I’m happy to say that I’ve been feeling right at home here in Costa Rica. I had a bit of a rough start with some funky bug bites, infections and the local gripe, or head cold, but now things are all good as I adjust to my new rootless lifestyle.

One of the main reasons I came was to spend time with my cousin Harmony and her beautiful little girl, Kalana. Funny enough, Kalana (now in her terrible twos) put me through a pretty tough initiation. She spent the first week and a half putting me in my place, telling me what I couldn’t touch and what was hers.

It’s good that I wasn’t staying with Harmony because Kalana kicked me out of the house a couple times when she was tired and wanted some alone time with her mom. Honestly, it was precious.

Now, we’re all one happy family. Kalana has finally embraced her Auntie G and playing with her is pure joy.

Having this extra time to hang out has been great for all of us. While I get to soak up the family time and enjoy the air conditioning at Harmony’s condo (a full-blown luxury in this smoldering part of the globe), Kalana gets an energized new play buddy who gives her “mosquito rides” around the living room, and Harmony has a free baby sitter.

And of course, Harmony and I both realize how lucky we are to have this time to spend together. Who knows if a chance like this will ever come again.

February 15, 2006