We do have large and ample caging with tarps big enough to cover most American Sports stadiums, protecting birds. But here is what we are up against.

We have to keep tarps in ready position to be able simply to pull down over aviaries when rain begins.

"Why don't you just keep them covered all time?" you ask.

The reason is that right before daily storm hits, air heats up to being able to boil water. This would, of course, cook birds. We cannot have that at all. Therefore, we have to pull all tarps up so birds can have air to breathe and not cook. Then when rains hit, we have to run out there and pull covers over whole aviary.

4. Washing clothes—don't ever get my wife started on this nightmare. Each rainy season water that comes out of taps turns a nice nicotine brown. This is because mountain rains are so heavy that they overwhelm city's water purification plants with muddy river water.

(This notion of a "water purification plant" is an oxymoron since you cannot drink water anyway unless you want some amoebic parasite taking up residence in your gut!)

We combat this issue with a water purification system for which we paid dearly, making it possible to drink from tap. But this does not work for washing machine.

So my poor wife washes clothes that will have a brown tint to them until rainy season is finished.

Life as we knew it has now changed. This is our third rainy season. It is an easy trade off.

I know what you are thinking,

"Why do you live there if it is like this?"

Two reasons:

1. It only lasts 10-12 weeks.

2. Does name "Osama Bin Laden" ring a bell?

Doug Bower is a freelance writer, Syndicated Columnist, and book author. His newest books, Mexican Living: Blogging it from a Third World Country can be seen: CLICK HERE http://www.lulu.com/mexicanliving

Many of counter service restaurants have moved beyond your basic hamburgers and hot dogs to offer soups, salads, wraps, chicken sandwiches and fruit. You’ll also find a fruit stand at each of four Disney World theme parks for an alternative to ice cream or chips for a snack.

Here’s a small sampling of what you can find at counter service restaurants: Stir fry chicken and rice at Chakranadi Chicken Shop in Animal Kingdom Tabbouleh wrap at ABC Commisary at Disney-MGM Studios Seared tuna on mixed greens at Sunshine Season Food Fair at Epcot (lots of good choices here) Vegetarian chili at Columbia Harbor House at Magic Kingdom

If your dietary needs go beyond low calorie or vegetarian dining, such as certain food allergies (wheat, shellfish, eggs, etc.) or kosher dining, contact Disney dining services (407-WDW-DINE) at least 48 hours before you plan to dine for information, advice, and ordering special meals.

Leslie Clevenstine is publisher of <Back to Page 1