Blog Day 3

Blog Day 3
Wow, the humidity is high and we are all “leaking” badly not being acclimatized. Early rise and first we hit the showers, that is most of us asAmigoCarlos and Runner had already hit the trails but the rest of the squad sparkling clean made their way to the Chilamate Eco Lodge for a great breakfast. William our forest guide then led us into the jungle, on a path, for a tour. We saw mating millipedes, small red poisonous frogs as well as green spotted poisonous squads. The highlight was seeing the howler monkeys with PapaZuke offering the best quote I can offer, “I’m coming back tomorrow to howl at you at 4.30 a.m. – see you then”. As foretold by Megan our Chilamate host, the howlers woke us at 4.45 a.m. that morning. No snakes on our trip which was disappointing as several of the group wanted to see the reaction of Sara (snake phobia), only a few spiders a phobia of Jamz but several chats on a variety of vines and tree’s with symbiotic and parasiticrelationships’, Hanoi excited by the Bromeliad – photos taken just for you Hanoi! We hadlunch at Chilamate, Girly and PapZuke were 1st to offer their ANCHOR, which was well received, then it was by bus to view three schools, all which were closed which was disappointing, although we all recognized the many difficulties the teachers and students had to overcome, very different from our own situations. After the third school we gathered our gear and it was off to our “homestays” with the faculty in pairs being dropped off and introduced by Megan, Randal and David to their hosts for the next five days. Some good stories of Karaokesurfaced from that first night, alsofishing in the tilapia ponds for others or feeding chickens and cows but all were settled with their new families in their homes!
Day 4
Guess what! AmigoCarlos was out at 6.30 running and boy was it humid after the torrential rain and thunderstorms during the night. McT and PapaZuke were treated to a tour of their plantation hosts (Alfrodo), Suntan fed and milked the cow, Sara woke up next to a cow, Yeller, Suntan, Sara, Jamie survived their Karaoke, Don and Peter just survived, Hanoi & Kitty + Mother & Girly up and smiling as always and GAL had the newcomer – Paul (Pierre) having finally arrived to join the squad. We all descended on the community school and planned the morning work project with an even split; 50% staying to clean up the school and 50% of to paint the entry bridge over the river which is the access road for the community. I can only say the clear up of the school was hard work made much more difficult with the humidity as everyone was dripping wet with sweat – yes ladies do sweat but the school ground looked so much better after the 4 hour task. The bridge squad painted all four major stations white ready for decorating tomorrow and being a Sunday had many onlookers. Mostly fatigued we retired to Chilamate lodge for lunch; Girly & McT the ANCHOR for the day. This followed with two terrific group “games” which all appreciated – well done David, Randal and Megan! Off to the Eco forest to learn about cacao growing and treatment, caught in the rain forest downpour. The excitement especially for Girly was going over the 100 m long very high and swinging suspension bridge. She managed still smiling – another phobia removed! The other highlight was seeing, up close, a sloth which was being returned to the reserve just as we were leaving, the sloth having been caught nearby. The day ended for the group as we were dropped off at our homestay’s.