Mariano and the Harmony Hotel

Mariano at the Harmony Hotel

Early morning Tuesday I left the kids to sleep and went up to the office to rent a bike. The soft plan was to ride up to Del Mar Academy later in the day for the Environmental Committee meeting, unless I could find a ride.

I rode the bike up to Harmony Hotel (just up the road), to see if I could meet up with one of the gardeners. I didn't have hopes too high, as I know the language barrier can put a damper on any potential information exchange (case in point; La Giaridina Tropicale, where the chef thought I was asking to see the vegetarian menu). The girls at the desk remembered my name (what sweet customer service), as did the guard sitting at the entrance of the parking lot who helped me lock my bike (more "Margoat").

Mariano, the head of the sustainability department at Harmony Hotel (HH) had only 5 minutes to take me to see the garden. He was very accommodating, and had excellent English. Their mandate, as it turns out, is to teach and learn much about growing practices.

In that 5 minutes I learned that I can come anytime (please call ahead), he would be delighted to act as an interpreter between myself and the gardener, their kitchen garden is extensive, and in progress. I was also told that they are, in the very near future, going to erect the exact type of greenhouse that we'll need to put up for protection against the elements ie: sun, rain and pests. I asked if I could come and be a part of that and was welcomed with enthusiasm!

Also on their agenda, is a world renowned guest speaker; a plant specialist, and yes, she speaks English. I had little time and didn't jot the name down, but will when I go next. The HH is a teaching facility, that welcomes outside participation.

Jackpot! My goal in checking out all these gardens is not only to find information for me to pass on to the people at Del Mar, but to find ways for them to network and engage in their culture's methods. I have approximately 17 yrs of learning about gardening (if a person can put such a fine point on these things) in Canada. And 3 weeks in Costa Rica. There are dozens of micro-climates here. This is an arid one. There are a lot of challenges to meet, but I take heart in the fact that the people attempting to grow here are very willing to share their knowledge. The interested parents at Del Mar will have a place to go to answer their questions when I leave.