Quick update - we're back in touch!

(photo courtesy of the talented Jenae)
We are just arriving back from nearly a week in a beautiful, tiny eco-community in the cloud forest. It was the first time TTS had been able to work with this community, a privilege that we all felt. Starting fifteen years ago, members of the community came together to organize projects to help sustainably develop the area for tourism, agricultural programs, and cloud forest conservation. Since then, programs have been started for reforestation, jam and cheese making, and community education. In a town of fifty families, almost forty are involved in the projects, and visitors are welcome to help with the different activities, camp, and explore the surrounding area. We began our stay with camping on a gorgeous, rainy hilltop overlooking the ridges blanketed with forest and pasture, followed by a tour of the project and an eight-hour hike (that you'll soon here more about in a separate post). The rest of our stay included half days of classes and opportunities to milk a cow, make the local cheese (another post!), help set up plantings to use in reforestation, and explore a mirador (lookout) and hike down pre-Incan trails in the nearby cloud forest. The sense of welcome we all felt from the community was apparent during the goodbye party and the wonderful comments all the organizers made about how we were supporting the project, about this village's plans for the future, and about how we are now part of the community and should feel welcome to return whenever we get the chance. Moving forward from the town, we will remember their hospitality, inspiring projects, and exquisite setting long after our clothes and tents have dried from the ever-present mist.
With sticky, marmalade-covered fingers,
Allegra
PS The girls will be having town time tomorrow and Saturday, so keep your phones on! I know your daughters are all so excited to share their latest experiences with you.