My two weeks in Heart of the Jungle has come to an end and I must say that it was incredible! I love leadership because of what we do for the Tico kids, but it was a nice break to get out and see and experience more of what Costa Rica has to offer.
We wrapped up the program with a 3-day kayaking trip around Gulfo Dulce. We set up our camp each night on secluded beaches with the ocean in front of us and the jungle behind - amazing. I was also awoken each morning with a band of hollar monkeys passing through. We went to a Wildlife Refuge on the 2nd day where a monkey walked up to me and wanted me to scratch his back. Needless to say, Flat Stanley has some stellar pictures from his adventures this summer! The morning of the 3rd day, before we set out, we witnessed a complete rainbow across the gulf. How absolutely amazed I continue to be at the pure, natural beauty of this incredible country!
As we set back on our 8-hour trek from the Osa Peninsula to San Jose, I decided to make a random list of adventures/ experiences/ tid-bits that I may not have made in the blog... so, I hope they provide some chuckles and insight into my life for the last 2 months!
- I literally RAN into a jaguarundi (small jaguar) on an early morning run on the Osa Peninsula. I´m not sure who was more terrified, me or him!
- I have read a plethora of books this summer, including For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingingway. I´m going to miss reading ´fun´ books when I start grad classes!
- Sloths really do exist!
- One never really grows out of camp games - they´ve come in handy!
- It is possible to lose students on a 1-path hike with a guide at the front AND the back.
- Costa Rica holds 2.5 percent of the worlds´ biodiversity.
- Coconuts fall out of trees. Frequently.
- Although rice and beans are served at every meal, I still can´t stomach the texture of beans.
- Due to my high intake of fresh pineapple, bananas, and mangos, I may come home with a yellowish hue. :)
- I´ve made friends from all over the world: Quebec, Hungary, Columbia, Spain, Costa Rica and all over the states. :)
- Any river, big or small, can be forged as long as the driver is willing.
- I have put machetes in the hands of 15 year olds and gracias a Dios, we´ve all survived!
- Showers and clean, dry clothing are far and few between, but it is still possible to live semi-comfortibly out of a backpack for 10 weeks. :)
- Before any Tico ever tells you they don´t know the answer to your question, they will make something up.
- Trashy novels in Spanish are just as rediculous as Spanish soap operas.
SO, with that, I´ll sign out. I´m on my final session and am down to 10 days before I leave Costa Rica. I can´t believe the summer has gone so quickly!
I´ll be in touch - Hope all is well back home!
All my love,
me
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