Every Seven Seconds

Every seven seconds, a rooster crows in La Otoya. It’s been scientifically proven, at least for the standards of a Peace Corps volunteer. All you do is sit in bed, count to seven, and listen. It’s like counting sheep, but not as relaxing. In fact, if your not careful and pay too much attention to the crows, they have the ability to drive you absolutely insane.

This is what happens when you have three teenage brothers who own 20 roosters. Yes. Twenty. Why do they own so many roosters? Good question. Let’s just say they’re obsessed with their gallos. Our host mother, Isolina, put it into perspective one day when she told us, “It’s better than being into drugs.” Very true. Our brothers have found their true passion in raising chickens, especially of the male variety, so Megon and I rarely post a complaint. To be honest, they really are beautiful creatures, even though they're obnoxious -- especially when they start crowing at midnight. 

Megon and I have become so fascinated with them we sometimes make up our own translations of their cockle-doodle-doos. We especially love it when there are two, sometimes three, roosters that crow simultaneously. Was it a planned, synchronized event? We tend to think so; as do the authors of this Web site, who apparently know why roosters crow.

  

Fortunately, Costa Rica offers other sounds to soothe our soul, such as birds, monkeys, crickets, frogs, rain showers, etc. In this video below are just a few of the Costa Rica sounds Megon and I have enjoyed in the time we have lived in Sarapíquí. 

Enjoy!