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Published: December 15th 2008
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PART TRES: THE PEOPLE (MY FAVOURITE!)
So the best part has been all the amazing people... Firstly it's the group. As I've said it's been such a mix mash of individuals and everyone has really grown on me! Although I'm sure I've driven most of them irritatingly nutty ;-)
Philip is a true Australian is never endingly entertaining with his stories and backhand compliments (basically a compliment with heavy understones of insults under the surface if you're quick enough to grab them!) Yes I've been the brunt of many but there's no hope in even trying to work around it, so the only choice is to take it with all you got! Him and Fernando are the keen lovers of Bar Amigos - but I have a funny feeling that's just cos it offers a different scenery from pollen counting and bird spotting ;-)
Don & Sandi are soooo besotted with birds it's nutty!!! Even more than Valerie! Sandi has been a queen in dosing me up with tons of medicine and Don would knock on my door just to say "get better soon!". They've invited us all to their island (no it's not all theirs) where they go canoeing
often and of course... birding! I got the best compliment ever when they said I was the best bird spotter - I'm pretty shoddy at knowing the difference between a Philadelphia Vireo, the Tennessee Warbler and the Roufous Capped Warbler but at least I can spot them!
Brian, who's continuing with me to Arenal volcano tomorrow before he leaves on Thursday, is the most simple, down the middle, no fuss type of guy. And his most regular statement is: those Americans are so stooopid! (Yes he's American! And an ex-navy dude at that!)
Fernando is also so easy going and beyond patient! I think him and Brian worked the absolute hardest these two weeks! I'm not sure what we would of done without him, I think I drive him mental with my constant: "Fernando, How do you say ... in Spanish????" But he graciously helps never complaining!
And then there's Valerie, as they say she's in no way a sweet Southern lass, she's all force and drive and doesn't tend to keep things to herself (I know - sounds familiar!).
And of course, the guys at the Eco-Lodge, very unlike me but it's just the way it happened, but
I didn't get to know the locals who work here as well as I would have liked. I think if I had been much more fluent in Spanish it would have made so much of a difference... But my favourite is Giovanni! He is our 'waiter' - I wish there was a better way to describe him cos he really does much more, but obviously I think he's great cos he always brings the food ;-) And above that he just eminates niceness. He's apparently an amazing dancer, and often teaches people, but I wasn't lucky enough to witness him in his glory...
Scott and Serena are the volunteer naturalist and they are an absolute blast! They are ever helpfull and Serena has a permanent smile and happy disposition. Scott is like a kid who never grew up but in a fun way. They've been awesome with tips for the rest of my trip as they've done most of Central America living in a lot of the places for some time.
I also recently met the bug man - Philip. Yes there's another one! And I swear they come from the same gene-pool too! He's also an avid story teller
Outside Monteverde Cheese factory
Fernando, Philip and Brian - Walking to St Elena from Monteverde and absolutley loves bugs! (I know, don't ask me... I don't get it either!) But we did have a great chat about maggots ;-) He told me about this awesome site: Kiva - you have to check it out!!! There's a documentary about them on Frontline World - the Uganda story...
Finally, the farmers! The ones I interacted with are Oldemar & Erci, Rafael, Alviro and Odilio, but Oldemar and Erci were legendary! They constantly open their doors to us, always have a pot of coffee brewing if we pass by, have the most delicious quality coffee and are so dynamic in so many ways! Oldemar has taken such a positive view and drive in terms of ensuring his farm is sustainable - the fruit and veges he has over and above the coffee, the trees and flowers that graciously dance between the coffee plants providing a haven for so many bird species, their coffee tour, the way he picks his coffee, how he embraces people and gets excited when they show an interest in his coffee business, the coffee tours and just how much love and generosity that exudes from them! I will sincerely miss them...
We
Bar Amigos!
Aged rum and coke at the local hang out before our long trek home... Me, Fernando, Philip, Brian went into bajo San Luis (the town which is pretty much a church, you'de miss it if you blinked when driving past!) to watch a local event which entails getting a pin into a tiny ring suspended from a rope across the road while riding a horse! It was great to watch, and yes I was tempted to atke a turn! But I decently constrained my whimsical self and remained an avid observer and clapper instead ;-)
We had a little fiesta to say thanks to the farmers where we (Fernado, Brian and Sandi) made some snacks, we put together all our gifts as pressies for them, Valerie did a presentation to update on their farms, then we played silly but fun games! It was simple but nice and good to be able to do a little something for them, although I wish I could do much more!
For all of those interested in the actual coffee, shade tree, fair trade and general stuff like that, I'll update soon... It's late and I still need to pack! We're off at 7h30 tomorrow morning! Eeek - my solo journey begins... I'm excited and nervous - I know: "why? what
Our sunset companion
We were loving the view, but as the sun was dipping we realised it would be quite a walk without any torches so the pace was picked up (after inhaling the spectacle before us of course)!!! on earth for?" But I know once I get started there'll be no looking back ;-) I'm glad Brian is coming with to Arenal and La Fortuna though...
So until next time, I say goodbye to some eventful moments at the Eco-Lodge and Earthwatch and all the great people I've met, and begin the next phase of my travels... Love to all, biggest hugs and kisses ever!!!!!! Sweet dreams, buenas noches ;-)
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Em
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WOWWWW!!
Hi Sammy! I am such a 'nana. I had saved your site under "My Favourites" and it kept defaulting to your first entry, so I didn't see the others. I've just made myself a cup of tea and treated myself to a long read. And WOW! it's been an amazing trip! You sound so perfectly in your element surrounded by nature and trying your hand at basic Spanish. Sounds a bit like me trying to talk to my retailers in Afrikaans - heinously bad, but entertaining nonetheless. Sammy, I can't wait for the South America entries to come - your solo trip. I know you were feeling nervous, but I'm sure by this time you're sorted and exploring to the max. You're such a talented writer - love the imagery and the narrations on who's who in the zoo. Keep 'em coming!