Hilltop cabin on the finca
Coffee cherries harvested during the coffee tour
Coffee growing on the mountainside like we were transported into a magical place like Alice ’ s Wonderland .
The main transportation around the town and surrounding mountains are little tuk-tuks , so up the mountain we went in one to get settled . Have mercy ! How these tiny tuk-tuks manage the steep , dirt roads freaked me out a little — I can ’ t lie . After a while , you get used to them , although we never rode in them after dark .
Our place , a fifteen-minute ride from town , was a cabin overlooking the valley . Wow ! The panoramic view off our large deck of the town and mountains was beyond spectacular — not just for the sunrises and sunsets but the whole enchilada .
This cabin was on a finca ( farm ) that grows coffee , plantains , bananas , avocados , and various citrus fruits . Part of our reason for coming here is that Felipe , my husband , was in the coffee business and loves coffee but had never been where coffee grows .
Naturally , we wanted to take the coffee tour , so the next day , the foreman of the finca , Mario , took us up the mountain . This was not like walking through a vineyard or a fruit tree farm ; it was walking up the mountain on a teeny , tiny trail toward the coffee plants — which only grow on the sides of mountains .
You know how elephants are sure-footed and can walk on the smallest of trails above 10,000-foot ravines ? Well , that was me — except for the surefooted part ! It was hot and sunny , and the only way was up . I kept telling myself , “ I can do this ,” but how on earth was I going to get down ?!
Mario kept laughing and saying poco a poco ( little by little ). The tour group included Felipe , me , and Mario and was in Spanish , so I translated for Felipe . Mario explained the cycles and processes of growing bananas , plantains , and other fruit on his mountain . He knew , and has possibly touched , every tree and plant there . When we finally reached our destination , we picked the ripe , red coffee cherries .
Again , the views were spectacular . There were no bugs or snakes — apparently , the only animals in this region are rabbits and possums .
By some miracle , I got down that mountain , learned about the traditional way of harvesting coffee beans , and tasted one of the most famous coffees in the world . Felipe was in heaven — and I was dead .
Later that day , we wanted to tour a nearby forest where we would see some gallitos de las rocas ( cocks of the rock ). Well , wouldn ’ t you know it , it was down the mountain and up the mountain again to see these super cool birds .
Some areas are known as Blue Zones , where many people live to be over one hundred years old because of their diet and lifestyle . I definitely lived that lifestyle on this trip : eat fresh , walk ( often ) up and down hills , get lots of sleep , have a glass of red wine , and surround yourself with people .
So maybe I added one more day to my life !
Retired teacher ( although still seeking out international teaching opportunities ) Lorianne Tenove and her husband , Felipe , left their assignment in Mazatlán to travel in South America — beginning with colourful Colombia .
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