Rodavento Boutique Hotel Valle de Bravo

... wir hunderte von Schmetterlingen um uns herum. Sie waermen sich in der Sonne und gut aufgeheizt fliegen sie ueber uns und sehen in der Entfernung fast aus wie ein riesiger Fliegenschwarm. Wiederum meint unser Fuehrer, wir waeren noch nicht so ganz am Endpunkt angekommen, und es wuerde noch besser kommen. Wir laufen also weiter, und sehen tausende von Schmetterlingen. Wir koennen sogar sehen, wie sie sich paaren. Sie verhaken sich dabei gegenseitig, was sie aber nicht davon ...

... a guide to lead us. But now of course we were at 3100m (apparantly that is Mt cook-ish??) and altitude is a tough one for us sea level dwellers so we had to keep asking our guide to stop so were could catch our breath. (probably about 6 times in a 45min up hill walk) ANYWAY So we got there and it was amazing. There were about 8million butterflies (I´m quoting that from the info board) and they were mostly still ...

... but it seemed impossible. The only places that were open, wouldn't serve us any food as they told us they had unexpected big groups that showed up and there was no room anymore. Even a to go order seemed to be to big of a problem for the restaurants, it was the weirdest thing. Desperately we were told to walk up the street and knock on a door of someone called Willy. He would always have cheap good food. It seemed very strange to go to someone's house, knock on the door ...

... for most of the hike, and I wondered if we would see the millions of butterflies I was expecting. It was all a lot more organized than my previous visit with Frank back in 1991. There were now concrete steps on much of the trail, benches along the way, and a rope railing the entire kilometer to the main viewing area. There were many guides and guards, ensuring that visitors didn't take flash photos, speak too loudly, or approach the butterflies too closely. After a good 30 or ...

... where spanish speaking folk would just rather you speak english to them. I stayed at Posada 16 de Septiembre, a Guatemalan style open air hotel combined with the house of the owners. It was quite lovely and the people who owned it were very friendly. Indigenous culture prevailed and I was as happy as a pea. By far the best part of Valle de Bravo is ...

... and the "how" of their great annual trek still remains a mystery. Another delightful and tantalizing puzzle of the natural world that will hopefully elude a rational explanation for some time yet! We camped overnight in the parking lot of the Sanctuary and early in the morning ran the gauntlet of the enterprising vendors with their tacky souvenir stands and grubby food stalls as we started the hike up into the pine and fir forests. It was a beautifully ...

... will climb 3,200 ft. in elevation. Scientists from numerous universities are carrying out research at this site. The climate here is much cooler than Pelon and the vegetation is different.  Occasionally a cool fresh breeze wafts by.  The air smelled fresh as it does on an early spring day.  The forest is comprised mostly of huge oyamels, a type of evergreen tree. These provide the habitat for the monarchs.   Bety and I stopped occasionally to ...

... from scratch at one of the stands.  To make the tortilla, the lady grabbed a ball of tortilla dough, flattened it out in a tortilla maker, and cooked it on a flat metal sheet with fire underneath.  The enchiladas were stuffed with chicken (polla), mushrooms, cheese, and a chile sauce. Yum!  The fruits look so delicious but I don´t have a way to properly wash.  Strawberries are in season and are bright red and look ...

... shared that most Americans have strong family values and are not the Hollywood version of what you see on T.V. and in the movies.  One man asked what I thought of Mexican men.  He then proceeded to recite a romantic poem.  The teacher asked if I would share my e-mail.  I hope these students continue to practice their English.  The students here think knowing English offers them many opportunities.

... illegal loggers.  Thirty men gathered under a shelter to collect their pay from three organizations who are working together: Biocenosis, the WWF, and the Mexican government.  A list of names was read and the men signed their name in a ledger.  Many of our Latino students in Frankfort have these same names.  A meeting, followed led by Elijio and the foreman.  The men are concerned about a nearby chicken farm which is polluting their drinking water. Adios!