2 days As An Agra-Tourist Down on the Farm

Sorry to disappear on you, but I've just returned from my home stay with Don Fernando and Donna Lydia on a tilapia farm and dairy in the Guacimo area of Costa Rica. On the farm we planted trees as part of a reforestation project. We fed the fish and we played alot of Dominos (no TV on the farm, asleep by 9PM up by 5am...YIKES! I've never been more glad I'm a teacher and not a farmer). We also learned all about Biodigesters, something I never expected to learn about, EVER!!!!! All in all, it was an experience that helped me appreciate all the great opportunities and comforts I have every day, and to think about what I take for granted, as well as, ways I could waste less and conserve more.

Visited the Banana Fields and packing plant at Earth University

Earth supplies the 98% organic and certified rain forest friendly bananas sold at Whole Foods Market in the US. Their educational mission is what allows Earth to sell this product at a reasonable price. These bananas are not fully organic for 2 reasons (1) they would require additional fields of pineapple or other flowering fruits for cross polination, and (2) as an import good the US requires the stems of the banana be waxed and sealed (and the product the goverment requires in non-organic.

This is the "banana train" which carries the fruit from the fields to the packing area.

The 5AM nature hikes, OH MY....

This morning we saw Iguanas, Tucans, Howler monkeys, Dart Frogs, humming birds, the national bird of Costa Rica (a yellow thrush),Great kisedee, and many more birds.

At the school we saw a 2 toed sloth (looked like some students..).

A visit to a Tico (Costa Rican) School

Today we visited a Costa Rican High School. I learned that some educational truths are universal. For instance, the administrator always has a powerpoint with statistics about your school compared to other schools in your area. Teachers all have the same "don't you dare" teacher look used liberally when honored guests are visiting the classroom. Ipods, MP3 players, and cell phones are a distraction from instruction even in schools with extreme poverty and in developing countries. And last but not least when you are excited about teaching and learning students get exited about teaching and learning.

At this public school students where uniforms-light blue button shirts and blue navy blue pants or skirts. In your Senior year the class votes for a special shirt color for the year. At Colegio de Pocora there are more girls in the senior class this year than boys, so the shirts are PINK.  A heavy price to pay for living in a democracy one male student told me.

14 of the 26 Toyota Teachers in our official TITP shirts. The remaining teachers visited a tech high school.

This evening we had a party with the Costa Rican teacher at the botanical gardens. Great food and fun in a beautiful environment!!!

At the end of the party, a live band and costumed dancers performed for our group.


(L to R)  Me, Laurelia the art teacher from Colegio de Pocora, and Cat Fox TITP participant from Colorado.

Nature Air again and now we are at Earth University!

Where's my upcycled art (half way there!!!)

An afternoon at the Beach on a secluded island in the Gulfo Dulce

Planting for future Mangroves in the Gulfo de Dulce

The Mangroves and Tourist Development

Today we visited the Mangroves. We started the day visiting the “Super Mega Tourist Development”  a funny title for a visit to 3 half complete, totally abandoned luxury developments starting in the $250,000 range. During the housing boom many American companies started developments that were not necessarily up to code. Environmentalist sought to stop this development however the US financial crisis did more to halt this growth. After seeing this and having a nice seafood lunch we headed to the Mangroves to see what was at risk from these developments. 

Other sights around the Corcovado National Park

Coco-source of chocolate!













Macaw.

A swim in a waterfall was our reward after the long hike

To The Rainforest

Today we hiked the rain forest. We began the day at 6AM, departing on a “cattle car.” After an hours drive over treturous roads we arrived at Parque National Cordova. The first sight was a pair of Macaw Parrots. Later we would see two more pairs. We are told that these amazing birds mate for life. 

We set out for a hike through the rainforest and to a spectacular waterfall and to a system of caves that have both archeological artifacts and a river that flows through it. There and back the hike took 3 ½ hours and was incredibly difficult. 

It rained 4 times and the soil, not unlike the red clay of Georgia sucked up your hiking boots or alternatively sent you sliding down the mountain side at top velocity. We started out trying to be the only person left standing without a completely muddy backside. Once everyone had fallen at least once we change the challenge to be muddies person at the end. I have never been dirtier or sweatier in my entire life. And I wish I could go back tomorrow and do it again.  After the long hike we had a picnic lunch and then were told that just 1km away was an amazing waterfall and swimming hole. We were excited but we soon learned that Costa Rican’s and people from the US have extremely different perceptions of distance. Turns out the swimming hole was a 2 ½ hour hike one way –and it was more difficult than the morning hike. Half the group gave up and turned back. I did not and I am so glad. When I jumped from the rocks into the water it was exhilarating. Oddly the hike back was only 40 minutes (it was up hill all the way, which was easier than down hill…mud slides again) .  On that return hike we say Toucans, a sloth, and the deadly poison dart frog.