Things I learned today:
in November 1950 the group of forty-four Quakers, comprising eleven families, left their northern homes and came to Costa Rica. They chose this tiny Central American country largely for its farming potential and pleasant climate, but they had also read the words of Pepe Figueres, the Costa Rican president at the time, inviting foreigners to come and help develop this country. Perhaps most attractive for the Friends though was the fact that Costa Rica had just abolished its own army and these pacifists felt they could live in peace here.https://monteverdetours.com/history-of-monteverde.html
We went for a very pleasant hike in the rain forest near our hotel this morning. Saw a lot of interesting plants, heard some unidentified birds, and saw some hummingbirds. We did this all without a map and without getting lost in the jungle ( always a plus ).
Then we went for an interesting tour that explained (in great detail) how coffee goes from a bean to a cup. Learned the different types of beans, different ways of preparing, and different types of roasting. Now I know better how to specify the type of coffee I prefer. But don't ask me tomorrow because I don't expect to retain this (sigh).
Also learned how cacao becomes chocolate. Very interesting seeing the entire process. I didn't realize how big cacao pods are. And the difference between white chocolate and dark chocolate. Got to taste every step of the process. And got to taste something like the original Aztec way of preparing a chocolate drink. Very interesting.
And, finally, sugar. Saw how cane sugar is processed. Definitely liking real brown sugar...
Interesting tidbit about Monteverde: lots of moisture, lots of jungle, no mosquitoes. Why, you ask ?? Apparently there is too much cold weather at this altitude.
Tomorrow: birding hike in the cloud forest. Hope it isn't raining too much !
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