Botanico school

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After a two day delay due to torrential rain, the ethnobotanical class made it to Popa Dos. It was fantastico. The professor, and 4 students went on a botanical walk and observed an artisan demonstatraion. I told the students Porfirio is enthusiastic about sharing his medicinal plant knowledge. He did not disapoint. He led us on a short hike on the Popa Sendero. During the walk he stopped to talk about the plants and let them ask questions. At one point he sat down on a log and told them he was going to dar clase. Some of the students speak basic Spanish the others only English so I acted as a translator during the class. They had plenty of questions and he willingly talked about his journey to become a botanico. It may be hard for Americans to grasp but he believes he was given the gift of botanical knowledge and premonition from a don, or god. When the students asked how he learned about the different plants he told them he dreams he is in the forest and a voice talks to him. Important plants light up and shine with brillant colors. Pretty amazing. I'm looking foward to helping future ethno- courses make it out to Popa.

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Photos

Botanico
The students and their teacher