argentina and Uruguay, Iīm not going to tell you much yet, but Iīm really looking forward to it and my little heart beats strong when we start preparing for the trip, you already know that I want to visit all corners of this world! looking at the waves... surf! Careful with the Crocos!! We were coming back walking on the road after a big meal in a parador near the river, we crossed a bridge over River Tarcoles y ay ay ay there are several crocodile families with their little crocodiles living in this river, they were all basking under the sun. I only had a quick look... for them I am just a quick fluffy snack with whiskers!! Crocodiles in river Tarcoles 25th of July: a day out of time! I recently learned that the ancient Mayas liked to keep track of the time. They invented a lot of calendars by studying the movement of the moon and the earth, and they were able to forecast eclipses. Can you believe that? They were astronomers. I also like a lot the sky, itīs magic that the moon doesnīt fall down. The Mayas never stopped counting the time, and more and more people discover the calendar of the 13 Moons. The first time I heard that way of counting time, so different, I thought "These fools dressed like the rainbow are more fool that I thought But...the moon... the Moon...The Moons! They stayed around Around my little head, enlightening my heart. I used my ears, my little ears To listen to that one Who gave, who gave, So much things go hear (lyrics of an Aki-rap) In a year the moon goes around the earth 13 times, I would love to circle the Moon! But I get dizzy only to think about it. That is why in a year there are 13 months or 13 Moons. Each Moon has 28 days, that is, 4 weeks of 7 days each. How do we like the maths? 13 times 28 is 364 and there is one day left out, thatīs the "Day out of the time" or the "Green day" my favourite colour! Thatīs a special day to connect with nature, to thank Mother Earth for being so good despite how much people hurt her cut down the forests, pollute the rivers and believing to be their owners. And each day has an associated energy called Kin. The Moon Year of the Mayas begins on the 26th of July and do you know why? because that day the sun and the shinny star Sirius are born together in the morning. The last day of the year is the Day out of the Time and it coincides with the 25th of July of our calendar. The one that recently began is the Year of the White Moon Wizard. 3rd of August: spectral wind The night was under the rain, in the morning there were thousand drops per second and midday was flooded. Suddenly, two persons appeared at the door (which was open) The big guy asked Maya if she was Maya, and I couldnīt see the second person but, when I heard the voice! I never forget voices and I knew that voice...mmmm...mmmm... Begoņa?... Begoņa!!! I hadnīt seen her for a long time until the big guy (and I say this with a lot of love from a small being) moved aside... So many souvenirs come to my head! Ignacio and Bego live in Spain, they came to Costa Rica to spend their holidays and they looked for us for the whole morning all around Manuel Antonio. But they finally found me!!!! I met Bego in Spain a few years ago, but I didnīt know Ignacio yet, I think theyīre a nice couple, both very good guys. It was still raining outside and we drank mate and ate orange jam, we talked a lot, they told me that they have a dog, its name is Corcho and heīs very fluffy like me. What a nice visit! They really reached my heart. A big hug from this side of the world! With Maya, Bego and Ignacio Drinking mate With Bego and Maya All together! 17th of August: rhythmic warrior... itīs not all garbage… I was sitting in our stall, it was hot, I wasnīt too kin on talking that day so I started counting the papers on the ground. Then a child who was walking on the street peeling a candy and gave the wrapping paper to his mum, while staring at me. The mother simply threw it to the floor, in the middle of the street. I wonder if she throws garbage through their houseīs window. When I see the beach covered in plastic bottles and colorful pieces of paper I get very "sangry" (a mix of sad and angry= but I discoved little big daily things that we can do in order to defeat the "sangryness"... Did you know that plastic takes millions of years to degrade? YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE! MEETING "RECYCLING IN ACTION": Letīs use the same shopping bag when we go shopping. Plastic bags are strong and can even be washed. The empty milk bottles, juice or wine are also practical to keep money, and we reduce the amount of garbage. And we can use the old newspapers and magazines to make envelopes to write ideas that will save the world and reach all places. It all started with a magic seed, source of life, germinating love and future!!!!! If you have some idea about how to cure the planet please write to me and explain it. We are the sons of this planet and we will get it back with love!!! 27th of August: solar hand A friend of us had his birthday. We went to an italian restaurant, you wouldnīt believe what a tasty pasta, and a glorious wine... I ordered ravioli all pesto and the serving was so big that I shared it with Camilo. Very good! A toast for it! Salud! celebrating birthday with Loli and Luis And last but not least, here are some pics of our stall by the beach and the handcrafts we make... do you like them? I hope so! Until very soon! Saludos! our stall other stalls nearby our handcrafts that's me!