Written on Sunday, May 30th
Hello again! I apologize for not writing more. We have such a busy schedule that our internet time is limited even more than our free time. I am usually so exhausted at night that I fall asleep on my homework! Today I am in an absolutely beautiful place.. But I have some catching up to do before I tell you about it.
Wednesday evening my host family had another dance lesson for me. I did a little better than last time but still the moves were difficult. But the night was full of laughing and it was nice to spend this time with them.
Thursday, we went back to the school we visited on Tuesday. This time we had planned some whole class activities. Which would be led by different people in the group. I was first. I taught a lesson to 1st grade students where they would be filling in their own personal rainbows with the colors of their eyes, hair, skin, favorite color, etc. It was 90% in Spanish. Which was tough but I had some phrases planned. We first went through and took a count of the class’ favorite color. We talked about the colors in Spanish and English and then counted in English our results. IT was fun to teach the class, although I was nervous about the Spanish aspect. I think it went really well. Terri taught the same lesson in 2nd grade but had the added difficulty of using blank papers instead of a worksheet like I did (limited copies). She did great though. In the 3rd and 4th grade we did a new science experiment involving Ghost shaped paper which, if it’s limbs were bent a certain way, would spin. The students had to predict if the ghost would spin or not based on it’s arm adjustments. Dr. Huber taught one class, and Emily and David taught the other. The students really got into it and at the end of class had fun trying out their own ways to make it spin. We were all excited to teach a full group and I think the students enjoyed it.
Friday, my group went to the Santa Elena Reserve. That morning I was not feeling well. I felt as though a fever was coming on and wanted to just stay in bed. We had a different guide that morning, Johnie. I was getting worn out but about half way through our hike I was brightened by two events. First we were able to climb up a lookout tower in the forest. It reminded me of J-Road tower back in Missouri but with a very different view. The last platform was reached by a metal ladder which most in the group didn’t ascend, but it was worth any worry about it. The view was AMAZING. 360 degrees of beautiful Costa Rica. Below I was able to see the tops of the cloud forest’s trees and looking out I saw the Arenal Volcano, the Arenal lake, and various mountains all around. Suddenly I was energized. And not too long after this, a second boost of energy was given by the sun peaking through the forest. SUN! We hadn’t seen sun in 4 days! Everyone was in a much better mood after that. We saw two sets of howler monkeys, one appeared to be a family with a baby monkey following its mother around in the tree branches. We also saw some Toucans and a large bird similar to a turkey. At the end of our hike we came back to the gift shop where, outside it, they had hung hummingbird feeders. I was able to sit and once again enjoy the tiny birds buzzing past me to go from one feeder to the next. So, although I’d started the day miserable and sluggish, by the end our hike I was much more upbeat. After Spanish classes that day I came home and Karla and Erick asked if I wanted to go dancing with them. We went to Bar Amigos in Santa Elena where they were having a live band. It was fun watching all the great dancers. I got a Imperial Silver, the most popular ‘cerveza’ here (beer). Karla and Erick eventually went to join a salsa dance. I loved watching them swing around the dance floor with all the other couples. It looked so effortless but I knew how hard they had worked on those moves. At one point an older couple went out there. They looked to be in their 70s and American. They got out there and did the salsa as well. They moved a little slower but did each move just as well as the younger dancers. It was kind of sweet. I didn’t dance any of th organized dances (Salsa, Meringue, etc) but danced the ‘free’ dances lol, where we could do whatever we wanted. There was a big group of American students there and they were having a lot of fun. About half way through the night though two girls started really dirty dancing with each other and rubbing butts together. Everyone laughed at them and when Karla and Erick looked to me I rolled my eyes. It just wasn’t the best representation of American women. All in all the night was fun. I was trying not to laugh at the band members to much but they were characters. Thing about the ‘Rico Suave’ guy from the 90s. They had all those ‘sexy’ moves, but somehow they just looked ridiculous up there. IT was definitely a new, interesting, experience.
Saturday we left early for La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano. It was a long drive there, almost 4 hours but we stopped a lot along the way to take pictures because the closer we got, the better our view was of the Arenal Volcano. We also drove around Arenal Lake which was created in the 70s. The dam is used for hydropower. Also we saw the windmills which they use for windpower and the geothermal power stations. We ate lunch a nice outdoor/indoor restaurant in La Fortuna. A lot of restaurants here are like that. Indoor but very open and its like we're outdoors. I walked with Emily around La Fortuna and checked out their souvenier shops while admiring the view from their town square of Arenal Volcano. Before heading out for the afternoon we stopped at our hotel. IT was Amazing. We were met with a (non-alcoholic) fruity drink and directed to our rooms. The view from our porch was beyond any I have ever seen. Perfectly framed for us to view from our rocking chairs was the Arenal Volcano. And, even more amazing, it was cloud free this weekend. Which almost never happens. We could see the fumeroles which came from its top and took many pictures. We went inside to find we had the same view from inside (provided by huge windows at the foot of our beds) and a beautiful rock shower in our bathroom. The pool area was set up to take advantage of the same beautiful view. There was no escaping the wonder of the volcano Arenal. After taking in this view and relaxing a little we headed to Sendero Silencio, a forest around the base of the volcano. We once again had our bilingual guide Javiar with us. We saw many howler monkeys and even a family of this creature with a baby who followed its mothers path closely and stumbled around the treetops. We were also able to see Toucans from a distance and hear their beautiful conversation. Our hike ended before dusk so, as our 'surprise' Javiar took us to the Southeast side of the mountain where, as the sun went down, we would be able to see the falling lava rocks. Arenal volcano is in a constant state of eruption. Not of the flowing lava type as may be seen in Hawaii, but of small bursts of firey rocks which tumble down the side of the mountain. These rocks are not viewable in the day except when they bring with them a trail of smoke. But at night, each interaction with the volcano's outer wall sends up red sparks which are easily viewable. At our lookout point there was about 30 people and at others which we passed there were in total at least 150. The clear sky was a special treat and many people came to see the volcanic delight. Just as it began to get dark, the volcano threw out a few lava rocks and as they bounced down the volcano they glowed bright red. It was an amazing site, although one I was unable to capture in a picture. Our guide, Javiar, was able to catch one of these occurences so hopefully he will pass his photos along. The best part was the people who were waiting and watching. They cheered, oohing and ahhing at the event. It was like watching fireworks at the 4th of July, only with a need for much more patience. As we left we spotted observers with grills, lawnchairs and coolers. This was a special event, a special day. :) And for us Americans, a great Memorial Day Weekend treat. We then headed to the La Fortuna Hot Springs. There were about 17 to 20 different small pool type areas spread out among the grounds with plants and pathways dividing them all. Some were centered around a bar area, one even had a television above the bar. Some pools were more remote for honeymooners I suppose. We had a great time relaxing in the warm waters. The hottest pool was around 120 degrees. Too hot for me! The girls in the group had a drink at the in pool bar. After leaving the hot springs we went back to the volcano for more lava viewing. By that time it was 11pm and I was strugging to keep my eyes open as we sat on the side of the road but it was worth it. What an amazing view! We then returned to our hotel, and our beautiful view and slept very soundly :)
Sunday morning I woke early, planning to get breakfast and head to the pool. As I sat on the bed wondering if I should give myself 15 more minutes :) I heard a growl fill the air, a roar almost like thunder filled the hotel room. I grabbed my camera and ran for the door. I looked outside to see the volcano puffing out a great cloud of smoke, much bigger than those the day before. I ran inside and probably scared Emily to death as I shouted for her to look. The cloud gradually float away (and Emily went back to bed :) )but I sat out in amazement. It was not a large eruption, although slightly different from the day to day activity of the volcano, but I was amazed that I'd been there to see the sight. I eventually did head to breakfast, which was in an outdoor dining room in clear view of the volcano. Again we saw the smoke, then heard the growl of the volcano. I relaxed by the pool for a brief time, not long was necessary to feel a tan coming on seeing as we are so close to the equator her (about 9 degrees north) While sitting poolside there was a few more growls. Everyone was quite amazed by it all and I even set my pool chair in view of Arenal. I then returned to my beautiful hotel room and sit now in my comfy rocking chair dazzled by the amazing place I am in. What an experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment