On Saturday morning I got up around 6:15, thanks to my stress-inducing fear of being late. After getting ready and having to run to the ATM to get some cash out, I hopped on the bus that heads downtown, which is where the bus station I needed to get to was. I went there not totally sure where this said station was located, but with luck on my side I discovered it was just across the street from where I was dropped off. What a relief! I ended up arriving there at 7:30 for an 8:30 bus ride - so I had a lot of waiting around to do. I was happy when another American couple around my age showed up about a half hour later. A few things marking their nationality: shorts (rarely worn by tico's), an REI bag and water bottle, and bright blonde hair. All are rarities here. They sat next to me and soon we started talking, asking the typical questions to find out why you're here, where you've been, how long you're here for... we might as well have been talking about the weather! But I really love meeting other travelers and hearing their stories. They're also a great source of information and recommendations! These two were from Oregon but going to school in Montana, studying abroad here for a semester. Soon we were on the bus, beginning a 2 hour drive to the volcano. I really like time on the bus because it's such a nice time to really relax and listen to my iPod without fear of it getting stolen. And these seats were much more comfortable than those of other buses!
We made a 20-minute stop at a roadside "comida tipica" stand, a pattern that I'm starting to see among bus drivers. There are so many little shops and stands along the way to big tourist attractions, and I see why now as every bus driver I've had so far has stopped at one of these stands. It's nothing spectacular, but the drivers like to stop to get food and talk with the locals. An additional little piece of culture added into every trip.
Around 11 we arrived at Poas, and I was ready to get going. I had been told to get to the volcanoes early to have the best visibility before the clouds come in, but there was little I could do to decide when I would get there. I rode the only bus going to Poas for the day. After about 20 minutes of hiking I arrived at the lookout point over the crater of the volcano and was surprised by what I saw. I'm not sure what I was expecting to see, but this wasn't it. I suppose I always imagine a volcano as being a tall cone-shaped mountain with a point at the top where the lava comes out, but in all reality when you're at the top looking down on it the "point" is much larger than expected. The volcano is currently active so there was a lava lake in the middle and smoke coming out of it, but there hasn't been any real activity in around 40 years. Luckily, it didn't choose Saturday to become active. I was a bit bummed because as I had been warned, it was pretty cloudy and foggy so I couldn't see all that clearly. After taking a number of photos I started on my way to a nearby lake, which was my favorite part of the day.
The trail to the lake was a really nice trail with trees and vines creating an arch overhead. Along with the chilly air in the high altitudes and fog swarming around, I felt as if I were in Alice in Wonderland and expected the Rabbit to jump out at any moment. On the hike I met a group of Canadian girls who are here for 10 weeks building a community center and teaching some english classes. They told me stories of their make-shift housing situation and I was very thankful for the nice house and family that I am staying with. I am certainly getting spoiled with food and care in my living situation! They asked where I was from and before I was even able to answer, one of the girls said "Minnesota." I asked her how she had known that and she told me that she knew right when I said 'Habitat for Humanity.' Just when I thought I was getting better!
When we arrived at the lake the clouds and fog were even worse than they had been at the volcano. There was not a speck of lake to be seen through the dense clouds, so we took some pictures of where the lake would have been and I continued on my way back to the visitors center a little bummed. At the main area there was a coffee shop to boost my spirits. Although I don't drink coffee, the complete lack of coffee shops to hang out at in Costa Rica is surprising, especially considering the amount of coffee beans they produce here. After a coffee (did I really drink a cup of coffee??), a walk around the art gallery and watching a movie on the volcano that I hadn't been able to see, I noticed the sky was clearing. With an hour left before I had to get back on the bus, I decided to try my luck and a better viewing of the volcano.
What a difference an hour can make! I got back to the outlook point to see spectacular views of the crater. I could see past the volcano to the town below, to the mountains behind, and clearly into the middle. It was great and I was very happy I had decided to try again. With luck being on my side currently, I decided to head to the lake with hopes that the clouds had cleared there. And they had! The lake was very pretty, but also a typical lake. We've got a few of those in Minnesota. Except this lake used to be a crater that had become inactive and become a lake, so that made it a bit more unique. After enjoying the clearness of the day and view, I hiked back to the main area where the bus would pick us up. Hiking in that high of elevation was VERY difficult. Although I consider myself a bit of a stairmaster at the gym back home, I was huffing and puffing as if I had just climbed the whole volcano from the bottom. Looks like I've got some more training to do before I consider climbing a mountain!
I got back just in time to catch the bus and enjoyed the ride home. Seeing the countryside is always interesting because there is so much poverty and improper housing along the roads. It creates a lot of motivation for me at my job with Habitat for Humanity to see with my own eyes how inadequate the houses are that people live in. The people standing outside the houses are equally depressing, looking at the bus and those inside like they wish they could hop on and drive away from their houses, never to return. It makes this volunteer position all the more meaningful.
After an amazing 11 hours of sleep last night, I have spent the day reading my book feeling the breeze of a Costa Rican afternoon come in the open windows. It's these moments that make me realize how lucky I am to be here and what a great experience this has been so far and how much more is to come. I spent the afternoon at Plaza Mayor, the mall near our house. I use the term "mall" loosely, but it's the closest we have. I needed some groceries and to get out for a bit. This evening I will be going to an international church which is led by my old pastor in St. Cloud, Stacey Steck. I really like going here because for 1 hour I am surrounded by other Americans and have a sense of familiarity and comfort. I knew Stacey and his wife fairly well in St. Cloud, so that is another wonderful support system I have here. It's a great way to wrap up my weekend and start my week ahead. How did this become such a long post? I'm sorry. I miss fall in Minnesota so much! Jump in a leaf pile for me.
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