What an interesting day!

Alyssa, 17

Well, Day 2 is pretty much over now, but I'm definitely not counting the days until we leave. I am so excited to be here, and these 12 days are going to fly by too fast. We started working in La Carpio today, which wasn't too bad. We started to dig out pipes that need to be replaced. Cherie and I conquered this huge rock that was stuck in the ground near one of the pipes. When I finally pulled out the rock after digging and using the pick axe to get it out, we felt so accomplished. In Mr. Oliver's words, we beat the rock. When we returned to our hotel, we had only 30 minutes to shower, get changed, and leave for lunch. While getting ready, Danielle and I suddenly heard a huge CRASH in the bathroom, followed by Shalyce screaming. At first, I thought it was just a bug that they were trying to squish. But then, I heard her, and Siena say that something fell, and I thought they just meant the shower head or the sink faucet. Once they ran out of the room, Danielle and I realized the entire sink literally fell off of the wall, and there was water squirting everywhere. Danielle went to tell the hotel, and I went to tell Ms. Arenth. When I got back, I realized the wall to the bathroom was just soaked and it looked like a waterfall.

We're waiting to see if we will have our hotel room switched, due to our lack of a sink, a slightly essential bathroom amenity! I'm really tired and can't wait to get to sleep. We have our first interview tomorrow, which means we have to go prepare soon, when all I want to do is go to bed!

Can't wait to see what unfolds on our journey next. Hasta luego!

Dirt, Sinks, Boys, and Banks

Shalyce, 17

Hola!

So today is day 2 our of our 12 days here in Costa Rica, and man has it been a long day. So let's start from the beginning with breakfast. Last night a few of us said we were a little upset that we didn't have beans and rice; well today for breakfast, lunch, and dinner we ate our words. For breakfast we had the most delicious rice and beans, then we got coffee, which it was sad to say was a little to weak, but it was also very good. After coffee, and layers upon layers of sunblock we got in the vans and headed to La Carpio. Driving through the city I saw so many things that reminded me of Pittsburgh it was really amazing. As we got closer, we started to see La Carpio; in movies you see shanty towns, but when you see it in person, and then go work in one, you really get a feel for what it's like. Its almost like a slap in the face, but in a good way. So after a while of digging and moving wheelbarrows, we were invited into one of the houses. It was amazing to see that these people have made so much stuff from nothing. The back of the house was even more of a treat. They had at least 3 pigs! They also had a few piglets in the very back. It was a lot of work in La Carpio but I'm really happy that we did it and I learned a lot.

Sinks: well after we got back from La Carpio we only had a half hour to get ready to go out to lunch, so Siena and I ran up to our room to get ready, well in the midst or that the sink broke off the wall, fell, hit the floor, giving Siena a small cut. I got hosed down like in a comedy movie, it was so scary, and I screamed and every one thought I saw a spider, and Larry started laughing. Goodness, it was embarrassing and scary and funny.

Boys: after all this crazy and amazing stuff happened we were lucky enough to go meet the amazing high school students here. It was really hard at first, but soon enough everything got better. We all went out to play soccer or volleyball, and talk. I thought it would be hard and awkward, but it turned out to be more fun than ever. Siena had a fun time also because she finally meet her pen pal who she thought was the bees knees, and they hit it off. It was so funny, and cute.

Banks: After meeting the high school kids we went to the bank to change money. In a line that seemed like it lasted for a mile, I had to go to the bathroom so badly, but I couldn't leave. So Ashlee, Sam, Shai, Cherie, and I were all talking, and Sam says "I'm hungry too, but I'm to scared to do anything." Ashlee's smile wipes off her face and she goes "I'm not". It was scary and funny, and the rest of the line went that way Ashlee got a little aggressive with her words, but nothing bad, just really funny, and I swore I was going to pee myself, but luckily I made to the end of the line and changed my money just in time. So today was a great day. I learned so much, I laughed a lot and met interesting people.

Another day down..

Melina, 17

Today had its ups and downs, but ended up turning out pretty positive. The first day of service work really wasn't bad at all, not nearly as hot/hard as everyone who went in the past made it out to be. Whenever we first arrived at the local high school, I must say I was quite irritated and annoyed and didn't want to talk to anyone. I can't speak Spanish very well at all, at least not nearly enough to have a drawn out conversation with kids who are completely fluent. Towards the end of our time there, things got a lot better and I did end up enjoying myself quite a bit, surprisingly. I don't have much else to say for now, so hopefully tomorrow will be an exciting day yet again.

Day 2: Lifelong Memories

Patrick, 17

Exhausted from the day before, I woke up refreshed from a good night slep. I ate breakfast which was amazing; I hope we have that everyday. It was rice, beans, eggs and toast. Then we made our ways to a little village called La Carpio. It was amazing there. Even though it was a poor town, we made the experience worth living. It was really hard work and we sweat a lot, but I'm excited to return there tomorrow for another new experience. I thought it was really cool how this little girl invited us into her home and we seen her pet pigs. That was amazing.

We returned to the hotel from La Carpio for lunch, for we had a half hour to wash (if we wanted to), change and go to lunch. Lunch was good. This was the first resturaunt in which we visited, so I was pretty excited. I had chicken, rice and beans, and some salad stuff. It was good.

After that we went to the bus stop, and took a public bus to meet the high school students. For me personally, it was akward just sitting there face to face talking to them. My experience didn't go very well because I don't have strong Spanish skills. I had fun when we were playing the game that we played. It was something like monkey in the middle with many people and a soccer ball. My pen pal didn't show up, so that was kind of a bummer, but in the end, everything was ok. I dont know why, but I got really depressed on our way back from meeting the high school students. It's like everyone was talking to them and having a good time but me. We went to this version of Chinatown where all of these shops were and I wanted to buy something, but I couldn't. We waited a long time to exchange our money, but for some reason the money looks really cool. Sam, Cherie, Courtney, Ashlee and Shalyce were laughing obnoxiously loud. Overall, my day was filled with many memories that I won't forget, and I cant wait to see what happens next. Its kind of hard to believe that I am even here, but I am and I'm loving it here. I'm having some trouble embracing everything and taking it in, but that will change for sure!!!!

The Explosion!

Danielle, 18

Today was a very interesting day! After we came back from a hard day's work in La Carpio we only had a half hour to get ready before lunch. My two roomates decided to go take a quick shower. While they were going to get a shower I started getting ready when all of a sudden I heard a loud BOOM! My two roomates come running out of the shower and are screaming the sink broke! I look in the bathroom and all I see is the sink all over the floor and water spraying everywhere. I go and get someone from the hotel to tell them. They came to our room to stop the water and clean up the pieces of sink that were all over the floor. All of this happened within the half of hour that we had to get ready. And by suprise everyone in the room was ready on time.

A day with the locals!!!

LaShai, 17

Well today was a pretty exciting day. In the beginning of the day we went to La Carpio, which is a poor squatter community. We had to dig out and shovel dirt so they could lay cement down. My favorite part was talking to the children in the neighborhood. There were these 3 little girls who had dolls, and all the doll's names were Stephanie. One of the little girls also showed us the pigs she had in her back yard. It was fun until the biggest pig stepped on my foot, but overall I had a lot of fun in La Carpio.
After La Carpio, we went to meet some high school students that were our pen pals. At first it was very weird because no one really wanted to talk to anybody, but after ten minutes we were talking to everyone, even the students who weren't our pen pals. I was really surprised when my pen pal knew English and just wanted to talk in English, and I wanted to talk in Spanish. After talking for a while we played games like soccer, and other games involving balls. Everyone seemed to be having fun. We get to see them again on Thursday when we go to the volcano. I can't wait to get the chance to talk to both the locals and the high school students again.

Colones, Tico's, y American Food!!!

Courtney, 17

Today was so fun!!! We started the day off early and went to La Carpio to help out the community with getting the titles they need. I felt really fortunate that I was capable of being apart of something that I wouldn't have in another country. It also felt amazing to complete volunteer work without recieving anything in return!

After a well needed shower, the group and I headed out to lunch at "La Bien Comer" where Sam and I enjoyed the best beans and rice yet. It is true to those of you who are wondering, in Costa Rica...you eat beans and rice with everything!!! No complaints here though, because I love beans and rice. Shortly after we headed to meet the class we contacted through Skype sometime back, and I finally met Paula. She was so nice and friendly like I expected. We played volleyball and talked about the similarities we share...with the help of Mrs. Thomas of course.

We also went to the bank today and exchanged money, the lines were extremely long! However, some of my group members and I made plans to get American food as soon as we hit the airport! Once I recieved my colones, things felt very official. I could now buy whatever I wanted. Tomorrow we have our first interview, and tonight we're working on preparing. I'm looking forward to question the officals about the conditions in La Carpio, as well as hearing their responses.

The First Day of Something

Larry, 16

I think that today was a good day. Throughout the short time we've been here, it's been fun. We got to go to Liceo Vargas which is a school located here. At first it was pretty awkward just because of the language barrier, but after a while all the nervousness went away and we were all yelling "Papi Chulo". You'd think that we wouldn't have a lot in common, but we all do. Friends were made, Arnold and Siena hit it off, and it was awesome overall.

We got to go to La Carpio, which is a town that needs a lot of work. It was pretty cool to see the work that previous City High students have done, in addition to the work that we'll be doing. It put a lot into perspective, like even though the people there didn't have much, they were just happy in general and it makes you realize that...all of your material possessions don't mean anything, and shouldn't affect your overall happiness.

I'm looking forward to everything that this trip is going to entail, and if this is only the second day, there are sure to be more memories and life changing moments to come.

Papi Chulo.....out.

Day 1

Matyas, 16

Well I made it here to the hotel room!
Even though we traveled hundreds of miles, I don't have that feeling that I traveled as far I did. Today we walked through an apparently affluent neighborhood, and talked to Jose about his teaching institution.

I thought it was great how even though Jose didn't have much, he was still optimistic about it all and looked forward to the future of it.

When we were walking through the neighborhood I noticed that it was pretty poor-looking compared to what we are used to, and would think of as a financially stable neighborhood in the states. Regardless, I really like the feel of it here; it's simpler and happier, and the tropical breeze doesn't hurt either.