back from Maleku

Ron and I spent a couple of days up in San Rafael Guatoso, mainly hanging out in Tonjibe. Yesterday we had quite the adventure, after taking a taxi out in the early morning, we spent half the day talking with people and waiting for Leonidas, a friend, to show up from town. They have built a new area for tourists and masks, carvings, etc., and we waited until about 2 for him to show. After spending some time with him, we found out that the last bus leaves at 1, and one returns at 4, but then the driver stays in Tonjibe. So, we wound up walking back to the highway (about 7 kilometers) and thinking we would for sure find some kind of a taxi. It was raining pretty good, and we trudged to the highway, then back to Guatoso--not a single taxi in sight. It was a good 2.5 hours hike, and about 10 miles or so, part of it in the dark on a narrow hwy. Heard howler monkeys along the way, and it was good to see the lights of Guatoso and have a beer after the long and wet haul back. But, we did make it, all though with the feet a bit sore. Back in San Jose tonight after a bus ride.