Travel date: July 6, 2024

Serious question: How do women in Costa Rica get through menopause without bursting into flames?

To wit: visited an organic spice farm north of Quepos today. Sun stayed behind the clouds which was a nice respite. But still fucken HOT . Guide says: today is a perfect day, I’m not sweating at all. ¿How? How are you not sweating?

As a plant lover, it was incredible to see all of the tropical plants we buy as houseplants growing in the wild here. They are spectacular. And, I learned so much about how spices are grown, harvested, and made.

A short list of what we saw growing on the farm: Ceylon cinnamon, peppercorn, clove, ginger, turmeric, oregano, cardamom, allspice, and cacao. And naturally, fucken cilantro. Someone stepped on it, and the smell invaded my entire usable sphere of fresh oxygen.

I have a whole new appreciation for why good vanilla is so expensive. Vanilla is actually an orchid – say no more. Those assholes are impossible to keep alive. Vanilla is the most labor intensive crop in the world. It has to be hand-pollinated and hand picked. It’s second in price only to saffron. The real stuff, anyway. Imitation vanilla is an insult to the vanilla bean.

We got to taste raw cacao beans. Weirdly slimy and nutty. Also got a cup of hot cacao (which is suuuuuper refreshing when it’s 114 degrees outside), cinnamon chocolate, and three kinds of ice cream – vanilla, chai, and golden spice (turmeric, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, black pepper, clove and cardamom). All delish. Have asked for the recipes.

And in today’s edition of WTF is that . . . the Costa Rican sphinx caterpillar. We were cautioned NOT to touch them. Wasn’t planning on it, but thanks for the heads up.

Accidentally took a shower with a giant grasshopper this afternoon. We made eye contact and agreed that if he didn’t move, he could stay. I think he’s still in there.

Critter count: 1 toucan, 1 hummingbird, 1 grasshopper, 1 dog, 1 cat, 1 poisonous caterpillar, 1 iguana. Kind of a slow critter day.

Salud!