Make yourself at home

Before I left for Costa Rica, I corresponded briefly with Glory, the volunteer who lived in Potrero Grande last year. In an e-mail, she promised to fill me in on her experience. She said she "had a great year, with lots of ups and downs."

When I wrote her back asking for details, she never replied. I asked my field director about the lack of communication and stressed that I really wanted to hear more about those "downs" Glory had mentioned. She said vaguely it had something to do with some health issues. I opened my mouth to ask what kind of health issues but stopped short of speaking.

Glory did eventually write me back to say she was busy trying to resettle in the U.S. and has answered several questions I've had about my site. I never asked about her health issues, and she never brought it up.

Yesterday, one of my fellow volunteers, Paul, left the beach to go to the hospital in San Jose. He first got sick after his visit to his year-long site, which is in a small, remote pueblo on the northern Pacific coast. All week, he has been feeling tired and sick at his stomach. Each day he's looked a little thinner, a little weaker.

This morning, Paul and I were the first ones to reach the school. He explained that he has not one but two bacterial infections and not one but two parasites. The doctor gave him medicine and sent him back to Orosi.

I relayed this information to one of the assistant field directors and a return volunteer today on our walk to lunch. After I walked ahead a bit, the asistant field director, who also volunteered here last year, turned to the other return volunteer and said, "Remember Glory had a parasite all year last year."

And then the puzzle came together. Parasite. Glory. Potrero Grande. Health issues.

"Close your ears, Jennifer," the assistant field director said as I slowly turned my head toward him.

Too late.