Spring break ends today. I'm headed for La Selva biological station to begin next quarter's research project, examining biomass of epiphytic plants in the lowland tropical rainforest on the Caribbean slope of the Cordillera Central. The notion of staying relatively stationary for the next few weeks at least sounds very attractive to me. Living out of my backpack is fun, but my feet could use a break.

Right now I'm in a little cultural bubble in downtown San Jose. This backpacker's hostel has a pool, a nice sounds system broadcasting Latin jazz and US pop hits, a television showing reruns of Hollywood blockbuster movies from a few years ago, and lots of gringos. It's too familiar here. I'm uncomfortable. I want to get out into the city where people don't speak English. I'm looking forward to this busride, as strange as that may seem.