by Claudia Garnica
The first moment you got out of the bus you realized that you were standing on the top of the mountain and that the next days in Cuerici would be really cold. We decided to walk to the Biological Station which turned out to be a beautiful welcome trip. I am from Colombia and in this walk, and almost all the moments in Cuerici, I felt like I was home. The best part of this place was to meet Don Carlos and Anita. They are beautiful people with passion in conservation that makes you feel like you are home. People growing up in this mountain understand the importance of water, the forest, and all the animals that live there.
The place is like a paradise where you are free from our weird cellphone and internet obsessions and fully begin to enjoy nature. First, Anita and Jose Miguel gave us the opportunity to go to an oak forest aged more than 30 years old. This forest is occupied by giant trees which was planted by Don Carlos when he was a child. With ample traditional knowledge, Anita explained to us some important medicinal plants in the forest that their grandparents used when they arrived at this mountain a long time ago.
In addition to the oak forest, we went to the Paramo with Don Albert. I was originally really skeptic about the concept of “paramo” for the Ticos because some friends told me that the place was far from the “real paramo” that we have in Colombia. Surprisingly, I loved the experience. Obviously, it is a Paramo, the major difference from Colombian Paramo is the absence of the Espeletias. Cuerici Paramo has amazing views, where plants developed conservative strategies due to harsh environment, and the fog coming up in the mountains makes you feel like in heaven.
I think that this house gives us the space and time to better meet each other’s lives and allows you to enjoy time sitting around the fire, sharing and hearing stories. The food is as wonderful as the food made by my mom. Two ladies are giving us great options of desserts and new delicious juices all the time.
Thank you so much to Don Carlos, Anita, Alberto, Jose Miguel and all the trout that gives their lives to make us super happy. Thanks to OTS, to Patricia, Darko, Pablo, and Sophia that didn’t stay with us at this site but was a super cool teacher.
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