La Fortuna waterfalls drops 75 metres into a dormant volcano. It takes 15 minutes to make your way down to the base of the falls and four hours to make your way back up-- maybe I'm exaggerating but several people who passed me during the climb asked if I was O.K. I'm pretty sure your father ran up! While we were there I heard one clever young man claim "When I said I loved water sports I used to mean boating". Everyone was very, very wet but the rainy season made the waterfall spectacularly powerful. Last night at the Soda our new friend mentioned that there was going to be a cattle sale at the stock yard this morning. As we left La Fortuna we were almost ran into by a cow running down the road. We figure she was actually, not figuratively, running for her life. That was probably the safest part of our trip. The road between La Fortuna and Monteverde is comparable to a trip across moon rocks. In places you drive in and out of the potholes with the shoulders cut away to nothing on both sides. Your dad did great. We are now in Monteverde. Our coffee/cocoa/sugar cane tour was an exercise in indulgence. Since it is off season there were only four of us on the tour. We definitely consumed the product equivalent of a full sized tour. Cocoa right out of the bean--amazing. They cautioned it might cause diarrhea, but so far so good! Settled in for the night as the sun sets over the cloud forest. Psalm 145:5 They speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. You are always in my prayers. Love Mom.
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Favourite critter today-the Jesus Christ Lizard-Guide explanation"because he walks on water NOT because of what you say when he crawls over your foot"
I am surrounded by fruit, fruit, and more fruit. I eat about two pounds of papaya with breakfast. When that settles I buy a giant mango from a road side stand, cut it open with my room key, and bite into it until the juice is dripping from my hands and face. Even the birds are fruit crazy! They flock to enjoy their share impaled on sticks just outside of the restaurant during breakfast. It is a challenge to find an authentic Costa Rican experience when you are staying at a resort, but we are definitely trying our best. Two of these experiences are Sodas and the rogue hot springs: Don't think soda like soda pop--think a small building with three walls and an open front where you can buy the best Costa Rican food for really, really cheap. The owner of our favourite Soda wants to practice his English and I want to practice my Spanish so it is a match made in heaven. We manage to order the basic ingredients but the form it arrives at the table in is always a complete surprise! The rogue hot springs is right across the street from the famously expensive Tabacon Hot Springs. If you want a drink with a fancy umbrella you should definitely go to Tabacon. If you want to have a blast on a Sunday afternoon with fifty of your newly found Costa Rican friends, their babies, their dogs, and their BBQs crawl under the gate across from Tabacon. Priceless! We haven't seen a volcano yet--too cloudy--rainy season. No matter, there is so much adventure to enjoy. Dad seems to finally have a grip on the currency. He randomly announces I know where my Colones are and giggles. You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom. It's rainy season in Costa Rica; so it rains. It rains a lot! Drove for hours to see Volcano Poas. All we saw were clouds, but I swear I could feel and smell the presence of that volcano. There is something special about taking a walk bundled up in a raincoat. It feels like everything you are experiencing has been put there just for you. Standing under the poor man's umbrella (the plant), with those amazing strawberries of the volcano, I knew with certainty that I am truly blessed. You are Always in my Prayers--Mom Pura Vida from Costa Rica! The literal translation of Pura Vida is "pure life". However, for Ticos (native Costa Ricans) it appears to be one of those powerful multi-purpose phrases that can be tossed around as a greeting, a toast, or a general statement that life is wonderful--truly excellent--enjoy it! This sculpture by Juan Ramón Bonilla, which can be found at Teatro Nacional in San Jose, captures life--pure life. What is the mother saying to her son? Perhaps, Pura Vida? What do I wish for each of you? Psalm 91: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty. Now that's Pura Vida! You are Always in my Prayers ... Love Mom |
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Ray & Diane
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