We greet you today in anticipation of our return home and yet sorrow for the end of our exciting trip in Costa Rica. To start such a day, one must have, you guessed it, rice and beans. Oh, and eggs… how exciting. Even more exciting, we were actually emancipated from our hiking boots and were permitted to wear flip-flops as we ventured off of the porch. What a day. It took not more than five seconds for many of us to realize why that rule was implemented- ants love feet. The wait for the car was better today -- only 40 minutes late.
Our activity for the day was snorkeling at the Bahia Santa Elena, and getting unevenly tanned. After learning our lesson in our previous experiments in becoming lobsters, we copiously applied sunscreen. At least I (Alex) thought I did. My calves must have slipped through the Dr. Wood Sunscreen Test.
We saw many fish and even more sea urchins -- Delaney says they sting.
Some highlights were the puffer fish, torpedo fish, eels, and a sea horse. No one has to know that it was not actually alive (not our fault). We also saw two sea turtles.
We would tell you what happened and what they were doing, but this is a family site. Look at the picture; you’ll get the idea.
We had lunch at a private, secluded beach ;). Learning continued with lessons on skipping stones. We also discovered the ruins of the last field course to come through, or of some ancient culture. There also was a small invasion of hermit crabs. For lunch we had, you did not guess it, sandwiches- variety.
Then we went snorkeling with crocodiles -- or so we feared as we pulled into the mangroves. Instead we just had a nice boat tour. Kerry sang ALL THE WAY THERE… what a beautiful voice.
Before leaving, we saw an experiment in breeding Red Snappers, which are overfished in that area. The adults were in large holding nets as they got them to breed so as to see if they could successfully grow them from eggs. When we arrived, they were hungry. So we fed them and hoped that they would not jump our of the net into the boat.
After realizing that the tide was much higher than when we left, and we would not be able to get out of the boats where we got in, we went in search for an alternate mooring. There we changed into decent clothes, just in time for it to start pouring.
For dinner, we did not eat at the usual comedor (the dining hall at Santa Rosa) but out at a restaurant. There we presented both the Eladios and Jeff (Jefe) with lovely Stevenson apparel presents for their hard work and patience with 18 high-schoolers. We will miss all of them. We just hope that we did not give them Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
As our last post, we wish to reflect on the wonderful experience we have had. Seeing how much we have already written, it will be short reflection. We all know how long winded I (do I really need to specify) can be. This has been an experience that we could not have gotten anywhere else and we are eternally grateful to our guides and teachers for all of their hard work that they have put into this trip. It is something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.
In anticipation of screens that actually keep bugs out a night,
Sasha and Alex
5 comments:
Have a safe trip back home, we missed you so much.
And I promise you Emily no more rice and beans, well, maybe more rice, and steaks/bacon cheese burgers in exchange for more exciting stories of Costa Rica.
I want to thank all the teachers who arrange this trip and let you girls and boys have this wonderful opportunity. Can parent join next time?
You guys may not want go home yet, but we miss you so much!!!
Can't wait to see you tomorrow, to hear all stories you (Diana and Astor) promise to tell.
I like to say a exciting trip, much adventure and fun.
Very happy everyone is safe and healthy. To remember for a long time.
I'm sure you are all anticipating getting back to screens without holes, AC that works, meals without beans & rice, cars, cars that run on time, traffic, traffic lights, pollution, noise that isn't natural or made by insects and bugs, no cows, horses or volcanos, where is my video game?, less bugs because we use pesticides, no places to swim in the jungle next to volcanos, the totally natural ocean, and...
... hmmm, maybe it's not so bad where you are in Costa Rica...
Welcome back to the "real world" (or is it?).
Something to think about - the places you visited in Costa Rica will be there, and the things you saw will be the same, every day,m no matter where you are.
As you go through your day to day lives back here in Illinois, every day there will be researchers in the jungle, the bats will be there, the birds, bugs, - they all will be there doing what they were doing while you were there this week, long after everyone in this group is back home.
Don't forget. It's there, even after you are gone.
Something to think about.
Campers Hikers Scientists Surfers Hikers Swimmers Tourists
What a wonderful way to spend your last day in flip flops sunning, snorkeling and seeing some incredible sea life. Can't wait to see you all back at SHS this evening. Kerry you can pick our dinner local no Chipotle at least skip the rice and beans.
My special thanks and gratitude to guides, teachers, and chaperones for a wonderful job of caring, teaching, and keeping all safe on their wonderful excursion.
Would love to get everyone together over summer to share stories, friendships, wonderful memories, pictures and I am sure some trials and tribulations that came along the way. Please let me know what everyone thinks.
The blogs, pictures and comments were special and made me feel a little part of your incredible experience. Thank you to all who made that happen. Safe passage to all on your way back to civilization. JK
Mr. Cummings
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