Costa Rica 2010-Day 2

Day two started off delicious. We ate a breakfast of arroz (rice), frijoles (beans), juevos (eggs), y frutas (fruits). After our 6:30 breakfast, we walked down the main drive of the Soltis Center and down the road a bit to the school we will be working at the next few days. Before we left, we got Alberth to take a picture of the whole group in front of the Soltis Center Sign. On the way there we stopped and took in many of the sights that we could not see on the way in last night. By the time we had gotten to the bottom of the main drive, we were all amazed by Alberth's seemingly endless knowledge of the rain forest. He could recognize a bird's species by simply listening to the bird's songs. He had conversations with these birds, luring them closer so that he could show all of us the birds he summoned. Alberth's relationship with nature is a mix between Dr. Doolittle and St. Francis. As we walked down the road he continued to tell us about the different trees as we marveled at the beauty of the surrounding flowers. Once we got to the school we all noticed immediately the differences in our schools. The school is a single room classroom, one for elementary, and one for the high school. Both schools share a dirt soccer field that was surrounded by forest. One wrong kick, and that ball is gone. Before we left the school we tried some natural fruit that grew on a tree behind the school. It was called Sour Orange. The name says it all. A couple of us tried it and others decided not to based on our reactions. As we journeyed back to the Soltis Center we began to realize why the locals are in such good shape. The walk back was draining as we ascended back to the top of the hill where the Center is located. As we reached the top, a rejuvenating rain came down on us as we waited for the group to congregate. Back at the Center we rested as we waited for our next plans. After about an hour break we headed into the rain forest behind Alberth where we truly got to take in the beauty of our surroundings. As we made our way through the forest we kept our voices to a minimum while we basked in the freshness of the sights, sounds, and smells of the area. Alberth continued to amaze us with his facts about the forests. The destination of our hike took us to a grassy look out where we had an amazing view of the Center. It is here that we discover the most terrifying ants we had ever seen. He explained to us that the locals used to use these ant's pinchers as staples to sew up cuts when they didn't have other medical equipment to do so. After our trek in the rain forest we broke for lunch for quite possibly the greatest meal we have ever had. We had home grown salad, rice, beans, and breaded chicken. However, it was not normal breaded chicken, this was delicious Costa Rican breaded chicken. To go along with this we had sweet and sour sauce made with plantains that made the chicken that much better. After letting our food settle a bit we headed to the buses to go to the butterfly gardens. The issue that arose here is that one of the buses could not make it up the rocky road leading up to the main drive of the Soltis Center. So half the group ran for the bus that made it up the mountain while the other half of us walked down the road to meet where the other bus had stopped. The butterfly garden is located at the university that Alberth studies at. He first showed us where he takes his classes and even where he hangs out after classes. After seeing this he took us to the butterfly room. Here we saw the life cycles of the butterfly and then went into the garden where the butterflies live. We tried very hard to blend in with the plants, but very few butterflies actually landed on us (much to our dismay). To amaze us even more, Alberth snatched butterflies out of the air, and then would hold them while we all took pictures. After seeing the butterflies he took us to see the crocodiles. Here he explained to us that some of the crocodiles he could reach lengths of over 7 meters. We then got back on the bus and made sure everyone was accounted for. On the way back to the Center, we stopped at a local market to try some Costa Rican snacks. When we got back, the buses dropped us off about a half mile from the Center because of muddy road conditions. So once again we walked back up the hill, but this time we had a steady rain coming down on us the whole way up. Back at the center we rested and cleaned up a bit before dinner. For dinner we once again had the infamous rice and black beans, however this time we had it with pork chops. For desert we had a homemade Costa Rican praline desert with some type of nut in it. After dinner we regrouped and planned for tomorrows activities where we will be splitting up into groups. One going to the school, and the other into the rain forest to help with some research. As we get ready for bed, the rain continues and the birds and bugs continue to sing.

Good Night from Costa Rica,
Love,
Blair, Jared, Tommy, and the whole rest of the gang

p.s. The Costa Rican Diet (beans, rice, and walking. Up Hill. Both Ways.) is the new South Beach