San Jose, Costa Rica -- afternoon

The trip from Nosara to San Jose was a long one. I left Nosara at 12:45pm and arrived at San Jose at about 7:30pm. Along the way, we crossed the Gulf of Nicoya on the Tempisque Ferry; it was really cheap, only 30 colones. Surprisingly, I was awake for the whole trip. I read a section of my current book, "Lituma en los Andes" by Mario Vargas Llosa, a Peruvian author.

But most of the trip, I just looked out the window. I observed that many parts, Guanacaste especially, are very dry as a result of the hot summer sun. Actually, the trees on the mountains and many on level ground have lost their leaves dut to the dryness. It gives the appearance of late autumn in the northeastern United States. It is only the very warm temperature that quickly reminds one that you're in Costa Rica.

During the long trip, I also noticed a postcard-size picture of Jesus. It really caught my attention and got me thinking. I wondered about what it was like when Jesus walked on earth. And I wondered whether he brushed his teeth, or ever got a haircut, or disliked a type of food. I wondered what he thought about when he took a shit, or if he even had to in the first place. I wondered if he ever noticed a beautiful woman, or if there was any chance that he ever had a boner. I wondered if he ever had to sleep, and if so, for how long. I wondered if he ever felt bored. I also wondered if he ever wanted to tell the Israelis about the Americas, since he surely knew about the Western Hemisphere. I wondered what language he spoke, and if he knew many more. It may seem crazy that I thought about these things, but I really pondered what it was like when he walked on earth.

After conversations with the American, Joe, in Manzanillo, and then Alex, the German, in Samara, I have an interest in Jesus and the Bible. I want to read the Bible soon after returning to the United States. Also, to better understand the Muslim perspective, especially with regard to global political events as effected by religion, I'd like to read the Koran.

Anyway, catching up to my present location, I'm staying again with Tia Zahyra in San Antonio de Desamparados. By the time I got the local bus from the center of San Jose to arrive here, I reached the front gate at about 8:30pm. No one was home, but luckily just five seconds later, Tia Zahyra and Yorlen came walking down the street after a day of shopping in San Pedro.

Last night, I went out with Yorlen to watch a local soccer rivalry between la Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and Saprissa. Of course la Liga won four to one. Afterwards, some of Yorlen's friends were asking me about my trip. I gave some brief highlights, along with the usual generalities. Then, somehow the conversation got to talking about the possible war of the United States against Iraq. No one understood the U.S. motives for war, and the opinion was nearly of anti-American sentiment. It made me wonder what international opinion must be in other less-U.S.-friendly nations. For my part, I remained quiet. I had no inclination at that moment to provide my analysis of the reasons for the potential war. It was more interesting to hear what the Ticos had to say about the war. They realized that Bush has personal incentives with the oil industry. But besides that point, they didn't seem to present any other motive for war.

I was just happy to get back to Tia Zahrya's house to fall asleep on the couch after a long day of travel.