Samara, Costa Rica -- night

Today was a very good day. After eating a good breakfast of pinto con huevos, I met Ronald on the beach. Then, walking along the beach, I spotted a girl sitting by herself. I guessed that it was the North American girl, Jess, and of course it was. After introductions and a brief conversation, Ronald and I walked nearly to the end of the beach, then entered the water to swim over a kilometer to a very small island off the coast. It was a very difficult swim due to the distance. Since Ronald has an injured knee due to the accident with the machete, he could not swim fast. So I quickly got far ahead of him, but this scared me at times since I sometimes could not see him when I looked back.

But he eventually made it a few minutes after me. He was also very tired. He said that he had been bitten by fish during the voyage, but I don't believe I was ever bitten. When we were both on the island we sat down to relax for about fifteen minutes before beginning the return voyage; but this time taking a shorter route toward the rock cliffs that make up part of the point that separates Samara from Carrillo. It was much faster and much easier, but still a bit difficult due to tiredness from the first swim.

We eventually arrived at the rocky shore, which we walked. Towards the end, I stepped on a tiny stick or stone which became embedded in my back left heel. I didn't realize it right away, but when I did I stooped down to extract it. Ronald watched and winced to see it, since it was embedded about one-half to three-quarters of a centimeter into my heel. It hurt a bit to walk on it afterward, and was bleeding heavily for about a minute. I think I'm fine now though.

So Ronald and I took the long walk along the shore, all the while having good conversation. I treated myself to two guanabana con leche as a reward for my swim; they were delicious. The rest of the afternoon was spent on the beach eating bananas, reading, and relaxing. However, right before this, Ronald, Jess, and I walked to a watermelon farm to eat two out of three small watermelons; again, we had good conversation.

Later in the evening, after showering, I walked to Clara's house (at the northernmost point on the beach, where Ronald and Rogelio are staying) to enjoy a dinner of rice, salsa, and lobster, with pineapple and banana for dessert, all for just 500 colones. It was great to have dinner with very nice people in a home atmosphere, but where all but Clara were guests. Also, the view from the front yard made the evening very special.

To end the night, we ended up playing pool at Lagarto's, in which I turned in a particularly poor performance. Oh wel!

Lastly, on the walk back to the cabina, I saw a man dressed in Arab dress with two women, one of each arm, and a third following behind him with a camera. I greeted them by saying "A salaam alaikum," and was surprised to get a perfectly fluent Arabic response. So they were legitimately Arabs. The women were dressed beautifully in the sensual dress of an Arabian princess. It was an interesting sight to see.

Now, tired of course from the swim, and a whole day under the sun, I am feeling nearly exhausted. I will put down the pen and sleep well I'm sure.