The Indigenous Way

So, we are back today. Hiked out in some light rain and then it started pouring just as we got to shelter. This place was totally cool. A 30 min hike inland from the road where there were bungalows and homes made by the Bribri tribe. We had a personal guide, Orlando, who spoke no English but very clear Spanish. We asked him many questions and he gave us and excellent inside perspective into Bribri life. I really enjoyed it because he spoke very deliberate Spanish and I could understand 70% of what he said. The other 30 I'd look at Missy and äsk. I'm using Missy as my Spanish dictionary and she is being very patient with me. I've been able to get down the basic traveling key phrases needed and Missy Spanish is becoming more natural to her again. ANYWAYS, during the day we soaked in the river (really low because it's the end of the dry season) and read under this large bungalow and just lounged around, then we learned to make some baskets with Orlando. That night we only had some bananas and peanuts because there was confusion as to who was feeding us dinner. We slept in hammocks - I woke up in pain with a small hole in my hammock while Missy ended up on the floor (her hammock stretched). There are these howler monkies that make a horrible noise (look it up) and they were right outside our bungalow at like 4am waking/scaring us - they sound HUGE. The next day we woke at sunrise (5:30am) and putzed around until Orlando brought us rice/beans and a boiled egg for breakfast. Then he took us on this special hike through the jungle to find the monkies. It was so special, very unique, we were the only ones there. It was a cool experience with ORlando becaus he wanted to learned English too so we were teaching him a bit. He also had this wonderful child named Diego who was so much fun to interact with. Later that day we finished our baskets, learned to make this amazing fresh organic soup with coconut milk and all these amazing roots and vegetables, it was WONDERFUL. That night they had a celebration for the coming baby and the girls first period. We hung around for a bit but then went to our bungalow were we slept with a mosquito net and a mattress, MUCH BETTER.

So we're leaving RIGHT NOW for Puerto Limon, final destination Parismina where we will do the turtles for 3 nights and homestays in locals home where they will cook us food too! Until then, miss you guys!