New Information

Nothing is ever as it seems, right? I feel the need to amend my last post, now that I have a bit more information on the case - some of which prompted a sigh of relief and some of it rekindled the shock. I don't know why I feel compelled to share this story, but her well-being has been on my mind and perhaps on yours as well, so...here it is. It turns out that she was already separated from her partner, and she already had a restraining order. After the assault he was taken into custody, where a female judge (Qué??!!) reviewed the case. It is documented that when asked what he would do if released, he stated, "I find her and kill her". For some unknown reason, the female judge (Qué??!!), let him go. Now, this obviously sparked some outcry and another judge revoked the decision, and her job may be in jeopardy. Sadly, now they can't find him. He is officially the most wanted man in Costa Rica, but he seems to have disappeared. As for the woman, she is guaranteed constant police protection until he is found, which could be years if he has fled the country. As ridiculous as it that he is not in custody, I do feel reassured by the level of public outrage concerning his release, and it does make the story a little less disturbing. A little.

For other national new here is Costa Rica, a good part of the Caribbean coast is under water. The heavy rains caused major flooding along the coast and maybe areas are still completely inundated. Helicopters providing aid are having to put aid supplies in plastic bags and toss them from the air because there is place dry enough to land. There have been major evacuations and millions of dollars of damage. It will be interesting to see if the people who lost everything will receive any compensation for their losses. I had agreed to collaborate with the Rotaract Club in Heredia on their Christmas Project (they are organizing a Christmas present collection/party), and after this week's natural disaster, it has taken on a new meaning, as most of the families in need live in the areas hit heaviest by the flooding.

I just read a post from a good friend from Miami University who was in Mumbai (still is actually) during the terrorist attacks. He was supposed to go to out to one of the bars that was bombed (to celebrate the end of his ESL training course), but decided to stay in and read. Wow.

The sun came out today for pretty much the first time since I have been here. I took a blanket to the park and was pleasantly surprised to find a rugby practice a'happenin. It was wonderful to sit and soak up the sun and allow my mind to wander back to my good old college days of running people over/being run over. I apologized to my spine and lazily watched the boys run each other over until my eyelids grew heavy and I fell asleep in the grass, in the sun, with smile on my face.