Monteverde (one word)

"Where does it go when it leaves us, the memory of beautiful, strange things?"

Quoted from one of my absolute favorite authors, the lovely Barbara Kingsolver, my initial reaction to this quote was to panic. What memories will I lose when I leave my new home in Monteverde in almost exactly one month? Who and what will I no longer remember sometime down the road?

However, after the initial panic, I have come to terms with the fact that not all phases of life, no matter how wonderful, will not last forever. Thus, I commit myself to documenting all I can, not just for you guys, but for myself.

Here's to all of the beautiful, strange things I never wish to forget.

Let me begin with the lovely community of Monteverde (one word, as opposed to the whole municipality, which is seperated into two words: Monte Verde. Confusing, I know), where the institute in which we study is located... stay tuned for photos of the neighboring Cerro Plano, and my hometown, Santa Elena!

The entrance to the BEAUTIFUL house of my Spanish professor,
Cristina, as well as the gallery of her artist husband, Marco. The two
of them met the first day she moved to Costa Rica from Spain.

Monteverde is filled with eco-tourism attractions, such
as the Monteverde waterfall. Not as grand as the San Luis
Waterfall, but falling water is always awesome nonetheless.

Not as random as it seems, since the arrow is pointing towards
the bat gallery, where all of Monteverde's numerous bat species
can be viewed at close proximity.

The road to Monteverde, as it passes the world's best pizza place,
Tramonti, and leads you right toward the delicious Stella's bakery.

Owned by the same lady who owns Stella's, Meg's stables was the same stable that took me on the beautiful, albeit intense, ride to the San Luis waterfall our first week in Monteverde.

The plaza in which CASEM, the local women's cooperative,
is located.

STELLA'S!

Heath, one of the dog's who used to follow us, so named because
she looks sort of like Heath Ledger as the Joker when you look
at her straight on.

The final stretch of our daily walk to the Institute, just past
the entrance to the Bosque Eterno de Los Niños.