I’ve been to tropical rain forests over the years – in the Caribbean, Central America, and Venezuela. Stunningly beautiful, and an amazingly rich and abundant ecosystem. Vertical landscaping in its primeval form. But one things you don’t get from seeing pictures of the rain forests is a sense of the smell that seems pretty universal. Rotting leaves and a whiff of urine is how I’d describe it. That, and snakes in branches right over your head, are the two down sides.
MATTHEW'S ISLAND
MATTHEW'S ISLAND 
Where were you in Central America, Matthew? I was a park ranger in Costa Rica in a younger life, living in rain forests. I was shocked to see whitetail deer, exactly the same species as in Upstate New York.
Your site continues to amaze me. Orchids, old movie posters, Joan Crawford, Spanish swim suit models–we share a lot of interests in common. Plus an appreciation of the whimsical and the absurd. Keep the images coming!
I went to northern Belize to snorkle and Costa Rica. In Costa Rica I went to San Jose, a volcano in the rain forest (Mount Arenal) and then down to the Manuel Antonio area. Loved both, would like to return to see other parts of those countries. Main tropical rain forest experiences were on Caribbean islands & Venezuela though.
Glad you’re liking this site & that someone else in the world shares my ecclectic taste!
I snorkeled too–but in SOUTHERN Belize. And here I thought we were kinda similar. I’ve been to Arenal and to Manuel Antonio (several times–what a beautiful place). How cool.
I think we should scientifically test our similarities, Matthew. Please take this quiz (I will tell you if you are right or wrong in my next comment)…
Can you do the Spock salute?
Shirley Temple or Bela Lugosi?
You’ve been to Venezuela, but have you been to BUFFALO?
Do you support gay marria……no–that’s too easy.
Chocolate sauce or whipped cream?
Ever eaten grasshoppers? (Hint–remember, I’m Mexican).
People or dogs?
Let me know. Our friendship hangs in the balance.
1. Yes, can do Spock salute (but takes a moment). Seen every episode of every Star Trek series except TNG if that helps with bonus points.
2. I’m no monster but I sure aint no Shirley Temple.
3. I have passed through BUffalo on a bus trip from Wyoming to Boston but never lingered there. Did I miss something?
4. Though my love of dairy products is legend, I have to come down on the side of chocolate sauce.
5. I have never eaten grasshoppers THAT I KNOW OF/REMEMBER… but chocolate covered ants, yes.
6. Ultimately, dogs. My dog goes with almost everywhere. I can’t think of any human I would want to spend THAT much time with. However, humans are far superior as far as intellectual conversation, laughter, opening doors, and the only species I’ll have sex with!
1. Yes, can do Spock salute (but takes a moment).
Correct. I can too (and without hesitation, so there).
Seen every episode of every Star Trek series except TNG if that helps with bonus points.
Boy, you are OBSESSED! I like that in a man. I’ve read every Perry Mason and Nero Wolfe mystery. (You understand I am throwing that in to draw a red herring across the fact you have me beat in geeky StarTrekishmess). One bonus point.
2. I’m no monster but I sure aint no Shirley Temple.
Poorly worded question. I was looking for preference (star preference, that is) and not with whom you most identify. I like Shirley, but the correct answer is Lugosi. No points.
3. I have passed through BUffalo on a bus trip from Wyoming to Boston but never lingered there. Did I miss something?
Darn–I was sure I had you stumped. I too took a bus trip, but straight to Buffalo. Wyoming was in no way involved. You missed Randy. I miss him too, sometimes. Rarely, really.
Another point.
4. Though my love of dairy products is legend, I have to come down on the side of chocolate sauce.
Now I’m scared. I grew up in the biggest dairy producing county in NY, and it shows. I have yogurt in my veins. But now I live in Mexico, where cocoa originates, and chocolate is in my heart.
Point.
5. I have never eaten grasshoppers THAT I KNOW OF/REMEMBER… but chocolate covered ants, yes.
Hard to grade. You deserve credit for the cc ant experience, but you are sorely lacking as a hopper chomper. Here we eat them on occasion, with lemon and salt, or chile, or fried with garlic and butter. They are lovely.
Half point for open-mindedness.
6. Ultimately, dogs. My dog goes with almost everywhere. I can’t think of any human I would want to spend THAT much time with. However, humans are far superior as far as intellectual conversation, laughter, opening doors, and the only species I’ll have sex with!
Oh yes. Pupspupspups. You should say “SOME humans are far superior as far as…” Intellectual conversation and laughter ARE very important, I agree. Cooking skills, too. But I can open my own doors.
Your last line reminds me what I tell Frexspar the Chihuahua when he does the horizontal hula with Catbar the Cat–“At least I stick with my same SPECIES!”
Similarity score: 5.5 out of 6. Separated at birth.
Glad that we have so many similarities.
I saw all those Star Trek episodes a while ago and own no Trekkie memorabilia. I don’t appear very nerdy or geeky, and apparently I need to practice my Spock salute. I liked the action and characters. The sci fi, techno geeky stuff not so much.
I recall, much to my surprise, that I had some excellent dairy products in Mexico. The best yogurt (and I’ve been to Europe a bunch of times!) I’ve ever had was from an open air market in Cholula. Good cheese too!
The most disgusting thing I ever ate/drank was in Mexico though. Pulque. Something to do with immature tequila or catctus liqueur. If I ever was offered grasshoppers I would’ve tried them, but I don’t recall. I have eaten roe from a lot of sea critters around here no one in North America ever eats – so always willing to try.
I’m sure your Spock salute is fine. Style pays more points than speed. I liked the Trek stories and the clothes, but I was more into Lost in Space. I don’t look nerdy or geeky either–I’m more Winnie the Pooh like. Built the same, too. People often confuse us, especially if I am out and about wearing a tee shirt and no pants.
Mexico does a great job with fermented dairy products, as you mentioned. I actually miss good yogurt when I’m in the states. And there is a whole range of cream/sour cream/creme fraiche delights, like jocoque.
I’ve not been to Europe yet. I’m aching to go.
I haven’t had pulque, but I do enjoy the younger version, aguamiel. Mexican beers are incredible, and I’ve grown to enjoy tequila and mezcal. Here in Jalisco we also make a mildly fermented tortilla drink, tejuino, which is served with salt and lemon ice, and tepache, which is made from fermented pineapple rinds. Lots of wonderful things to discover.
You will like grasshoppers. We eat mezcal worms (actually caterpillars) too. I’m limited on roe experiences–salmon and lumpfish, and crab roe. I’ve had turtle eggs, as well as chicken, duck, turkey, quail, and goose eggs. Life is for living.
Dan, You want to send me an email address and we can continue chatting in a non-public forum? Or is there a way to contact you through your web site? Any which way, it’s been cool chatting with you!
Matthew, there is contact info on the website. Look forward to hearing from you!