| Journal Entries |
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 “The Arenal volcano hike was beautiful after a great breakfast of fruit and a special omelet. I never thought I’d get up here but the trek was worth it. The breeze is wonderful and the views are spectacular. I’m hoping the vulture that is flying around will find something else to eat.
The clouds have moved and now I can see the volcano better. I always think of what it was like for the original settlers who would cross a mountain and see the fantastic panorama with all the greenery. It just takes your breath away. I’ve seen videos and photos in books as well as on the Internet, but it is so different in person.”
- Irene |
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“I am sitting on a rock next to the Volcano Arenal looking out at the lake. There’s a cool breeze and the sun is gentle. I am surrounded by mountains. This is such a treat. I never pictured myself in such a remote location. I’m starting to understand what Ticos mean by “Pura Vida” – Pure Life. Everything here is pure life. The amount of respect that is given to nature no matter how small is amazing. To be one with nature is soothing. There’s this wave of calmness all over my body and mind. I am at peace. Nothing could possibly bother me. To feel so disconnected but collected does wonder for the soul. Nothing to worry about, no phones ringing, no traffic jams. Clean air with a fragrance of earth to smell the color green. To have the wind play with your hair…To tune in on nature and hear the animals in the forest from up here. This is surreal. Too picturesque to be real. Listening to the gentle wind.”
- Sefora |
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“With my arms wide open, I stand on the highest rock alone -looking out at the world with my eyes closed. The wind against my back as I hear flashes of cameras going off…I take in the air as I stand in a state of meditation. Awake. Alive. Free. I’ve never felt so free.”
- Raquel |
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 “As usual, we never take the normal path, we always take the scruffy, overgrown side path. As we approached the end of the trail, we had to climb huge steps up the rocks in order to make it to the top. Once you actually made it (to the top of the lava flow), the scene was like another world!. The rocks were huge and represented so much destruction, yet through all the black of the boulders there were some signs that life is coming back. Ferns, orchids, mosses all broke through and the view of Volcan Arenal was spectacular. Just sitting there on the rocks with the lake in back of me was on of the most therapeutic experiences of my life. Everyone was trekking the alien terrain. How did I get here? A city girl like me who somehow wandered into this trip and here I am in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Isn’t it divine!”
- Jessica |
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"For the second half of the day, I did the most amazing and most memorable thing. Behind the hotel was a little trail that I had read about in the guestbook with Aldo. We decided to head down there after a light lunch. Actually, Carol, Larissa, Raquel and Nicolette decided to go with us. The trek was by far the most physically challenging. We went over big rocks and streams. There were also many slippery parts that had bee washed out. In fact, it appeared as though the hotel had made the trail twenty years ago and had forgotten to maintain it. The descent into the ravine took about an hour and a half.
I can't accurately describe what we saw down there. Descending from the rocks, we came upon a river about twenty feet wide lined with rock walls about forty feet high. Even though the rational part of my brain was telling me that there had been hundreds of people to that spot before me, I coudn't help but feel as though we were the first people to lay eyes on it. Exhiliaration.
The river had a fair current and some rocky areas, but the biggest danger came from the moss covered rocks. We said "!@#$%^" and went for a swim. I can't describe how perfectly the water felt against my skin. Refreshing is an understatement. Pristine water temperature. We rounded a corner and found a waterfall; with childlike glee we ran under it only to find the water pleasantly freezing - a welcome opposite. We ran under the falls and then leaped back into the river...Amazing. Amazing. Everyone was sad to leave. The hike back up was quick, euphoric but also tinged with sadness. Paradise."
- Danny |
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 “Last night before I went to bed, I decided to walk down to the lake and watch the volcano. While I sat there on a little dock-type thing in the middle of the lake, I could hear thousands of frogs. Through these sounds I heard lone love songs and croaks being spread across the lake back and forth with a tune and harmony so sweet. Then to top it off, the volcano was erupting and I could see and hear the rumbling and tumbling of the massive lava rocks in the distance. I used to ask myself what would I do without music and the answer is quite simple – I would listen to Earth because it has its own melody.”
- Nicolette
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We all went into Santa Elena after lunch and some of decided to ride horses…Right now my thighs are killing me, but it was so amazing. The trails were awesome and the views were unparalleled. There were green fields for miles and although it’s kind of bad because it was mostly spots where the rainforest was cut down, it was still just incredible to see hills rolling for miles. Everyone was just glowing on the horses. Radiant, alive and plain old happy to be there. One of the most beautiful things is that we were literally riding these magnificent creatures in the clouds.
Like every other place we’ve been, one second the sky is clear and the next, clouds just drop down on you, but you can feel the cool air as it comes down and just tiny light mist of water that grazes your skin. There was this gorgeous unearthliness to the clouds and the trees; it was like a fantastic dreamscape.
- Jessica |
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“Upon arriving at the (Monteverde) Biological Reserve, the most obvious thing somehow made sense in a way I knew, but never like this. To learn in school what it means for
“everythingispartofeverythingelse” is one thing, but being surrounded in one of the places to best see this happen is mind-blowing. I was so astounded just sitting there, having all the pieces fill in the puzzle, overwhelmed at how dependent we all are on each other and everything that surrounds us. And how some of us never really realize this. It really blew my mind and it made me think of a concept for my journal: the interconnectedness of life on this Earth. This was my moment of enlightenment…Today I felt endlessly happy and for no obvious or particular reason which made it all hat much more silly but happy.”
- Sefora |
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 “The next morning, we prepared for the hike through the Monteverde Biological Reserve. Monteverde is a cloud forest because is it at 1600m elevation. We saw a Resplendent Quetzal and his mate in the forest just before the entrance to the Reserve. A photographer was taking pictures of them. I enjoyed this viewing very much, but I couldn’t get a picture. I’ll have to draw them for myself from memory. “
- Leslie |
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 “Body As Landscape: Mind. Monteverde. My mind is ecstatic; my mind is enveloped in kind thoughts, thoughts of freedom and love. I walk feeling complete. Feeling like a sponge. My mind takes snapshots for me. Hiking up a hill to reach Sendero Roble. Waterfall pictures in our little group. The moment is to be seized. The moments pass so quickly. Smiles broaden the landscape of my face. Raindrops pour on me and I enjoy every drop. I am cold; my mind is safe. Enjoying this serenity, peace of mind and of obligations. No supposed tos; nothing to buy; nothing to have or pursue. Conservation. We / I need to do my part. No less than everything. Complete in thought. Nothing else to say. Mind, body connect. Mind, Monteverde, One.”
- Aldo |
