Lunar Eclipse

Folks,

Well, it's been another busy week in work. But I think I'm getting the hang of it, and feel a lot more in control. It's amazing the amount of things that are involved in running a language school. I decided not to go to Playas del Coco this weekend, because I wanted to catch up and not rush unplanned into next week, and also because I'm going to Nicaragua next week anyway.

The pic of the week shows that we had an eclipse too! However, it had already started before darkness and moon-rise, so we didn't get as good a view as those of you in Europe. However, you can see the different angle of the moon here. It's usually on its back when it's a crescent, as opposed to on its side at home.

TLC marches
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I woke up the other day to the sound of music and marching. It's not that unusual an occurrence, but I looked out to see what was going on. It was a protest march against the TLC. This has been rumbling on since long before I came here. It's known in English as the Central America Free Trade Agreement or CAFTA. It's between the United States, the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic. Costa Rica is the only country that hasn't yet ratified it. If it was going to referendum I feel it would be lost, because people do seem to be very opposed to it. However, I think it's going to parliament soon, and the feeling is there will be enough support there to pass it.

Women in Parliament
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I was surprised to see in an announcement this week that Costa Rica has the third highest proportion of women in parliament. After Rwanda and Sweden. There are 22 out of 57, or 38.6% in Costa Rica. Ireland has the same number of women, 22, but out of a parliament of 166. This has Ireland at 13.3% in 81st place.

Rain today
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We haven't had rain for ages, but today I got that tell tale smell. As soon as rain hits the city you can smell it. I guess it's the evaporation from the warmer footpaths. I'm not sure. But you usually get the smell before you see or feel it. The weather has been beautiful during the days, but can still be a little cold at night, which is much different from last year.

Irish
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It's amazing how few Irish there are in Costa Rica. I am the only Irish person ever to apply to the school. Well, I was, until Wednesday, when I had an application from a Meathman currently travelling in Cuba. Maybe the school will find a Paddy to replace me.

I was travelling home from the cinema last night by taxi, and the driver said 'You're not tico?'. No, I said, 'Irlandés'. '¿Holandés?' he asked. They always confuse Ireland and Holland. 'Ah, Ireland,' he said. 'I've never had anyone from Ireland in the taxi ... Vikings! It's a Scandinavian country?' When we finished he said the first thing he'd do today was look Ireland up on a map.
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Well, that's it for this week. I'm going to Granada in Nicaragua on Thursday, so won't be back until Sunday or Monday.

Have a good week.

Chao,

Éamon

Today's Headline in La Nación: Commercial property is registered at national park entrance