July 15-the final post

So we're home now. We got up at 2 am and took a cab to the airport. All went well as we connected through Denver.

Some other pics I wanted to post are below.

Lighted Hoola Hop pics w Sarah Beth twirling
Chickens on a fence
Really big bug
WOrking girl

July 13

Today was another over cast day in Turrialba, which made it perfect for the pool. We took a taxi today; the boys thought it was such a treat. At the pool there were some caged birds and some Ticos hanging out. Aaron and I swam, we ate and then walked around the grounds. Everyone I meet here is so open to talking about anything and sharing there family, stories, ideas, etc.

For some reason the bus didn't show to take us home so we called for a cab.

Later we walked around town to finish up some things before I got up at 2 am for the taxi to the airport. I went to 6 ATMs and my card wasn't working. I was just about to give up. On the last machine, it worked. I was wondering if Cheney was playing a not so funny joke on me.

We watched Sky High in Spanish and finished up packing. We tried to get to bed early, but it was at least 9 before we were in bed.

Buenos Noches Costa RIca for the last time on this visit. So many wonderful and growing experiences.
Gracias por todos!

July 12

We took the bus to my friend Olivia's brother's farm outside of Turrialba. He grows organic coffee there and nothing else. He does have goats for cheese, milk and fertilizer as well as some other animals. It was over cast, and it felt good.

We had a tour and great conversation. Later we ate lunch and talked some more. I love that the people here are so nice and patient with my Spanish. I am able to understand most everything we talk about. Unfortunately, my responses are always slow.

July 11, My Birthday--Don't ask about #'s ;)

Today we are going to the river. We need to take the bus and then walk about an hour. We brought lunch with us. It’s definitely warmer here than on the farm. It rains a lot here but not as much as the farm.

The bus ride was not eventful. I think I'm gaining back some of the weight I lost at the farm :( Mostly, I am eating the same amount but working less. We still walk everywhere.

We walked a ways up to the farm. There were horses and attack dogs and lots of fruit trees. The farm is a hotel/lodge and it's beautiful. It's handmade out of local woods and stone--amazing. The owner is Don Carlos, a very common name here. Lots of big local lizards live here. We also saw a butterfly that looked just like a leaf.

We ate lunch and swam in the river. Later it rained hard as could be. Rivers formed every where, but we still had to catch the only bus home.

Another AWESOME day in CR!

July 10

Coco made us breakfast in the morn and we walked across the street to the bus. We took the bus to San Jose-3 hours north. San Jose is definitely the most dangerous place in CR and the boys, especially Ethan, don’t like it there. We took a cab about 1 km to the next bus station because we have too much stuff to walk around.

We bought tickets for the Turrialba bus and waited 30 minutes to take off. It was 2 hours to Turrialba. Olivia, a friend of Laurel’s, picked us up and took us to the place we were sleeping—Sucaro’s house.

We talked for a while and I love that we are only speaking in Spanish. The only time I can’t understand is when the two women talk to each other very rapidly using little Ticaisms—ito added on to the ends of the words.

We had a nice and rather large dinner. Later we walked at night to get some ice cream—if the boys learn no other word, it will be helado-ice cream. Sucaro bought them ice cream and a slice of pizza. I have a feeling that all the weight I lost on the farm will be gained here.

July 9

I had to finish a wooden box I had been building with much difficulty. Some of the wood is very hard here and challenging to work with. I received help from a number of sources and the box looks like it was made by a kid, but it’s done and I made it. I forgot to take a pic so I hope someone on the farm sends me one.

We decided to travel today and are heading to San Isidro to stay with a friend of ours, Coco, who is an amazing cook w an amazing restaurant called, “El Gato sin dueno-the cat w no owner.” He also has an incredible GF who’s a fire spinner and eater, Sarah Beth. I think I’ve talked about both of them before.

We got a ride w Tiffany and bought our bus tickets for the morning. The time we wanted was already sold out. We shopped and walked around the city. Later we had another delicious Coco dinner followed by Sarah Beth hoola hooping w a lighted hoop. I’ll post some pics soon.

July 8th commentary

We shopped at the Feria-local fresh market and went to the coffee shop so I could download my pics. I hope you enjoy them.

We came home and dug up a water pipe that needs repair.

the other women and I made empanadas for dinner. We all hung out and talked. It's our last night on the farm. Tomorrow we take off for a night in San Isidro before we head out to La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano.

July 7

Ethan, Aaron, Gabe and I went horseback riding to Nauyaca Falls. It was fun and exciting. The horses were in good shape. My horse loved to run and took off ahead. I liked running and figured he knew where to go. He took me up this big hill to a farm. No one else showed up so I thought something was up. We headed back down and went the other way. When we met up with the group, they were eating breakfast. The guides had expected me to be there before. The horse had taken me to his home instead of to the eating place. We ate fresh fruit, cornbread and fried corn and cheese tortillas. YUM! When we headed back out they put me in the back and asked that I not run off anymore. LOL

It had rained the whole day and night the day before so the water at the falls was too much to swim in. Usually you can climb up the falls 75 ft, but the spray from the falls was so great that we were wet from just looking at it. I didn't take out my camera. We hiked to lower falls in hopes of going in the water, but the current was too great.

On the way back we stopped for lunch which again was beautiful. They had 2 scarlet macaws there that were free to roam as well as 2 toucans that allowed people to touch them. There were a bunch of tapir babies as well.

We ran most of the way back to the office (with the horses of course). The boys had a blast. Watching them ride was like a comedy show. We all had a hard time walking to the bus stop.

July 6

We had a sewing day as our work today and I made a beautiful dress out of an old skirt and two shirts. If someone takes my pic in it, I'll post it. It was good that we were sewing because my body was sore from the hike yesterday.

That night I made veggie lasagna and meat penne for everyone. Aaron made some brownies with the cacao (homemade chocolate). It came out better than my chocolate cake.

We watched the little mermaid and blade runner. It was a great night. We all sang along to the little mermaid.

July 5

Ethan, Aaron, Gabe, Nathan and Lillie and I hiked to Diamante Verde Falls. They are the biggest falls in Costa Rica 800 ft tall. It took us 45 min to the trailhead and then 2 hours straight up a steep trail. At the point we hiked to there's a cave w a kitchen, bathrooms, beds, etc. We swam in the pools below. The water and place was so incredibly beautiful. We didn't want to hike up another hour and a half to the very top so we just hiked down. ANother awesome adventure. That night we had a peaceful meditation.

July 4

Rosie, Cheryl, Sandy, Ethan, Aaron and I took the bus to Uvita to go to Ballena (whale) National Park. We swam and walked out on a large rock/sand bar. It was a beautiful day--even though it was over cast. Ethan found many sand dollars of all sizes and Aaron chased crabs. It started to rain profusely and we took a cab to Dominical for homemade ice cream. The shop was closed so we had some local food until the bus came.

July 8-more photos

Sand dollars, Ballena National Park and Beach, flower arrangement from the garden, homemade cob oven where I baked one of my chocolate cakes


Horseback riding to Nauyaca Falls, tapir, friendly toucan,

July 8

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Clay Faces while watching the Spain vs ?? soccer game; Dominical Beach; Dominique surfing, Boys in the Bar watching another soccer game; cacoa beans--which we made into homemade pure chocolate.

July 3

Saturday, we spent the day making real homemade chocolate from cocao beans. We roasted and peeled them; then ground them many times. Cooked it with a double boiler and added butter and sugar. It is the most amazing tasting raw chocolate ever. I made a chocolate cake from scratch that I baked in a homemade fire-burning cob oven. Another person made chocolate/peanut butter ice cream. We had a potluck dinner that night and it was really nice.

July 2

I can't believe how the time is flying by.

I am in the process of building a wardrobe box out of scavenged wood. I used a power saw and an electric drill/screwdriver today. Awesome!

Tonight we are going dancing to say Good bye to Dominique. The boys are having movie night. They are walking to the store right now in the pouring rain. It takes about 30 minutes each way. It's all up hill going there.

This weekend we'll be going to the beach and there's a potluck dinner to celebrate the birth of a baby in the community.

BTW, we ran into a tarantula in the field the other day along w 6 toucans, a non-poisonous snake, and lots of bugs.

July 1, Canada Day

So Happy Canada Day Dominique!

I worked with the boys today. We harvested oranges, which are actually green and yellow; then we transplanted some trees and gathered wood to make an oven door and a box for dress up clothes.

tonight we are going to Coco's restaurant, El Gato for a fiesta-dinner, dancing, fire spinning and great fun.

I may not be able to post pics today so you'll have to wait until next week for new pics.

Two new volunteers came last night-Sandy and Lisa. All women volunteers are here now except for Ethan and Aaron. Things will be a lot cleaner and run a lot smoother.

June 30

We worked in the fields today and it was the hottest and hardest to work.

I swam with the boys in the river after and then a friend, Coco (an incredible chef and restaurant owner of el Gato--this restaurant is said to be the best in San Isidro-- of the owners cooked us an incredible mahi mahi dinner--Aaron said, "If you want me to eat stuff like this, then you have to cook it like this." Then Coco and Boarhead (we heard the story of how he got his name-unbelievable) spun fire. It was absolutely amazing.