Day 74 – Major relaxation day.



I saw this bird outside our cabana this morning

We were quite late getting to breakfast and by the look on Ryan’s content face and expanding panza, we were going to be fortunate to find any food left. He can really eat but I thought it was a little over-the-top that he pulled his chair up to the buffet table. I guess the staff told him to take his fork and get out of the kitchen.  Fortunately, there was an abundance of very fresh food and we enjoyed the compañerismo.

View of the gardens. On the left is the restaurant.

We walked around the property and sat in the sun and soaked up the views for a long time and then went down to the pool and swam and burned. It’s kind of an eco-tourism place so the pool had no chlorine and I think the water just runs down the mountain and into the pool. We met a couple from the states. His sister is a Witness so we spoke with him for a long time about the bible and religion and other things. It was nice.

View of the gardens with the mountains of Vilcabamba in
the back. Those are clouds, not snow.

The pics don't do it justice

 Yes, you're reading that correctly. You didn't think we would pass that up did you?

Leah and I went and got a massage -75 minutes for $22! They had another treatment that lasts 1 hour 45 minutes for $28. The spa was very nice!

Entering the spa

Ryan relaxing in the hammock outside Shawn's room.
There's not a bad view anywhere here

We went into town to get some cash and a little snack at a hosteria with a Mexican restaurant. Then it was back to the room to get ready for dinner. We had made plans to get together with a couple from Alaska that is moving to Vilcabamba permanently; Brandy (picture from blog of SAD) and Heath. They brought a family with them that is visiting from Oregon, the Mora’s. They are considering buying property in Vilcabamba for retirement/ministry expansion. They are serving in a Spanish congregation and all are Regular Pioneers. They have a son, Erik (he must be sooooo cool, ya’ know?), who has been at Patterson bethel for the past 5 years. It was really nice getting to know everyone better. We really feel like our spiritual family is growing and growing. It is a real privilege. We ended up exchanging contact info and hopefully we will all get to go the Costa Rica Special Assembly in January 2013. It would be a great reunion.