Life in Batahola Norte

Outside of Gloria and Ernesto's home in Batahola Norte. There are no glass windows, only bars for security. I jump rope in the garage in the mornings while Ernesto takes the taxi out to catch the morning commuters.

Inside the front room. Ernesto Jr., the eldest son, rides his bike to work in a beer bottling factory. He is also attending night classes at the university. Gloria and Ernesto sometimes ride the motorcycle to the market because it's better on gas. They have quite a collection of pirated CDs and tons of speakers.

Looking at the front room from the other direction. Gloria is watching TV. My bedroom (usually Ernesto and Gloria's) is behind the curtain on the right. The kitchen/main room is straight ahead.
Here the main room. There is another bedroom on the other side of the wall with the window. Garry, the youngest son, is busy carving reeds for his oboe. He is planning on attending the university in San Jose, Costa Rica next year to study music and engineering.

Ernesto, the dad, is brushing his teeth in the pila (three-part sink). The stairs lead up to a third bedroom shared by the two boys, as well as the roof where Gloria hangs the laundry to dry. The bathroom is behind Ernesto on the left. Ernesto, Jr. bought Gloria the washing machine (behind Ernesto) for Mother's Day. It was really expensive.

Here is where I sleep. The window looks out into the main room (where Ernesto was brushing his teeth). The opposite wall has a window as well, which looks out into the garage. It really is the best room in the house because it gets a breeze (when there is one). I also have the best bed and the use of the fan (left).

This is the view outside of their house. Shade provided by the trees is truly a God-send. It was over 95 degrees in my bedroom last night.