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We could hardly have asked for nicer or more generous hosts. They let us stay and stay in their home and when we said we were leaving they persuaded us that it wasn't propitious: too much rain on the roads, or we'd miss a party or etc. We thought we were overstaying, but like a dieter faced with wonderful pastries it took us a long time to give up the warmth, comfort, and interest of the Aronsons.

Steve, Benjamin, Maura, and Anne

Aronson Family and friends admiring digital photo of Steve (Back): Steve, Anne, unknown, Felipe; (Front): Freedom, Maura, Benjamin, Leila

At Lake Arenal we had the first intimations that rainy season had actually arrived, although we sometimes thought that the clouds and rain might be just a local weather pattern. In Santa Elena and Monteverde we were sure it had come although Vitalis kept telling us that there was too much rain for rainy season! When we got to Heredia, however, there could no longer be any doubt. It rained just about every day confirming us in our lethargy and giving us lots of opportunities to raid the Aronson's library replete with the two subjects we like most: politics and literature. And as if that is not enough in the two languages we are most proficient in: French and English. What more could a weary world traveler want than an environment rich in good conversation and good books.

House approach

The Aronsons are lucky enough to have a lovely home up in the hills above Heredia, a suburb of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Because of its altitude and its location in the tropics, this place is blessed with a wonderful climate. The air is always fresh and cool in the morning and evening and even in the heat of the day, any bit of shade will provide you with a cool breeze.

Felipe, ??, ??

While we were taking it easy and partaking of the comforts of a real home again, the Aronsons were all out working very hard. Steve, Felipe and Benjamin work for Cafe Britt while Anne, Tupie, and Maura work for the European School. One family enterprise isn't enough for this family, they have two!

Tupie

A family that works hard, plays hard too. Everyone seems to be a fervent hiker, doubtless because of Anne's French Alpine heritage. Tupie, for example, sometimes participates in the annual run up to the top of the Chirripo volcano and back. We were wiped out after walking for an hour on Mt. Chirripo never mind running all the way. Benjamin and Anne have tackled the treks of Nepal. Steve is a keen cyclist and plans to cycle through Lithuania this summer.

Jan enjoying a quiet computer moment on the Aronson's balcony

The balcony was Jan's favorite place in the whole house, even though at times it was also the chilliest. She was never happier than sitting here in the fresh morning air reading the novel "The Ginger Tree", by Oswald Wynd, borrowed from the European School curriculum. Or dipping into Alain Peyrefitte's memories of De Gaulle, or enjoying Jean-Francois Revel's "L'obsession anti-americaine" an analysis of French anti-Americanism.