onto the next place already???

The slow pace, colorful flowers, and the cool weather have served as an easy transition into the small town of Guadalupe, situated under the mountains of PILA (La Amistad International Park). 

our walk to school!

There are fresas con crema shops scattered throughout the entire town and it seems that every shop makes the dessert just a little bit different. There are at least 50 plant pots outside of every house growing out of tires, toilets, boots, and even coffee makers. There are so many plant shops that I am confused as to how any of them can stay in business. 

try to find the coffee maker plant 

Our homestay parents are very nice but they're a lot harder to understand than my homestay mom back in the city. Our mom has made a different breakfast and dinner every day and everything has been delicious. 

the two other people that stayed in the house with me (Thomas and Sam)

As I said in my previous post, yesterday we went to a dam around an hour away. We were able to tour the hydroelectric energy facility. 

the pipeline that brings rushing water from the dam reservoir 

It was very interesting hearing the employees talk about the impact of the dams to nearby communities. They said that they paid everyone that lived near the dam very well and that the fish populations weren't affected at all by the construction. This was in extreme juxtaposition to what we learned at FUNDICCEP (Foundation for Integral Development, Community and Conservation of the Ecosystems of Panama). The two speakers shared that the impacts of the hydroelectric energy facilities (and dams) are wide reaching. Not only is there clear cutting of the forest around each dam, but most of the energy generated is transported to Costa Rica. Only 10% of the water that flows through the dam is released back into the river systems, depriving all of the communities along the river of 90% of their water. Given that 80% of potatoes and onions are grown in Chiriqui and 63 of 90 dams have been built in Chiriqui, many farmers are very upset about the continued construction of the dams. 

On a lighter note, we were able to go to a locally owned coffee farm. The views were INCREDIBLE and Don Lara (this was his father's name but I never caught his name) was the kindest man. He took us through his coffee farm and showed us how he processes each of the bags he sells (I bought one!). 

the farm dogs!

Don Lara and his coffee grinder machine

drying beans 

we were able to try sugar cane cut straight from the ground!

look at the view!!!!!!!!

Today we also listened to some people talk about PILA and their mission. We also hiked in PILA with our Comparative Ecology professor. I was so happy to finally have an application for my Bio II class. The area of PILA we were in was a cloud forest so it was a surreal experience standing in what seems like suspended water particles. 

huge leaf 

This is our last night in Chiriquí, though I wish it wasn't! We're off to Changuingola tomorrow for two nights. I think we're staying near a beach!