In 1989, Iowa native and Maine resident, Gary Schilmoeller traveled to Costa Rica to study culture and child development for four months. While there he wrote letters to friends in the states about his observations and experiences. His Costa Rican experience made such a deep impression on Schilmoeller that he returned again in 1994, bringing along his wife and sons, and adding Guatemala and El Salvador to the itinerary.

In this collection of letters from Central America, Schilmoeller shows readers a wide lens of political, economic, and social scenes while also bringing us into the homes and personal lives of the people he comes to call friends. Through these letters he shows the humanity of the people.