Hiking and hiking and hiking away!

Hellooooo! So clearly I've been ridiculously busy. It's been great, but so physically and mentally demanding that I completely burnt out the other day. EVERYthing was making me cry, haha, for no good reason other than my system couldn't handle any more input. There has been a rush to train all the new guides to lead hikes because 5 of the seasoned guides are leaving within the next week, wait, no, make that six. So, ALL of the seasoned guides except for the director and assistant director are leaving, and August is the very busiest month for us, so the busy-ness will continue until September, when it will quiet down quite a bit.

But on with the pictures!

Telica is a really, really cool hike, and I am so glad I am learning to lead it right away because I had such a horrible experience on the first hike that I practically never want to do it again. It would have been fine if it weren't for the insanely heavy pack I was carrying. I just didn't know my limit for such a demanding hike. Since then, my left big toe has been asleep and the surface of my upper left arm has been asleep as well, although I think it is slowly waking back up now that I have a few days without a pack on my back. Don't get me wrong - this is a wonderful place with people that really care about each other, so I am not being "treated poorly," I am simply learning my limits.

Okay, so, back to Telica. Here is a little tour of my first Telica hike. (I have done it again since then). Narration will follow the pictures this time.

This is how the trail looks for the first 3-4 hours of the hike. It is nice and shaded and really pretty. You hear birds and crickets and a few cicadas. And on the last trip I learned that the maidenhair firm makes excellent, baby-soft natural toilet paper. I might just make a plan to collect some on the way next time, haha.

Yet another view of the trail on the way up. It is very common to pass people on skinny horses, or a large cart full of wood, pulled by two bulls. Evidently it is more common to say "adios" in passing than it is to say "buenas," (hello). Farmlands line the road almost the entire trek up.

After lunch (sandwiches or veggie burritos), we start to ascend quite a bit, and soon get a beautiful view of the surrounding farmland and Volcan San Cristobal, as you can see in the distance above.

We then stop at a nice shady spot on the trail to rest and to collect firewood to use later at camp. Can you see all the sticks stuffed above peoples' packs?

And soon enough we reach the crater. Actually, we reach a saddle below the crater and drop our packs to enjoy a light 5 minute walk to the edge of the crater.

The drop-off is astonishing, and part of what makes this crater seem so monsterous.

It is hard to do it justice in a foggy picture, but this is my first view of lava ever. What makes it all the more exciting is the roaring sound coming from that little eye (which really isn't so little). The closest thing I can compare it to is a massive jet engine.

It somehow wasn't all that dizzying to look into the crater. Just plain fascinating.

Clients chilling out back at camp. The campsite is lush and green, and there are no mosquitos there, yay!!

The next morning we climbed up to a ridge to watch the sun rise, and this is a view of our camp from above.

A more distant shot of the crater of Telica at sunrise.

Seismic monitoring station, or something like that.

Giant scorpion on the seismic monitoring station. I'm not in Kansas anymore!! But I guess it's really the little ones that have the strongest, more poisonous bite.

A great view of San Cristobal, another volcano in the Maribios Range.

I'm tired and already shiny from the humidity, though it was still a little cool yet.

On the hike down the second day, we stop here to look at a termite's nest. I was impressed by how many clients ATE them, as encouraged by Rebecca, the lead guide. Not on this trip but on the next one I ate two, myself, and they taste exactly like carrots - really good! I wouldn't hesitate to do it again, and they are evidently a great source of protein. My nutrition studies continue!

The last good photo I took of the trip - walking through farmlands on our way to the small town of San Jacinto, where we chow down at a comedor, which indicates a restaurant or eatery where the food is pre-made and sitting in a case. It generally consists of rice, beans, and a choice of meat or stew, topped with a tortilla.

Since the hike where I took these pictures, I have gone again to the same volcano, but in between those hikes I was fortunate enough to have led a volcano boarding day with these lovely gentlemen:

Perhaps the full description of this hike would be better related by phone because it was SO fun and so interesting! I just ended up leading my very first hike all by myself (we lead the one-volcano boarding trips with only one guide most of the time) to a bunch of guys determined to board down the volcano ... NAKED. Hey, they fill out their medical forms and beyond that, we can advise against such things but in reality, there are no further rules! The funny thing was that all the other guides thought it was hilarious that I got this bunch because they had an impression of me as pretty sweet and innocent and assumed I would be bashful and shocked, but it was a RIOT! They were so much fun, and believe it or not, respectful and mature considering how much they were clearly partying-it-up during their travels. And I can't remember the last time I had an entire day of hearty laughter and playfulness. I am actually thankful to have been the guide assigned to lead that day - what girl wouldn't want to lead a bunch of good-looking wild young men on a volcano boarding adventure?? The first run down the volcano they wore their proper boarding suits to get a feel for it, but the second time down (it's a 45 minute hike up both times), they stripped down to all but their shoes, wore their t-shirts on the heads or something ridiculous like that, and gloves on their you-know-whats, and proceeded down the mountain. I was kind enough to park myself in a good spot for taking lots and lots of photos. I still laugh just thinking about it, let alone reviewing the photos ... Even if nothing else too eventful took place, the absurdity and humor of that day would make it worth coming here.

But now, I'm going to take care of lots of other computer and internet business while I have this computer. Natasha has lent it to me while she leads a hike today and tomorrow. I can even Skype!

Love you guys! Sorry for such a delayed update. I love being so busy, actually, as long as I can maintain a good balance, which I am learning in this environment. I am becoming very close with the other volunteers here and so I love to help out whenever I can, and for the most part, so does everyone else. In truth, I'd like to stay here much longer, so I am brainstorming ways to make money that won't take up too much of my time. Even if I worked 10 hours a week on a US wage, I could sustain myself here. Anybody need any cheap labor that can be done from abroad? Or know anybody that does? ;)

Perhaps I'll have time to blog some more later about my general experiences and impressions around town ... it just won't be as colorful without pictures.

Hope all is well in Northern California - I miss you guys!