...we visited farmers who are not Fair Trade because they cannot organize into a Co-op because they don't own their land. They used to until the government made their land a reservation for the indigenous peoples. They served us a large meal under a thatched roof pavilion and then we had a meeting where we went around and introduced ourselves. There were about 25 or so locals including kids and many of them introduced themselves as well. We encouraged them to start having regular meetings and to contact some other Co-ops to see if they could partner somehow. We promised to help if we could.

We also visited the indigenous artisans community in Baruca. We heard how they started when they realized that many of their younger members were leaving the community to look for work elsewhere. They demonstrated how they spin cotton that they grow, dye it from plants they grow and weave it into many different beautiful bags and belts. There are also artisans who make jewely and do carving and painting of masks.

Today was a day off and we had plans but they didn't involve any of our work and was optional. Still, everyone went along for (another) long bus ride to walk around the rim of the Irizu volcano at about 11,000 feet altitude. It was much colder than what we were used to and with the whipping wind and wet clouds constantly blowing through, it felt to me like a Martian landscape. It was really incredible!

After lunch at a high school that was not yet in session, we stopped in Cartago, the old capitol of Costa Rica, to see a famous church. Inside it was gorgeous!

Tomorrow we go to see another farmer cooperative in Terrazu.

Hasta luego!