After an early breakfast we headed to the local school, el Brazos de Rio Tigre. Here we set up and ran four different stations, bead jewelry, "monster" fortune tellers, bubbles, and a general station where we played hang man, pictionary, tic TAC toe, and card games. Bubbles were definitely a favorite. After every child went to each station, we played a large community, girls vs. boys soccer game. The boys won in a last minute goal, 1-0. All the children were energetic and extremely welcoming. We did our best to communicate in Spanish, the language barrier did not stop the children or us from having a fun time. After a few hours at the school we walked to our host family's houses, where our host mamas gave us a fantastic meal and even taught us a few recipes. Right after we finished, we went straight to our hike to the waterfall. We walked right along, and through, the Rio Tigre. Along our way we were fortunate enough to see scarlet macaws, a snake, and a few lizards. The waterfall, the "jacuzzi" and la naturaleza were beyond breath taking. After swimming in the water and taking on the powerful currents, some of the girls crated a devious plan to steal Walter's shirt and shoes. The plan was to scream and yell about a pecorie to divert his attention away from his belongings, while Sophia and Jacqueline stole his stuff. The plan went off with out a hitch. He made us all laugh when he was spinning around looking in confusion for his lost items. He'll be relieved when he sends us off in a plane at Puerto Jimenez. We ventured back on the same root. During our trek it started to rain. Lucky for us we made it to the local cafe, just in time for the heavy down pour. While in the cafe we had a classic "soda" experience. A "soda" is a small cafe where you have a soda and a snack. At this soda many of us found our new favorite snacks, "tropical te frio" y "Chokis". During the day's activities we learned many times that the town is in a transition period. The town once a gold mine area, is now in transition to become a tourist hotspot. This is all is in hopes to preserve the diverse natural wildlife. By taking part in the local community's tourist activities, such as going to the waterfall and having a soda, we are helping to create a new path for this town, just as playing with the students today is helping to create a new path for the children. As we finish out the day, we are bummed *insert British accent here* because the end of our trip is quickly approaching, but we are doing our best to make the moments last.
Besos y abrazos,
Alex, Madison, y Gillian
P.S.
Hi mom, dad, y Bill! Costa Rica is awesome. I hope you had/have a good time in Italy. Dad I don't think you're gonna want your backpack back. I hope the boys are having a good last week and are having fun with Dara. I can't wait to see you all! Love you!
- Alex
P.P.S
Hi mom, dad, Joe, y Treble. I can't wait to show you all the pictures I have been taking. I hope you have the air freshener handy when I get home.
Love,
Madison
¡Hola mama, papa, Aidan, y Brendan! No quiero irme de Costa Rica porque la naturaleza es hermosa y la comida es fantastica. But I also want to come back so I can make all of you a traditional Costa Rican meal. My new host mama taught me how to make it. See you soon y los quiero!
Love,
Gillian
