The Flores family invited us to come along to their Finca (cabin/farm) up in the mountains near San Ramon. We loaded up in a 12 passenger van that wasn't much bigger than an American mini-van (Yes, Mom, we all had a seatbelt) and headed around town picking up more relatives. They have a large family and everyone is so nice and friendly to us! We felt like we were part of the family. The baby screamed most of the way there...boo! But everyone was happily chatting and passing around pieces of sweet bread. Once we got there everyone cheered! haha! The Flores family reminds me of the Portokalos family from "My big fat greek wedding" - they love being together and are so welcoming.
They have a friend who lives up there and rents his horses, so we got a few and rode around the mountains. We went up and down, down and up, and around the dirt roads, past dilapidated old houses where people actually live (!!!) and we stopped for a while at their other friend's restaurant. It was so funny to find a place of business out in the middle of nowhere! It's a restaurant where you can go fishing in the back yard, bring them your catch, and they'll fry it up for your lunch! They also made this delicious fudge-like treat called
Cajetas de leche y coco... It's so yummy!
The restaurant owner also has a little bird zoo across the street, so we saw many different kinds of birds, ducks, chickens, geese, etc. After checking out the birds, the fish ponds, the tadpoles, the soccer game on TV, and the foosball table, we saddled up and rode back to the cabin. Tia Blanca had set up a baby swing for Elora which she LOVED and the boys had a great time running around the hills where the family grows coffee trees.
We had such a great time with the Flores family and are so happy we decided to rent their guest house. They have been such great hosts and we've made some good friends. Tomorrow it's on to Grecia for a new week of excitement!
(Side note: In the past I posted the picture explanations above the pictures, but today I'm posting them below the pictures. We've just got to mix things up around here sometimes.)
Sean and Sebastian at the top of the hill above the cabin
Jackson was very proud of himself for climbing this tree
Coffee beans are ripe when they are red and you can eat the outside "fruit" to get to the "bean" on the inside.
The view from the top of the hill
Wild Banana Tree. There were also wild mango trees, cocoa trees, coconut trees and coffee trees. I'm sure there were more things growing voluntarily, but I can't identify them yet.
The inside of a banana tree trunk reminds me of those pink wafer cookies. Banana trees grow from sapling to maturity in about 4 months! That's what they told me anyway...
Sean and Peter riding behind Sancho and Jackson. My horse (the brown one) liked to walk on the soft spots where there was grass and she was pretty lazy. I got to feeling bad for them for having to carry us big wiggly humans around just for pleasure! How uncomfortable would it be to have ropes and harnesses all over you and in your mouth and then have a big sweaty American riding on your back? ugh. I told my horse she did a great job and let her eat grass.
At the bird zoo
Iguanas. They only move around when you aren't looking.
Fishing ponds...looked pretty murky, not sure I'd eat a fish out of them.
What is this flower? I think it looks like an orchid, but there were tons of them growing on a huge bush, and the leaves looked different from orchid leaves, so I'm stumped. Anyone have a name for it?
Tadpoles Tadpoles is a winner!
I don't know what this plant is called either, but it's so beautiful! The stems are almost hot pink. I thought this would make a good desktop photo.
This foosball table was huge! Costa Ricans LOVE soccer
Watching a soccer game while eating Cajetas de leche y coco
This delectable treat was made from the owner's cow's milk!
Jackson was happy to ride the big horse, but not happy about having to share that horse with mommy.
Peter's best friend that day was the beautiful and kind Sarah (behind me). He hung on her every word and clung to her hand as much as he could. Ahh, young love!
I know! they ARE adorable!
Jackson makes my heart melt into a puddle of love...
especially when he says, "Mommy? can I hold your hand pleashe?" What a nice day :)
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