Costa Rica 2010

Appreciation

2010-04-28T10:51:00.011-04:00

Emily Stanley, 16

It hasn't really set in yet that I'm home, and that I have luxuries, and can do things I'd like, and have free time to myself. I wanted these things while we were away, but they haven't set in yet that I've got them back all the same. I'm more cautious and appreciative since coming back, and there were small changes in my mannerisms and lifestyle that I didn't expect. My diet has almost completely changed, and I don't know what exactly improvement is, but I would like to think that I've changed for "the better" since returning. But the one thing this trip really emphasized for me is: what really is better?

I stopped writing for a while, because I realized that coming back, right away anyway, I couldn't write this blog. I couldn't because I didn't know how it really and honestly affected me yet. My main priorities when returning were getting a nice shower, and seeing the people I love. That was just from being away for a while.

Now that we've been back for almost a month, I am finally starting to see exactly how this whole experience has changed me as a person.

I find myself stopping and appreciating things more, and I've realized that I have no desire to live an ostentatious lifestyle, or live off of anything but experiences and the necessities for survival. This trip, and then starting my internship, has definitely given me a lot of perspective.

I go to the Federal District Court everyday and see how they deal with people for anything from trademark disputes to bank robbery. I watch how the government goes about delivering sentences, and changing lives. I went to Costa Rica and watched people have different methods for survival, and have different ideas for what living really is.

Most people either blow up the changes they had on the trip to the most memorable experience of my life, or downsized it to something like, "It was alright, I found it pretty." Well it may not have been the most memorable experience of my life, but I can see the slow but subtle changes happening to me everyday with how I make decisions and look at the world around me.

Before we left for this trip, I was set on the idea that life is based off of hedonism. Pleasure seeking individuals walk the earth, and live for themselves. Even when they help others it's really because they either a.) get something out of it, or b.) take great pleasure in the satisfaction of helping others (but that pleasure is still theirs). But since returning, I am making more positive choices about what I do everyday of my life, and I am starting to slowly but surely change the way I look at the universe, to understand that sometimes going beyond human nature, people can really be selfless. This doesn't necessarily mean that I want to be selfless, but it does mean that I strive more towards making things in life more positive towards others along with myself, not just one or the other. I have changed the relationships I have with people, and changed the way I look at the world in general.

From a spiritual standpoint, I can't yet say how this trip has affected me, but I've realized that it definitely has made some sort of impact in how I imagine creation, and the continuance of life. I am working to be more of a deep thinker, without closing myself off to other ideas and concepts, while still being educated. Like going beyond the rules of society, while still understanding the concepts that run it. Also, like I stated above, about watching the comparisons between the country's rules, I think the thing that has impacted me, much more than I thought it would, is the reasoning behind each nation's laws; what makes one person feel that something is more correct than something else, and what makes one person's ideals better than another person's? So, by this I mean that now everyday of my life I stop and question; what is better anyway, and what makes someone think that they're worthy of deciding that?

Hopefully, this end is just the beginning.

2010-04-24T09:13:00.003-04:00

Cherie, 17

Well, I guess it’s my turn. I’ve edited this a million times. If I don’t post it now, I don't think it will ever stop changing or getting longer.

I woke up the first morning home with a bitter-sweet feeling. It felt nice to be in my own bed in my own room, but something just didn’t feel right. I missed waking up to the sun shining at 6 AM, with my girls in room 15 (which includes those in our two-night sleepover) around me. I missed eating with everyone, every single day, even though I rarely ate. I missed everything. I still miss everything. It was so hard to actually leave the airport because though I was going home to my loved ones, I felt like I was leaving another family behind. I really needed this return home I suppose, but it just felt a little weird to be back.

This trip was more than I imagined it would be. I heard of how amazing it could be from people who have gone through the journey before, but I never really thought the affect it would have would be this big. I had my doubts about the trip in the way beginning, relating specifically to my main struggle of being able to control my frustration with others and its effects on my mood. I thought, “I can’t spend twelve days with these people. I’m going to be miserable. The trip is going to be pointless if I’m just going to be angry the whole time.” Eventually I changed my mind set, and got excited for the trip. I wanted to make it something worthwhile; something I could remember forever and I decided that the people who annoyed me weren’t going to ruin that. That was probably the best decision I’ve ever made.

I don’t regret going on this trip one bit. The hard work, the annoyances, the struggles; it was all worth it. I learned that you shouldn’t let the little things that bother you and prevent you from participating in something, because you just might miss out on so many amazing experiences. I kept that in mind the whole trip, and I think that really helped make everything, for the most part, so fantastic.

I learned so many things from our visits with so many different groups of people throughout the trip. I can honestly say I never knew how cement was actually made, or even where chocolate came from. However, the most important thing I realized during our stay was that the residents of La Carpio and the indigenous people of Yorkin have it good, despite the fact that they materialistically have less. They have what some people spend their whole life searching for; they have happiness. They taught me that happiness doesn’t stem from having things that provide me with entertainment, like my camera, the internet, or time spent relaxing. Happiness is something that you really have to create for yourself and even further, for your people. It comes from being content with your life and not putting unnecessary worrying on things that other people have and you don’t. It comes from building strong relationships with the important people in your life. It can come from so many things; you just have to know the right way to find it. This was especially shown through the Bribri community in Yorkin. They, as a community, have found what makes them happy and are living their lives accordingly. They’re not concerned about how life in San Jose could be better; instead they care about the important things, like friendship, spending time together with family and improving their community. Before this trip I could honestly say that I didn’t have true happiness. I wasn’t really upset with my life, but I noticed a big difference between my happiness and theirs. It’s hard to explain, but I can now say that I pretty much have a perfect understanding of how to achieve true happiness; now, it’s just a matter of going after it.

Let me tell you something funny--other than a few things, I basically had this written last Friday, the day after we came back from the trip. Larry told me his was done, and I thought that I had better go do mine as well. Thing was, I couldn’t turn it in. I still don’t even really want to do it. I think this kind of shows that I’m still caught up in everything. I feel that once I post this and finish other things related to this trip that it’ll really be over. It’s kind of hard to explain. I guess I just had such a good time, that I’m not ready to give it up even though obviously it’s been over for more than a week. That needs to pass though, because you can’t learn from a past experience when you’re still trying to keep it as the present. I guess all there is left to do is put what I learned into action and keep moving forward.

P.S - Though this goes against what I just said about moving forward, I miss all of you and can't wait to see you on Monday! And I also can't wait until we have our 2015 reunion trip!

More Time for Family and Appreciation

2010-04-23T23:15:00.012-04:00

LaShai, 17

Well I've been home for about a week.

When I first got home, I was excited. I had my room back, my phone for texting, my television with over 200 channels in HD, and my laptop with all the wireless internet I want, but I didn't want it.

I had gone so long without these things that they had become a luxury instead of my everyday necessities. Instead of going straight back to my old everyday necessities, I spent my first couple of days back home with my family and friends. I never really cared to spend time with my little brothers before I went to Costa Rica, but after coming back from this trip I realized that they are all I have, that they have always been there for me.

It's only in coming back from a place where everyone is so kind and caring for
each other that you really know what is important to you.

After having a couple days of down time, I went back to work. I thought it was going to be a normal "low key" day. As time went by my mind started to wander. I tried to remember everybody's name that I had met. I was surprised at how many people's names I remembered and what memories came with every person.

For instance, Pepe, he brought Larry, Cherie and Ashley pop and chocolate because we weren't allowed to have any American food. Then there was Evar, he played guitar and sang us songs every night that we were in the rain forest. Then I started to make a list of all the different foods that we ate in Costa Rica, but all I could really think of was 'gallo pinto and casado'. As I was thinking of all the different foods we ate, Larry, who also works with me, started to look for the foods we ate. It was really bizarre because not only did he find some of the foods that I listed, but they all said 'Products of Costa Rica' on their labels. I see several different types of foods at my job, but until now I've never cared about where they were coming from.

Since I've been home, everyone always has questions about how my trip went, and all I say is that I love it there and everything about it. The people there are so beautiful and genuine. They love being where they are and embrace who they are. Then they ask what was my favorite part about this trip, and I always tell them it's the people. Even if I don't ever see the people that I've met in Costa Rica ever again, I will never forget them. We were only with the high school students a small amount of time, but yet it feels like a life time. Then they finally ask what the worst part of the trip was, and I say having to leave. It seemed like every time we were just getting used to being around new people and starting to really like them for who they were, we had to leave them. It was almost like having to leave family behind, because that is how the people in San Jose and Yorkin made me feel--I was part of their family, and I truly miss and appreciate them.

A not so distant past .

2010-04-23T22:12:00.002-04:00

Siena, 17

I sense that something in my life is missing. It's around 9:30 pm on a Friday night and no form of entertainment is suiting my craving. I don't want to watch TV. I don't want to read a book, surf the internet, talk on the phone, or have a grand old night on the town. What I desire most is to sit in that dimly lit room and have the young boy of the Bribri tribe sing Spanish lullabies on his guitar and lull my mind to sleep.

I believe I have reached the point of this journey when realization blows out my dream clouded mind and leaves me fully aware that we aren't in Costa Rica anymore. Although our homecoming was just over a week ago, it feels as if our expedition took place somewhere in the distant past; as if months have gone by since we were in that luxurious land. I miss waking up to those sun filled sky's and having fresh fruit juice every morning. I miss the beautiful plants and equally beautiful people.

The memory of this trip give me a nostalgic feeling, like recalling a childhood summer. I am unable to give one distinct quality I am taking from this trip for I feel as if I have gained them all; whether that be appreciation, awareness, open-mindedness, or self discovery. Through this trip I have taken a little of each of these qualities and more.

Simply put, I feel this trip has given me a greater sense of unity in the world. I now can wholeheartedly say that neither gender, language, age, nor race are able to create barriers to extinguish the human bonding experience. I feel blessed to have met the people I did and create stronger bonds with those I already knew. I wish the best for all the friends we left behind and hope that someday in the future our paths may cross once again.

Too Much To Say

2010-04-23T14:10:00.008-04:00

Matyas, 16

I don’t think my last post did any justice to how I truly feel about my experiences in Costa Rica. I may not have realized it at the time, but as I settle into my home here in America, I’m reminded of all the stresses and issues that I escaped for those 12 days in Costa Rica. Now I find myself longing to return to Costa Rica and push all my troubles and anxieties away and live the "pura vida," forgetting about the stresses that Western civilization pushes into our daily lives. I WILL be returning. I no longer have my Western desires as much as I used to. It’s not about being successful, it’s about being happy. I’ve always had a hatred for materialism, greed, and sloth, but this trip made me realize how much I actually have of those things, and I want to change that picture of myself.

Now that I’ve been in the states for a few days, I’ve found myself falling back into the routine of sitting around on the computer for endless hours with nothing to do. I do catch myself sometimes and try to do something like cleaning up my room or helping my dad with things to do around the house, like cleaning out the attic or some yard work. But a few days ago, without knowing it, I let myself go and did nothing but watch all my DVR recordings while snacking on candy and gummi worms and played videogames for countless hours. I didn’t realize it until I was laying in my bed around 1:30am still awake from all the sugar and caffeine I had put into my body, and I felt disgusted. I actually did sit there thinking “Man, I wish Matt were here to tell me something to do” hah.

With Earth Day being yesterday all I have been thinking about was all of the trees we planted in Yorkín. How something so small as a seed can be a message of hope for the earth, to repay all the wrongdoings mankind has done to the very planet it calls its own.

Back to the point, I don’t think I described how much I benefitted from the experience in my last post, and I guarantee that after I hit “submit post” I'm going to realize I forgot something. While working in La Carpio I was exposed to poverty that I never had seen before, and the fact that it was so close to San José, the idea seems crazy, like it shouldn’t be so, but it is. And hearing the political advisor, “Chico,” laughing at the matter at first, but later admitting that they aren’t doing enough to help them, perhaps because he saw that none of us felt the same comicalness of the situation, made me feel like it’s going to be a long time before these people get what they need and deserve, which isn’t right. It makes me feel even better about how much we really did help them.

The experiences with the Ticos and the volcano were some of the highlights of the trip. Being able to communicate on a fairly decent level (finishing my 3^rd year of Spanish this last trimester) I could speak with Pepe, Sam's and my pen pal, the first day pretty well, and he knew a good amount of English which also helped. What I liked most was how he was trying to communicate the word “Poland” to me, but I wasn’t understanding the Spanish version, so he started to describe it as the first country that the Germans invaded in WWII. I just thought it was cool how we had found a way around the language barrier with words we DID know and the fact that it was history and about WWII. I just really liked it, it was a clever way to get around the barrier.

When we all went to the volcano I got a sense of how powerful the Earth can be, even though this one wasn’t erupting with exploding fireballs and lava everywhere, I still got a feeling…similar to the feeling I got when we were in the airplane above the Earth (it was my 1^st time flying), a feeling of how small I am, how small we all are on the Earth, not to mention the Universe. I just felt miniscule but humble at the same time. I’ve wanted a career in Biology, but the experience is making me think of shifting gears a little to maybe wildlife conservation, ecology, or environmental protection. I feel like the Earth should be our top priority and we owe it some respect.

Needless to say, the trip to Yorkín was amazing for me. As I mentioned before, I’ve always had a connection with nature and sympathy for the environment and animals, so I was perfectly fine with getting dirty and being hot, and working with the Bribri people. However, I didn’t enjoy constantly being wet. Other than that, I think everything was enjoyable and rewarding. I have nothing but optimism for the Bribri people; their ability to be happy and reject outside influence is something to be admired. Awesome. Even as I sit here, I wonder what it is they are doing and how our trees are getting planted/growing and how their building developments are progressing. I hope for the Bribri to continue their ways and stay a happy people.

The trip to Puerto Viejo and the Caribbean was mind opening as well. The culture, being more laid back and Rasta, was interesting to see and experience, even if we weren’t there long. However, it has rubbed off on me and I now have an extensive list of Bob Marley that I'm trying to put on my iPod. Not to mention the beach, with the Sea Urchin that Mr. Moreland, Shalyce, Arturo and I managed to get to shore and observe.

All in all, the trip has made me a more independent person. I feel like I can do anything, it just takes a little effort. I feel more grateful for all the little things that I have that I used to take for granted. However, I prefer the life in Costa Rica, even if it’s not so technologically advanced. That’s perfectly fine with me. I feel proud now, and happier about myself. I had experiences that a lot of people won’t ever have in their lifetime. And for all these reasons, I’m proud to now have this “little” reminder, of the Pura Vida that I plan to live, hanging in my room.

Sweet Home Pittsburgh

2010-04-20T19:52:00.006-04:00

Samantha, 18

So this looks like it will be my last post on this blog. It's been such a great journey. From the moment I found out I would be going on this trip until now feels like this giant blur filled with vivid memories.

Upon arriving home, I did not feel different. I was worried that I had not experienced Costa Rica the way everyone else had since everyone I spoke with that went felt completely different. It was not until I went to the movies with a friend yesterday that I realized how grateful I was to live where I do. We walked down Carson Street in the South Side and I remember feeling so happy that there were so many people around. I'm not sure if I was excited because there were so few people in the rain forest or if I had gained a sense of awareness of people and enjoying their presence from San Jose being such a family oriented society. Either way I know that I would not have even noticed or even cared about all the people roaming South Side previous to this trip.

I have begun cleaning my room and I've noticed that I buy a lot of things that I don't need or use which is a waste of money and space. The people in Yorkin don't have junk. They make use of everything and I'm not planning on living in the wilderness anytime soon, but a nice change for me would be to stop wasting time and money on things that aren't important.

I finally got around to uploading pictures on to Facebook. After I started really looking at the pictures and reading all the comments from the people who went on the trip with me, I began to miss everything so much. Even our pen-pals (who we have added as "friends" on Facebook) were commenting on photos. Josue was either saying how much he missed Courtney and I while looking at the party night pictures or making fun of me when looking at the picture of me under my mosquito net in the rain forest.

I feel like I really have friends in Costa Rica and I think that was the coolest part of the trip for me. It's just neat to see that the Ticos were so similar to my friends and I. Josue even commented on some pictures I posted saying that he looked bad and requested I take them down just like my friends or I do to each other!

I plan on learning more Spanish so that when we go back (some of us have a 2015 plan in the making) I will be able to communicate better. Josue and I have already started translating to each other back and fourth on Facebook and I feel like I'm already getting better.

It was such an experience and I feel like there is so much to say, yet I can't put everything into words. I had an amazing time and I miss Costa Rica a lot. I can't wait to travel and see everything the world has to offer. I'm just really grateful to have been chosen to go on this trip and I feel like after all of that, college will be a breeze.

It's Not Over, So Grab It

2010-04-17T20:47:00.028-04:00

Courtney, 17

Our plane touched down at Pittsburgh international around 11:20 or so on April 15, 2010. Despite the fact that I’m home, things don’t seem to be like they were which I believe is because huge parts of my heart were left behind in various parts of Costa Rica.

Once we reached the airport and said our goodbyes to Matt, who had been with us the entire trip, things finally started to set in. The time had come and the trip was over. At this time I was filled with an indescribable sadness, yet relieved by the fact that I was coming home to open arms. At this point all I could do was try and focus on the positives and remember that I control my future and whether or not I will return to Costa Rica.

A few of the other group members and I have made a pact that we will return in 5 years to pick up where we left off in San Jose, Yorkin, and Puerto Viejo. Though I’m a part of this pact, I created a personal pact to go back to Costa Rica during my undergraduate studies. I hope to stay with a family and learn more about the culture of Costa Rica and how things are run, while I take classes at the university.

It sounds cliché to say that this trip has completely changed me as a person, as well as what I want out of life--but it’s true. When I signed up to be a part of this experience, I had no idea that I was going to take so much from it. Since being back in the states, I haven’t really noticed myself being grateful for what I have. It’s almost as if I’m upset because I have everything that some would call “life’s necessities” mainly because I was happier in Yorkin where I didn’t have a need for them at all.

Upon returning from this trip life has become interesting and scary because of the things I know I will have to face soon. Decisions will have to be made and I will be the one to make them. I’m worried that because of this trip I will be so stuck on all the fun and different experiences I had in Costa Rica, I will forget or ignore all the fun and different experiences I can have here in the states. This is the time when I believe I will have to find a balance between fantasy and reality; otherwise I will be stuck in the Costa Rica 2010 trip forever.

This may not be all that bad, but it could prevent me from having as many amazing stories as I have from Costa Rica. Either way the moral of my journey to Costa Rica is that life is yours for the taking and it’s up to you to either grab it or watch it fly past you.

My only option is to grab it.

Can't believe it's already over

2010-04-16T21:23:00.002-04:00

Nathan, 18

We are home, and as great of a feeling as it is, I wish we were still in Costa Rica. It doesn't seem right not being woken up by people getting up super early to take a shower, or by teachers knocking on our door to make sure we're up. Now I wake up by myself or by my dogs barking at squirrels in my backyard. This trip has come to an end really quick, and it didn't take too long for me to grasp the truth about it being over. I know that I am not in a country that I have fallen in love with, but I'm back in the country that I call home. Since being back, I have been doing a lot of reflecting on the whole trip, and what Larry stated in his blog, "I can guarantee they're missing everything that we left in Costa Rica", I fully believe that this is an accurate statement. I have talked with a few of my new "family" members since coming back, and it seems that we are all missing something that we left behind.

Over the past 12 days, my perspective on life has completely changed. Before traveling, I knew that I would be experiencing something I have never had a chance to experience before now. I just didn't know how it would effect me in the end. Everyone I have talked to that has gone on past trips said that it changed their life, and now I understand why. This trip is a complete eye-opener to what the world really is. Seeing how other people live in a different country compared to people in the USA is different. One prime example of this is if something needs to get done. While in Yorkin and La Carpio if something needed to be done, people got to it, and didn't complain about it. Here in the USA, if something needs to get done, people will procrastinate, or go and hire someone to do it for them. On another note, there are some similarities between Costa Rica, and the USA but none that are really eye catching like the differences. Another way this trip has really effected me is that I now know that I don't have to rely on the advancements that we have here in the USA. While in Costa Rica we barely used any form of technology, and when we did it was only when we had to blog.

This trip has really been a trip of lifetime, and I miss being in Costa Rica already. I have started to adapt back to how my life was before leaving, and I'm enjoying what I have left for my final break of high school. Thinking on everything that we did down there, and trying to bring that to my life hasn't really been a challenge. While down in Costa Rica I barely used any form of technology (i.e cellphone, computer, video games...etc.), and now I don't feel like I need to use any of those.

Finally, this trip really helped open my eyes to the world, and it makes me want to see even more of it. Maybe while I am in college I will study aboard in Costa Rica, and meet up with some of the people that I have already met. But in the meantime I'll still be thinking COSTA RICA 2015!

Home, or Am I?

2010-04-16T18:42:00.004-04:00

Larry, 17
We made it home.

It's kind of weird to wake up to no one in the shower. To wake up to what you want to eat and to eat when you want to eat. It hasn't taken much time for me to realize that it's all over. It's kind of hard to realize that though, because, as much as everyone wanted their beds, families etc., I can guarantee they're missing everything that we left in Costa Rica.

I learned a lot throughout this trip. At first I thought about not going...because I thought that I knew what I would get out of it, what I would encounter. But I was completely wrong. There were many big life things that I learned, as well as just a lot of little things. Some of which are words, to the way I look at things and the way I approach situations.

It's just been an experience of a lifetime. It truly changed the way I think and it's made me question what I want out of my life and what I want my life to be. I guess before, I knew what I wanted to do with my life, I had it all set up in my head. But this trip kind of shuffled that up and it's forming a new puzzle.

It has made me realize that life is what you make it. You can either sit and think about all the materialistic possessions you have/want and be unhappy because you've been so obsessed with all of that, or you can not be worried about the materialistic things and just be happy with the basics you need to live--like the people in La Carpio as well as in Yorkin at the Stribrawpa Organization, who may not have many things in monetary value but they have plenty of the things that we in America have lost sight of, like family.

In America we're all pressured to have everything, all the luxuries; but in reality, if we have a roof over our heads, a way for food and we have a close knit family........it's all you need. Just ask the people living in La Carpio or Yorkin....who in my opinion have lives worth envying.

I think that I'll be making another visit to Costa Rica in the near future and, who knows...maybe I'll even call it home.

Out of the Forest, to the beach, and home!

2010-04-15T10:04:00.000-04:00

Matyas, 16

We're back to civilization after being in the rain forest for 3 days of work. We helped the Bribri people of Yorkin (pronounced Your-keen) build a trail, cut pieces of wood for lodge building, and start making a pathway to their new conference-center-in-progress. It was a lot of work but we got our rewards by swimming in a nearby stream at the end of the days, which was really fun. A couple of the other guys and myself (along with Mr. Moreland) were skipping stones down stream and eventually we got the whole group doing it with us. Then one of the little boys who lived there set up some rocks far away that we were all going to try and hit down. My favorite part was that when our guide, Matt, said it was time to go, he kind of forgot what he said and started to try and hit the rocks as well.

Being that I want to base my future career field in some type of Biology, visiting Costa Rica allowed me to see lots of animals. It gave me opportunities to catch small toads, lizards, and insects, as well as let me observe the beauty that is the Blue Morpho Butterfly.

After the rain forest we didn't come straight back home, we stopped by the Caribbean Sea first! I enjoyed that part the most. The country is just as culturally diverse as it is biologically diverse. The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica has a pinch of "Rasta" culture, which is overall laid-back, but at the same time bouncing with Reggae music. The beach was stunningly beautiful, and I got to observe some marine life there as well. There were a lot of old coral reefs that were on the beach and some that were halfway in the water. On those ones Arturo, Shalyce, Mr. Moreland and I found lots of Sea Urchins. For the sake of observation, I got a stick and flicked one out to the coast, being sure to avoid its spines.

Overall, from the Rainforest to the Caribbean, the whole trip was worth it. I can't describe how beautiful this country is. Nor could I describe the whole experience of this trip on this blog. Its going to have to come out in person, but I still really encourage anyone to come visit Costa Rica and experience the true meaning of "Pura Vida."

2010-04-15T09:48:00.001-04:00

Arturo, 17

The past four days were somehow very difficult to me. First of all, the four to five hour drive to Yorkin wasn't the best. Sitting in the bus made me feel really frustrated at times while people made too much noise. However, when arriving closer to Yorkin, the boat ride was definitely one of the most stress relieving things we did. For some reason I felt like the boat ride was one of the most exciting things we did on the trip. It gave me a lot of time to think and feel the freshness of nature. I believe it was one of the best things we did because it was one of the first times that I was able to be alone in a way. By the time of us going to Yorkin, I felt I needed some time to think alone and canoeing to Yorkin made me feel great.

As we did our service work in Yorkin, I definitely thought it was much more challenging than what we did in La Carpio. It was challenging because not only did we have to deal with the work but with knowing that we were in the middle of the forest and other minor things. As for me, one of my challenges is being in places in nature. By this I mean going camping, taking a walk to the park or being anywhere that is outside of the city, makes me feel depressed. However, in Yorkin, I thought I overcame that challenge because I did not feel any awkwardness in me. I tried to interact with some of the students more to keep my mind off thinking too much. We played cards about every day which helped even more and it became a routine.

Otherwise, after all, I felt really proud of myself because I knew I worked hard. We all worked hard and made the Stribrawpa community feel proud of us too by seeing us doing challenging work in the hot sun. Some time in the future I would actually like to go back to this community and see how much it has grown and how their projects are improving.

Thoroughly Impressed

2010-04-15T08:37:00.005-04:00

Mr. Moreland, Science Teacher

Thinking back on the experience in both San Jose and Yorkin, I was thoroughly impressed by our students. When asked, they stepped up and worked hard, both in La Carpio and in the rainforest. If I asked for a few students to volunteer, there was always a group of students who would lend a hand. The work was back breaking, especially in Yorkin; however, our students met the challenge, working hard up to our last day in the rainforest.

During our interview with the Bri Bri community, I had many questions to ask our interviewee. However, I let the students decide upon which questions to ask, instead of interrupting and asking my questions. At the end of the interview, all of the deep questions I wanted to ask were asked by the students. The students had similar questions and curiosities about the Yorkin people to me, and they were not afraid to ask them. I don't think they would have done this at the beginning of the trip.

I believe that the experiences and the lessons they have learned about life, family, and the environment will stay with these students for a very long time.

MM

Although We've Come To The End of The Road.

2010-04-15T08:31:00.017-04:00

Larry, 17

Well, there were a lot of things in this past couple of days I really enjoyed. We did a lot and it spanned from the rain forest to a high school to a volcano...to the beach. Not many kids can say they've covered so much land in such little time and had SO much fun! It's kind of sad that it's all coming to an end and I really wish that it wasn't ending. I've had the opportunity to learn more Spanish and learn a lot about myself. But the activity that meant the most to me would have to be our 4 day stay in Yorkin. What I really enjoyed about it was the fact that the people there were so welcoming. I was able to hold conversations with the kids and bond with them. I would have to say that my spanish has improved significantly. That was really enjoyable, as well as being able to talk to the high school students at Liceo Vargas of course. I have a lot to write and am running on a little bit of sleep so I split some of the things up below.

Food Late-Update!

I'm not sure if anyone has told you this but on one of our last days in San Jose before we went to the rainforest we had an underground operation called Project Pepe. Pepe was one of the high school students that we met. Since we were all stuck in the hotel together we weren't able to get [junk] food. This was where Pepe came in. With my awesome Spanish skills and Ashlee as well as Cherie we mustered up funds to bring [junk] food to us. We had to sneak it past Oliver, Arenth, Thomas and Moreland!!

Liceo Vargas High School

It was pretty awesome being able to talk to kids from another country and who all speak a different language. A lot of people found themselves struggling to communicate, but I didn't have that problem which was pretty cool. I've improved my Spanish dramatically. I managed to make some pretty awesome friends as well.

Yorkin

The experience was once in a life. We took a boat up to Stibrawpa and we stayed in the rain forest for a couple days and helped make paths. I was able to go with one of the lead builders for their new project of many houses as well as other things and I learned a lot.

I'm always being interrupted....so I'll let Cherie use the computer and finish later.

A handful of new experiences

2010-04-15T08:22:00.001-04:00

Melina, 17

Over the past few days, I've learned a lot about appreciating the little things in life. Traveling to Yorkin was a really mind blowing adventure that made me realize just how good I have it. I'm not the type that's used to sleeping in a bed covered with a bug net every night, or that likes big beetles flying at my face during a group meeting, showering while being able to look right out into the rain forest, etc. Going to Yorkin taught me a lot about the way a whole other culture works around day to day issues and still remains happy and welcoming at the end of the day. But thankfully, I was able to manage my way through those few days, through the heat, hard work, food, and other unfamiliar challenges.

After overcoming the fear that the canoe was going to tip quite a few times, we made it back on the road again. We headed for Puerto Viejo, and I must say that being there was probably one of my favorite parts about the whole trip. It was much more lively, had pretty beaches with such warm/clear water, amazing hotel rooms, and a fun night life experience. Working hard in La Carpio and Yorkin really paid off. Being able to have a day or two of fun was much needed after all this time and I really enjoyed it.

Overall this trip has taught me a lot about myself, others, different cultures and ways of living and so much more. I don't regret coming at all and hope to experience more life changing expeditions at some point throughout life. Although I can't wait to reach Pittsburgh again and see my family, it's going to be sad having to leave Costa Rica and all the memories that will remain.

Yorkin: Joys and Struggles

2010-04-15T00:57:00.003-04:00

Kiera, 16

The first day when I arrived in Yorkin I really wasn't surprised with what I saw. Our little cabins weren't that bad, even though there was no closing side to the roof, they gave us nets, so that we could protect ourselves from insects. I mentioned in my other blog that I love nature, and trust me, Yorkin is beautiful. I just struggle with bugs, I feel as though they are pointless and annoying. Throughout my time there, I was paranoid about being bit or hurt by bugs--especially when they told us about the scorpions. After I saw a scorpion in the roof of our dining lodge, I was even more paranoid.

I also struggled with the food; not only in Yorkin, but in Costa Rica in general. I struggled in Yorkin more because it was not like they had options, unlike the other restaurants and places we went where I would try to get something that I'm more comfortable eating. In Yorkin, we had to eat what we were given, or we just wouldn't eat. So I had a really difficult time trying the foods because I had never had them before. The only two things I loved were the bananas and the pineapples. They were extra juicy.

But enough about my struggles, I enjoyed so many things in Yorkin. I loved swimming in the river against the currents because I had never been in a river before, especially something like that. I also really loved the people there. They were such great people to be around. Even when some of us were mad, they just brightened up our days.

This guy, I forgot his name, but he was so sweet. He sang for us, whenever we went back to sit with him. They all were adorable, with their cute little smiles.

Also, Sam and I made a new friend, her name is Fevi (Fee-Vee). She was so adorable. She and Sam were having a photoshoot, and I joined them. She loved making cool faces for the photos, she was just so adorable. That's my new Bribri friend.

One other thing I loved about being in Yorkin was that the Bribri were happy to share their culture. We interviewed one person and asked her questions about the culture. Another lady taught us some of the Bribri language ("mia mia" means "thank you"). And we also were told some stories that have been passed down through their culture. Overall, I loved Yorkin, because it really showed me how different a culture can be.

Looking Back

2010-04-15T00:34:00.002-04:00

LaShai, 17

Tonight is our last night in Costa Rica. Although I miss my family and everyone else at home, I'm really sad to be leaving. Being here we've gotten the chance to meet a lot of new people, and even though we've only known them for a couple of days it's really hard to say goodbye. I truthfully don't know whom I will miss most in Costa Rica because they all feel like family. I hope that when I return here in the near future that I can reconnect with the friends I have made here.

I think being here has made me appreciate so many of the little things. People here are so appreciative of things they do have and don't mind what they don't have. I hope that I can take that state of mind back home with me.

Wrapping it up....

2010-04-15T00:32:00.001-04:00

Daontay, 18

Tonight is the last night in San Jose. I thought I would be much sadder to leave, but I'm not. It's not that I didn't love the country and its people, it's that I get to take all that I've learned and apply it to my own life in my own country. I wouldn't say that this trip was life changing, but it was a great experience that allowed me to see the world from a fresh pair of eyes. I will return home with a sense of connectivity and an awareness of the importance of language and communication. Costa Rica will always have a special place in my heart.

Wet Sand, Dry Sand, The Beach & Bracelets

2010-04-15T00:28:00.003-04:00

Courtney, 17

The night before we left for Yorkin was one of the worst, but the next day actually ended up being one of the best days of my life. I was sad about having to leave the new friends I had just made and the comfort of the city to go to a place where I had no idea what was to be expected. But once I arrived in the community of the Bribri, I knew I was in the exact place that would develop me as a person and basically form the foundation of who I am to become and encourage the changes and transitions I will face.

The bus ride was a long one, and the canoe ride was as well, but it was well worth every hour spent sitting in one place. Of course the living conditions changed dramatically--we slept with nets covering us and showered with cold water. But in the end each day spent in Yorkin was a privilege. We either started the day with clearing an area for a walking path, hiking wet sand up trails, laying "cookies" (sections of large trunks of fallen trees cut by chain saw converted to form steps in a path) or planting seeds for the tree nursery. Each day was a great realization for me. I've never felt more comfortable in a place that was the complete opposite of where I have been raised.

In the end I found that I felt guilty for not being grateful for all that I have back in the states. I wished that I cherished life in the states as the Bribri do in Yorkin. It was a completely odd feeling yet, I felt rewarded because no one else in the group had that feeling and I knew that my definition of life is defined by the minor things like just living and breathing happily with the comfort of others and family members. I admire all the Bribri because of their courage to take on life for what it is, and not opt for the easy was out as many people do in the states.

Leaving Yorkin has to be the worst part of this trip for me, mainly because I felt so at home. I felt as if I belonged there and would have done anything to stay, but since the time was up, and I had to move on I reluctantly packed up, said my goodbyes and headed to this beautiful spot near the beach. my experience at the beach only heightened my feelings of disapproval toward the easy way out of life. I honestly would have preffered being in Yorkin still assiting them with what needed to be done and bonding with the people.

Ater buying a few bracelets, and some "stromberrry" juice...we packed up for the last time and are now in San Jose awaiting out final departure. I plan on crying...but I also plan on coming back as soon as possible.

First step, learn Spanish...Second step...figure out what I want to do in life and make sure it can be done in Costa Rica.

An Unforgettable Journey

2010-04-14T23:48:00.019-04:00

Patrick, 17

Transitioning from San Jose city life into an adventure in the rain forest in Yorkin has been one of the most difficult and challenging tasks that the group has experienced. This was when the teachers said that we would start getting frustrated with people and people would start showing their true colors; and they were right.

I personally have never been in the rainforest, so everything that I encountered was a first for me. The local people called the Bri Bri were so nice and welcoming to us. They cooked us 3 meals a day and provided us with snacks. I really liked and appreciated what they did for us. They were so patient, family-orientated, and respectful of each other and that's something that I really admire about them. From an economic point of view, we Americans have more than them but I think that they are truly happier than we are because they appreciate everything that they have and use all of their resources to their full potential.

As I previously mentioned, their were a lot of things in the rain forest that agitated people. The main thing was the bugs everywhere. It seems like it didn't matter how much bug spray or sun block we put on, there were still bugs everywhere. Also, people were frustrated at a lack of people's participation when it was time to dig down and work hard. From carrying huge and heavy bags of sand to carrying wooden "cookies," the work that we did in the rain forest was hard, tiring and made people want to give up, but I honestly believe that, as a whole, we did a fantastic job in the short amount of time given.

I think looking back at the whole rainforest experience, I am definitely going to appreciate the smaller things in life and not take anything for granted. I think the Bri Bri people showed me that and that's what I'm going to take out of it the most.

Things that I really enjoyed in the rainforest were all time we got to spend with each other and the endless laughs that we experienced. Also, I learned how to play a neat card game called President that I think was really cool. All the time I spent with my other group members let me get to know them as people, which I thought was really important. Also, although I dont speak Spanish particularly well, I think that playing soccer with the kids was really cool. Also (I know I use this word a lot) helping out in the kitchen was something really interesting because I enjoy cooking. Even though I got a lot of mosquito bites, I honestly think that sleeping under the mosquito net was really cool too (and I dont know why!!!!)

My first time at the beach wasn't what I expected, mainly due to the weather, the beach wasn't what I thought. I envisioned palm trees, sunny skies and clear water. The forecast was kind of rainy when we went, but I still had fun. The sand was something that I am going to have to get used to because it was kind of painful. The second day at the beach had more of an my idea of the beach because it was sunny out.

Throughout the trip, I experienced many ups and downs, but I think that I gained a deeper understanding of who exactly I am as a person. Everyone who goes on this journey experiences it from their own perspective. I definitely want to study Spanish beyond high school now because of this experience. I hope to one day come back to this place with new ideas, thoughts and memories.

A Whole New Experience

2010-04-14T23:15:00.006-04:00

Alyssa, 17

We have finally returned back to San Jose for our last night in Costa Rica. Although I am glad to return home to my family, kitty, and friends, I will definitely miss a few parts of Costa Rican culture; especially the friends we made earlier on with the high school students at Liceo Vargas Calvo.

The rainforest was a completely different experience than San Jose. I think I was preparing for the worst, so the experience was not so bad in the end. I really enjoyed being able to experience another way of life. It began with a one hour canoe ride. Being able to see all of the scenery on the way to the Bribri community was really cool, although I was worried about how far we were from modern civilization.

When we first arrived in Yorkin, I wasn't sure what to expect. I saw a few buildings with roofs that looked like huts. There were chickens roaming around. It took about a day to get used to the feel of the community. I was really worried about the food, and some of it was left untouched. But, I did try a lot of things. I loved this bread that tasted like a donut when you dipped it in sugar. I was facinated by the way that they cooked, and was happy when Patrick and I got to help out in the kitchen on the last night for dinner. It was hard work helping to cook for our entire group plus the families of the women that were cooking. We had to peel, cut, and cook carrots, shape dough, serve, and do the dishes. But the greatest thing was being a real part of their community.

I think we put in a lot of hard work in Yorkin. We built paths, carried sand, planted trees, and more. All of which was mostly in the rain! Costa Rica is currently entering its wet season and it has rained a lot so far. It definitely made the work harder, especiallly carrying the sand since wet sand is heavier, but we got through it. We made a lot of progress in the projects they are trying to complete, and helping them felt very good. While I was working, I enjoyed being able to look at the different kinds of plants and animals (including bugs!) that there were in the rainforest. It's a completely different ecosystem than the city.

However, the thing we looked forward to most after working was swimming! There was a great swimming spot in the river, minus the rocks. We went there two out of the three work days. The first day it wasn't very deep and the rocks were easy to see and overcome. The second day we couldn't swim because of all the rain, so the water was too high. The third day we swam the river was definitely higher than the first day, but it was still fun. I liked how you could relax by sitting in between a few rocks. It was also cool to see the small natural waterfalls caused by the rocks.

I tried my best to speak Spanish well enough to communicate with some of the people living there. There were two little girls that I was talking to and they were so sweet. It was sad to have to leave everyone that we met in the community. We felt a sense of belonging there, and we also realized how important family is.

Although it was sad to leave the rainforest, we got to relax at the beach. I loved being able to be in the Carribean side of Costa Rica. The culture is so different and laid back. The hotel we stayed in was really nice, it was like our own little house. It was unfortunate we only got to stay there for one night. The beach was a lot of fun, and I can now say I swam in the Carribean! I also loved going to Puerto Viejo to shop. The jewelery was beautiful.

Well, we're off to the airport tomorrow. I'm sad to have to leave Costa Rica so soon, and I wish we could have had a few more days in Puerto Viejo and San Jose. I am looking forward to seeing everyone back home again, including Katie!!! I hope she isn't mad at me when I get back. I'm hoping we have a quick and safe flight home, and that I can come home, relax, and eat some real American food!

It really does rain a lot in the rainforest

2010-04-14T22:53:00.030-04:00

Samantha, 18

I´m a city girl. If I have taken anything from this experience, that is it!

We spent a few days in Yorkin as you have most likely read in other people´s posts. We built paths and planted trees to lower the environmental impact of flying here. I thought that was pretty cool, especially because I had not even thought of all the fuel we used! The people in Yorkin were really friendly and, even though I knew no Spanish, I was able to communicate with a little girl named Pheve. I was drawn to her when I thought that her name was Phoebe--as in the best character of all time on prime-time television played by Lisa Kudrow in the hit series Friends.

She was really young, maybe five or six so she knew no English and I wasn´t sure what to do. I felt like I was not being social enough with the people there since I did not want to play soccer so I wanted to make an effort to communicate with her. I have a younger cousin, Kayla, who is around that age and I thought about how when I am with her she loves to take funny pictures together so I thought I would give it a try!

I took a picture of myself making a face and then pointed to her and she made the same face. Then she would make up a face and I would copy her. This went on for almost an hour and by the time we were done she had gone from being quiet and shy to all smiles and giggles. I thought that it was really cool that even though they don´t have technology there and we didn´t speak the same language that she was still basically the same as a young girl in the U.S. We all love having our pictures taken!

The beach was nice yesterday and today, but suprisingly I don´t think that was my favorite part of the trip. I liked the Rastafarian feel of the area we shopped in which makes me want to travel to Jamaica really bad, but honestly I think San Jose is my favorite area. I just like the honking of horns when I´m trying to sleep better than the annoying howler monkeys screaming all night or the constant fear that a cockroach is going to crawl into your bed.

Everyone is getting anxious to go home and I´d be lying if I said I wasn´t one of them. I snuck on Facebook and I miss everyone so much. I actually miss Pittsburgh. Even though that means taking off the flip flops and pulling out my hoody from my closet.

To the rain forest, the sea, and the city

2010-04-14T21:50:00.007-04:00

Nathan, 18

Since leaving for Yorkin the trip has been an eye opener. Being in Yorkin has changed my perspectives on many things. For the three days of being in the rain forest not having any form of technology to use really affected me. Knowing that I can have fun without using these gadgets, means that I can go out and do more that I want to do, when I want to do it. The Bribri's helped me realize this. We spent most of our time at the main lodge, and working. The work was challenging mentally because I wasn't ready for it to rain while we were working.

At the main lodge we would play cards or hangout with our new friends that live in the Yorkin community. Everyday, after we were done working, our new friends were always waiting for us to do something (mainly wanting to play soccer). We only played soccer twice because it rained so much. When I get back to the states I think I'll be doing more physical activity because I'm still young, and I can do all of that sitting around when I'm older.

After Yorkin, we went to the beach in Puerto Viejas. The beach was relaxing, and it helped me come to my senses about what I miss, and what I'm so grateful for. While being in Costa Rica, my eyes have been opened wide, and I know I'm going to take back a lot of stuff. A couple of the main things are that I'm going to be more open-minded to everything around me, and I'm going to try new things that are thrown at me. Now that I've seen how much volunteer work really affects people, I know that I will want to help less fortunate people in Pittsburgh, and around the world. The final main thing that I will be taking back with me is that I loved having this experience, and I loved sharing it with everyone I traveled with. Knowing that there were people I didn't really talk to before we left, I talked to them here tells me I have built many friendships. The friends I had before this trip started have only become stronger, and I know that these friendships will last a lifetime. I think this is one of the most valuable things I will be taking back with me.

I cannot wait to arrive in Pittsburgh late tomorrow night. Even though I love it here, I miss a lot of things about home. What I cannot wait to do when I get home is see Amanda, and my family. They have supported me through the whole trip, and I know that they are excited to see me come back and hear all of the stories that I have to tell about this amazing trip. My dogs also helped me through this trip because they always brightened my day. I could see there faces in all of the dogs that we encountered while working in La Carpio, and Yorkin, and that always put a smile on my face.

As time wears down, I am going to enjoy my last few hours here in Costa Rica, and enjoy it with all the memories that I have made while being here. We have a few more activities planned while in San Jose, and I'll finally be able to get souvenirs for a few people. I love you all, and I cannot wait to see you tomorrow night.

Service Work in Yorkin

2010-04-14T21:47:00.000-04:00

Overcoming struggles in the rain forest

2010-04-14T21:06:00.002-04:00

Cherie, 17

The trip into the forest was an interesting one. I really didn't know what to expect when heading to our stay with the Bribri tribe, so I was a little worried. As is obvious from my previous blogs, adapting to the food here has been a struggle, but for the majority of our adventure there I dealt with the food they gave us. It really didn't turn out to be that bad in the end, but it still bothered me at times.

However, the biggest thing I learned during our stay there was how to deal with another of my biggest struggles: how easily I lose my patience with people and become frustrated. On the last day of work, I was just about fed up with everyone and everything. I gave up and sat out by the cabin. After some frustation was passed and a little arguing was done, I got back to work. I realized that being frustrated and reaching my breaking point causes others to do the same, which really isn't good for the group. I got back to work after that and tried to keep a positive attitude about the whole thing, which I think helped me and the people around me.

The same thing happened at dinner last night. I pretty much had a major breakdown at the restaurant and really was ready to home. After a talk with Ms. Arenth and Ms. Thomas, I was able to calm down though. I realized that sharing my feelings aloud sparked others to do the same, which really just caused a table full of madness. We went shopping and I was able to remember what I had learned from our stay in the rain forest.

Despite those few struggles I had a difficult time overcoming, the past couple of days were really amazing. The beach was really fun and playing card games for hours before and after dinner in the rain forest was a really cool way to just chill out and get to know people. The van ride coming back to San Jose was really fun too! We may have aggravated Mr. Oliver a lot, but it was all in good fun. I think it was a really good way to get closer to people who I've never really talked to before this trip. I'm really sad our time is coming to an end, but I think it's best. Can't wait to come back and visit!

Thank Goodness

2010-04-14T21:05:00.005-04:00

Ashlee, 17

Today we finally got back to San Jose and I am so happy. We went to Yorkin and did some work which was very challenging. We made trails and planted trees all around the rain forest. I never did hard labor like that before and that was one of my challenges.

My other challenge was sleeping with huge bugs at night. I hate bugs! One night we just got into our rooms and I turned around and saw this huge roach on the wall and I started crying, saying that I couldn't do this. In the long run I overcame all of my challenges and I am very proud of myself.

Into the wild!!!

2010-04-14T21:04:00.001-04:00

Siena, 17

On friday we went into Yorkin to live with a small community of people called the Bribri. They are an indigenous tribe who live in the rainforest in a totally eco-friendly way. Spending nights with large loud bugs and little to no lighting was certainly a change for us city-dwellers. I found their way of life to be very interesting and inspiring.

Although these people may seem to live in harsh conditions, they are actually some of the happiest and caring people I have met. They value their family and friends along with their natural environment. I really loved how they took times out of their laborious days to enjoy the precious small joys. The best experience I had there happened every night right after dinner. A group of us would gather in the lounge area where a younger man would play guitar and sing songs to us in Spanish before we went to bed. It was lovely.

The Beach!

2010-04-14T13:08:00.000-04:00

Danielle, 17

For four days we were in the rain forest. It was really interesting to see what the rain forest is like. At first I thought it was going to be like camping, which it was in a way, but at the same time it was completely different. After being in the rain forest for four days I was ready to get out of there, which is really odd for me because I love camping.

When it was finally the last day there I was extremely excited! I couldn't wait to go to the beach! Once we arrived at the hotel we all got ready really fast to go to the beach. While we were walking to the beach I was so excited I was walking extremely fast. Once we were actually there, the sight of the beach took my breath away. It was so beautiful there I never wanted to leave! I have never seen water as blue as the Carribean Sea. Then when I went into the sea the water felt so good after a long four days in the rain forest.

The Trip Comes to an End

2010-04-13T10:01:00.000-04:00

Shalyce, 17

While in Yorkin we couldn´t blog so this will be fairly long.

The way in to Yorkin:
It was a 5 hour drive to this little village where we all had to get out and go get on a canone for 45min more. Fun.

To be honest once we got there I was a little worried. but I just had to be positive. Later that night after dinner the teachers pulled me aside and said that I was being negative. I was really really upset. But then I just tried doing everything possible to show them I wasn´t.

The next day we worked really hard and I saw so many creepy bugs. It was horrible but I got the work done.

Day 2 of working I had had enough of the bugs and the bug bites, which I am covered in. I sort of broke down and cried for a few minutes.

Day 3 of work I really had enough. I had sunburn on my face near my eyes and nothing was helping and I hurt because I had a rash on my arms from the bug bites. The bags of sand we were carring were not helping either. I just couldn't do it anymore, but eventually I got back up and started working hard again.

The people there were so kind and friendly. I really did love it there. I wish I could go back. The food was really good, and the cool thing about it was they used wood burning stoves and for the first days all I could taste was the smoked flavor everything had, but I soon loved it and I would get seconds almost every meal. The one morning we had pancakes a la Bribri, and I had so many of them I thought I would blow up. They were sooo good. We put sugar on them and my goodness. I would have stayed there forever and just eaten those things everyday for the rest of my life, but sadly we had to leave.

On the way out to the canoes I fell becuase it had been raining, with some sun here and there, but luckily I didnt get completely muddy, but it was bad. I got over that and we got back to the van and drove to the ocean.

A Day in Paradise:
As you readers know we were on the carribean side of Costa Rica this year! It was so pretty. The water was clear, it was warm and the sun was shining. I was so happy. The bungalows where we stayed were great too. The beach was so nice. I saw tide pools with lots of little fish and we all just had a great time. I loved it there to.

Day 12:
Today we are going shopping!!!! Then getting on the plane to come home. I am really going to miss it here. The people are kind, the food is good, with some variety, and I just love it here. But I am really ready to see my family and friends. I really miss my baby sisters Jasmine and Kiki. I am happy I get to see them and I will have very nice gifts for them and my mommy.

Moving Into the Heart of Costa Rica

2010-04-09T02:09:00.000-04:00

Ryan Oliver, Social Studies Teacher

During our time in San Jose we've clearly experienced vast differences in culture, values and day to day routines of life. Students are facing challenges related to food, friendships, and schedules that would wear down even the most energetic teen. However, we remain immersed in the familiar rhythms, stimuli, and anxieties of modern urban life. With the exception of Thursday's visit to Poas and a brief walk through a dwarf forest, mostly ignored in the excitement of having more time with our Costa Rican friends, nature has been a pretty ornament along concrete streets and a flavorful fruit juice served at breakfast.

That is about to change...

Friday morning we leave our hotel and our electronics behind to wind our way up over the mountains surrounding San Jose and the city, arriving four hours later in the coastal city of Puerto Viejo. From their we will board canoes and be transported up the river to Bribri territory in Talamanca, one of the last remaining indigenous communities in this country of 4 million that often ignores and downplays it's native roots.

This will be much more than a physical journey as it entails removing ourselves from the hectic but comfortable pace of city life with its time schedules, appointments, and rapid movements from one stimulating activity to another. In Jacob Needleman's terms, we will be leaving the world in which time is the master of men and women to enter a world of slow natural rhythms of rain, birth, decay, death, and rebirth. In listening to this world and slowing down our minds and bodies to meet it's pace, we hope all will have a better chance to experience the "conscious time," that can emerge when we move slow enough to experience both the inner and outer sounds usually drowned out under the din of city life.

Joseph Conrad and other western colonial writers were simply wrong when they described these pockets of "uncivilized" community as "darkness." They may be dark in a literal sense as a result of minimal electricity and technological advancements that fill up the nights with sound and light, and we may not agree with all their traditions and values, but they are better described in the richness of color they hold for those that look and listen closely and with more curiosity. As we travel tomorrow we will be entering the Heart of greenness and brownness, of community and independence in the face of dominating brutal forces, and the Heart of life lived in relationship with the natural world rather than at war against it.

As a logical result, there will be no internet access and no blog postings until we re-emerge Tuesday afternoon. May we continue to face challenges head on, supporting one another as the small travelling family we have become.

2010-04-09T01:37:00.003-04:00

Courtney, 17

Here I am again sitting at the desk with so much to say but words can't express...
I've come to the realization that I am actually living an emotional, thrilling, and life changing experience that I will look back on for the rest of my life. This trip may have even opened me up to the idea of studying, and possibly living abroad. I hope this becomes a reality in the near future.

Today, we hosted a party for our tico/tica pals and had so much fun. I did my best to hype up the crowd and break the ice with hopes of making everyone more comfortable. Sure enough, everyone joined in and we shared different childhood games and taught each other new dances. My pen pal Paula also brought me a gift, which in my eyes symbolizes friendship, and I couldn't feel more reassured that we are in fact friends forever. I hope that all our pals get the chance to come to America so they can feel exactly what I'm feeling at this very moment!

In a way, this all feels like a dream. which is possible, because all great dreams come to an end and I know that my stay here in Costa Rica is up within the next 7 days. I really hope that I get to come back and really experience all there is to experience soon!!!

Yo amo Costa Rica muchisimo!!!!

I DON´T WANT TO LEAVE JOSE (and I don´t just mean ¨San¨)

2010-04-09T00:36:00.005-04:00

Samantha, 18

I will make this short and sweet since it´s late and I haven´t posted in a while..

We visited Poas and that was cool, but it was not so much the best part about today. Our group rode in two seperate busses getting there and the teachers split us up so that half the bus was full of City High kids (Gringos) and the other half were our pen pals (Ticos). I´m not that shy towards the Ticos since they fascinate me and I know I won´t see them again so I didn´t mind not sitting with friends however I felt sick so I didn´t want to really sit with anyone.

I ended up sitting in front of Courtney on the bus and next to her sat a boy named Jose. He was not either of our pen pals so we didn´t have much to talk about. At first he seemed stuck up because when Mr.Oliver was picking a radio station he kept saying no to every station, but this was clearly wrong. I noticed he had an iPod and was listening to it so Court and I asked what music he liked and he gave us each an ear bud and picked songs for us to listen to. I was surprised when he began playing Katy Perry and other well known USA songs! Once we started singing he even joined in and I was so amazed/couldn´t stop laughing.

We made a pit stop and I was feeling better so I moved to the center of the bus to be in the middle of all the action! We all tried to sing songs that everyone knew, including but not limited to: Feliz Navidad, Hot n´Cold by Katy Perry, and the theme song from Titanic (Which Jose admitted to crying when he watched it). It was so fun and then later in the night we had a party at our hotel and most of our pen pals came including Jose! We all tried dancing, but everyone was too awkward so we ended up playing intense hand games which we got so into that it was crazy. I don´t want to write a novel here, but I feel like today was my favorite. Both Courtney and I almost started to cry when we were hugging our pen pals goodbye because we knew we would probably never see them again.

Don´t get too upset though, because there were plenty of napkin facebook addresses exchanged so all is well with the world! Thank goodness for social networking!!

Universal Language

2010-04-08T23:42:00.004-04:00

Courtney, 17

My expectations of today were way higher than what I recieved. The volcano was beautiful, but there were way too many bugs for me and I was covered in them!!!! They were like little Costa Rican gnats that must have loved the body spray that I was wearing because they were covering my jacket!!!!

On a much happier note, I met a new amigo named Josue and we shared alot of music and I found that everyone has a way to communicate no matter where your from or what language you speak. Though my Spanish was broken, and his English was almost as terrible...we shared a lot of similarities and I love techno music much more than before.

This whole experience has taught me one very important thing, and that's that there is a huge world outside of America and if we don't experience what it has to offer we won't ever know exactly what the importance of life is. I can't believe I've been here and seen all that I have, yet no one in my family has ever done the same, beyond an average vacation.

In the morning we leave for Yorkin, and I must say I'm nervous; mainly because of the bugs, but I will have my arms wide open for everything else.

Volcanoes & Nature

2010-04-08T23:35:00.006-04:00

Kiera, 16

Today we went with our Tico friends to visit Volcano Paos National Park. I didn´t think it would be such a long ride to get to the park, but it was great! On the way, I viewed many other spectacles of nature. In general, I´m not a nature person, but this trip has actually given me the knowledge of how beautiful nature can be.

This first image that I saw was just a farm on our way to the volcanoes, but it looked really cool to me. Because if you really think about it, this farm shows that it required a lot of time to get to the place that it is at right now. To me, this shows that people actually care about other things, rather than simple-everyday stuff, which inspires me to start looking for and thinking of other things, outside of the ordinary. This trip is also an out-of-the-ordinary experience.

This image of the house, shows to me that other people are doing what I am going to strive to do. Instead of giving up, and living on the street, the people of La Carpio, thought outside of the ordinary and built their own houses out of whatever they could find. I loved being in La Carpio, because the people there were so close. And I love when neighbors are close. They watch out for each other and they keep going, no matter what. La Carpio also inspires me to go out of the unordinary, and to keep going no matter what.

The volcano was the last straw for me. I am actually a person that LOVES nature because of this volcano. It just amazes me, the creation of such a thing, that makes me appreciate what is being made, and inspires me to take advantage and enjoy any type of nature possible. Overall, nature inspires me to be out of the ordinary, and enjoy what is there for me to view.

Poas volcano through the clouds...

2010-04-08T21:02:00.004-04:00

Christina Arenth, Social Studies Teacher

Today we woke up early and picked up our pen pals from Liceo Vargas Calvo. Together we ventured to the Poas volcano outside of San Jose. Rodolfo Vanderlaat, a vulcanologist from the Costa Rican Volcano Observatory at the National Univeristy, spoke to all the students about the volcanic activity in Costa Rica.

When we reached the crater, at first we couldn't see much...

but slowly the clouds began to part...

and the crater was unveiled!

Amazing!

Assembly interview with Chico

2010-04-08T19:58:00.011-04:00

Cherie, 17

Here are some interesting things that we as a group got from our first interview at the Assembly.

One of the first things that "Chicho" said about the political process was pretty interesting. He mentioned that it really wasn't about party vs. party, but it was more about circumstance vs. circumstance. By that, I think he meant that it's really not about a difference of opinions between parties, because each person within the party is likely to have their own ideas, but its really dependent on the cirumstance. This leads into one of his biggest person delemias because sometimes he doesn't always agree with the idea is party is representing, but it's what they have to do, so he has so go along with it. That of course can lead into another personal delemia of his, which is political corruption. Another interesthing he said about the politcal process was in relation to the involvement of religion. He mentioned that it has a major role in the politics in Costa Rica, to the point that it's even mentioned that they're a an almost all Catholic region in their constitution. Despite that, he said that everyone thinks that it should remain absent from it, but everyone is leaves it, just to avoid controversy.
Another idea Chico had was on happiness. Like many people, he believes that wealth isn't the greatest factor when it comes to getting happiness. Instead, it should come from being healthy and having longevity. This is interesting, because Costa Rica has a lot of poor neighborhoods and they have a very high life long expectancy. However, I feel like it is kind of disproved in some parts of this country. When we visited La Carpio in the first few days of our trip, we noticed that even though these people had practically nothing, they seemed to be so happy. This would fit his definition, except that the people of La Crapio have a lower life expectancy and theyre health conditions are slightly poor. This was just interesting to see that his idea fit true in most of Costa Rica, but there are still places where you can achieve happiness without the things that he mentioned.
One of the last things that Chico discussed with us was his opinion on power. I asked, "What is your personal view of power? What makes a person or country powerful," and he gave us a really interesting answer. He said that power is something that is self determined and that a country is powerful when they are independent. However, he says that would only work well with smaller structures because the bigger the structure, the harder it will be for them to change into something that is going to work well. This was interesting because with his definiton, it seemed that he was directly saying that Costa Rica was a powerful country, despite the fact that they don't seem like it at times.

Time to Catch Up on the Fun!

2010-04-08T19:27:00.009-04:00

Alyssa, 17

I haven't blogged since Day 2, and today is Day 5! We've been so busy, hustling from place to place, and trying to get caught up on sleep. Here's a recap of Days 3, 4, and 5.

Day 3 - We started off the day by going to the Legislative Assembly for an interview, and also got a tour of the building. After lunch, we went back to La Carpio for the last time. It was one of the best experiences I've had. We (both our group and people from La Carpio) worked together to create a road. The hardest part was mixing cement by hand! Well, with shovels. But it's a lot harder than using a cemement mixer! Once our work was done, we had a small gathering to present our group's donation to the La Carpio community. Nate, Patrick, Shalyce, and I presented a community leader with the donation and each reflected on our experiences working in La Carpio. Then, we had cake and Coke! I don't drink pop, but the cake was really good. It had caramel and fruit in it. A few of us also bought purses made by a few of the women in La Carpio.

After we (FINALLY!) got back to the hotel after a long ride in traffic, we had dinner, which really surprised me. First off, there were no rice and beans! Instead, there was mashed potatoes. And the meat was fish! Which usually, I HATE fish, but I tried it, and it was really good. I even had seconds! I was happy I ended up trying it, despite the fact I thought it would be really gross. Traveling to another country has really surprised me in the sense that I am being a lot more open minded about things like food, which I would have never tried before.

Day 4 - Today started with probably the best breakfast we're going to have. We had cantaloupe, pinapple, and a ham and cheese croissant. I love cantaloupe and pineapple, so I was psyched. The first thing on our itinerary was a trip to Dos Pinos, a local dairy cooperative. We got to see how things like milk and ice cream are made, and get a lot of information about CAFTA and how the tariffs on trade between the US and Costa Rica and going to change over the next 10 years. The end of the tour was spectacular, complete with ice cream and stuffed animal cows!

We had our second interview after lunch, at the U.S. Embassy. I was really looking forward to going there because I heard so much about it and I wanted to see what it was that they did for Americans. We learned a lot about what people do there, how they help Americans, and the process of becoming an officer in international embassies. One of the officers also gave us a few travel tips! This was really helpful to me because I plan to travel more in the future.

Last night, we went to a Jazz Cafe. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it wasn't too different than just a restaurant with a live band. I had never really listened to Latin Jazz before, but it was better than I expected it to be. I really liked how the piano was played, it sounded so cool and different. The only downside was that we didn't get back to the hotel until 11:30! Which would have been fine if we didn't have to get up so early for Poas today!

Day 5 - Got to wake up around 6 to leave by 7:30! First we went to the high school to pick up the students. We had about half of us and half of them in each of the two buses. I really liked that we got to talk to them on the (long) ride to the Poas volcano. I talked to Paula the entire ride there. She is very good at English and we found so much to talk about. It wasn't constricted to just, how old are you, and what type of music do you like. It was about everything from our school classes, who are friends are, where we like to go to hang out, and just everything we could think to talk about. The volcano was really clear of fog, so we got lots of great pictures. On the way back, I talked to Larry and Pepe a lot, they were so funny. It is really interesting trying to break a language barrier, even if we know a bit of Spanish and they know a bit of English.

The high school students came to our hotel for a small get together. It was so fun. We listened to music, attempted to dance, and ended up playing hand games. Who knew that other countries played Slide and their own version of Stella Ella Olla! I miss them already and they only left a few minutes ago. I can't wait to get back home and e-mail my new Tico friends.

We are leaving for Yorkin in the morning and we won't be able to blog again for about a week! I'm worried about the food we will have to eat, but I'm doing much better with eating rice and beans and today I even had squash soup. Weird, right?

I miss everyone back home and I can't wait to see you guys when I get home.

Jazz Cafe

2010-04-08T09:11:00.000-04:00

Cows to the States...

2010-04-08T08:26:00.048-04:00

Larry, 16

Arturo, 17

Today we made the trek to from Dos Pinos, a dairy cooperative to the US Embassy, and it was truly interesting. A lot of the information provided to us in both places couldn't have been looked up, or photographed.

The Dos Pinos plant really gave us an in-depth view of not only of how milk is processed, but WHAT a cooperative is, and HOW it's beneficial in many ways. We really enjoyed it. The way that a cooperative is run, as well as how it's run, is completely different from how a traditional company in America is run. The business is based on all around inclusiveness as oppose to the traditional exclusiveness that we've grown accustomed to in American businesses, especially large corporations.

The cooperative has many different farmers contributing their milk, but the interesting part is that the people contributing into this cooperative can be the little guy that has 20 cows all the way to the big guy with 200 or 2,000 cows. They make it so that everyone is involved and everyone has a say in how the dairy cooperative is run regardless of how many cows you have. To ensure that this process is carried out effectively they set up a system kind of like a field campaign. Each area has field organizers who are farmers themselves. Those farmers report to their regional field director who is the elected leader of that specific area. Then that person reports to the state director which is part of the cooperative council.

As we were walking around with the group and the Dos Pinos PR representative, We were interested to learn how much money business marketers make in Costa Rica. Apparently from $17,000 to to $20,000 a year is typical for what people in this position make, though it depends on how long they have been with the cooperative. Even the highest paid person in the company makes no more than $150,000-$200,000 a year, a big difference from US corporations where CEOs can make $8-$10 Million a year in some of the biggest companies. The representative we spoke with said this was partly due to the cooperative model where members have greater control over leadership actions, and partly a result of Costa Rican values which focus more on egalitarianism. [This was also echoed by "Chico," advisor to the ruling PLN, during our interview at the Legislative Assembly. He stated that Costa Ricans have always been opposed to titles and any other conspicuous signs of putting one's self above others. Jokes meant to bring someone back down to earth are the norm when people, historically and in the present.]

We also learned that people in La Carpio make an estimated $100 a month which is below poverty line in Costa Rica. Another question I asked was, "Can people who graduate from college with an undergraduate degree and earn an MBA work in Costa Rica?" The answer was that it can be possible through different programs that company's have or on different working visas.

Aqui

2010-04-08T02:05:00.003-04:00

Danielle, 18

While I was on my water break a little Tica girl, probably about 6-years-old, came up to me and said, "Aqui" and handed me a flower. I thought it was the cutest thing because I wasn't expecting the little girl to give me a flower and she was just adorable. I didn't know what the little girl said to me since I speak very little Spanish and it made me a little sad, but Nate heard what the little girl said and he saw that she gave me a flower.

Later in the day, I asked Nate what did the little girl said to me and Nate told me that she said, "Here." Everytime when I think about the flower that the little girl gave me, I think of, "Aqui."Yesterday we all were working really hard in La Carpio. Every once in a while someone would take a water break to get a drink of water and to relax for a little bit.

The best day so far

2010-04-08T02:02:00.003-04:00

Nathan, 18

The most exciting part of today was in La Carpio.

I really got involved. I'm really proud of myself and the whole group. We made concrete to make a road so that cars can travel the streets of La Carpio. After we finished mixing concrete and placing it, we went back and had a meeting with everyone from the organization that we were working with in La Carpio.

There were a few of us that got in front of the group to say a few things about the experience that we have had over the past few days working with them and I was one of these people.

Basically all I said was that I loved helping them better their condition, and loved working beside the people of La Carpio to get the job done. After the four of us said a few words, I got to present the President of the organization a donation that will go towards the community and help them get things that will help improve their conditions even more.

I'm really sad that today was the last day in La Carpio. I wish we could go back for a few more days because it was fun being there and assisting people in need alongside the people themselves.

Overall, it was a really busy day and tiring, but in the end we succeeded in what we came to do, and I believe we can continue to do so for the remainder of the trip.

2010-04-08T01:38:00.002-04:00

Arturo, 17

Our second full day in Costa Rica was spent getting more familar with the community. While in San Jose, some students are tired of eating rice and beans for breakfast lunch, and dinner. However, others are actually feeling good about the pattern.

In the morning we interviewed ¨Chico¨ who is an advisor to many powerful diputados (congresspeople) of the PLN political party in Costa Rica. Hearing him speak and answer our questions, he seemed to feel very comfortable with us being around him and taking photos. In other words, he sounded very truthful when answering our questions. Afterwards, he gave us a brief tour of the congress building with a lot of historical information.

After our long intervew with Chico, our day wasn't over yet. It was just the beginning. We went to La Carpio to finish what we started the day before. However, this time with more intense work. We finished building the road by mixing rocks, sand, and water to make cement. It was a very challenging task with all the students shoveling and carrying heavy equipment, but at the end feeling proud. At the end I felt that everyone worked as a big group and felt proud of what we had done to help the community of La Carpio.

From the Dairy to the Embassy

2010-04-07T22:28:00.012-04:00

Cherie, 17

Today was a pretty good day. We originally had two interviews planned, but things changed, and we were only able to do one. It was kind of relieving, but at the same time, it was a little disappointing that we lost the opportunity to meet Epsy Cambell. At first, the interview at the US Embassy seemed to be basic, with them just telling us background information and leaving out the important details that we actually wanted. But after a while, things started to pick up and we were really able to get some interesting questions answered.

Overall, both of the interviews that we completed in the last two days went well and we were able to get out a decent amount of interesting information. I also wanted to add that I think we came up with really intense questions, even if we didn't get to ask all of them or recieve the answers we wanted. I was a part of the first group that stayed up late on Monday night to come up with the first round of new questions, and I was really impressed with what we came up with in the end.

My progress in eating the food kind of dropped today. I had my usual lunch of chicken and water, but I didn't eat anything for dinner. I'm no fan of broth and rice and whatever they had for desert, but I wasn't really hungry anyways, so I wasn't really worried about it. However, I did try the ice cream at the dairy we visited in the morning, despite the fact that I really didn't like the kind they gave us.

Well, we are just about to leave for the jazz cafe event, so my time here is ending.

I'm really hoping to get photos up, because all the ones Ms. Arenth chose of me and for me aren't really flattering.

Hope all is well back in the States! I would say I can't wait to see you all, but I'm really having a great time, so going home doesn't seem like a good option right now! These past few days have really been amazing.

(I still miss you Dom, and I'm going to ask Mr. Oliver if he does too right now, so I'll let you know in my next posting)

Day 4 of Costa Rica

2010-04-07T22:21:00.003-04:00

Kiera, 16

Today was one of my favorite days so far. We did a lot of running around today, but it was fun. First thing in the morning, we went to a place called Dos Piños. It is a organic dairy factory located in Alajuela, Costa Rica. It was a gigantic factory, that was really up-to-date on everything. I liked visiting this factory because it gave me the realization of how other companies outside of the U.S. run.

It was interesting how their milk "leche"can be kept out of refrigeration for up to 6 months. The two tour guides explained many things to us, which gave each and everyone of us, a different insight on how their business works. One thing that we though was really funny is that the security gaurds had guns on them, and Matyas made a funny comment saying ¨Wow, they must really serious about their milk." They were really nice to us, they gave us ice cream, and a stuffed animal, in the shape of a cow.

The second great thing we did was visit the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica. I was kind of upset that we couldn´t take photos or video tape it, but it was a great experience that gave me a little thought of a future career. We met with two women that both have important jobs. I cannot recall their names, but I do recall most of the information they gave us.

The first lady talked to us more about economic and social affairs that the Embassy is involved with. We had some questions asking about the projects they are doing to benefit Costa Rica, and it seems like one of their main goals for the country is to ensure a safe envirnoment. I believe that is a really important goal, because Costa is a really "outside-the-box" country, but in a good way. They abolished their military, which shows they have a different mindset, and they don´t believe in any type of violence.

We asked both of the speakers about how their personal beliefs and values, influence their political decisions. They both responded by saying that it´s their job to represent the United States, and they may have their personal views, but they have to do their jobs. This statement related a lot to my thoughts of career, because I want to become a district attorney one day, and I have a lot of thoughts about the death penalty. I feel as though sometimes it will be difficult, because of the career choice, and sometimes I think about my future, and I don´t know where to draw the line. The second lady I related to a lot more, because she is actually being relocated into Afghanistan next month. It´s a dangerous thing, just like becoming a district attorney, so right now I think my biggest question of life is "Where do I draw the line?"

Fun Day!

2010-04-07T01:48:00.006-04:00

Ashlee, 18

Today was a fun and interesting day. This morning we went to our interview at the Legislative Assembly hall and learned a lot about Costa Rican history.

This afternoon we went to La Carpio to help pave a road and it was hard work. I didn't think that I could ever do work like that. In a way today was easier to work because it wasn't as hot as yesterday. This experience today made me really appreciate where I live and the way I live.

Interviewing and finishing up work in La Carpio

2010-04-07T01:41:00.003-04:00

Matyas, 16

Today was a rather long day. We got up early to get ready for our interview with a person from the PLN (one of the major political parties here in Costa Rica) his name was Francisco, but he went by the nickname "Chico". He was a very talkative man, but still an entertaining one. He would answer each of our questions with a story that usually lead to a different topic, but then he would go back and finish what he was saying before. The down fall of the interview experience was that we had to get into dress clothes (button shirt, tie, suit jacket, slacks, dresshoes) and the building wasnt using it's airconditioning! I thought for sure that I was going to get heat exhaustion, which I think I was actually pretty close to getting because my head was killing me by the end of the interview. I'm doing fine now and am quite content because of the work we finished in La Carpio.

Today in La Carpio we mixed up cement by hand and shovel, not by and machine or mixer or anything. It was a pretty back-breaking job, with all the bending down to mix up the gravel, dirt, cement mix and water together with the shovels. Then when we finally got it to its ideal conditions we layed it down to the area where the metal grid was layed down and the people who lived there were gliding a long piece of wood over the cement to level it out. Alyssa and I were asked to level part of the road by this method and I found it to be pretty fun.

The part that moved me the most though was after we had finished the road and given the donation to the people, Rosario (a lady who was a co-owner of the daycare in La Carpio) got us a cake and Coca-Cola to eat and drink as a sign of her, and the rest of the community's gratitude. I just found it moving because these people barely have anything in the first place, yet they had gotten out of their way to get us a treat for a sign of gratitude. I wasn't expecting any kind of material "thank you" and I was fine with that because I just wanted to help them, so when we DID recieve a cake and cola, I just felt really appreciated.

Let me catch you up

2010-04-07T01:38:00.002-04:00

Cherie, 17

I have barely blogged this whole time, so theres going to be a lot I have to catch you up on.

Day 2 - Yesterday was a pretty amazing day. We went to La Carpio in the morning, and though I felt really sick from not eating anything, I still had a good time and got work done. I think I spent a good hour or two trying to "beat the rock," as Mr. Oliver would say. It took a lot of work and time, but eventually Alyssa and I got this huge rock out of the dirt. Then we took a bus ride to the high school, where we played games and spoke to our penpals. That whole experience was interesting and exciting too! I didn´t eat dinner but I did have some chicken at lunch!

Today - Today´s experience at La Carpio seemed to be more signifgant than yesterday. I felt a lot better eventually, so I felt good enough to do more work. It was really hard mixing the cement and shoveling the rocks over and over again, but it felt good. I don´t think I´ve ever worked that hard in my life! We did an interview before we went, and though it was kind of awkward, it went great!

Now it´s time for the really exciting news! At dinner, I thought I wasn´t going to eat again, but I decided that that wasn´t a good idea, so I tried the fish, and it was delicious! I also had a good amount of chicken at lunch and they gave us cake in La Carpio, so today was a really good eating day.
I got a lot of good photos from yesterday and today, that I hope to be posting later on when I have enough time. For now, I need some sleep because apparently building a road is tiresome!

P.S Hello to everyone at home! I miss you dearly! I hope you're not all crying from my absence, I will be home soon. (Ms. Wilds, you owe me a box of teddy grahams! :))

Ah.....

2010-04-06T23:38:00.010-04:00

Daontay 18

Today I woke up early again, which is nice. I think it's something about being in a beautiful new place each morning that causes my body to wake up with the Sun. We interviewed a member of the PLN at the Legislative Assembly. We had deep questions, but the answers we received were about the history of Costa Rica as opposed to the personal beliefs and thoughts we were hoping for. We also took a brief tour of the building, and heard more about the history of Costa Rica.

The work in La Carpio has ended, though it remains incomplete. I didn't find it life changing or hard. When something needs to be done, you just do it. I was pretty sweaty though I must admit. My shirts have never been so wet. We worked pretty well together. I wish we could have finished though.

We had our first encounter with the rain, which I find to be very soothing. Standing in the entry way of the small market, trying to keep out of the rain, I watched the people as they walked by. That is also something I find soothing. I like to imagine what their thinking, where they're going, or what there about to do. My imagination now has new stories to feed off of.

And the weather is amazing. All of the people who went last year talked about how hot it was but I don't think it's hot at all.

Tomorrow is going to be a big day. I need to rest. Ah, sleep and showering have never felt this good.

At the Legislative Assembly

2010-04-06T22:52:00.003-04:00

Facing Realities

2010-04-06T09:14:00.004-04:00

Ryan Oliver, Social Studies Teacher

As you will read from the postings below, the last 24 hours was an intense, sometimes tumultuous introduction to the people, culture and food of Costa Rica. Extremes have so far been the norm. We went from the relative wealth of a suburb of San Jose where we are staying to the abject poverty of La Carpio. We transitioned from dirt, sweat and pigs to polite conversation in an air-conditioned school building. And we went from Spaghetti to rice and beans three meals a day. We are encouraging everyone to be as fully conscious and present in each of these experiences as possible, and the students seem to be taking this to heart. As Courtney says, "I keep saying THIS is my favorite part of the trip, but I think I will probably say that about everything."

After an exceptionally long day students were asked to do some difficult mental work in preparation for our two interviews this morning with leaders of both the ruling and opposition political parties at the Legislative Assembly, Costa Rica's version of Congress. A small group of students was asked to put in extra work based on their experience with the Politics and Civics interviewing process and showed incredible stamina and leadership. They developed some of the best questions I've ever seen on one of these expeditions and modeled the depth that we are hoping for in these conversations with leaders of Costa Rican society. Others are doing their best to jump on board and facing their challenges with courage.

We are impressed by the depth of energy, intelligence and good will this group is showing so far, and look forward to continued great results as we delve deeper into the work, the interviews and the interactions with our friends at Liceo JJ Vargas. At the moment we are fully immersed in the rush of activity and new experiences. Look for more reflections and more pictures once we catch up with ourselves.

Oh, Leo

2010-04-06T08:14:00.002-04:00

Samantha, 18

Today we went to La Carpio and our job was to dig out a sewage drain. I used a pick-axe for the first time and it was intense! I took a break for water and there were two young girls playing with their dolls near our break spot. I tried talking to them the best I could, but my Spanish level is dreadful. One of their mother´s told us she had pet pigs and our whole group went running through her house and into her back yard. She kept the pigs in pens and once we were all in the yard she let them out to roam free with the dogs. They were so cool and I remember thinking how bizzare of a situation I was in when I was leaving the yard full or roaming pigs to dig in a sewage pit as a rooster walked by crowing.

We went to visit our Tico pen pals after digging and that was fun. Mat and I were left sitting at our table when everyone´s pen pals came pouring in. Ours had not showed up and we felt stood up and sad, but before we started to shed tears Leo and Pepe (Our penpals) came in all sweaty and said that they were playing a game of soccer. Pepe knew some English and Mat knew some Spanish and then there was Leo and I. We were both obviously the people who slack off in foreign language class because we couldn´t understand eachother at all. I got paper and tried drawing things and that kind of worked. He showed me pictures on his phone of his motorcycle and I pointed out his eyebrow piercing which I thought was cool. We talked about that kind of and then we just went on about our pets. Apparently he has a cow, a dog, a beaver and a tucan. One day his dog bit his beaver, but the beaver is okay. Just typing that sentence made me reevaluate whether or not I really translated what he was saying correctly..

We played this game that was basically Monkey in the Middle only with soccor incorporated and it was really fun. Leo betrayed me by putting me in the middle, but it was all good. We explained that in the USA their game would be called ¨Monkey in the Middle¨ and Pepe laughed and started making monkey noises and acting like a monkey in the middle which made me laugh because I had never thought of the game title so literally.

Before we left everyone was taking pictures with their pen-pals so I got a picture with Leo and I was smiling and he made this really tough scowl. I then began (very patiently and kindly) yelling at him to smile and not be such a macho jerk. I´m not sure if he understood, but needless to say I have a picture of us both fully smiling and looking like two peas in a pod! Nate was taking these pictures and he got one of me yelling at Leo and it makes me laugh every time I see it.

That was basically my day. We stopped at the bank and exchanged our money so now I´m rollin in the colones.

Food Update: I´m doing better than I thought for being such a picky eater. All I need is their salsa/hot sauce and I´m good to go. I have become an official vegetarian as well. Some aren´t feeling as well as I. I know of one person who has been literally living off her secret stash of Teddy Grahms and there is talk of another girl who is planning to make a jail-break tonight for the grocery store down the street that sells junk food. If you were to walk into someone´s room right now and mention food you would think you were at a fat camp; it´s so funny!

Pura Vida!

Visit with Liceo J.J. Vargas School Pen Pals

2010-04-06T00:11:00.002-04:00

What an interesting day!

2010-04-05T22:55:00.009-04:00

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

2010-04-05T22:37:00.007-04:00

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..

2010-04-05T22:20:00.005-04:00

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

2010-04-05T22:18:00.010-04:00

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!

2010-04-05T21:59:00.005-04:00

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!!!

2010-04-05T21:58:00.012-04:00

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!!!

2010-04-05T21:58:00.011-04:00

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

2010-04-05T21:54:00.006-04:00

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

2010-04-05T08:41:00.002-04:00

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.

Arrival day

2010-04-04T23:49:00.000-04:00

Cherie, 17

Waiting for lift off. This explains how the majority of our day was spent. The two plane rides were long, but enjoyable in the end. Even though everyone wasn't pleased with the amount of time it took to get here, everybody enjoyed the amazing views they got up in the air!

After landing in Costa Rica and trying to solve some baggage issues, we got in the van and headed to the hotel! It was a close fit, with every seat taken, but it was just another nice way for everyone one to bond.

We arrived to the hotel after a short ride, and after everyone got situated and had a snack, the group headed for a walk around the surrounding neighborhood. It's condition was interesting, and though it seemed like we were in a urban area, there were some amazing creatures and plants appearing everywhere. While on this walk, we visited a school started by Jose, a guide from last year´s trip; his establishment was very beautiful.

After that we came back and relaxed before dinner. Then we ate, had a nice group meeting, and went off to prepare for a good night's rest to prepare for an early start tomorrow!

New

2010-04-04T23:22:00.004-04:00

Christina Arenth, Social Studies Teacher

For many of our students, everything appeared to be new today.

Tomorrow we will put down our cameras and head to la Carpio, an immigrant community to work on an ongoing street leveling project run by a local community organization.

Today's Adventure

2010-04-04T22:58:00.008-04:00

Kiera, 16

Today's adventure and arrival to Costa Rica was a blast! I was so excited on the plane, even though I've been on a plane before. I loved the window seat view because I got to see everything. There were so many incredible views, including the volcanoes that we saw closer to our landing and the beautiful ocean view.

Flying across the ocean made me realize how beautiful and unique the world is.

Arrival

2010-04-04T22:58:00.007-04:00

Larry, 16

Everything is pretty interesting. It's all new, and nothing is the same. It's kind of peaceful knowing that everything that you either fear, or don't like....is gone. It's pretty awesome, I'm looking forward to everything that this trip will entail.

2010-04-04T22:51:00.008-04:00

Arturo,17

The first difference I noticed when getting out of the airport was the temperature. Although it wasn't as hot as I thought it would be. Maybe it was a lucky day without much humidity and very high temperature. I certainly hope it stays like this.

The first day was very mild and not too busy. However, we did go through some issues at the airport with tickets and baggage. After all this, we ended going to a small institution that one of Matt's friend has developed and that begins in May. The institution seems interesting for those who are really into studying abroad and committing themselves to doing internships in foreign countries. Tomorrow will be our first work day. I am looking forward to giving my best abilities towards this and staying bonded with the group.

The Straggler

2010-04-04T22:46:00.007-04:00

Courtney, 17

I'm finally here! It seems like it took forever, but my team and I are finally here!! And in my opinion it was well deserved. The day started off with and extremely early start, but once we got to the airport and I said goodbye to my mom...I forgot all about what time it was.

My excitment soon turned into fear, fear that I had worked so hard for a trip that I wouldn't be able to attend. Apparently, Delta Airlines had a problem with me flying with my team because they neglected to send a receipt and ticket with my name on it. I just knew at that point there was no way I was getting on the plane, but right when the tears began to fall, Mr.Oliver was already in the beginnings of a lengthy battle to fix the situation at hand.

Since I am writing on the blog, you can conclude that the battle was won by our leader Oliver and I made it on every plane with my team either a few rows behind or right beside everyone else.

The experience so far has been breath-taking, and the weather is amazing. The travel was hard, but I believe I am soon to be rewarded. Though I already miss my loved ones...I am so ready to begin the journey with my team and confront any challeges that may come my way. I have already begun to recognize strengths within my group that have and will affect me in the most positive way. Like Mr.Oliver for example: even without his luggage he has still been capable of keeping his eye on what it is we have come here to do.

I'm excited about all that we'll experience...Pura Vida

El Primero Dia

2010-04-04T22:45:00.003-04:00

Alyssa, 17

The first day in Costa Rica has been a combination of both excitement and worries. It has been such a great experience to finally be able to travel abroad. I loved the first sight of Costa Rica from the airplane, with its variety of hills, mountains, trees, rivers, and houses. When we finally exited the airport and saw San Jose, everything just seemed so surreal. It seems so different from Pittsburgh, yet it still feels like we never left. After all of our preparing and last minute blog editing, our trip is finally here and we have begun our journeys. I am still very worried about the types of food I will have to eat, including beans and fish. However, I am willing to try a few new things to fully experience this great opportunity. I cannot wait to see even more of Costa Rica's natural beauty, especially the rainforest!

What a day!!!

2010-04-04T22:38:00.005-04:00

LaShai, 17

Today was for sure an exciting day. Today was my first time on a plane, and to my surprise I really liked it. My favorite part of the flight was looking out the window, especially when we were flying through Central America. My least favorite part was when my ears kept popping in the air.

Re-living the experience

2010-04-04T22:36:00.002-04:00

Felicia Thomas, Alumni Assistant

Being a part of the first group that went on this trip, it is exciting to see the initial reactions students have to things that over time I have become accustomed to.

We went to the store before dinner and two of the students asked if they could take pictures with the police officers. My first time abroad by myself I wanted to do the same thing. I thought it was so cool to see police officers. Another student took pictures of EVERYTHING; from automobiles to different species of plants, they were amazed to see things that exist in their hometown and things that are exclusive to Costa Rica.

One of the rewards to being an alumni assisting these students during this experience is reliving the "initial" experience. Often times when one experiences something more than once, they lose the value of the initial experience. We stop paying attention to cars and police in the street. Watching these students is allowing me look deeper into the value of things that I would otherwise avoid.

Pura Vida!

2010-04-04T22:25:00.004-04:00

Samantha, 18

Today was so intense. I have never flown before so I was really excited. I was fine on the run way and I was even laughing at Patrick for being so scared until we took off and then I got really nervous. We were in the air! People aren't supposed to go in the air! I begged for a window seat and then I ended up shutting the window because I was so terrified. After a while I got used to it and now I'm pretty much an expert flyer.

The weather here isn't bad at all. I thought it was going to be really humid and hot, but it's just like Pittsburgh in August. It's hot, but I like it! I love our hotel too, it's like one giant house and it's quite cozy. There is a garden in the back and I sat out there to write in my journal and there was a humming bird singing and a giant yellow butterfly too!

We went for a walk to visit Jose and he was really cool. He showed us his school and it was really nice. The only thing I've found that is completely out of the ordinary is the barbed wire and electric fences surrounding almost everyone's house in San Jose.

I really like it here so far. I want to write so much more, but I'm running on 2 hours of sleep and I'm worried that I may start rambling. Tomorrow is going to be a tough but fun day it looks like, I can't wait!

My First Plane Ride

2010-04-04T22:19:00.005-04:00

Patrick 17,

After being too tired to function, I had to come to face one of the most frightening experiences in my life, which is riding in an airplane. I don't know why, but I have always been afraid of heights. When we entered the runway speeding up, I had a nervous feeling in my stomach, but it eased as we got into the air for some odd reason. The landing for that plane ride was successful for me and I felt fine afterwards. The second flight into San Jose was fine until the ending, because I hadn't eaten all day so when we were lowering, my stomach had a funny feeling. Today has helped me overcome a fear that I thought would haunt me forever.

Day One

2010-04-04T22:12:00.004-04:00

Daontay 18,

So we arrived in Costa Rica today with some interesting events, one being Mr. Oliver's luggage being left behind. The country is beautiful, to say the least. I can't wait to explore. Today, with settling in and all, we didn't really get to interact with people as much as I would've liked. We did meet Jose, who was a guide from last year's group, and we got to see his new learning institution. Also, going to the supermarket was enjoyable. Most of the products were American though, which was surprising. I can't wait to try speaking Spanish. Well, tomorrow's a big day, we head to La Carpio to begin our service project. And the fun begins.

The first day, and the first impressions

2010-04-04T22:04:00.003-04:00

Nathan, 18

So far the trip has been really exciting. Once we got to Costa Rica it was learning non-stop. When we got here, we came to the hotel for a snack before we went to Jose's institution that he is starting up for college students studying aboard. Even though we are in a completely different country, it doesn't feel like we are. As of right now to me it feels like we are still in Pittsburgh in a way. The roads are crowded with cars, and people are flying while driving, just like Pittsburghers. The only real thing that has hit me about being in a different country is that Spanish is being spoken everywhere, and it's a lot different than my Spanish 4 class. Hopefully I'll start to get the hang of it, and be able to communicate with the Ticans as the trip continues.

Has today been the longest lasting day ever?

2010-04-04T22:02:00.005-04:00

Melina, 17

Today was quite an experience. It feels like it's been never ending. All day long has consisted of so many different things: waking up early, getting ready, heading to the airport, flights, food, lost luggage for Mr. Oliver, new food, a relaxing walk, and so much more. So far things haven't been too bad and I'm still not yet home sick, so hopefully I can remain that way. I can't wait until tomorrow when we get to start the service work and our days will be more fulfilled with less idle time to waste.

Change in atmosphere

2010-04-04T21:58:00.008-04:00

Emily, 16

Since coming here, I've realized that there are a lot of similarities everywhere we could go, simply because we're all human beings and have similar needs, but it seems that in Costa Rica there is a different way of life.
I feel like everyone is interested in family values, though I see varying degrees of kindness, hostility, and general hospitality. The run down look of the buildings, while everyone lives on like everything is sound is a nice change of pace, and listening to the short parade outside of the hotel tonight (because of the big soccer game having a huge impact on the local community), made me realize that there is a lot of pride in this country, and a big interest in community development, and social relations.

A whole new world!!!

2010-04-04T21:51:00.000-04:00

Siena, 17

Thus far Costa Rica has proved itself to be nothing less than gorgeous. Its beautiful and serene. Costa Rica looks like a totally different world when compared to America, even in its populated areas there are many green spaces with plants and trees that seem so other worldly and ethereal. I am totally in love with this place. The atmosphere is so laid back and peaceful. It seems that people walk around without a care in the world. I am so fortunate to have this opportunity. I can tell that the trip is going to only get better, and I can't wait to see new beautiful sights.

Arrival!

2010-04-04T16:39:00.002-04:00

Christina Arenth, Social Studies Teacher

We arrived this afternoon to San Jose. The students excitedly settled into their rooms and unpacked for the first part of our trip. They'll update more soon.

Welcome to the Journey

2010-04-01T22:46:00.010-04:00

18 City High students are invited to embark on a journey of personal, cultural and scientific discovery. Through this blog, you are invited to join them.

We hope their reflections on all stages of the process--preparation, journey, return--will enlighten and inspire those who support them along the way, while bringing a bit of Pittsburgh flavor to Latin America and some Latin American flavor to Pittsburgh.

Feel free to communicate with them by offering your questions and comments, or simply enjoy reading about their experiences, remembering that the ultimate aim is to more deeply understand ourselves and the world.

Along the right hand column you will find many ways to gain more information and participate: links to a student-created web-site explaing our program in greater detail, ways to sign up as a follower, links to some of our supporters and friends and a documentary created about last year's trip--another student creation.

Student's from this year's expedition will maintain and develop this blog, posting messages, photos and video footage while we travel. There will be a pause in posting for the days we are in Yorkin, a rural community in the Talamanca region near the Caribbean coast with no internet access. See the itinerary page for further details and updates.

For more on the program and people that inspired our work with this model of experiential education for self-development see the innovative efforts of Ward Mailliard and his team at Mount Madonna School, in Watsonville, California at http://mountmadonnaschool.org/values/.

Tico/Tica Pen-Pals!!

2010-03-30T13:23:00.006-04:00

Courtney, 17

It seems like just yesterday that I was filling out an application that would open the doors to an invigorating country. Almost a year later, without even leaving America, I feel as though I’m just returning.

Since turning in my Costa Rica application I have learned so many different things about the country; ranging from its historic and noble surrender of armed forces to its controversial decision to sign CAFTA. But the most monumental lesson I’ve learned so far about Costa Rica is that Tico’s are amazing people who are full of charisma and enthusiasm toward life. During our trip we will be introduced to Tico’s that are around our age, so we were all assigned to be email Pen Pal’s with those whose paths have been destined to cross with ours.

My pen pal's name is Paula; she is so similar to me that it’s frightening! She loves music, dancing, volleyball, and martial arts; which are all things that I am interested in. She hopes to go to the University of Costa Rica next year and hopes to visit North America some day. The one thing that I admire and have learned from building a relationship with Paula is that she is very driven and aspires to be very accomplished in life despite any challenges she may face.

I can honestly say that I have a friend in Costa Rica. We are both counting down the days until I arrive in Costa Rica, and have even mourned the small amount of days we will have together. One thing that I can say she has proven, and I hope I have proven for her, is that even though you originate from very different areas of earth, it is possible to build a bond. I hope that Paula and I will remain friends for the rest of our lives and have a great time together in Costa Rica!!!

CAFTA, positive or negative?

2010-03-24T15:36:00.006-04:00

Danielle, 18

The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), an economic arrangement between the United States and countries of Central America, will slowly go into effect within the next 20 years. Depending on your view, it can either be a positive or negative thing for Costa Rica.
There are quite a few benefits that CAFTA will bring for Costa Rica. CAFTA will reduce a $2.3 billion deficit with other countries. Foreign investments may bring jobs. It will reduce trade taxes between the United States and Central American nations. Having CAFTA may allow Costa Rica's economy to grow more. Even though it seems like there are many benefits that CAFTA will bring to Costa Rica there are also a lot of negative effects as well.

Some say there are more risks with CAFTA then benefits. Small businesses may close which will cause many people to become unemployed. People not having jobs will create poverty. People will have a hard time trying to live. Also, cost of things will go up such as rice by 35%, clothes tax by 95%, and health costs. There are many different things that can go wrong from CAFTA.

Depending on your view of CAFTA, it can either have a positive or negative affect on Costa Rica. People can have these ideas on how CAFTA will affect Costa Rica, but they really don't know if their ideas are true until CAFTA is in effect.

CAFTA

2010-03-24T14:04:00.003-04:00

Emily, 16

Though a controversial topic, the Central American Free-Trade Agreement, or CAFTA recently passed. Some think that this will bring trade opportunities to Costa Rica, where others think that this will do a great deal of damage to the country. There are people such as Epsy Campbell who are highly opposed to it, but she’s right in noting that a lot of large Costa Rican companies who are already wealthy will benefit from this, where the medium and smaller sized companies will be cut out, or forced to switch products to grow. Whether these companies will have the money to fit into this forced change, seems obvious in saying, most of them will not. Now it will take a few months to go into effect, but I am curious to see when we go to Costa Rica if any significant change is occurring already.

What I Learned About CAFTA

2010-03-23T17:15:00.012-04:00

Kiera, 16

There are many who believe that CAFTA will affect Costa Rica in a negative way and there are those who believe the contrary. Epsy Campbell, a political figure in Costa Rica, believes that CAFTA is negative, which led her to vote against it. Her reasoning for why CAFTA is not good for the country is because she says it will not help the middle-class and the poor; it will only benefit the wealthy sectors of society.

She claims that CAFTA will hurt the social security system in Costa Rica, and that the cost of telecommunication services will rise as it has in the rest of Latin America. Costa Ricans will not be protected because they will have no help with loans or subsidies. It will weaken their ability to undertake social and infrastructure investments, she says, because Costa Rica will have many more debts that everyone will be required to help pay off. Another reason she doesn’t believe it will benefit Costa Rica is because Mexico has already gone through it with NAFTA and she is unhappy with the results.

Others like Jose Antonio Munoz, approved of CAFTA. They believe that it will help Costa Rica’s economy grow through the years. Supporters believe that it will be great for them to have diverse exports. Other countries will have “greater confidence” in Costa Rica’s willingness to trade. Munoz believes that it will not affect the farmers there that much, because many of them have left. He wants their economy to be great like Brazil and Ecuador.

Jon Huenemann, said that things will change, but Costa Rica will just have to adapt to it, because the world is changing and they have to be up to date with other countries. He believes that the US and Costa Rica will both be in better shape as a result of CAFTA. Sonia Picado agrees. She believes that CAFTA will work out because Costa Rica is creative, and they will make a way through all the negatives.

Furthest From Home.

2010-03-23T14:29:00.005-04:00

Siena, 17

The furthest I have ever been from home is Toronto, Ontario in Canada. I went there to visit my great uncle and aunt. I went there with my parents and stayed for about a week. While I was there the most meaningful thing I learned was about my family history and how my uncle and his family immigrated to America from Russia. I was able to learn about where my family came from and the obstacles they had to overcome during WWII. It really made me appreciate my family and my heritage.

The trip I will be taking next is further away than Ontario. It’s the furthest I will have ever been. It’s Costa Rica. Going on this trip will be the furthest from home I have been, and it will be the longest time I have been away from my family. To prepare for this trip I have bought all the supplies I need and am mentally preparing myself for not being able to see or talk to my family or friends for almost two weeks. Although this may seem difficult, I am determined to pull through and do the best I can and have the most fun and adventure I can. I can tell this trip is going to be great and be a turning point in my life. I know I am going to learn a lot of valuable lessons and cannot wait to get there.

Furthest Travel Spot

2010-03-23T14:23:00.001-04:00

Alyssa, 17
The furthest away I have been from home is when I traveled to California with my aunt. I was in second grade, and we went away for one week in October. I have always loved to travel, and have been travelling since I was only a few weeks old. My aunt had already been planning to visit her friend, Nadine, in Orange County, California, and my mom and her planned for me to go with her as a late birthday gift. I had such a great time. We went to the beach, to different stores in the city, and to Disney Land. (The Space Mountain ride in Disney Land is much better than the one in Disney World!) I have never been one to be homesick, and I’ve travelled away from my parents many times. I think all of my times going to Girl Scout camps, or just being away from my parents, has prepared me to be able to leave the country without them, and also for college and life after high school.
Other ways I have been preparing for the trip to Costa Rica is by gathering up some of my summer clothes, travel items, and gear I will need while I’m gone. My mom and I have bought things like bug spray, sunscreen, and lightweight clothing to work in. I still do need a few more things, but I feel mostly confident that I will have everything packed soon. I really am looking forward to going out of the country to a new place and culture, and can’t wait to leave Pittsburgh!

Farthest place from home.

2010-03-16T10:10:00.003-04:00

Kiera, 16

The farthest I’ve been away from home geographically was when I went to Florida. But the farthest away from home mentally was when I went to Virginia. I was there for two months living with my aunt and uncle. I prepared for this trip by getting my clothes together, and also by talking with my aunt and uncle more, so that I could get used to being around them for a long time. It’s not that I didn’t know them, but it was so that I could get used to being around them more often and learning how they do things.

I changed because of this trip, because I learned how to live in a similar but different environment. It was similar because they did most of the basic things I did, but it was different because they had certain customs that I didn’t do in my own family. I liked being there for two months because they taught me how to become a stronger and better young woman.

"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail"

2010-03-15T13:49:00.000-04:00

Nathan, 18

Over of the past few months, I have been preparing for this trip of a lifetime. For example, I have been pay more attention in Spanish class so I can somewhat communicate with the indigenous while traveling there. Other things that I have been done are pushing myself in everything I do. In my academics I have been pushing myself to do the best that I can. Knowing that I can push myself in my academics will help me be able to push through the mental aspect of the trip. I have been preparing physically by continuing to play hockey. While playing hockey I always have to push myself to new heights to become a better player, with this happening I know I can put my body up against anything even if I do fail. If I fail I know that, that will make me stronger in the future. A couple of sayings that I have been keeping in the back of my head are “failing to prepare is preparing to fail”, and “doing the best you can do is victory, doing less is defeat”. These quotes help me stay motivated and on track because they mean so much to me. I know that I am going to make mistakes while doing work, or anything else while in Costa Rica, I do it all the time while playing hockey, but it only makes me do better the next time.

Preparing for Costa Rica

2010-03-03T16:35:00.000-05:00

Danielle, 18

I can't wait for when it is time to board the plane and leave for Costa Rica! Before I can go to Costa Rica there are a few things that I have to do to prepare. Since many of us do not know Spanish that well we are taking one day a week to practice Spanish. Also, outside of school when I talk to someone I try to substitue a Spanish word for an English word, I do this so that I can get more practice. Not only am I trying to learn more Spanish I am also trying to get things that I will need on the trip. Whenever I go out shopping with my Mom and we see something that I may possibly need on the trip we may get it so that we are not rushing around to get everything at once. Those are the two main things that I am working on at the moment so that I can get myself ready for when it is time to board the plane and leave for Costa Rica.

Reflection on Ecosystem Presentations by the Latin American Studies Students

2010-03-02T18:10:00.001-05:00

Mr. Moreland, City High Science Teacher

I was impressed by the level of detail in nearly all of the National Park presentations today. City High students worked in groups of three to four people to research the ecosystems present in several of the National Parks of Costa Rica. I am amazed that organisms as varied as orchids, sea turtles, macaws, tapirs, jaguars, ocelots, and morpho butterflies are all present in a country half of the size of Pennsylvania.

I hope that all of the City High students now have a better understanding of the plants, insects, and animals that they will encounter in April.

First Contact

2010-03-02T16:48:00.002-05:00

Ryan Oliver, City High Social Studies Teacher

We finally succeeded in making video contact with students at a Costa Rican High School. Three years in the making, this initial conversation was a wonderful testament to the power of technology to make personal connections across physical barriers, when put to the right uses.

Our hope is that most of the awkward initial moments of self-consciousness and insecurity will be had through our video-conference and email communications in the next month before we depart, allowing for a more meaningful experience once we arrive in San Jose. New this year, students from our partner school Liceo Vargas Calvo will not only host us at their school, but also join us for a tour of Poas Volcano.

We aim to build this relationship into one of powerful cultural exchange with ever expanding opportunities to seek commonality and wonder at our differences. Thanks to Matt Cook, Ed Crist, and Dr. Wertheimer for their practical, technical, and visionary assistance respectively.

Volcanoes in Costa Rica and Pittsburgh?

2010-02-05T13:41:00.000-05:00

LaShai, 16

Friday, we learned a lot about Costa Rican geology and how it differs from where we live here in Pittsburgh. For starters, Pittsburgh doesn’t have any volcanoes. Costa Rica on the other hand has more than 5 volcanoes on its isthmus. All the volcanoes in Costa Rica are stratovolcanoes. This means that they have explosive eruptions. When volcanoes have explosive eruptions, they have sticky lava, and eruptions aren’t as frequent.
Because of these types of eruptions, it affects the society a lot. There were several instances to where people, mostly farmers, had to move away because the ash that was coming from the volcanoes wasn’t very healthy. It also ruined the crops they had planted. This is a problem because if the farmers don’t have anything to grow or sell, they won’t make a profit. Also people won’t get the food they need.

Who are the Ticos?

2010-02-05T13:36:00.002-05:00

Alyssa, 17
Costa Ricans, also known as ticos, come from a variety of different origins, but share the same traditions and values in their country. These origins include the Spanish, Europeans (mainly German and Swiss), African slaves, and the Natives. Out of the 3.96 million people living in Costa Rica, only 40,000, or 1% are indigenous natives of Costa Rica. This is partially because many of the native Costa Ricans died of sickness when the Spanish colonists came to Costa Rica. Ticos live very peaceful lives, and are considered to be some of the happiest people on Earth. In 1949, after the civil war, Costa Rica created a constitution, in which the army has been abolished ever since. Ticos are proud of their neutrality. In addition, the constitution allowed Africans to be granted citizenship and women were allowed to vote.
Tico society is far from urban, and Costa Rica has the highest rural population density in Latin America. The only true city located in Costa Rica is San Jose, the capital. Rural ticos live a simple life, spending time tending to animals and crops, or as cowboys in Guanacastae. The three most popular crops grown in Costa Rica exported to other countries are bananas, coffee, and sugar. Also, the vast majority of ticos retain ties to the land, including those who live in the city. Homes often have a small garden if they are not located in the rural parts of the country. Costa Rica’s geography includes volcanoes, rainforests, oceans, and beaches. Costa Rica is also considered an isthmus because it is connected to land on the top and bottom, but is otherwise surrounded by water. To the west, the country is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, and on the east, the Caribbean Sea. I look forward to being able to see the country of Costa Rica as well as the ticos culture and traditions.

Geology of Costa Rica and how it differs from Pittsburgh

2010-02-05T13:35:00.001-05:00

Nathan, 17

During the past two days in class we have been studying the geology of Costa Rica comparing it to Pittsburgh’s. What I gathered from these activities were the different kinds of volcanoes, the types of eruptions, the hazards, and the advantages. There are three types of volcanoes in the world. These are shield, cinder cone, and composite. Shield volcanoes are volcanoes that are made of basaltic lava and that are really flat. Cinder cone volcanoes are made of pyroclastic rock, and these are volcanoes that look like pointy mountains. The last type of volcano is composite volcanoes. These volcanoes are made up of different layer of pyroclastic, and lava flows. Costa Rica is mainly full of composite type volcanoes. These volcanoes mainly have eruptions that are explosive and spew out gases. The hazards of volcanoes in the short run are that the gases are deadly, and lava flows are very dangerous. The advantages of volcanoes are that the heat produced by the lava can be stored and use to produce electricity. Another advantage that volcanoes give is that the ash is very useful for growing coffee beans, and bananas because the soil becomes so rich. The biggest reason to why there are so many volcanoes in Costa Rica and not in Pittsburgh is the tectonic processes of the Earth, and where the plates are located. Costa Rica is on the edge of a convergent boundary which means that the two plates run into each other and form mountains/volcanoes. Pittsburgh on the other hand is nowhere near the edge of a plate boundary which means there are no formations of volcanoes. During the assignments in class we used Google Earth to help us learn about tectonic plates and the volcanoes of Costa Rica. We had to find out where the closest tectonic plate boundary was from Pittsburgh. The closest one to the east is 2,209.41 miles. The closest one to the west is California. Other things we looked at using Google Earth was who close the nearest volcano was to San Jose. The closest volcano is Barva which is 13.29 miles away from the city. Then we had to find out where the closest plate boundary was to Costa Rica. The closest boundary is 90.45 miles off the western coast of Costa Rica. Another interesting fact that I found out was that a lot of the volcanoes in Costa Rica are very active.
All information came from information we learned in class, Google Earth, and the National Geographic Costa Rica Book.

Costa Rican Geology vs. Pittsburgh

2010-02-02T12:24:00.002-05:00

Melina, 17

I've learned recently that there are plenty of volcanoes in the country of Costa Rica. Here in Pittsburgh, there aren't any volcanoes because the state isn't located near any tectonic plates that could clash and cause volcanoes/mountains to form. On the other hand, Costa Rica is located between two major tectonic plates, those two being the Caribbean plate eand the Cocos plate. These plates are convergent because they aim towards one another and the plates collide causing volcanoes to form more often throughout Costa Rica. Convergent boundaries form volcanoes that produce andesitic lava, this lave type is sticky, light in color, and has little iron in it. It's known to have highly explosive eruptions when they happen to occur. Out of the major volcanoes in Costa Rica, all but one have andesitic lava and explosive eruptions. One thing they all have in common though it that they all are stratovolcanos meaning they are composite (having explosive/calm eruptions). These volcanoes can affect many of the Costa Rican people at the same time because of the amount of ask that comes from them and gets into the air and causese harm to the surrounding environments. Some of the positive effects that volcanoes have on the environment are the facts that later on down the road these ashes can becme useful because it's full of useful minerals and produces fertile soil for farming. Another advantage of volcanoes is the fact that they provide heat which later turns into electricity, also known as geothermal energy. To Pittsburgh, our closest neighboring volcano would be 1,849.18 miles away. But like mentioned earlier, Pittsburgh doesn't have to deal with active volcano eruptions because of not being surrounded by active tectonic plates that would cause this.

Who are the Ticos?

2010-02-01T07:59:00.000-05:00

Emily Stanley, 16

When talking about who “ticos” really are, we seem to think about their government, and past, but what I really think we ought to look at is their real lifestyle that they live every day. One example of this is their religious practices, which consist of 76.3% of the population being Roman Catholic, and 13.7% being Evangelical. Whereas there are much smaller numbers for those who are other religions, such as there being only 1.3% Jehovah's Witnesses, and the other Christian faiths being .7% Protestant. For something completely outside of Christianity, there is the other 4.8%, and 3.2% of the population claim to have no religion at all. However, because of a recent and small immigration from Asia and the Middle East, there are other religions starting to develop more, but specifically Buddhism, but there is a Jewish synagogue in San Jose.

Costa Rica has written and revised its Constitution during all its political trials and tribulations overtime, and through this document, is how they will function in society, as holds true for every society. Costa Rica has one of the most stable countries in its region, which obviously must hold true for its people’s decision making skills, and they have relatively high level educations, and it has a literacy rate of 97% one of the highest in Latin America, making it a very well educated country, more so than most, with educated people.

Though Costa Ricans seem to have an educated mind, they can still enjoy life. While having a well set up government, they have a culturally varied history. Because of the immigration of the Spaniards, the use of Spanish language, and the Catholic religion, it remains to this day some of the main cultural aspects of the country. The old style dances, such as Costa Rican swing are big musical influences in the lives of older citizens, where as things like Reggaeton and American Pop, are most popular among the youth of the country. Through those dances, guitar when accompanied to folk music is a popular aspect of culture. The Department of Culture, Youth, and Sports, runs most funding on these areas, where they are having trouble with funding for smaller activities; the common activities are easily paid for, and remain high quality forms of entertainment. These are a culturally diverse people, who are maintaining a stable government, while still attempting to have an enjoyable life.

- Emily Stanley

Who are the Ticos

2010-01-30T12:37:00.000-05:00

The culture of COsta Rica has been revolutionized from its earlier points in that nation's history. Form previous years ago, the culture of this country has evolved into one of the world's most known, unique groups of people. In Costa Rica, what is now known as the Ticos has an amazing story behind it. So who are the Tico's? In today's society, they are simply people who are from and live in Costa Rica. They act like normal teenagers. They like listening to music and dancing. They have a very unique culture. Most of the foods they eat cosnsist of fruits and vegetables. But what was it like in earlier points of Costa Rica's history? The Tico's had developed from groups of different cultures settling in Costa Rica. Some of these cultures included people from Spain, who were intermixed with people from Africa and the Caribbean. The Spanish colonialists settled in the Central Valley wirh other European immigrants. Germans and Italians were slowly moving in and settled with other groups. By the 19th century, larger numbers of immigrants were coming into Costa Rica. These immigrants were intermixing with each other; resulting in mixed-blooded cultures. The Ticos are locally born (crillo) Costa Ricans. According to the National Geographic Traveler Costa Rica, "In Costa Rica, the neglected settlers tilled their fellow Citizens by the ruling cliques, who shared hardships and destitution (in 1719, the governor of Costa Rica complained that he too, had to fill his own land). In this time they had became known as the Ticos". They had been cut off from most outside influence. They had began to develop their own culture and language. Unique vocabulary and slang were just a few examples just to name a few. They have revolutionized Costa Rican culture as a whole and now the majority of Costa Rican people are now considered Ticos.

Who are the Ticos?

2010-01-29T19:53:00.000-05:00

Larry Hailsham, 16

There are many things that I know about Costa Rica but there are also many, many things that I wish to learn about the country as well as the natives. A lot of things we’re able to read in books and see in pictures but you don’t really know anything about a country until you’ve visited it and seen the people and have lived with them and experienced what is, Costa Rica. I know that the main religion is Roman Catholic, but I don’t know all the little tiny things such as when do they go to church? Or how big is said church? And what their typical church service is like. Those are things that I would really want to know.

”Costa Ricans like to play soccer”

I only see the answer to the question:

“What sport do many Costa Rican people play?”

I don’t see WHY they enjoy it or anything that has a personal aspect to them. This is why I only know the textual stuff about Costa Rica and not the factual stuff, because nothing is really real when it’s talking about a society until you go in and see the people and see how they live, before that it’s just……. words, just text. Or at least that’s how I view it. I could write all the facts that I learned in this class about the colonization of Costa Rica or the way they reached a democracy or what’s happened there but I don’t feel as though that will make me know “who the ticos are?". But it's something that I will surely know this upcoming April and will be able to answer without hesitation

Shalyce 16

2010-01-11T17:15:00.000-05:00

Hi my name is Shalyce,
The reason I want to go on this trip is to help others and have a once in a life time experience. I loved doing the service learning project in 9th grade. I also enjoy when the 10 grade science honors students went to a park and cleaned the creek, and pulled lots of weeds. It was a very funny and fun day and I enjoyed the fact that I was helping. I also want to go on this trip because its something new, and it is an experience that I will be able to tell my kids and grand kids about. I hope to learn more about Latin American culture. I think this will be a very exciting and new thing that me and other student who feel the same way about this trip will take so many things from.

Daontay, 17

2010-01-07T08:46:00.000-05:00

I think the main reason I wanted to go on this trip was to travel. The world is a beautiful place and I want to experience as much of it as I can. I want to embrace different people and cultures other than my own and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so. I think that by going on this trip, we'll all get a glimpse of what the world is like from a different perspective. We will all benefit because we will all connect with the people of Costa Rica and with each other. From that connection will come a feeling that we'll never forget, the feeling of being one.

Courtney, 17

2010-01-06T23:54:00.000-05:00

Today marks the day of my long journey to Costa Rica with my new friends! I have always liked to travel and can not wait to experience a new country and culture with my fellow senior class mates, (as well as my new junior friends!) while taking on this once in a life time experience together!

The main reason why I applied to the Costa Rica service learning trip, was mainly due to the fact that I would love to experience something that not every 17 year old american student can say that they've experienced. I also applied because I will be taking part in a project that is beyond myself and just about anything else I have ever completed in my enitre life.

The only thing I can say that I would like to gain from this trip, is a closer bond with mi amigos and being confortable depending on people within my surrounding and working in a team. I have always liked working alone better than in a team, due to the fact that there is a low possibilty of idea confliction and irritation...

Hopefully this trip will be everything I hope, and my classmates and I experience great things far beyond our greatest expectations.

Larry Hailsham, 16

2010-01-06T20:27:00.000-05:00

When I heard of the opportunity, I levitated to it! Why you may ask? I want to go on this trip because I really enjoy helping people. It's evident that Costa Rica is far from the US and we'll probably find one of us making the "We're not in Kansas" anymore statement......although we live in Pittsburgh................................................................................................................................................
but that's not the point. This trip means a lot to me. It means I get to leave the country which is a PLUS, it means I get to learn about a country I know completely nothing about which is a DOUBLE PLUS and it means I get to leave the country with knowing I helped out people of an under developed country TRIPLE PLUS! What more could a guy want...........SERIOUSLY?