Cerro

Just realized I’m getting over the hump here; been here six weeks, one day and ideally will only stay another six weeks. It really feels like quite a long time and this alternate summer is beginning to grow on me. Lately I’ve savored routine and that keeps me going through most days.

Funny enough, all I tend to write about these days is routine. After an amazing sleep, from which I didn’t wake until 7:00am, I was chilled by the pitter patter of rain on the roof. It seems that nothing gets me more down these days than rain. This might turn into an issue considering it is the rainforest.

My walk over to breakfast, of course, contained the period of heaviest rain and I got a little damp. All in all today was a great day; everything fell into place quite well. Tinny expressed her desire for the rain to continue, I duly shunned that desire. Cleared on up around 8:00am and that got us started on a wonderful field day.

Probably started work some time before 10:00am with a light load of 57 trees on the top part of the hill. Starting to notice the effect of microtopography on the canopy structure. Trees on hillsides are not as tall as the trees in the lowest parts. They just don’t need to be since the hill gives them so much height. Dr. Chazdon is also interested in this effect so that’s pretty sweet.

Enough science tidbit for one day. With six trees to go, the batteries in the rangefinder bit the dust. Left the plot at 1:35pm and made it back to the station at 2:05pm, quite solid for a muddy mile hike and 3.8km bike ride. Got harassed by team baby trees for a little while and settled down for an omelet sandwich. Realized today, that I might be getting sick of eggs, ouch.

First good coffee break in a long time. I made my best coffees yet; threw in a little extra love this time. Tinny joined us a short while later and we got to wish exotic meats man Steve a farewell as he left for Little Rock (nice name for a city). The average coolness of researchers at La Selva just took a serious plunge, good thing I’m sticking around.

Yanks lost a nail-biter in the 13th do my despair. Karen made brownies with sprinkles this afternoon, which nicely coincided with ice-cream-for-dessert night at the comedor. Smushing a nice soft brownie into liquidy ice cream was quite a treat. Way to go Karen. Did some table-hopping to talk with some more cool kids. Forgot to drink coffee again, bad Ben bad.

Threw on kicks and pants and hit the mean streets of PV with Debra & Amanda for some Saturday night cultural exposure. Met some pretty interesting people, saw some familiar faces, all in all a decent outing. Didn’t get to bed until after 3:00am, time to start sleeping more. Tomorrow will hopefully include lots of coffee and batting in cat country (finally!, maybe, sort of weather dependent). 19-5/6 years tomorrow, whoopideedooda!

BP