12/15/06

Sitting at a table, that was handmade by my friend, on a porch next to mango and palm trees, listening to the squirrels rustling in them, smelling the smoke of the trash fires down the way, and eating charamuscas (a locally made popsicle, strawberry flavor). I am using my computer in paradise, listening to whatever’s on the itunes (right now its Boy Sets Fire with the words “little piece of heaven”); it feels good to be here.

It’s funny being on a computer in the middle of nowhere. But it’s awesome because it means I am able to stay in touch with you. I think about home sometimes while I am here and I definitely miss friends, family, and favorite foods. I hope you are enjoying whatever you are doing where you are as much as I am here.

I didn’t surf today because no matter how much sunblock I used yesterday, it wasn’t enough and I’m giving my skin a break. Instead, I stayed on shore and took some photos of Melissa, David, and our friends surfing near our house. Keep an eye out for shots by the underwater camera in a week or so.

The past few days I really started getting into my photography. Haha, I know I have always been into taking pics, but the last week or so has been for relaxation- not work. Now that I have gotten a good amount of hammock time, I am ready to go. Melissa, David, Killer (the dog), and I went up the mountain to check out the sunset and get some exercise. A couple of them can be viewed at http://web.mac.com/emmaroll/iWeb/EmmaRoll/Welcome.html along with some of the surf shots. This site will be updated periodically with past emails, photos, and blogs, so keep checking your email to find out what else is happening all the way over here.

We just bought a merengue music cd and we are about to go buy some veggies for dinner. We might make a pie or something sweet and delicious to treat ourselves since we have been pretty much doing the beans and rice thing daily. Melissa’s makeshift banana bread earlier this week was amazing and didn’t last more than a day. You really hould try oat flour instead of wheat, and honey instead of sugar. And it’s sodio bicarbonado, not levadura. If you ask all over for the latter, you’ll end up all over town since no one has it and at the very last place find a small bag of yeast. Oops! Gotta keep practicing the Spanish.

For now, we gotta get going or we miss the ridiculously crowded bus back home… keep in touch and keep reading for more fun stories.

Emma