PUENTES COLGANTES

Rolling out of bed this morning with my typical Costa Rican breakfast already delivered and ready was nothing short of amazing, aside from almost tipping over as I stood up. The hike from yesterday took more out of my muscles than I thought, and I only felt it more as the day progressed. I decided my legs of lead today were worth it though for yesterday's mud adventure.

With the fear of heights and snakes tucked to the side, we embarked on today's adventure: Puentes Colgantes (Hanging Bridges). Our guide, José, contained a never ending wealth of knowledge on Costa Rica, the rain forest, animals, and could answer any question you threw his way. Not far into our walk it was discovered that an iPhone camera, although through the scope, surpassed my basic Canon when photographing the animals.

A little jumpy, but much more leisurely than yesterday, we crossed bridge after bridge while our brains began to grow. Six of the many bridges were suspension bridges while the rest were sturdy and stationary. As we walked through the forest there were a variety of sounds surrounding us; howler monkeys and poisonous frogs were a couple of the many. Our eyes were scanning the ground to ensure we wouldn't get in the way of any ants making their trek along the path. José enlightened us on the fact that ants eat 18-20% of the canopy every year. That seems like a lot for such a little guy, but in addition they can carry up to 50 times their body weight. Well, maybe it was 15... I can't quite remember which. The ants created what appeared to be an ant highway across the forest and the train in which they carried and cleaned leaves.

In addition to the ants, we learned a great deal about many other animals including the much dreaded snakes. José tried to persuade my mom and I, as we jumped every time we turned a corner, to give up our fear of snakes. He reassured us, "they don't want to waste their poison, so they only use it if they feel threaten or attacked. They won't attack you. It is similar to our stomach acid; most have their poison to break down their food." Despite this attempt I still watched the ground every step I took and jumped at any unknown movement in the leaves. José pointed out an eyelash viper snake to us, which I had not yet realized was a snake while I was looking for it. Thinking I was looking for some kind of an ant or a bug I looked closely to find it. Once I realized what I was looking for I jumped back and hid among the group. Clearly José's reassurance had not worked on me. Towards the end of our walk José told a story about another kind of snake, one luckily we did not find. This snake would eat large animals and then curl up to sleep for a week and digest. Throughout this week forest leaves continue to fall and begin to cover up the snake, so when someone says stay on the trail, I suggest you stay on the trail.

Not only were the animals fascinating but we came across some some unique and interesting trees. One of these was a rubber tree. If you were to cut a slit in the tree it would be white and then turn black minutes later. If you then pulled the black partoff the tree you would find it formed a rubber band. Man then copied this tree to mass produce the fabricated rubber we use today. We also came across a Bleeding Tree. If you were to cut a section off of this tree you would find it is red inside. Then as the sap drips down the tree gives off the illusion it is bleeding. While we couldn't see this first hand because it would damage the tree it was still quite fascinating.

Over the course of the walk we learned a lot about how tourism in Costa Rica has evolved. Tourism is one of the main sources of income in Costa Rica, so they rely on it very heavily. José began learning English when he was 19 so he could become a tour guide. Since then he has mastered the language. Tourism is largely about the guide pleasing his group, and typically for a group to pleased they must see wildlife, something completely out of the guides control. The guide can shower you in as many facts as possible, but that doesn't replace the unfulfilled hope of seeing wildlife on the tour. To assure the tourists would never be disappointed the guides used to go to extreme measures. When first beginning to guide, José would pick up the poisonous frogs to show tourists. Later he realized he was actually killing these frogs because they could develop infections on their skin from the products on his hands and no longer breath through their skin once placed back in the forest.

Another example of how guides used to please guests was leave bananas lying around for the monkeys. Within a relatively short time, scientists realized many plant species were going extinct. Everything in the forest works to create a productive ecosystem, one that is fragile. The trees produce fruit, then the animals eat the fruit and seeds. These seeds are hard in order to protect themselves from the animal's teeth.The animals digest the seeds, which soften them up. The animal then disposes of the seed that is now ready to germinate. When tour guides came into feed animals and please their tourists it interrupted the process because animals taught their offspring to get food from humans rather than nature. Within three generation species of plants began to die off.

Many of the ways guides found to please their tourists have since been made illegal, so the forest is back to its natural self. And, as a plus, the tour was not boring. We saw and heard wildlife, and we gained a wealth of knowledge.

It was back to the hotel to give our sore muscles some rest, and to enjoy another spa afternoon. It is a very peaceful and relaxing area, which, for the most part, is natural. All treatments are outside with the hot springs river running beside you. You can enjoy their delicious all natural smoothies in the relaxation area while just relaxing or while reading a book. Yes everyone– I am actual reading a book, and a very good one at that.

Seeing as it is mom and dad's 24th anniversary they are off to una Cena de Gala Romántica (a Romantic Gala Dinner). In the mean time, I ordered a feast from room service including the irresistible pineapple. I may be missing Joey slightly as I sit her eating dinner, writing, and reading all alone. I can't help but think what sort of trouble we could have caused together and how much fun it would be if she were here. I am sure she is off having all the fun in the world with her crew of freshman.

¡Bueñas Noches!