The time with my family represented two very different 'types' of vacations...the first, being the beach, so relaxing, sitting pool side or enjoying the views from our hotel room veranda....no such relaxation found in Monteverde! We kept Poppy, Choppy and Auntie Beth busy and active every waking hour - can you believe they're actually thinking of coming back again next year to visit?
Monday morning, we saw Kattya's familiar red van pull into the Costa Verde Hotel. Since Kattya had made several round trips back and forth to Quepos in our short 2 1/2 day stay, Salimo (her husband) manned the wheel and drove us safely back up the mountain. I for one, was eager to get back into more of a temperate climate. Don't get me wrong, love the heat, beach, pool, but can't say I would want to live there. And to think I was a serious 'sun-worshipper' during my teenage years back in Miami.
As we wound our way up the mountain, the vistas were even better the second time around recalls Auntie Beth as the day was clear unlike the ascent we made together back in August. Mike had a great time conversing in Spanish with Salimo the entire ride and chuckling with Poppy over chickens, or was it Chicks of the two-legged kind? We made it safely to the Delucia Inn in Cerro Plano where our travellers would bunk down for the remaining five nights. Although the room in our house that Beth had stayed in back in August (still to this day called "Auntie Beth's Room") could sleep several, we thought they would be more comfortable in a hotel with more comforts of home. Their first impression of the little brown house was great - Beth could not believe how 'homey' we had made it - a far-cry from the stark walls and no personality back in August. Pop and Chop commented on how roomy and airy it is; not to mention the yard, great for playing, soccer and frisbee! The mist started to pour in but that did not keep the boys from wanting a baseball lesson from Choppy! The boys dove into the boxes and extra suitcases that had made their way from Chicago and Florida. Bat, balls, baseball gloves, card games, disc shooters, chutes and ladders, whiffle balls, puzzles - their eyes lit up and they were off into their own world of discovery. I delighted in new hand-cream, throw rugs, more plastic cups and bowls and a table cloth to throw over the outside table (oh what ambiance)! It wasn't long after, that Choppy investigated the boy's bike, trying to figure out just how that rear tire might be dis-assembled...nothing to tough for that gal!
Tuesday morning we put the washer and spinner to good use, not only handling our sandy clothes from the beach but our guests as well...not enough clothes line to accommodate, we made good use of a tree in the front yard. As we left the underwear a waving in the breeze, we walked the boys to school, Chop and Pop getting a taste of all the twist and turns we take to get the little ones to the Friends School...it truly is a 'walk in the woods'. They were impressed by MFS and delighted in seeing the boy's Kinder classroom and meeting their teachers. So many friendly faces - I wanted them to meet EVERYONE. With the boys in school - AH, we had three free hours! First stop, the bike shop to repair the 'shot' tire, then on to Santa Elena and the Super Compro. We loaded up on food and supplies and restocked our fridge and somewhat barren shelves. We enjoyed a tasty lunch at Donde Henry! A quick pick up of the boys at school and off to the Cheese Factory for an ice-cream. Choppy and I picked up the boys, while Beth and Poppy secured a table at the Dairy (Right!, no doubt they snuck in an extra scoop while waiting for our arrival!) As we walked with the boys, we made an abrupt stop on the road as my friend, Shirley, stopped her pick-up truck and came out to introduce herself. She just happened to have a stash of coffee in the back of her truck, so Chop and I each bought a bag - something she could enjoy back in Florida. Shirley owns a farm where they harvest and roast their own coffee beans. You never know who you will meet on your way home from school - it never is just a 20 minute walk! We certainly deserved the ice-cream treat to top off a great day. The boys were delighted to have their 'bici' functioning again and showed off their riding acumen to the family! We enjoyed tamales for dinner - a real authentic meal!
Wednesday brought an early start as Mike had arranged a guided hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve with Ricardo Guindon (one of the son's of the first settlers - Wolf and Lucky). I stayed back with the kids while Mike 'got a pass' to miss Silent Meeting which usually kicks off Wednesday's school day. The hike was great - all enjoyed Ricardo, so knowledgeable. The beautiful quetzal bird was spied and a great shot was captured. Onto the Hummingbird Gallery and then home just in time to wash up and head down another trail to Veronica's house for a home-made lunch! Veronica is such a good friend and was so generous in treating us to a yummy lunch. I am sure Beth, Chop and Pop thought they were 'going to Grandmother's house', as we wandered through another thick trail, about a 12 minute hike to her house. If an early morning guided hike, and lunch with a friend wasn't enough, we had invited Sue and John Trossle over for dinner as I wanted them to meet my family. This family has been so gracious to Mike, me and the boys, always looking after us, bringing over food and giving us hugs when we need them (and even when we don't). Sue and John settled here from NY about 35 years ago. They have a lot of property, a beautiful house and lovely garden. We dined 'al fresco', dragging the kitchen table outside on the patio and lighting up the many candles which 'our travellers' brought with them. A lovely evening as we enjoyed hearing about their journey, their pull to Monteverde and their international travels.
Thank You Kattya for the wonderful recommendation to tour Trapiche (Sugar Mill and Coffee Plantation) - well worth the entrance fee. One of the boys missed school that afternoon, as Kattya had told us that this tour is great for little ones as well. $30.00 per person; includes pick-up and drop off, 3 hour tour, ride in a beautiful wagon pulled by oxen, coffee tasting, tortilla with picadillo and to top it all off, you get to take home the candy you make using the 'raw sugar cane'. YUM! You really have to use your muscles to get it to the right consistency. Our tour guide, Diego, was great, one of the son's, as this is a family owned business. Diego had quite the sense of humor and made it so entertaining. The kids enjoyed feeding the talapia fish in the pond, tasting coffee beans, drinking the coffee and of course, being part of the candy making festivities. (They actually slept that night; even after all that sugar and caffeine). The tour was so informative -- a wonderful way to spend a morning. Dinner was compliments of Gaudy and Raul. As you may already know, Gaudy is the gal that helps me with the kids as I run off to my various meetings, volunteer commitments and basketball mini-course. Talk about an authentic Tico experience. I really wanted to show my family the 'Costa Rica' that tourists rarely see', meeting the locals and experiencing their hospitality and humbleness. We hailed a cab and headed toward San Luis. We stopped at an overlook, that, back in August was clear and exposed the waterfall off in the distance; not so this late afternoon - it was misting, although the sun was trying its best to break through the clouds. Poppy was a trooper and got out of the cab enough to experience the vista. The rainbows were awesome as some other tourists were awed by them as well. We arrived to be greeted by their three dogs; and Loandri (their son), who is a good friend of the boys. Gaudy quickly pulled out her photo albums and was excited to show me her family; Raul was equally pumped to show off his various race medals and pictures! What perspective this gives one. Raul built the house in less than a month and laid natural stone in the kitchen and built a wood burning stove in their porch to keep them warm at night. The house only has one sink (in the kitchen) - as I was washing my hands at the kitchen sink after using the bathroom, I couldn't help but notice the three toothbrushes sitting to the side. Gaudy and her mother-in-law made quick work of making tortillas; we sipped coffee and ate a delicious dip on saltines as an appetizer. I did all the translating that night, so my Spanish was put to good use. Dinner was a delicious soup, with many local veggies, beef and rice...I had two helpings it was so good. Gaudy and her family are part of 'our' family; living a simple life, but so happy. Their stove reminded me of the Coleman camping stove we used while camping as a young family; but it sure served up great food. The rainbow that exposed itself just beyond their house was amazing and the sun shone onto their porch making a beautiful afternoon. We are grateful for this experience and for them sharing an evening with us.
Friday brought a 'free' day as we needed to catch our breath! The travellers did not show up until about 11:30 - I later learned from them when they arrived at our house, that they had walked into Santa Elena, had brunch at the Tree Top Restaurant and then walked all the way back; several miles and lots of huffin' and puffin' up the hills I'm sure. For those of you that know my mom "Choppy", you'll see her tearin' it up as she pulls ahead on the road with Beth and Poppy know where to be seen. After school let out, we decided to take a hike to the Catarata; the Waterfall, that we have done several times with the boys and Veronica and Stuart. I guess chasing after the boys, we don't realize how treacherous the trail really is, filled with ups and downs, narrow trails steep declines where one has to negotiate using ropes. Beth and I were a little on-edge; as Poppy and Choppy navigated the trail. Finally, 3/4 of the way there, Choppy slipped on some rocks and down she went. That was enough to have us turn back as we were perhaps a little aggressive to begin with; especially considering all the walking that had been done earlier in the day. We certainly didn't need anyone breaking a leg on the last day of the trip, so we decided to head back, crack open a bottle of wine at the house and watch a slide-show of the pics so far. Good choice! Chop and Pop were troopers the entire trip and kept toe-to-toe with their kids - Good Work! We ended the day with a fun dinner at the Argentine Cafe just a stones-throw from our house.
We said our good-bye's that night as they would leave on the 6:30 a.m. bus back to the airport in Alajuela for a long day of travel. Indeed it was, Chop and Pop arriving back in Florida at 11 p.m. and Beth back in the windy city at 2 a.m. the next morning. We had a fantastic time; although it went by way to fast. Thanks for coming and making the long trek - the boys loved every minute and so did their parents :)
I must admit I was in a funk for a couple of days after family departed; but have settled back into my routine and my 'family' here. Life is good and I look forward to my next visit; end of April in NC for Dunkie's wedding!
p.s. - The picture of the Guatemalan woman in traditional dress with the baby is done by a friend of mine here - some of her paintings hang in Stella's Bakery - both Mike and I love this painting - it reminds us of our two boys; their heritage.
Peace,
Signed: S
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