For my fourth and final Spanish class field trip, we went to an eco-park called Recinto del Pensamiento. In typical Manizales fashion, the deluge started immediately upon our guide’s signal to start the tour. After returning from the car to retrieve our umbrellas, the rain promptly ceased.

After finishing our dance with the schizophrenic climate, we were shown many medicinal plants in a garden along with their uses. I was informed that drinking coca tea (made from the leaves of the plant which is the precursor to cocaine) is an effective way to calm arguing couples. I had previously heard of its efficacy in preventing altitude sickness, but I had no idea it was also a substitute for couples therapy.

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Following our crash course on herbal remedies, we took a chairlift (amid a brewing thunderstorm) up to meet the mariposas (butterflies).

We were all quite pleased with the butterflies, which were described by our group as “genial”, “chevre”, and “brutal” (brutal is a good thing).

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After the butterflies we were introduced to the hummingbirds. I failed to get any good pictures of our speedy avionic friends, but luckily I was able to snag one of the view (it didn’t move as much).

And so ended my second-to-last day of Spanish classes. Time flies almost as fast as the hummingbirds.