Costa 2014 Day 2

After getting some much needed beauty rest, the group headed to Rancho Margot, a self-sustaining ranch. Once there, we toured the ranch which included learning about the plants, compost and water heating, pottery making, livestock handling, and gardening. All aspects of the ranch had a purpose and contributed to the circle of life (cue music). On the tour we had the chance to taste and smell a variety of plants, pet and feed cows, and participate in the pottery crafting process.  Following the tour we were treated to a lunch that was made from products of the ranch! From there, one of the ranch’s full time workers took us to educate us in the process of making the organic pesticides that the ranch uses to deter insects and animals from the gardens, as well as to reduce the compost odor. In order to teach us, the guide had us venture up the “Mud Mountain of Death” to collect decomposing foliage. Between sliding down the mud, singing Disney songs as we worked, being made fun of by our guide, and taking numerous wipe outs, we managed to collect enough leaves to begin the process of making the pesticide. We then trekked back down the mountain and back at the ranch we made the mixture of decomposing leaves, rice flour, water, and molasses which we put in a barrel that Monica climbed into to compress the mixture before fermentation. The pesticide making process lasts about three months, but we were able to partake in the first stage. By the end we were all covered in mud but we managed to head over to the restaurant at the ranch to watch part of the final world cup game with some of the natives!

We got back to the hotel mid-afternoon and had a chance to relax and hang out after an exhausting day. Some of us went to the hotel's spring fed pools while others napped or talked in our rooms. Once we had regained some of our energy, we headed into town for dinner. The highlight of the meal was definitely when Gretchen’s meal came out of the kitchen on a flaming platter! We ended the night relaxing in our rooms and on our double decker hammocks. Check back tomorrow for our last day in La Fortuna!

Sloth Watch 2014: Day 2

 0.5 (does a billboard count?)

Total:0

Ps: we saw our first monkey today!

Xoxo Madeline and The Warrior Princess (aka Xena)