Guabito

wow its been really hard to get internet especially with enough time to blog...sad beans. but we are doing well the reconstruction effort is moving along nicely, although we started to get frustrated last week (more than two weeks in) we have pulled it out and foiled our foes (mostly termites andrats) limon was victorious with his three teered battle against "family vermin" and is quite pleased. we have both had a steep learning curve but are nowmaster craftsmen, construction managers, plumbers, woodworkers and interior design specialists. i built three tables from scratch with reclaimed wood from the ceiling. the first wasn't exactly level, the second was twice as big and flat as a board, haha, and the thrid is a marvel and is currently storingall of our clothing and camping wares. we also made a couch, chair, bed and a hutch! limon retrofitted two bycicles for us so we are mobile and mine has a basket!

we were finally able to do inventory and are ready for our hike into la amistad international park this weekend. we went through quite a few shady characters (its hard to find guys that want to do the dirty work) but ended up meeting a wonderful indigenous fellow named gabriel from los naso-teribe tribe. they are autonomous, build rancho-style dwellings, he is going to help us recreate one here on the property to rent out to travellers, and worship the earth like many natives creating a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with the jungle. thanks to this and the lack of infiltrationby the last century of panamanian and american culture they have all of the organic seeds and knowledge to assist us on our journey into permaculture! che suerte! he is going to take us on a good will mission, most tribes dont accept visitors, and the few extraneros they allow in are led by guides from the tribe on expensive restricted guided tours. we are very excited and he has promised festivities, roasting whole wild boar, bird watching, native ceremonies and dance, and of course never before seen by greengos sacred places, hikes, waterfalls and the like. he plans to start his own guide service (he's only 24)in conjunction with our hostel, to educate foreigners (and panamanians) about his tribe "his comunidad". i have been asked to start teaching english classes for the tribe in the communal meeting place and gabriel will eventually come visit the states with us. this is a very exciting prospect, building a reliance with an indigenous tribe, something we thought would take years to develop. hopefully this weekend goes swimmingly and we start building trust and information exchange.

we got two cute little puppies brother and sister, einstein and shiva (after my favorite author and the god of course =), limon named the boy after his favorite brilliant fixie rider. they have been keeping us really busy, quite a handful and have grown double the size in a week! i never thought i'd be a dogowner but these little cuties have won me over. they were a gift from his aunt and will be our proud protectors of the property. limon built them a dog house which they refuse to sleep in even in a torrential downpour, and the rain is no joke here. when water catching with the size of the roof and the property, we set up two additional tarps to catch, we will bottle over 100 gallons in ten minutes! it's really amazing. limon has become quite the established plumber and is working on a pipe that brings water from the 500 gallon tank to the three bathrooms and indoor kitchen. we also have an outdoor kitchen (a fogon) but its moreof a hearth-in-progress and a fire pit for now. we try to do all of our cooking outdoors, we have an abundance of firewood and it is really fun! there is no trustworthy meat to be found so we are once again veggies which is working out quite well. there is a local farmer that drives around with a loudspeaker announcing his produceand comes down our street twice a week selling everything from onions and carrots to cabbage and tomatoes. the land produces plenty of platanos and bananas. we are waiting for our avocados to ripen and trying to figure out how to harvest the 100 ft tall tree...invention time. we also have breadfruit, mandarin oranges,limons, and an abumdance of culantro (similar to cilantro). i buy rice and dried beans in town (there are hundreds of different kinds of beans) and we have very simple meals. always accompanied by the best hot sauce i've ever had- the local fresh habanero blend. che rico!

there is no atm in town so i have to go to the next biggest town, changuinola, to take out cash for our various construction expenses and on my most recent tripi discovered the supermarket and brought back some wine and cheese and dark chocolate. it was like both our birthdays! we hope to have our organic chickens soonand i have a lead on some goats. but for now more pineapple and mango!

limon's dad is coming in about two weeks and we are all going to nicaragua- very exciting! so we have to have at least two rooms finished in the house and we are very close to completing the whole first floor. when we finish the house and are ready to head back to volcan, hopefully by the end of summer, we will needcaretakers or renters to watch the property for us so it must be comfortable. let us know if you know anyone who wants to come chill for a few months and watch the hostel for us! the location is clutch- we are right in between puerto viejo, costa rica and the islas of bocas del toro with la amistad on the other side.it is a great jumping off point for any trip!

i'm composting away as the land is mostly clay but fertile as myrtle! we are very close to the river that separates costa rica and panama so many floods have taken most of the topsoil. strangely though this hasnt effected the growing capabilites, but for vegetables and herbs i definately need more humus!

we are surrounded bu thousands of acres of banana trees and the chiquita banana plantation. they control the water and power (which is run off a diesel engine) and have refused to replace their pipes that contaminate the towns water with heavy metals. we might have to start a revolution! due to the diesel-produced power we have power outtages every day for hours at a time and so the internet cafe is a gamble at best. however, i will try to be more diligent in my blogging...thanks for reading. cheers!