MS. GOODING - JUNE 4,5,6

Lizzie and Cam wrote a post for June 5th but left school today before giving it to me, so, since we wont see them again before Sunday, although I'm sure theirs is more interesting, I'll give you a rundown of the rest of our magnificent trip to Manuel Antonio, school today (Friday), and plans for the rest of our visit.

We got up early on Thursday after a tropical night at La Mariposa listening to tree frogs and geckos. After a delicious breakfast buffet on the open patio looking out at that unbelievable view of the rain forest and the Pacific Ocean, we got ready for a hike through Manuel Antonio National Park to the beach which is part of the park. The hike we took was about 1/2 hour long and along the way some of us saw sloths, a toucan, a deer, a huge Blue Morpho butterfly, numerous smaller butterflies, and an agouti. We were promised that we would see monkeys but began to doubt what we were told. When we got to the beach some of us wanted to spend more time enjoying the warm, crystal clear Pacific water while others preferred to see a bit more of the rain forest. Still, no monkeys. Finally, around noon, a cry went up from our guide and about 25 white faced monkeys, also called capuchins, came swinging from out of the forest! They were all sizes and ages and basically put on a show for about an hour, jumping from tree to tree, chasing each other, posing for photos and eating green mangoes. It was great! Then they disappeared as quickly as they came. We enjoyed the beach a while longer and then hiked back through the forest to take the bus back to the hotel where we cleaned up for the ride back to San Jose.

We stopped and had lunch at a little beachfront restaurant before heading back into the mountains for the long, winding trip. In the lowlands we saw acres of ranch land with cows and horses, endless rice paddies and oil palm plantations, and a pair of scarlet maccaws flying along the edge of the ocean. As we got closer to San Jose our two days of clear skies ended and the afternoon rains began. We went through Sr. Trana's hometown and saw his high school which complemented the adorable photos his mom brought to show us of him as a youngster! Host families were waiting patiently in the rain to meet their CA kids and everyone went their separate ways.

Today the plan was for our students to attend classes for the last time and play a soccer game. However, when Sr. Trana and I arrived at school, we found out that many of the St. Gregory's students were away on a field trip to the Irazu Volcano and our kids were mostly sitting by themselves in the classroom. We made a decision to take a city bus into San Jose to the mall and spend the morning on a last day souvenir hunting trip. San Pedro mall is the largest in the city and most of our kids had not been there yet. It seemed to me that the biggest excitement was the presence of a Wendy's and a Taco Bell - but we have been gone from home for 2 weeks so maybe that's to be expected. After a couple of hours at the mall, we jumped back on a bus to school where we were honored at a luncheon with speeches from Elizabeth, our trip organizer and from the principal of the school. They gave us gifts of a St. Gregory's hat and, typical of Costa Rica's focus on sustainability and green products, a notebook made of recycled paper adorned with a little pin of beads in the design of the CR flag! Then we and our host students shared a typical Costa Rican Sunday lunch - arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), guacamole, pureed black beans, pico de gallo (salsa), potato chips and a wonderful cake called tres leches cake (because it's made with 3 kinds of milk) with a smashing thunderstorm providing background music. Then it was time to leave school for the last time and, once again, we all went our separate ways.

Tomorrow will be our students last day with their host families and their plans are all different. We will meet at the airport at 10AM on Sunday for our flight home and I think we're all ready to be in our own beds and hang out with our own families. Two weeks away is a long time even when you're having lots of fun! See you soon!

Video from Lankaster Garden earlier in week. MONKEYS!!

ADI - JUNE 3

At 7:30 we left from school for our long four hour trip to Manuel Antonio. Most of the trip was just the group listening to ipods or just talking among each other, or just sleeping since we were tired from the previous night. On the way we made a few stops at stores for souvenirs and fruits indigenous to Costa Rica. Our third stop was at a bridge where we saw giant crocodiles in the river below. The thrill was great from seeing the crocodiles from so high. After two more long hours we stopped at Wifi, an Italian restaurant, and had unlimited pasta. Then we were off to La Mariposa!!!

Arriving, we were amazed by the wonderful landscape and, once we got to our rooms, the view of the ocean was great. We had a little time to get ready and we headed to the beach where we enjoyed our time in the Pacific Ocean. After, we went back to the hotel and swam in the infinity pool, enjoying the sunset. Then we cleaned up and enjoyed a dinner at El Avion while watching the USA vs Costa Rica soccer game. After our meal we went back to our rooms to get ready for a long day tomorrow.

JIMMY - MONDAY, JUNE 1

Today I entered the school and went to class 7-A. In that class with me were Davis and Alisha. All the kids in that class loved us. During the first period of the day everyone went outside and lined up on the basketball court. That was done so announcements could be made and everyone could sing Costa Rica's national anthem. After the anthem was sung, some more announcements were made and then everyone had to sing another song about friendship.

Once that was done everyone went back to their classes. We had math and then social studies. After those two we had recess; all people did at recess was get a snack and talk. Then came more social studies, and before lunch we had a double block gym. Lunch came and I had a doughnut and an orange fanta (Ms. Gooding, who is typing this, did not approve this lunch...). After I ate I played a little basketball outside with some of the SGHS students. The fun of lunch was over and we went back to class. We had a double block of grammar to end the day.

William had soccer Club so I hung out around the school until he was done with that. Then we went home to chill for a bit and then met Declan and Ricardo at the mall where we hung out. That was my whole day.

ASHLEIGH AND JESSICA - TUESDAY, JUNE 2

Today we went on a tour to the Irazu volcano and to Cartaga. At the volcano it was really cold because it was 11,000 feet above sea level. While we were there we saw a coatimundi which looks like a raccoon and anteater combined.
When we left the volcano we went into the county of Cartaga where we saw a cathedral with offerings that people left for the virgin.They left various things such as silver body parts and trophies.
After leaving the cathedral we went to Lankester Garden. We learned about orchids and ran around the zen garden. When we finally left Lankester Garden we headed to lunch. We arrived at Rio Palomo which was gorgeous. When we finished lunch we went to an overlook of Cartago. It was beautiful. On our way back to school we rode over a dam.
When we got back to school we all went home and got ready for Mau's house. At Mau's house we sat around and talked while others attempted to dance techtonik. Overall it was a pretty good day.

SARAH - SUNDAY, 5/31

Today was a relief because I got to sleep in. The Costa Ricans teach us so many things about their culture it is really hard to keep energy enough to remember it all. It is Sunday and my family likes going to church. I would usually go and just try to understand what the sermon was about, but this time I had been invited to sing on one of the songs. I was so nervous but it was nice to get compliments from everyone afterward. I also went to two Sunday School classes today and, though it was hard to understand them a lot of the time, it was also hard for me to tell them it was my last Sunday with them. I said my good-byes and went home with my exchange family.

Once we came home,we all helped make lunch and took a nap. However, I did not want to sleep yet. I went and got my knitting needles and, suddenly, one of my exhange sisters was not tired anymore. I taught her knitting for about an hour and we just talked in Spanglish whenever we had something to say. Pretty soon I became too tired, so we both fell asleep until dinner time.

We had beans, rice, and eggs. Then my exchange sisters wanted to put on an illusion show so I ran and got my camera and took pictures. Before long we were all too tired to do anything else so we helped clean up dinner and then went to bed.

ALISHA - SATURDAY, 5/30

We left each other on Friday somewhat nervously (as we are a clingy bunch). Some of us planned to stay in San Jose, others were going to the beach with their host families, and others to one of the volcanoes. Despite the initial anxiety, I think most of us had a blast.

My host family decided to take me to San Carlos to see the volcano Arenal. Mattie's host family did the same, since our girls, Ariantti and Natalia, are best friends. It started with a four hour drive; however, the scenery was absolutely georgeous. We saw cows, many types of plants and flowers, and beautiful little houses.

When we arrived, it was too early to check into the hotel, so we went swimming immediately. Los Lagos (the hotel) is known for hot springs, and the sulfur is supposed to have health benefits. There were both hot and cold pools and,over it all, you could see the volcano - which, seriously, looked exactly like a volcano should - black and ominous. Ariantti, Natalia, Mattie and I had a blast.

Other highlights include drinking (virgin) Pina Coladas from pineapples and a rainstorm that was ignored by all of the pool-goers. Also, Mattie and I saw a bug bigger than my hand at dinner, which caused a huge uproar at the buffet until a waiter smothered it. I am DEAD SERIOUS. It was really cool.

Though ,unfortunately, we didn't see any lava run down the volcano, it was a great experience and Mattie and I enjoyed it a lot. Wherever we went for the weekend, (I heard zip lines were involved for some), I think we all had fun trying new things and spending time with our hosts.

P.S. I love you, Mom, Dad, and Serena!

Friday, May 29, 2009 - Kimmie & Taelor

Today was another day that we went to classes at St. Gregory. We were again spread out in groups of twos and threes to go into the different classes and observe. At 1:30 today there was a soccer game that 4 of the exchange students participated in (Davis, Abe, Lizzy and Taelor). While the game started almost the entire high school was watching but then as the rain started to become a little heavier the people fled to shelter. Only the true fans and players stayed during this quick little shower. The game ended right at the end of school (2:20) and the team all of us americans were on won! Now as the weekend has begun everyone has gone off for small weekend trips. Some headed towards the beach and others go and explore volcanos. The others that are staying in San Jose plan for a relaxing and quiet weekend.

ps. HI MOM! / We all send our love to each and everyone of you (:


TEACHER COMMENT: No photos available for today. More after the weekend.