It's never too early

If there is a national pastime among women in Costa Rica, especially in the rural parts, I think it is sweeping the floor. Or maybe gossiping, but that's women everywhere, so we'll say it's sweeping.

From the youngest daughter to the oldest woman, it seems at least one female in every household has a broom in her hand at all times during the day. Just this morning, I was sweeping my bedroom (for the first time in many, many days) when my host sister Liliana walked by and cheered, "Eso, Jennifer!"

Liliana's the same host sister who swept the beach that time, remember? And she's the same one who brought her eight-month-old daughter a very special gift this week.