Last Days at Essence Arenal

Tonight is my last night at the farm.  I am feeling anxious to start my journey home.  I leave Costa Rica on Monday morning at 1:00 AM.  Then, I have a day and a half in San Juan, Costa Rica.  I will arrive in Minnesota on Wednesday around 2:00 pm, that is if all goes well.

On my last day off, Ronnie and I were able to borrow Lelander's horses for a whole day.  We walk to another organic farm.  Again, I ran into my friend, Steve, who was on his way out to the farm to make connections for his volunteer company.  It was nice, we drank a couple of beers, then headed back to El Castillo; only to find that I dropped my wallet somewhere on the trip.  SO, we had to make the trip all the way back to look for it.  The first part of the ride was great, but the second part hurt my butt sore.  I am still feeling sore from it.  We didn't find my wallet, but someone did, and it was returned to Essence Arenal.  

On the farm, I mowed the whole lawn.  Today I planted beans next to the coffee, because it produces a lot of nitrogen for the coffee.  I took some picture of some of the people who work on the farm.  

Last night, Phillip, the German, and I met some girls from Holland.  After supper, we all went down to Kelly, the Restaurant Manager’s flat for some drinks and cards.  It was great fun.  

Here are some pictures.  I have to run to the Game.  Oh yeah, It has been raining like crazy.  Everything I have is soaked, it sucks, but it's awesome.  See ya!

Joe

Ten Days left in Costa Rica

I have only 10 days left in Costa Rica.  I have been having the experience of my life here in El Castillo.  The work on the farm is hard, but I am in great shape now.  It is no longer a problem for me to lift and shovel an entire day.  I don't even get sore or winded now!  Nice.

I haven't been doing too much away from the farm.  I meet some really nice girls from Spain.  Yesterday they gave me a ride into La Fortuna, where I met up with Esteban, the guitar player I met my first day in La Fortuna.  We walked around and drank a 40 oz of Pilsen Beer.  After, we took a cab up the free hot springs.  It is one of the best hot springs around, not for the beauty, but because it doesn't smell like sulfar.  I was supposed to get picked up at 11:00 am, but the shuttle neglected to pick me up.  I haven't once been pick up by the shuttle.  However, we got a ride from an American from California. He owns 2 bars in  La Fortuna, as well as a dog refuge.  He has like 30 dogs.  He was very laid back.  In exchange for the ride, we all drank rum and played music for about an hour after our arrival home.

Today is my Monday for work.  I feel healthy and rested.  I am going to be composting all the fruit trees that run along the trail today.  Up and down with a wheel barrel of compost.  This time, the wheel barrel will be empty on the way up... nice.

I am starting to get antsy to come home.  I have so much work ahead of me for the upcoming school year.  I have nerves.  I am also riding the plastic right now, which is a little unsettling.  I am looking for some cash work when I get back.  If anyone has any work for me, please let me know.

One more story,  I never mentioned that I accidentally made my return trip from SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico..... not SAN JOSE, Costa Rica.........  So, before I come back to the states, I am going to be spending a night in San Juan.  Hilarious now, but I had to purchase a different return ticket just to leave the country.  I was able to fully refund the ticket, but I had to purchase a ticket to San Juan for my return flight.  It will work out.

Hope all is well,
Missing a bunch,
Joe