AAVE Trip BLOG » Hola from Costa Rica Spanish Intensive 1!
July 9, 2010
Hola from Costa Rica Spanish Intensive 1!
Posted by the AAVE team in : Costa Rica Spanish Intensive, General AAVE Trip BLOG , trackback
Hola Abbott y Familias! Pura Vida!
What a trip we are having!! Everyday is something fabulous! This morning we did some volunteer work on a coffee farm. We helped mix the soil, plant new trees, and helped them build a new bridge across a stream. There is A LOT of work that goes on at a coffee farm. I think we will all appreciate our nice mug of cafe our “Tica moms” prepare for us each morning a little more now. Afterwards we had a Latin cooking class and made the most amazing lunch. I´m not sure what she did differently, but Kylie made the best fried plantains ever!
Yesterday we went on a tour of “La Trapiche”. We learned the whole process of making coffee and processing sugar cane. Then we got to make some of our own candy at the farm. Rebecca, Kate, Hannah and myself made some toffee with peanuts and chocolate. Yum!
Yesterday we all went ziplining and Hannah definitely wins the vote on loudest scream. It was soooo fun. It was 12 ziplines, a Tarzan Swing and a rappel from the treetops. There are definitely some athletes in this group, so we have been getting up in the mornings to go on runs and play soccer. I´m trying my best to keep up with Ben and Devin the cross country runners…and I think I´m going to have to get Henry´s autograph before the trip is over since he´s probably going to be playing in the next world cup! And even though Max U. is great at all sports, he keeps everyone involved by always passing the ball around. We are like one big family. I love it!
Rafting was definitely a highlight. We had our guide give instructions to us in Spanish as we floated down class 3 rapids in the jungle to the sound of howler monkeys in the background. The monkeys sound like a group of tigers approaching and Erick (our Costa Rican guide) can make the exact sound. Kate tried talking to the monkeys too by making the Howler monkey sound, but what came out of her mouth sounded more like the sound of someone saying “blah blah blah” while throwing up. It had us all on our knees laughing hysterically, including her! It is now our new monkey call and we love it! Hahaha. We actually have a monkey mascot which Kylie is taking care of right now. His name is Ki-KI and goes everywhere with us.
On the 4th of July we were visiting Arenal Volcano, we may not be in the US, but we did see lava trickling down the volcano, which at night kind of looked like fireworks! That day we also went to the hot springs “Baldi.” What a treat! There were over 15 pools of different temperature, plus hot water water slides! I think Max F. went on every slide at least twice.
Our group is amazing and the adventures are so fun, but the homestays I think are what sets this trip apart from other trips. At first everyone was a little nervous. Becca ate some “natilla” (which is kind of like a sweet sour cream that goes on your toast) thinking it was yogurt. She just kept saying “mmmm…gracias!” It was so cute. Now after 2 weeks of classes and culture, everyone is confidently speaking Spanish with their families and understands the different customs and cultural differences.
Tomorrow we off in the bus for Rincon de la Vieja, I´m sure Ryan will keep us entertained in the bus with her stories and dancing. Once we get there we go horseback riding, tubing, and visit a mud bath. I don´t want this trip to ever end!!!
Thank you all for sharing your kids with us! They ROCK!!
Love,
Sheila & The CSI Crew!
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