Lindo Mindo

Mindo is a small town - as in one central plaza - with plenty of outdoor adventures. In early December, several friends from University and I took the weekend to visit. We went zip-lining above the cloud-forest and white water rafting down the river, and I also visited the "mariposario," or butteryfly farm.

My friend Jenny zip-lining over the cloud-forest. She is coming out of the butterfly position which involves going upside down and spreading your arms and legs. You look down at the trees and feel like you're moving backwards. It is a pretty cool experience, but you better be ok with heights.

Denise and I getting ready for white-water rafting, Mindo-style. You and two guides - 16 or 17 year old guys - get on a bunch of tubes tied together with rope. There are no paddles. Why not? Because the guides just jump off the tubes at various points they know to be shallow enough and redirect the raft. Or they push off of the rocks. Definitely not street legal in the states, but seriously impressive.