Last day in Uvita...
Today was our last day in Uvita! Hard to believe, but our time in Costa Rica has been flying by. After all of the activity yesterday, I was surprised when students started walking into La Fogata about 30 minutes before breakfast. Maybe it was for the extra wifi time? But Snapchats were replied to and hair was braided well before breakfast at 7 AM. We had our "typico" breakfast then started our morning with community service.
It was our last day at the community center and we needed to wrap up our projects so the next group could start a new one. One small room needed to be completed inside- the plaster was much thinner in there and it was difficult to take off without putting a hole in the wall (just ask the boys). We also had to finish up the corners and top of the wall in the larger room. The rest of us worked on finishing the walls outside. Yesterday we managed to break a water pipe outside when the plaster came crashing down. Not to be outdone... today the vibrations from the hammers broke the bathroom sink off the wall and water was flooding the bathroom and large room. Eddie was very quick to get the water shut off. This group is simply too strong. MVP for today was Simone, who continued to work hard when she had bandages that looked like gloves covering all of her blisters.
We worked for 2 hours this morning, then came back to the hotel to get the plaster out of our hair and to get changed for surfing. We had an early lunch at Al Chile Que Si- burritos or tacos and these awesome mango-banana smoothies. They were on Tico Time and it was a leisurely lunch- Creagan even had time for a little siesta after we ate. Zach and Nick were NOT on Tico Time because they raced & finished their tacos in under 4 minutes. The group was thankful for the wifi and the World Cup game to pass the time.
Time for surfing! Day 2 was a little different. While we had experience, we were surfing during a different time of day. Instead of starting at 11 and ending at 1, we were starting at 1 and ending at 3. Doesn't sound so bad, but we were closer to high tide and John noted that it was a little rough. The waves tossed me around quite a bit and I didn't get as many photos today; however, only half the group surfed for the last hour when the waves really picked up. Our instructors were fantastic yet again and several of the students were doing tricks on their boards.
After surfing we had a special treat at Las Delicias in Dominical- ice cream! Nick, Gianna, Mrs. Walsh and I tried the guanabana sorbet- it was muy delicioso (is that right?)! We tried out a little surfing game on a board and cylinder and purchased a few bracelets. It was a fun little stop.
The students were VERY happy to hear that we would be stopping at the grocery store on the way back to the hotel (note: I almost wrote "on the way home" because that's what it feels like to us haha). Eliza said "This is my favorite place in the world!" and Carolyn said "I love this place!" Our intent was to stock up on some food for the ride to Turrialba tomorrow; however, students were running through the store with armfuls of Costa Rican cookies, chips, and other snacks to bring back home. I am doubtful that they will make it home, but just know that they did intend to bring you some Yipy packages. Unfortunately, Trits do not travel well. Sadie finally tried them today and said that they were "the best thing I've ever tasted. They are so good I just don't understand it." YOU'RE WELCOME EVERYONE! ;) We got our snacks and headed back to the hotel for some free time (swimming and wifi) before dinner at La Fogata.
We FINALLY got to try the fantastic brick oven pizzas from La Fogata tonight. So good! We had vegan and gluten free options, as well as cheese, pepperoni, and barbecue chicken pizzas. They have taken very good care of us here.
After dinner we had a nice surprise- a bonfire on the beach! Our guides have been trying to do this for 3 nights now, but the weather just would not cooperate. We had a dance party on the bus and headed north to Playa Hermosa. Kara, Olman, and Christian built the fire for us. They also had giant, fruit-flavored marshmallows and Chikys (graham cracker-like cookies with chocolate on the bottom) for making Costa Rican s'mores. We played music on the speakers, took lots of pictures, and enjoyed the bonfire. We could see the lightning off the coast to the north of us, but we had our first rain-free day!
We took a vote between playing soccer again or coming back to the hotel: the hotel won. We have some packing to do before we head out tomorrow. Although our departure time is later than usual, there are lots of morning activities. Costa Rica plays Serbia in the World Cup at 6 AM local time, so La Fogata will be busy. Kara is going to lead yoga from 7-7:45 on the sun deck. Then the whole group will reconvene for breakfast at 8 AM with a 9 AM departure.
It will take us about 5 hours to get to Turrialba, depending on traffic and weather. It is a bit of the trek, but the rafting on the Rio Pacuare makes is 1000% worth it. If we have some time, we'll get to shop and explore in Turrialba. The students keep asking me where we'll be staying- I have no idea. This is the one location where I have stayed somewhere different for each trip.
I'll get one blog post up tomorrow morning bright & early before we head out, then tomorrow night will probably be a late one.
Pura vida!
It was our last day at the community center and we needed to wrap up our projects so the next group could start a new one. One small room needed to be completed inside- the plaster was much thinner in there and it was difficult to take off without putting a hole in the wall (just ask the boys). We also had to finish up the corners and top of the wall in the larger room. The rest of us worked on finishing the walls outside. Yesterday we managed to break a water pipe outside when the plaster came crashing down. Not to be outdone... today the vibrations from the hammers broke the bathroom sink off the wall and water was flooding the bathroom and large room. Eddie was very quick to get the water shut off. This group is simply too strong. MVP for today was Simone, who continued to work hard when she had bandages that looked like gloves covering all of her blisters.
We worked for 2 hours this morning, then came back to the hotel to get the plaster out of our hair and to get changed for surfing. We had an early lunch at Al Chile Que Si- burritos or tacos and these awesome mango-banana smoothies. They were on Tico Time and it was a leisurely lunch- Creagan even had time for a little siesta after we ate. Zach and Nick were NOT on Tico Time because they raced & finished their tacos in under 4 minutes. The group was thankful for the wifi and the World Cup game to pass the time.
Time for surfing! Day 2 was a little different. While we had experience, we were surfing during a different time of day. Instead of starting at 11 and ending at 1, we were starting at 1 and ending at 3. Doesn't sound so bad, but we were closer to high tide and John noted that it was a little rough. The waves tossed me around quite a bit and I didn't get as many photos today; however, only half the group surfed for the last hour when the waves really picked up. Our instructors were fantastic yet again and several of the students were doing tricks on their boards.
After surfing we had a special treat at Las Delicias in Dominical- ice cream! Nick, Gianna, Mrs. Walsh and I tried the guanabana sorbet- it was muy delicioso (is that right?)! We tried out a little surfing game on a board and cylinder and purchased a few bracelets. It was a fun little stop.
The students were VERY happy to hear that we would be stopping at the grocery store on the way back to the hotel (note: I almost wrote "on the way home" because that's what it feels like to us haha). Eliza said "This is my favorite place in the world!" and Carolyn said "I love this place!" Our intent was to stock up on some food for the ride to Turrialba tomorrow; however, students were running through the store with armfuls of Costa Rican cookies, chips, and other snacks to bring back home. I am doubtful that they will make it home, but just know that they did intend to bring you some Yipy packages. Unfortunately, Trits do not travel well. Sadie finally tried them today and said that they were "the best thing I've ever tasted. They are so good I just don't understand it." YOU'RE WELCOME EVERYONE! ;) We got our snacks and headed back to the hotel for some free time (swimming and wifi) before dinner at La Fogata.
We FINALLY got to try the fantastic brick oven pizzas from La Fogata tonight. So good! We had vegan and gluten free options, as well as cheese, pepperoni, and barbecue chicken pizzas. They have taken very good care of us here.
After dinner we had a nice surprise- a bonfire on the beach! Our guides have been trying to do this for 3 nights now, but the weather just would not cooperate. We had a dance party on the bus and headed north to Playa Hermosa. Kara, Olman, and Christian built the fire for us. They also had giant, fruit-flavored marshmallows and Chikys (graham cracker-like cookies with chocolate on the bottom) for making Costa Rican s'mores. We played music on the speakers, took lots of pictures, and enjoyed the bonfire. We could see the lightning off the coast to the north of us, but we had our first rain-free day!
We took a vote between playing soccer again or coming back to the hotel: the hotel won. We have some packing to do before we head out tomorrow. Although our departure time is later than usual, there are lots of morning activities. Costa Rica plays Serbia in the World Cup at 6 AM local time, so La Fogata will be busy. Kara is going to lead yoga from 7-7:45 on the sun deck. Then the whole group will reconvene for breakfast at 8 AM with a 9 AM departure.
It will take us about 5 hours to get to Turrialba, depending on traffic and weather. It is a bit of the trek, but the rafting on the Rio Pacuare makes is 1000% worth it. If we have some time, we'll get to shop and explore in Turrialba. The students keep asking me where we'll be staying- I have no idea. This is the one location where I have stayed somewhere different for each trip.
I'll get one blog post up tomorrow morning bright & early before we head out, then tomorrow night will probably be a late one.
Pura vida!
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