Hola familia y amigos!
When it rains, it pours.
Today´s light rainforest drizzle brought about a downpour of problems in
our plans today. When we woke up at 5:45, we expected to hike back to
Katsi, the school where we taught yesterday. However, in order to get to
the school, we must cross a river, which is impossible when it rains
since it causes it to rise. After our cocineros Jocelyn, Jason, and Dr.
O´Neal prepared a typical Costa Rican breakfast of pinto gallo
(featuring beans, rice, peppers and spices), it was back to the drawing
board. We made an executive group decision to head to the local school´s
nursery to clear out their garden patch. Battling with various insects
(we´re talking baseball-sized spiders), weeding plants up to our knees
and sweating under the Costa Rican sun was a growing experience for all.
Yet after the sweat and toil, and some Disney tunes sung by Lindsey,
the plot was clear, complete with twelve orange tree seedlings. We were
even fortunate enough to have a yucca farming lesson from Orlando, which
made us appreciate the yucca in our dinner tonight.
We
returned back to our base for a mini-siesta, and then a few of us went
back on the road to seek more service and learning. Our next adventures
took us to the local co-op, and they needed assitance cleaning out their
plantain-packing facilitiy before their meeting. Some brave
souls--Gordon, Erin, Kellen, and Hunter--shoveled rotting plaintain
piles, complete with more of our beloved six-eight-and-hundred-legged
friends, while Yuliya and Ashton swept and hosed down the facility until
it squeaked. Meanwhile, Jason and Kelsey had an impromptu futbol match
with some local Tico children.
Back at the ranch, Emily
gave Kimmie friendship bracelet lessons while Erin trimmed Kari´s bangs.
A little later, a local Tica craftswoman came to sell us handmade
gourds and jewelery. Tonight we were pleasantly surprised with a little
Bri Bri culture including song and dance. Angela spoke with the
presenters afterwards and became their unofficial English to Bri Bri
correspondent.
We were going to conclude with a metaphorical water or rain
allusion but we are all very tired and excited to sleep until 6:30 in
our tree house tommorrow.
Buenas Noches!
Kelsey y Yuliya
P.S. Jocelyn would like to give a shoutout to her older brother who graduated college today. Congratulations we are all proud of you!
Hearing of your efforts makes me one proud mother today Bug! Keep up the wonderful work. Did you get any pictures of those bugs, Bug? Praying your whole team will have a fun and safe next few days. Can't wait to see you. Miss you and love you, Kellen's mom.
ReplyDeleteEmily - Mom has yard work planned for your new-found skills. Love, Mom and Dad.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that the moms are missing you guys more than usual today. Hope you all have a joyous, as well as a dry, Mother's Day Sunday. Keep enjoying your accomplishments. Keep exploring new experiences. Keep make an impact. - Kellen's Dad.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the love . See you in Atlanta. Jocelyn's brother
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you all are having a blast!!! I've really enjoyed reading all the blog posts. I am so jealous of you all, I can just picture everyone hanging out in the hut and playing with the cute kids at the school! Give Orlando, Roger, Osmond, Stephanie, and everyone else in Amubri my love and tell them I miss them! Can't wait to hear more about all the adventures and inside jokes :)
ReplyDelete~Rachel Hunkler