La Fortuna

I'm getting better at making snap decisions. I decided yesterday afternoon to travel to La Fortuna with a group of Canadians that I met. For $12 there is a tour known as Jeep-Boat-Jeep that leaves from Monteverde and arrives in La Fortuna at the base of Volcan Arenal in the course of three hours.

Unfortunately the two days I was in La Fortuna it rained constantly. Holed up in a hostel the only American among six Canadians, I was suddenly the target of healthcare debates and the verbal destruction of American politics. We argued and laughed and drank beer and vodka until we decided to brave the rain and go to the local bar for karaoke night. The problem with karaoke here is that it never ends.

Without question the highlight of La Fortuna is the volcano. There is a power around Volcan Arenal that inspires because it is alive. It commands respect through it's unpredictability and expression in bursts of smoke, fire and earthquakes. I have now seen several volcanoes in Central America, but I haven't loved any of them as I love Arenal. The volcano lays down a challenge and dares you to be afraid.