MUNGO EATS Latin America

This morning we left the beach.  I think it is a good thing we did.  It rained overnight and the sky was still overcast, but it was so humid that we were sweating as we took Mungo out for a walk at 6:45.  It might have been unbearable had we stayed.  In any case, Mungo had a nice run on the beach, not too many people on the beach at that time of the morning.  We did see a stray dog and Mungo UNBELIEVABLY came when called and did not race after the stray.  Could it be that one brain cell is finally starting to fire?? 

Having depleted our supply of cookies and  having made a serious dent in the supply of cheese, we stopped back in at the Jumbo supermarket on the way away from the beach, and then headed on towards our today’s destination, Monteverde.  Most tourists come to Costa Rica for one of two things, to see the beaches (been there, done that) and to see the cloudforest.  Monteverde is the most famous of the cloudforest reserves.  Monteverde is actually more an area than a specific place and there are several formal “reserves” and several tourist attractions out of the reserves.  The reserves have hiking trails available and guided tours.  The tourist attractions outside of the reserves include canopy tours, rappelling down waterfalls, hiking horseback riding, ATV tours, etc, etc, etc.   

As we were driving along the highway, Kevin noticed his alternator light turn on .  We stopped  on the side of the road and he started puttering.  Shortly after we stopped , a  fellow stopped behind us and started “helping” Kevin.  Together they decided that the regulator on the alternator had gone, but luckily our new friend knew a good electromechanic in the town we had just driven passed.  He called himself our “black angel” and he led the way to his friend’s place.  The door to his friend’s place said,” Taller  Electromecanico-El Flaco”, which translated means  ” Electromechanical workshop-The Skinny”, and the Black Angel’s friend was apparently The Skinny.  All the people in the shop and on the road called him this, but I tell you, he must have gotten that nickname a long time ago, because he had a bigger belly than my pregnant friend Giulliana!!(Sorry Giulliana).

Anyway, El Flaco fixed the part for us. We were charged 25000.00 colones! (which is about $50.00) and and hour and a half later, we were on our way.

Tonight we are at a hotel/hostel in the Monteverde area.  It is nice and cool up here in the clouds, and we are all wearing long sleeves.  Quite a change from the coast.  I am not sure what adventures we will take part in, but I’m sure we can keep ourselves busy for a few days.  Keep you posted.