Santa Elena, CR

Ahhh, the life.

So far Costa Rica has been extremely stress and worry-free. Well, minus the dog episode. I want to take home every dog that showers me with attention. I've been trying my best to not approach stray dogs that don't really pay any attention to me, so it's a little easier. Bea goes up to ANY dog she sees.. which isn't always a good thing, because sometimes you get the ones that snap or bark, or just don't have good personalities. I kind of refrain from approaching the dogs because I can't handle leaving them.

Anyways, there's this stray that came to Pension Santa Elena (where I'm staying) about a month ago, nearly dead from starvation. She's still really skinny, but alive and walking around. The people here call her Flor, but I've been calling her Honey. She looks like a husky, but is completely honey-colored. Sweetest personality, too. This morning I was talking to the guy Ran, who co-owns this hostel and he was telling me how easily he could help me get her to the U.S. While we were talking, another guy approached me and told me he'd give me a crate for her if I took her back with me.. paperwork is like, $20.. then there's the airline fee, and stamps at San Jose. So, it's definitely doable. The thing is, I'm not going to be here for a good chunk of time- Bioko coop. Bea doesn't really want to take care of Honey either, so.. I mean, I don't blame her- she's already promised to be a mommy to Mango while I'm gone. She wanted to take this dog home, his name is Charlie and he's short and squat and looks like an oversized weinerdog. Personally, I don't think he has a stellar personality. He just droops everywhere, and is real sweet.. but kind of a rag dog. Honey loves to sleep, but also loves to play. She's probably no older than a year or so.

So after consulting my voice of reason, Rob, I told Ran that I'd get into contact with him after coming back from Bioko and see if Honey is still here. If she is, Ran said he'd help me get her to the U.S. Rob says I can't save every dog.. which is exactly what I want to do. I'm kind of in love with this one, but I do get attached quite easily. Oh man, I'm pathetic. I'm also glad I have Rob in my life.

Yesterday. Yesterday, yesterday. Yesterday we woke up and got to the Monte Verde National Reserve by 6:45am. We hiked and hiked, and hiked. It was fantastic. Again, I can't explain how flippin' beautiful it is here. The first part of our hike was in complete fog. I mean, the lookout points were pointless, but it was really neat to gaze into the forest and see haziness everywhere. We saw a crab and many insects, and heard tons of monkeys yelling through the treetops. There was a great waterfall, and everything was green. Even the tree trunks were suffocating in leafy and viney fauna.

We hike the way back to the town of Santa Helena, and along the way stop at the Friends School (Quaker School) and sit in on their Sunday morning Meeting. It was a good hour of silence, in which Bea and I both fell asleep sitting upright. Afterwards was a fantastic (and free!) potluck. Bea and I talked to some of the people there.. mostly Bea talked. I mean, Quakers are great.. but some of the people we were takling to were just way too "nice." Sure, they were probably honest to God good people, but it was just very uncomfortable for me. I like when folks are down to earth and don't make me feel like I can't look them in the eye while holding a conversation with 'em. I feel badly saying this, but I just got really uncomfortable with most of the people there. Anyway, the food was great. I stuffed myself twice over, and then we walked the 5Km back to town.

Along the way I saw a horse, and we visited lots of little touristy shops. There was a cheese factory that smelled like caca de vaca (cow poo), and a man who made clothing from alpaca wool.

I don't really remember what we did after we got back. Probably napped, went to the supermarket, etc.. At night we hung out with some guys from Virginia (?) and had many many laughs over the Imperial beer of Costa Rica. It was a good night. We planned on waking up early and catching the 6am bus to get to Montezuma eventually.. but right before falling asleep we decided to stay an extra night. I mean, we still hadn't seen that amazing tree yet.

We slept in, and in the morning woke up slowly. 8am! What a treat! Bea and the boys wanted to hike to the tree at 2pm, but I wanted to head there earlier. So after talking to Ran about Honey, I got a book, bought some bread at the bakery, and hiked up to (once again) find that goddamn tree. Turns out I got real close, but didn't find THE tree. I found a tree that fit the description, but once I tried to climb got swarmed by bugs and spiders and suffocated by the smell of the inside of the tree.. so I got out, said "eff this" and started walking back. I didn't really know where "back" was, since I was in the middle of the forest about 40 minutes trail walking from the hostel..

when all of a sudden who arrives, but Honey! I was so thrilled. I gave her some of my bakery bread, and we set off with Honey in the lead back to Santa Elena. I can't believe she found me! It was incredible, and I had my heart set on taking her back to the states with me after that. She'd do the same thing Toast would do- the whole 'trot in front and gaze back, waiting for you to catch up.' We must have crawled under at least five barbed wire fences, and trotted through two or three different backyards to get back to town. But, we got there, and thanks to Honey I'm not still wandering the forests of Costa Rica. I mean, I'm sure I would have found my way back.. but she was such a hero, and I love bragging about her. I had that "Bea, you mentioned earlier how you wouldn't mind taking care of Honey.." conversation, but to no avail. I don't blame her.

I bought Honey some dog treats, and am in the middle of trying to get a tick out of her ear.

I am currently struggling to breathe because Bea gave me a bugspray wipe that has incredibly toxic smelling fumes.. so I'm going to go continue scratching Honey's tummy and reading "Running with Scissors" and doing an impossible puzzle, and drinking great Costa Rican coffee.

Oh yeah- I forgot to tell about how I did end up finding the tree with the help of some kids who live here. It's pretty incredible and I'm going back again tomorrow morning before we leave by bus. It was pouring rain on the walk back, and I was wearing a dress and sandals. I had my raincoat in my hand, but it was kind of pointless. Besides, the rain was actually quite enjoyable.

Bye now,
S