Kelly has been in Costa Rica since August 1. She’s helped turtles find their way, battled Satan’s dog, visited Nicaragua, Panama City and other points of interest via overcrowded buses in high humidity, excels at her studies and still finds time to Skype with her parents. She’s amazing. It’s clear to me that she’s having a fantastic time. To get the straight scoop for yourself, visit her blog.

Kelly traveled as much as she could and took several tours with the Institute where she is studying. During her first week at school, she went to Heredia, Cartago, Orosi and San Jose.

Kelly was exceptionally excited to tell us about the decorative paint jobs she found on some very special wagon wheels that have been fashioned into coffee tables. It was all she could do to resist the temptation to spend her savings and buy three. Take a look at the painted wagon wheel in the photo galelry above and you’ll see why. Oh my gosh, this girl has exerted some strength of will indeed.

Regarding the photo of Kelly and Toucan Sam (above), if Kelly is looking a little nervous, she is. For some reason she was paranoid that the toucan was going to swing that giant beak over and take a chunk out of her nose.