In need of a knife...

I'm sitting here, reminding myself that I truly am a college student (rather than someone on long-term vacation in tropical paradise) by eating peanut butter with my finger, straight from the container. If it makes it any better, there were crackers too, earlier. Unfortunately, I may have to give in and find a knife, here soon. I'm not sure I can reach the bottom of the container.



What I find most shocking about this whole scene is how outrageously expensive peanut butter is. To begin with, in the super (a place, usually well-stocked with all things Tico and import) they only carry three brands. Two imports (Jiffy and Peter Pan) and one domestic (Nid). All of which are only sold in very small containers and at outrageously high prices. Now, I understand why American imports are expensive, and understandably, the Tico brand is cheaper. It does, however, still seem excessively priced. Jiffy and Peter Pan go for about six bucks a pop for your average small container (I have no idea how much is actually in them) while the Nid goes for (if I remember correctly) a little over half of that, for substantially less peanut butter.



But anyway, I've been craving the stuff lately and finally noticed that it did not exist in my house, so I went to buy some the other day. I just don't understand why it's so expensive. Peanuts are not. Are commercial peanut smashers in short supply? Or do Costa Ricans just not eat it?



In other news, we've been trying to make plans to get down to the Osa Peninsula for Semana Santa (Holy week, which is also my spring break). There are six of us trying to get there, but it's provng a logistical challenge. Most of the appeal of Osa is the fact that it is a barely populated remnant of Costa Rican rainforest covered in national park, ticks, fer-de-lance snakes, beautiful beaches, rain, taipirs and all sorts of other lovelies and, hopefully, largely devoid of tourists. Unfortunately, it is that very beauty which makes it a complicated, expensive trip which I've been tempted to wash my hands of several times. We're not sure how to get around, we're not sure if we can afford a place to stay, we're not sure, we're not sure, we're not sure... but if, if, it works... it should be an amazing experience. So, here's hoping things come together.



In other, other news, the weather has changed and gone from hot, humid but windy and generally nice to hotter and humidder. Yes, humid enough to justify that horrible affront to the English language (just wait til May when the rains come, then I'll truly begin to slaughter my native tongue). I've finally had to start turning my fan on at night. Too bad I didn't think of doing that earlier to ward off the mosquitoes. It works quite well for that purpose.

Outside of all that fun, there is a band paying tribute to the Buena Vista Social Club at a club in San Jose this weekend. If I can rustle up someone to share a cab fare with me, I think I'm going to try and make it. Live music is always a good choice.

Other than that, not much is going on... just another week in paradise :-)