Belly full of Rambutan

I found them, I found them! When I decided to make Central America my destination this summer rather than Indonesia, I was a little disappointed I wouldn't be able to feast on rambutan for four months. Clearly, I haven't had the same opportunity here as I would have in Indonesia, but I've discovered that there are rambutan plantations near here! (Rambutan is my favourite fruit as of last summer, by the way. It's a bit like a lychee.) It's still hard to find them, but after a week of noticing half a crushed rambutan peel here and half of one there, I've finally tracked some down. Of course, in a huge market there are probably only two rambutan sellers. It's sad, but I'm satisfied.

This morning was spent hiking up to Los Vahos with Itay. It's basically an hour's walk straight uphill, out of town from the central park to reach these hot springs. In this case, there are no pools of water to bathe in, but extremely hot and steamy saunas to sit in. One room was terribly hot, and the other not so bad. I could survive in the hot room for almost a minute before needing some cool air, and maybe two minutes in the cooler room. I don't think I have ever sweat so profusely and instantly in my life before.

Before taking off for Los Vahos this morning, I discovered a moderately disturbing thing. Someone stole my bikini. Please tell me, who would steal another woman's bikini? I had laid my cute and colourful Walmart bikini out in the dormroom to dry after visiting Las Fuentes Georginas the other day. Yesterday morning I spread it out on top of my bedcovers, and then didn't notice its absence until I wanted to pack it in my bag today. A bikini is such a person item to steal that I just can't get over it. That's like stealing another girl's panties to wear. Ugh! Fortunately, I am not swimsuitless due to this event. Knowing I would be spending most of my time in the water, I brought two bikinis and a one-piece with me on this trip, but not my favourite suit is gone. Alas! Maybe I'll start paying the extra $1-2 per night to have a single room so it will be less easy for people to swipe my stuff...

Plans for Tajumulco are being formulated. Itay plans a one-day climb because he's pressed for time, so I might join him on that to prevent freezing overnight in a tent at 4000m on the two-day climb. This will also allow for me to climb without carrying a heavy pack of tent parts, food, and other supplies. I will wind up with a more intense day of climbing, but climb itself is technically easy, it just becomes difficult when altitude and a 20-lb pack are added. We'll see how this goes.

Off I go now to pick up my laundry. Take care!