![\"Coffee](\"http:\/\/panam.whensparksfly.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/P1090169.jpg\")
<\/a>Coffee is huge here. The valleys around town are covered with fincas (ranches). We toured one last week and learned a little about growing coffee.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The grounds (landscaping, not coffee grounds) were beautiful.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Apparently the equivalent of a sommelier in the coffee world is a “cupper.” We learned a little about how they rate coffee.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Smell the coffee!! Apparently one variety from this valley called “Giesha” sold for $350 per pound last year. And did you know that coffee is the world’s most heavily traded commodity after oil? It’s the other stuff that makes the world go round.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>What’s gonna happen if I pull this chain?<\/p><\/div>\n
We had a really fun couple of days with Phil, who visited us here while on a surfing tour of Central America. Phil is the brother of Jen’s grad school buddy Bill.<\/p>\n
<\/a>There’s an interesting geological feature outside of town called “Los Ladrillos.” It’s a popular rock climbing spot.<\/p><\/div>\n
There’s a local guy who makes carvings on dead trees in various places around town.<\/p><\/div>\n We went for a hike to see some waterfalls. This one was right on the road though.<\/p><\/div>\n Hiking in the jungle<\/p><\/div>\n It took us about 1.5 hours to reach the falls, which weren’t as pretty as the ones by the road. But the hike itself was worthwhile.<\/p><\/div>\n Giant Panamanian avocados. One makes more than enough guac for happy hour.<\/p><\/div>\n There’s this old castle outside of town. The story goes that a guy was building it for his wife who never got a chance to come down to see it.<\/p><\/div>\n Will, who lives in the house we’re staying at, was generous enough to let me use his bike. There are so many beautiful rides around here I probably won’t have a chance to experience them all.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>