Final days in Monteverde

On Sunday I went to the Bosque Eterno de los Ninos, the Children's Eternal Rainforest. It was started by a group of Swedish primary school children who wanted to save this precious area of rainforest and then the support grew.

I walked all round but it was only after I got partway that I read the information on the back of the map- beware of the several venomous snakes! Well I did watch where I put my feet and the rest of my body as I had to climb over a fallen tree, but kept thinking about the ones that fall out of trees. My teacher says it's fine as even with the worst ones you have 5 hours to get to hospital. Well that's alright then........!!!!!!!!!! And someone had told me there were none this high. But I got round safely seeing only butterflies and birds. I have not yet seen Quetzels but they are the national bird of Guatemala and I am told I will see them easily there. I have had a few insects in the apartment and have given them all a headache as am not taking chances. I was told one of the beetles doesn't kill you but the pain which lasts 24hours can make you wish you were dead!

This week my teacher has been Jose, a very interesting young man. Our conversations have been wide ranging and I have learnt so much about the country- snakes, politics, food, geography, volcanoes and earthquakes, the current case at The Hague about disputed territory wih Nicaragua, how people buy cars and houses, tax system, water and electricity, transport and the nature of different tourist! It's so interesting to see that really everyone has the same aspirations but that different cultures and histories contribute to the variety of life. There is so much we can all learn from each other.

I was somewhat appalled to hear that the lovely fruit and veg they have here is mostly what would be considered rubbish, hence it is quite cheap. The perfect shaped and coloured produce is exported! I have also been irking on Spanish grammar this week, gals cognates and subjunctive-quite tricky!

I haven't done any sightseeing this week but did manage to purchase some Nicaraguan and Guatemalan money from the bank. I ended up with less than I intended as the cashier appears to think what I was asking for was excessive! By the time I had finished there was a bit of a queue forming in the waiting area but I thanked her for her help and headed home to check what I had and the relative value of the notes. I have about half of my dollars left and can use my card at hotels, so all is ok. I have begun to investigate what I might see on my journey.

I will leave on Sunday at 8am, so have Saturday to get the laundry up to date, have my last walks around the area and eat out. I plan to go to Santa Elena to the orchid cafe and possibly in the morning to the coffee centre. It will be very sad leaving as I feel so relaxed and at home. I have enjoyed the school and learning and have found it very easy to relax, read and just enjoy the view. The exercise has been good and I feel really fit. I have a link to the school website ready for next time!

This afternoon the cloud has descended here. (it is the cloud forest after all) but I may take a chance and walk to town where it could be altogether different!