This is it… the final posting in our blog for Costa Rica 2013. It seems weeks ago we left Montana, not just last Saturday. We have done more in the past week than many thought possible, and the group has had a lot of fun doing it!
Tonight we ate at a very nice restaurant overlooking the central valley – the valley that includes San Jose and many of the nation’s people. It was a beautiful night – we chose from entrees of steak, sea bass, spaghetti, or chicken. We had spectacular views of the urban center sprawling below, and the students really enjoyed their final meal in this Central American Country.
We depart the hotel at 3:30 in the morning, so it is now 9 pm and everyone has turned in for the night. My next post will either be from Denver during our seven hour layover, or maybe not until I am back in Helena. But first:
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Earlier today, we discussed our experiences on the trip. 10 years from now, what will you remember about this trip to Costa Rica… and here are those final reflections…
Jason Welnel – Everything went very well; it was smooth and everything went great – Daniel did an excellent job.
Shannon Welnel – First night at the beach baiting Howler Monkeys… and my husband used an escape plan to get into the safety of our room ASAP.
Marcus Welnel – To be determined….
Trevor Welnel – Getting to see all the different wildlife and comparing it to Montana. Squirrel Monkies, the mini-deer (agouti), Iguanas, and animals like that.
Daniel GTA Guide – When Trevor jumped off the catamaran and ‘splatted’ onto the water with his shoulder. And then, later in the trip, he came up from changing, patted himself down, and proclaimed, “Oh my God, I forgot my underwear!” This was especially cool for Daniel because a family member had once done the exact same thing and had an identical reaction!
Miss Pancich – Daniel’s ability to spot everything, know everything, and sound like everything.
Gererdo – The bus driver liked the children’s behavior (and after 25 years of driving, he has had many student groups, Daniel said) and he liked talking with Jason – who was his co-pilot for the whole week. “He talks mucho,” said Gererdo.
Mr. Elder – Trying to get both good photos of our travel party and of the land and animals of Costa Rica. My favorite part was as we all – as one big family – swam in the pools below the waterfall near the Arenal Volcano.
Caelan Cummings – The zip-lining was fun and exciting. I thought it was going to be scary, but it was fast and really a lot of fun.
Christine Trefzger – The night hike and how the pouring rain just unleashed upon us… and all the spiders, snakes, and animals… and the Red-eyed Tree Frog. I also loved watching Jake, Jack and the girls pass the snake from one person to the next… the sharing of the snake!
Jack Trefzger – Early in the week at the family farm when we saw the “Penguin Rooster” – the rooster that waddled instead of walking like you would expect. Daniel said the rooster was about to die, and so the lady at the farm got gasoline and rubbed it on him. And, somehow, the rooster lived… but now walks a little differently!
Bill Ballinger – The rainforest hike at night and how the guides and Costa Ricans didn’t use rain jackets… and so neither did we.
Jake Ballinger – The humidity – lot’s of it, especially at the beach!
Travis Elder – My wife’s astonishment at discovering how to tell the sex of the monkeys. Also amazing was my son’s independence – we never had to check up on him. He was always prepared and where he needed to be. Did you brush your teeth on this trip son? Kellan replied yes!
Kelly Elder – All of the creatures – reptiles and otherwise – that come out at night. The crabs that were everywhere, moving sideways. There was a big toad right outside our door all night, and lizards were everywhere. Shannon got attacked by that huge flying bug (we named it the flying hermit crab). And then there were the two raccoons that came to visit us in the restaurant!
Kellan Elder – The monkeys were funny and how small the roads are.
Jennifer Brundsen – Playing cards in the rainforest at the dining hall… the lady there was packing up, and we wanted to know if we had to leave. The gestures, the communication without our knowing Spanish or her knowing English – well, you can get a lot done with gestures! It was really amazing. Also, ‘wipe out’ is the same in Spanish and in English.
Bridget Powers – I liked visiting the family farm at the beginning, especially when we all ate the termites.
Fiona Powers – During the night hike, when I saw Mr. Elder doing that funny dance behind the group and I didn’t know why (but I do now – Mr. E had to go to the bathroom really bad)!
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Thanks again to the crew at Global Travel Alliance (especially Paul in Montana and Daniel here in Costa Rica) for providing a most excellent adventure for our middle-schoolers!
Mr. Elder and Miss Pancich, Tour Leaders – CRA Middle School – Helena, MT USA
Mr. Elder's Travel Blog, 2012-2024 