Yorkin: Joys and Struggles

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.

Service Work in Yorkin

Thank Goodness

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!!!

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 Trip Comes to an End

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.