Fincas Organicas

So the farm turned out to be pretty cool.  I'm actually glad it wasn't a typical touristy thing to do.  I did all that ten years ago; I didn't really *need* to see another volcano, did I?  Though we drove right by the entrance to Irazu, the one closest to the city that was all covered in clouds when I went before so I kinda wanted to pop in just to see because it was a clear  morning but we were already late. 

Speaking of which, we drove by Irazu because we got lost about six times on the way.  Manuel kept asking for directions and people kept sending us off on the wrong road.  Isias kept up a steady stream of chatter the whole way; (he’s really warmed up to me now).  And then with all this zipping up and down mountains, the dog threw up in the car.  More accurately he threw up all over Betti who was none too happy with how things were going so far.  Apparently Pequeño has a history of carsickness so Isiais was instructed by his mom to try to keep his head out the window (!!) so the whole way I’m watching this eight year old trying to hold onto a squirmy dog who’s half out a window that’s open plenty wide enough for him to fall out of if Isias loses his grip or gets scared he’s gonna vomit and drops him.  After about five minutes of imagining this poor child traumatized by seeing his pooch get splattered all over the highway I suggested that maybe this wasn’t working out so well and could I offer up a plastic bag as an alternative?, whereupon Betti thanked me for the bag but didn’t take it, took the dog on her own lap where about forty-five minutes later he ralphed.  She threatened to leave the dog at the farm if we ever got there.  Isiais said no.  She said he could either have the dog or her which was it? and Isias replied “the dog”.

I found all of this immensely entertaining.  But, unfortunately, we eventually found the farm. 

No, I’m kidding; the farm was pretty cool.  It turned out to be an organic farm too so I immediately a.) felt a kinship there with hippy Gainesvillians and b.) thought of about half a dozen people who'd be appreciating the experience way more than I was.  Not to say I didn't think it was all very cool: they had earthworm beds, co-operative crops and a natural insecticide plant they called guacamayo (which actually is the word for macaw, you know, like the big parrots? but I forgot to ask why they called it that). 

And I re-discovered this fruit that I loved when I was in Colombia.  Don Ricardo the farmer there said that it’s called passion fruit in English but no these are not passion fruit.  I think we call maracuya passion fruit.  These are different.  We don’t really have these things up there, not even in the exotic foods section of the grocery store.  They’re about the size of muscadine grapes but they’re yellow.  And they come encased in a little paper bonnet.  (I’m sorry, believe it or not, it didn’t occur to me to take a photo but I found this one on the web!) Anyway I can’t believe I forgot about them because I used to eat these things by the bowlful.  And now I can’t even remember the Spanish word for the things so I can’t google it and show you a picture either. I remember!  They're uchuvas! They look like they’re a member of the nightshade family (ask me how I know that!  I don’t know that!  I’m not a plant person!  Which is all the more reason that if I’m right, y’all really should give me credit for being “muy de pilas” [sharp])!

Anyway, here’s the best part about the farm: they have had volunteers from abroad there in the past.  Not a lot; it’s not a huge farm, you know; but a few.  Enough for them to have a guest book, though most of the signers were from Costa Rica (they get help from a couple government ecological and environmental programs so visitors come out to check on things and all).  Don Ricardo and his daughter take stuff to the farmer’s market in San Jose so maybe people find them there too but the point is I have a question for my Gainesville friends: anyone interested in working on an organic farm in Costa Rica in exchange for free room and board?  It’s really nice.  Check out the photos.  And what’s the name of that network y’all have Willing Workers on Organic Farms or something?  I couldn’t remember.  But Randy, Jen, Sand, Musa... y’all should check it out.  I have their emails if you’re interested.

Remember how I said we were going to a farm because Manuel and Betti have a fondness for them?  Well, it’s a pretty serious fondness for Betti –she mentioned this 20 hectare farm her uncle has in Paraguay and how they should go down there and live on it.  Only she doesn’t have any particular knowledge of agriculture.  So that’s when you get these kids from up north to come down and work the land in exchange for food and lodging.  Later, on the way back she talked for half an hour about the idea.  Uno nunca sabe.  Maybe next year I'll be asking if anyone wants to go to Paraguay!

Comments

[Gil]

sounds very cool honey! Now send me email =) I'll be on my computer most of today working on the carnival as I don't have work (Actors need the stage all day).