Without Water

Folks,

We were without water supply for most of the week. My neighbour Dennis moved out and I recall the difficulties in driving in Costa Rica during Rita and Enda's holidays.

The pic of the week is the potholed road in Puerto Viejo which led to our hotel last month. It was taken on a night of rain, which is not uncommon on the Caribbean coast.

Pothole nation
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I had never driven in my time in Costa Rica until Rita and Enda's trip, when we hired a car. It was really difficult when we had to drive on potholed roads, particularly as we went to the Caribbean. Either the road would be perfect, until you suddenly ran into a huge pothole that was concealed, or you're in a completely potholed road, when you have to drive really slowly and try to steer the best path through them. It was exhausting to drive it. I was amazed that the car wasn't damaged. I had my heart in my mouth when the guy from the hire company was checking for damage.

No water
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Last Sunday I had to shower in literally a trickle of water, and assumed it was a temporary loss in pressure. When I got to school on Monday, however, I realised that everyone who was living in Heredia was in the same boat. The supply was cut at 8am every morning, and didn't return until well into the evening. We didn't even have water in the school. I wasn't so bad, because I had early starts with my French student, and so was showered before going into work at 8. But some of the others had to go to the gym or the swimming pool just to get a shower!

Superbowl fallout
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We had a great night out at the hip-hop Superbowl bash. It was a good laugh, and a very late night. The Indianapolis Colts won, so Emily was delighted and Paul had to make good on the forfeit he'd promised if the Chicago Bears were beaten. He spent the whole day, Wednesday, wearing Emily's tight little pink Colts top. We nearly collapsed laughing when he arrived for the weekly meeting. Throughout the evening we could hear him explaining to his students what had happened.

Dennis
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My neighbour Dennis left earlier this week. He's been living here for about 3 and a half years. He's moved to a cabin up the mountains several kilometres away. I'm now the senior tenant. Olive and April from Canada are in the apartment to the left since 3 weeks ago, and George from the US has moved into the one on the right.

Amazon.com
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I've always been impressed with the personalisation on the Amazon.com site. When I read a book, I put it on there, even if I haven't bought it from them, and I rate it. The site then gives me recommendations based on what I've liked. They're normally spot on. Imagine my surprise this week to receive an email recommending Baby-proofing Your Marriage: How to Laugh More, Argue Less and Communicate Better as Your Family Grows.
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Well, that's it for this week. I've an easier week coming up with no private classes or courses. However, my boss, Barbara, goes on her sabbatical from Thursday.

So until next week,

Pura Vida

Éamon

From today's La Nación: Only 1 in 3 drunk drivers lose their licence