Volcanoes

In the middle of nowhere of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is home to a large number of volcanoes, six of which are active including the one you see in the background of this shot.

As we attempted to get closer to the Volcano, we were quickly stopped by an armed park ranger. He did not understand my question about photography and I failed to understand his reply. So, this is as close as I could get to this particular volcano.

The last time there was a major volcanic eruption in Costa Rica was in 1910. The volcano that erupted still has geysers that explode as high as 820 feet into the air.

Just a little rest

He was simply resting while watching passing traffic outside of a store in Costa Rica. Resting is important for the soul.  

"I have never taken any exercise, except sleeping and resting, and I never intend to take any." -Mark Twain

Mother and Daughter

Mother and daughter on a shopping excursion at the neighborhood market in Costa Rica.

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." - George Washington

Life on a Farm in a Third World Country

On a Costa Rican farm.

“Good farmers, who take seriously their duties as stewards of Creation and of their land's inheritors, contribute to the welfare of society in more ways than society usually acknowledges, or even knows. These farmers produce valuable goods, of course; but they also conserve soil, they conserve water, they conserve wildlife, they conserve open space, they conserve scenery.” ― Wendell Berry

Hard Work on a Costa Rican Farm

Hard work in Costa Rica.

"All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today."  - Pope Paul VI 

Costa Rican Mountains

The Costa Rica landscape is comparable to no other. Years ago earthquakes, flooding and volcanoes shaped the land to what you will see today when visiting.

Fast flowing rivers, beautiful waterfalls, active volcanoes, massive craters are all over the 19,730 square mile country that is filled with a relatively small population of about 4.8 million residents.

Some of the beaches have white sand while others are black mixed with speckles of white. Monkeys swing from tree to tree while iguana’s lounge around waiting for an unsuspecting bug to cross their path.

"All trails seem to lead to waterfalls, misty crater lakes or jungle-fringed, deserted beaches. Explored by horseback, foot or kayak, Costa Rica is a tropical choose-your-own-adventure land." -Lonely Planet

Living in the woods of Costa Rica

Born and raised in Costa Rica she doesn't have much, but she was all smiles. In the background is the place that she and her family call home.

The makeshift house is built of tarps, old fabric and metal roofing material. The home sits in the woods and is within a short walk to Pacific Ocean. There are over 800 miles of coastline in Costa Rica, much of which are made up of bluffs and steep rocks.

It is often necessary for the woman of the residence to stay home with young children as the average wage is about $10 per day, the highest in Central America. However, that is not enough to afford childcare.

Because her home is in the woods, she see's Iguana's and monkeys on a daily basis. While most Costa Ricans don't eat monkey and iguana meat, they do in neighboring Nicaragua. In fact, the government of Nicaragua encourages residents to eat iguana as opposed to chicken because iguanas are cheaper to raise when income is scarce. Plus, iguanas offer more protein than chickens. Iguanas have 24% protein compared with 18% in chicken.