H2O

People in Latin America do not need as much personal space as most of you in the United States. Men in Minnesota greet each other face on, and then turn to create a 135 degree angle from the front of each other's bodies. This is often the key moment when corn prices (the most intimate topic good friends share about) are discussed. Texans tend to come in a bit closer for the actual handshake, but separate for the conversation. I suppose this makes it easier to draw a concealed weapon if there is any untoward disagreement.

Men in most of Latin America have been known to stand so close to each other during conversations they actually touch.

This may be why I do not meet many Minnesotans in Costa Rica.

Of course, we do not raise much corn, either. Conversation topics would be severely limited.

Toward the end of this week, I have noticed that people are standing a bit off from me. It is rather like they are finally developing a sense of awareness to my birth culture. I have to admit it seems a bit odd. In fact, when they can, they are also beginning to stand upwind from me.

I should explain that during the last week, we have not had much water. Truth be told, I have not had a shower since Monday. I am not sure, but this could be why my Latin friends are developing cultural sensitivity at this late point in our relationship. Bio-diversity sounds good on the Discovery Channel but tends to smell a bit raw up close and in your personal space.

I should also explain that Costa Rica is at the end of its dry season and apparently we have used up all our water.

Because our water supplies are low, we are also low on electricity. The entire central valley is experiencing rolling blackouts. The government says they should only last for three hours at a time. However, we have been through several six and seven hour periods without power. The government also says the blackouts should not impact hospitals, schools or tourism. Still, the hospitals are turning away new patients; schools are in the dark; and, tourists are bumping and sniffing their way through the darkness like anyone else.

Besides the national concern about personal hygiene, I think many people are taking this with good grace. We may not smell too good, but we are all in this together.

Our current situation became a bit surreal when Susan and I drove by a mall with electricity and decided to take a few moments to observe each other in the light. As we walked hand in hand (with a healthy distance separating us), we both began to notice the background music. Without really thinking about it, we began to sing with the ersatz piano music. "Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin..." By the time we reached the "rolling sea" in the chorus we both began to wonder who was choosing the music for the mall.

Of course, at that very moment all the lights went out.

Fortunately, we were near the exit, could smell the others around us and made it to our car without too many difficulties. Besides that, we went off with the knowledge that His grace would be with us... wherever, however and to whatever depth of ocean or however shallow the reserves.

May He be a real light to your path in this coming week.