Expedition into the interior!
Today Saturday, there was nothing in the plan and as Jose is out if action I decided to go on a walk along the footpath the taxi driver told me about, which goes to Santa Teresa, where Dreamland Tours is situated. I told Idalia yesterday evening so she knew to expect me and I had told Jordy before I left the hotel.
I dropped the keys off so they could clean and reminded them to add another loo roll, and spray for insects, having been told to look out for the black spiders that are dangerous. I came back to find that not only had my bed been changed, but my curtains too, and I have a bedside mat. I have obviously been a good resident!
This morning, I set off with plenty of water, Google maps on the phone, my walking stick to fend off any unwanted attention, my walking shoes and socks and of course my local phone. As it happens Google maps lost the signal at the exact point I needed it.
The path started off Ok but later was pretty rocky with ruts caused by the animals. I passed horses, farmers on horseback with cows, men mending fences and people working in the fields. Machetes seem to be the common tool. Partway along, I got a call from Idalia, asking if I was ok, at which point I was, but minutes later I came to a T junction. All my instructions had been to carry straight on. So I phoned and Idalia contacted her husband who then also phoned. It still wasn't clear, but I spied someone working in the field and it appeared I had chosen the wrong path, so retraced my steps heading in the right direction. I knew if I walked with a volcano to each side I just had to wait for the lake to appear in front. What a relief when it came into view.
But picking my way along the lakeside was not straight forward as the path had washed away and I had to climb through the barbed wire into the field. But no matter, I could see where I needed to go. So I proceeded, past a group of chaps cooking and washing, then suddenly someone came into view ! It was Jesus, who had come to rescue me. We had a little joke about it. Jesus has given me his phone number and told me to call if he can do anything to help. He has been building the veranda around Dreamland Tours.
When we arrived Idalia and Uriel the chef said they had been worried about me and Jordy also phoned later to check I had arrived. I kept saying that I am fine and this is what I do, but it's probably a bit unusual for a lone female here.
Uriel made me a smoothie, then a bowl of tomato soup and then asked when I wanted lunch! I was served a great dish of chicken and veg, I'm sure I've put on pounds. I chatted with Idalia and then Uriel. He is Jose's brother in law too, such a big family.
I asked about buses but he said he would drop me off and I wasn't sure if that meant at the bus stop or the hotel, but either would be useful. So I jumped on the back of his motorbike and we headed off. He asked if I wanted to go anywhere else, well it wasn't quite your place or mine, but we did call in at the smart hotel on the beach where he used to be chef. Uriel asked if I was thinking of living here and having established I lived alone said he could cook for me. So I could live here with all the company of Jose's very large family and have my own private chef! At the hotel I was introduced to everyone and its always as 'my friend' and after a lemonade we returned to the hostel, where Uriel told me to call if I wanted anything. Jesus has said likewise. I'm not short of support.
I spent the afternoon painting and talking with Patrick and of course afternoon tea which Patrick organises with lemon wafers.
He has given me some tea bags as I'm running low, some powdered milk and a spare shampoo as mine leaked. Altogether another interesting day. I hope Jose surfaces again soon. But tomorrow I'm visiting the local finca a where some of the family work and then going to lunch with Jose's family. Life, adventure and fun just seem to come and find me here, I haven't planned my diary at all. And the spare hours just disappear, I have no lists!
I dropped the keys off so they could clean and reminded them to add another loo roll, and spray for insects, having been told to look out for the black spiders that are dangerous. I came back to find that not only had my bed been changed, but my curtains too, and I have a bedside mat. I have obviously been a good resident!
This morning, I set off with plenty of water, Google maps on the phone, my walking stick to fend off any unwanted attention, my walking shoes and socks and of course my local phone. As it happens Google maps lost the signal at the exact point I needed it.
The path started off Ok but later was pretty rocky with ruts caused by the animals. I passed horses, farmers on horseback with cows, men mending fences and people working in the fields. Machetes seem to be the common tool. Partway along, I got a call from Idalia, asking if I was ok, at which point I was, but minutes later I came to a T junction. All my instructions had been to carry straight on. So I phoned and Idalia contacted her husband who then also phoned. It still wasn't clear, but I spied someone working in the field and it appeared I had chosen the wrong path, so retraced my steps heading in the right direction. I knew if I walked with a volcano to each side I just had to wait for the lake to appear in front. What a relief when it came into view.
But picking my way along the lakeside was not straight forward as the path had washed away and I had to climb through the barbed wire into the field. But no matter, I could see where I needed to go. So I proceeded, past a group of chaps cooking and washing, then suddenly someone came into view ! It was Jesus, who had come to rescue me. We had a little joke about it. Jesus has given me his phone number and told me to call if he can do anything to help. He has been building the veranda around Dreamland Tours.
When we arrived Idalia and Uriel the chef said they had been worried about me and Jordy also phoned later to check I had arrived. I kept saying that I am fine and this is what I do, but it's probably a bit unusual for a lone female here.
Uriel made me a smoothie, then a bowl of tomato soup and then asked when I wanted lunch! I was served a great dish of chicken and veg, I'm sure I've put on pounds. I chatted with Idalia and then Uriel. He is Jose's brother in law too, such a big family.
I asked about buses but he said he would drop me off and I wasn't sure if that meant at the bus stop or the hotel, but either would be useful. So I jumped on the back of his motorbike and we headed off. He asked if I wanted to go anywhere else, well it wasn't quite your place or mine, but we did call in at the smart hotel on the beach where he used to be chef. Uriel asked if I was thinking of living here and having established I lived alone said he could cook for me. So I could live here with all the company of Jose's very large family and have my own private chef! At the hotel I was introduced to everyone and its always as 'my friend' and after a lemonade we returned to the hostel, where Uriel told me to call if I wanted anything. Jesus has said likewise. I'm not short of support.
I spent the afternoon painting and talking with Patrick and of course afternoon tea which Patrick organises with lemon wafers.
He has given me some tea bags as I'm running low, some powdered milk and a spare shampoo as mine leaked. Altogether another interesting day. I hope Jose surfaces again soon. But tomorrow I'm visiting the local finca a where some of the family work and then going to lunch with Jose's family. Life, adventure and fun just seem to come and find me here, I haven't planned my diary at all. And the spare hours just disappear, I have no lists!
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