Where I last left off our group was preparing for our final shift at Playa Longosta. We´ve done much traveling since then and we have experienced and seen some wild things. First off was our final shift working with the turtles. We had to rise at 4:30a.m the next morning to leave for San Jose, so we were able to all do the same shift from 7 to 11:30. We all walked down the beach to begin the shift except for Alex who had to go to the bathroom. When we were making our first pass past the entrance to our camp ground Alex was there next to a freshly hatched nest of baby lora turtles, or so we thought. Alex had come back to find a raccoon eating through the nest of turtles that were most likely two days premature. He had scared the raccoon off and our guide immediately searched through the mess to find survivers. Some of the baby turtles had hatched themselves which is why the raccoon found the nest. Our guide Carlos found the healthy turtles and put them in a bucket to rest, many of them were to weak or injuried to make to the journey to the water and actually have a chance at surviving. It was dishearting to see the pile of dead turtles that had entered the world to a raccoon claws. Still as sad of a sight as it was it was simply part of nature and trying to stop every raccoon is futile. A few turtles were strong though and they made it to the ocean after a wild start to there lives. The rest of the shift was more or less uneventful. We got back and happily fell asleep, but Carlos woke the people who had yet to see a Baula at around 3a.m. I was not present but there were two massive Baula´s out, one significantly larger the the first one seen by my group. With that we left pre-dawn with a great sense of appreciation for the people working for this organization and we simply felt lucky to have played a small part for helping these turtles and for being able to witness so much during those short days. It was time to move on to the free travel portion of the trip and we were all excited for the days to come. We all worked hard to do what we wanted to do for free travel especially Max and Bobby who put in so much time to make sure or plans went smoothly even if there was frustration along the way. We took a surprisingly nice public bus to San Jose where we stayed the night in preparation for the journey to Corcavada in the Osa Pennisula. We woke early yet again and made our way to Sierpe to catch the hour long boat ride to our three night stay at Corcavada Adventure Tent Camp where we were hooked up big time by the owner and man with the plan Larry Hustler. On our boat ride to our stay we were able to see three crocidiles laying on the river bank thanks to the sharp eye of our driver. When we finally made it to the camp area our expectations were blown away. The place was beautiful and not to mention almost mosquito free. There was so many amazing activities and places to go but not enought time and money to do them. We relaxed there the night we arrived but the next day would be quite eventful. We left early in the morning for the trip to Caño island. We cruised around for about two hours in the boat fishing and looking for aquatic life. We saw at least two pods of humpback whales there in Drake Bay. It was a beautiful sight to see the whales breach water and raise their massive tails above the water. For many of us this was the first time seeing whales in the wild as well as many other animals that we saw in Corcavada. Before we got to the snorkeling section of the trip we saw at least 8 dolphins gliding through the crystal clear waters. The grace at which they leapt into the air was quite astonishing to see. Finally we anchored the boat and prepared to snorkel in the amazing waters excited and a little nervous at what we were about to see. In those waters we saw a array of colorful fish. During the second snorkeling section after lunch we saw what almost all of us had been hoping to see. Sharks. We saw two white tipped sharks below us. One was laying still at the ocean floor, another much larger flying through the water. On our way back to the camp area Alex caught a Yellow Fin Tuna which we happily ate for dinner that night. The next day was also quite excitng, we took a hike across the beach and we were lucky enough to see Scarlet Macaws in the trees along the beach as well as a troop of white faced monkeys that allowed us to get many good photo opportunities until the flash angered them and started baring their teeth at us. They were in leaping distance so we decided to keep moving. We made it to the part of the beach where Rio Claro merged into the bay. We relaxed there, played some ultimate frisbee trying to enjoy our last day in Corcavada. When we returned we were all quite exhausted. Later that day Alex and I took to kayaks out on the ocean and watched the incredible red and orange sunset floating there speechless. After an amazing stay in Corcavada we returned to San Jose to stay in a friendly hostel for the remaninder of our free travel. We are enjoying our time here and we all look forward to Thanksgiving, we intend on making a nice meal in the communal kitchen. Hope everyones doing well back home and have a happy Thanksgiving.
I also asked everyone to write one to two things they have gained or leaned from this trip that they will use and benefit from back home.
Celia: From traveling with C.D.I ive learned to be more confident in navigating around unfamiliar places, and to let my requests and needs be known and to keep a positive attitude when in challenging situations.
Dan: I have figured out where i want to go to college, UC Santa Cruz, and what i am going to be doing for the spring semester. I will be volunteering for 3 months in the Dominican Republic with Fundacion Mahatma Ghandi which I cant wait for. I have learned how to live in the moment and be appreciative of my life and most importantly myself.
Heidi: I have been interested in Botany, Medicinal healing, sustainable living and working/studing abroad. This trip has shown me opportunities to combine all these things as a career, which before this trip thought might be an impratical goal.
Alex: Through this trip ive learned and gained independence, a good plan for my future, organization, and how to be present and enjoy each day.
Andy: Ive learned that Nicaragua´s southern pacific coast boasts sunsets that rival those of my desert home. That despite decades of political violence, repression, and state terror, people still laugh, play, reminice and smile; open their doors and offer a meal. Ive learned new salsa steps, thizzle dance, and going dumb. Ive remembered that my potential is immense. That my passions exceed my fears. and i am so greatful for all my years.
Karen: Something I´m taking away from this semester is a hgiher appreciation for those I love in my home country and understanding that I can diverdge my desires into a whole. I dont need to seperate them to understand them; humans tend to do with information as its received. Furthermore confidence and happiness.
Max: Two things I have learned and want to bring home from this trip: I have revitalized interest in yoga and plan to practice at home. Also I have learned alot of Spanish and feel really inspired to keep it up, and also to start working on my French again.
Bobby: I have learned to be more like the emperor. Not in a ruling sense, but in the same sort of mindset. Have my armor and sword at the ready, but not carrying it around unnecessarily tiring myself in that process. Think about discipline, and how it can make my life the sort of life I want to lead.
Kaise: I have gained a true appreciation for my life and the luxuries I have, also a new love for volunteering and helping others. I have also gained a strong motivation to work hard and to pursue my new found interests of Environemental Sciences at the college level.
With Much Love, Kais
e.
