This is part four of a fairly long story. There still isn't any sex in it. If I'd combined all these chapters into just a few it would have been a very long read. This is two days in one chapter because I know you want to get to the good stuff.
Silvia
Another fantastic night sleeping in bed by myself. I was the last to get up, but not by much. Triana had made breakfast and, naturally, coffee. I would gain at least five pounds with the way that girl cooked. Everything she makes is delicious, and I look forward to our lunches, and especially dinner.
On the trail again, I kept listening on the app for more birds. I hadn't been as avid a birder as Megan, but with this app, I began to appreciate those little feathered creatures. I think it added to the thrill of spotting them because most were very colorful.
With a few nights' sleep, I feel like I'm acclimated to some degree to the Costa Rican warmth. I can see why people snowbird. Leaving the cold, dreary place, they call home and visiting here in the sun is uplifting. It also feels good to get out, walk around and not worry about anything.
I know Megan is having a blast. Ines is a joy to be around, and she's so knowledgeable. Megan's Spanish is getting better with our guide's help. It's fun to watch them. Ines makes it fun because Megan is usually giggling when they practice. I don't understand everything they are saying, which is fine. It's made me think about trying one of those online language courses. I probably should have done that before we arrived so I could practice too.
We're seeing a few more people on the trail, and everyone is so friendly. Some will stop and talk about birds and other animals they've seen, and some say hello, but everyone seems to smile. So, different from home, where hardly anyone looks you in the eye or says hello.
Under the right circumstances, I could envision buying a place down here. Not a house like we're visiting, but maybe a condo or something small to live in for a few months. Fly down after Thanksgiving or perhaps the end of October, and stay until March or April. That would be nice. Oh well, it's fun to dream.
Oh, the trails are so clean. I haven't seen much trash on them. Tourism is a big part of the economy, so they keep it nice. This is such a change from home, and I can't get over it.
Our hiking was excellent, nothing too strenuous, and our lunch was fabulous. I need to talk with Triana. To thank her for taking care of us.
The sunset viewpoint we ended up at was spectacular, I wasn't sure Ines's minivan would make it up the road, but it did without any problem.
When we returned, Triana was busy making dinner. I asked if we could talk about the meals and lunches she'd made so far when she was free. She beamed, delighted we loved her cooking. She was glad to answer any questions I had. I suggested we talk in the tub tonight if she felt like it. Once again, she smiled and said she'd love to.
Before dinner, Megan gave us another show of her pictures. She's getting better with her 'bird in flight' shots. Bigger birds are much easier than smaller ones, and she started getting many smaller ones, except for the hummers.
Dinner was delicious. If I could afford to hire a personal chef, Triana might just be the one. After eating and a little relaxing, we returned to the hot tub for our evening wine and chats. We started talking about our day. Ines mentioned our next house and tour area, and then we drifted off with Ines and Megan talking birds and Triana and me discussing food. I think the bubbles messed with my hearing or because Triana has such a sweet, quiet voice that I scooted closer as we talked to hear her.
A couple of times, Triana got very enthusiastic about her school and the food that she brushed my arm with her delicate fingers. Each time I got a few goosebumps, I shrugged it off. There was a slight chill in the air. Not that the air was cold, but the water was hotter than the air.
Triana is such a sweetheart. I will miss her cooking, smile, and giggling when we leave.
Megan
I woke when I heard someone close their bedroom door. It was light out, so I dressed and headed to the kitchen. Triana had made coffee for us and was finishing cutting some fruit along with the chuppas she had made for our breakfast. She was dressed in shorts, a tee, and barefoot. She smiled, telling me that Ines said she didn't have to dress up. I told her I agreed that she should be comfortable around us. She smiled and thanked me. The coffee smelled terrific, and the chuppas looked delicious. She offered me one after showing me where the mugs were.
If we ate like this for the rest of the trip, I needed to find time to run or do something to work off the calories. I waited for Triana to finish slicing the fruit, then took a bowl and another chuppa to sit and eat in the dining room.
Ines soon joined me with her coffee, and within a couple of minutes, mom arrived holding her mug. Mom teased me, asking what made me so special that I got food first. Ines laughed as Triana walked in with the rest of the breakfast. Triana jokingly told mom I was special because I was the reason we were here.
We were talking as Triana began handing out the goodies. I asked Ines where we were going today, and she said we'd start with a lovely group of trails near El Mirador de San Carlos. We'd end our day from the El Mirador de San Carlos viewpoint. It has some beautiful views, and we'd get a few sunset pictures and then be back here for dinner.
It sounded good to mom and me. We finished eating and packed all our hiking and camera gear in the minivan while Triana made our lunches. We said our goodbyes and then headed off to capture more birds. Once again, we walked stealthily down the trail. This time we encountered a few more people who nodded, smiled, and asked what we'd seen. We heard about an owl perched just off the trail, more Hummingbirds, and a few others I had yet to see.
Mom varied her pace, sometimes ahead of us, sometimes behind. Ines and I continued the little pointing game when mom wasn't in view. Today, the game changed slightly. When Ines whispered, she'd kiss my neck or flick her tongue on my earlobe. It was intermittent, and I never knew when or if she'd do it. It made me blush and tingle inside. I didn't complain because I was enjoying it so much.
Our day went quickly. I took another couple hundred pictures, saw an anteater, and checked more birds off my list. I love Costa Rica.
When mom wasn't within listening distance, I asked Ines how much it cost to attend college here. She smiled, telling me they varied by the university and the degree. If I were serious, I should check online to see. Then she asked if I was thinking about studying here. I grinned and said maybe, but it would be at least a year because I had to graduate from high school.
She added, "You could work with me, chica. Would you like that?"