Masks

Finally finished finishing (applied a couple layers of Tung oil to protect the wood) the Congolese mask i bought in Uganda last year and placed it next to the mask i bought in Costa Rica this year. On the left is a mahogany fertility mask from the Songa tribe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (possibly this place?). On the right is a Boruca ceremonial mask carved from balsa wood by Gonzalez. The Boruca mask was used in the "Danza de los Diablitos" ceremony which reenacts the European invasion and repression of the natives, and as the ceremony is very physical, the mask is missing a tooth.

More Sights

Rented a car and drove around the Costa Rican countryside for a few days. If you still think rollercoasters are fun, try driving through Latin American mountains sometime. Narrow bridges, cliffs, washouts, passing around mountain corners - American Mountains don't really compare, though if you find yourself doing an inversion while driving you may be wishing you were safely attached to a track.

Driving also provides the opportunity to stop where i want, and so have been able to take the following typical photos.




Standard volcano/lake scene. That's Arenal Volcano, which is visible from La Fortuna, provided you get there during the daytime, and which, if you ask "what city am i in?" while in Fortuna, you will be pointed out "didn't you see the volcano?", as if a volcano is visible from only one city.




Llanos de Cortes waterfall, just outside of Bagaces but far enough off the road that it is a very tranquil place to visit. It is one of the prettiest waterfalls i've seen.




Standard sunset beach scene, as seen from Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste.

Perspectives

Rafting down the Pacuare River in Costa Rica, swimming through the calmer parts, canyon walls and waterfalls on either side.





I've seen these scenes a million times from the riverbanks and overviews, never from in the river. It's quite a change of perspective and i enjoy the new take on old views.

It was relatively safe - our guide fell in the river within the first ten minutes but pulled himself back in quick enough, and a Spanish woman almost fell in but held on to the side and we pulled her in just before she was crushed between the raft and a very large boulder. Yup, safe enough for anyone to try.