Hey everyone! Maddie here at West Bay Bed and Breakfast in Roatan, Honduras. Its been a long, sleepy, eventful week! We were all a little sad to leave our new home in Leon, where we had many many wonderful meals. A lot of us fell in love with that little city. Leaving day was fun, taking a taxi from the hostel at six thirty am to go to the bus station to take us to Managua. We were on that bus for a little over two and a half hours, when it was supposed to be only two. We were running dangerously close to missing the only bus to Liberia that day that we could afford. With a half hour until the bus leaving, we still had to get in taxis and go the seemingly short distance to the next bus station. But the taxi drivers got confused, and we ended up driving around for about 30 minutes (and actually past the bus station at least three times) until they figured out where we were going. When we finally got there, they tried to charge us more because they got lost, and we couldn’t afford that in the budget, so Jess tried to calmly explain that we didn’t have any more money. when that didn’t work, she laid the money on the ground and walked away, them yelling at us as we boarded the bus to Liberia. The bus was amazing, equipped with a bathroom, nice seats that recline, and yes, that’s right, AC! which is a rare sight on busses in Central America. After endless chicken busses, we felt like kings and queens.
We rode that bus for awhile, and then had to get off to cross the border. We didn’t have that much trouble, but it did take a little while, and then we got back on the bus.
After about 5 or 6 hours, we arrived in Liberia, Costa Rica! Most of us woken up abruptly to be shoved quickly off the bus on the side of the road in what we were told was Liberia. All we could see was a big dirt road with lots of construction. Oh yeah, and a giant Burger King and Papa Johns right next to us. After asking the people at Burger King where our hostel is, we set off down the street to find it. When that didn’t work, we set up camp on the sidewalk, and set a few people up each street to look for it. No luck. Then after a few calls to the man at the hostel, he walked down to meet us and we all made it safely to the hostel. It was a long day, but we were happy to see beds with a wonderful fan in the bedrooms.
That night most of us went to a wonderful little place to eat called Marie Juana. (lol) it was delicious. Lots of burritos and chicken wings and (yes!) guacamole!! mmmm. then after we had some full bellies and lots of smiles, we headed back to the Hostel, to hear that Sam Swanson had something to tell us.
Sam told us he would be going home the next day due to heath issues. We were all incredibly sad, but supportive of his decision. We know he made the right decision for himself and we are proud that he was strong enough to make that decision to go home. It was a hard one for him, I’m sure, and it was definitely hard for us. We spent that night kind of in shock. Some of us staying up to watch movies with Sam, some of us hitting the hay because it was such a long day. The next morning, we all woke up and made a music video for the famous Carpe Song that Lucas and Sam wrote back in Guatemala. (to be posted soon) and then we had a really awesome goodbye ceremony for Sam. We all sat around in a circle and said our goodbyes, and then Sam went around to each and every one of us and said some really heartwarming thoughts. With lots of hugs and a few tears, we had to depart from our precious (brother) (friend) (love child of taylor swift and 50 cent) (Grande/Guapo) Sam and catch the next bus to our next destination.
After another taxing day of traveling, we finally made it to La Playa Camaronal! The awesome turtle reserve. We got to relax in our room for most of the day, which had.. dare I say it… AIR CONDITIONER. yes. after an amazing dinner (our Thanksgiving, I might add!), we split into groups and signed up for the night shifts. From 9-12 1-4 and 5-7, we all got to do a little of everything while on our stay there. My first night, we saw a Lora Tortuga (black turtle) just in time to retrieve her eggs right out from underneath her as she gave birth. I got to do it! It was such a cool experience. One of my favorite parts was when you rubbed her shell, her shell would glow, (because of some chemicals or some kind of bio thing I don’t understand) either way, it was amazing. One night, the very rare and almost extinct Leatherback turtle came to visit! We missed her though sadly, but saw her massive tracks, and hoped she successfully laid eggs In a nest. two nights later, to most of the groups surprise, another leatherback turtle made its way to shore, and they got their eggs! It was super rare they were all really lucky to have seen something so incredible. they said the turtle was a smaller turtle and was about 5 feet in diameter! I wasn’t in that group that day, but I was lucky enough to release about 20 baby turtles into the sea that morning, watching them take their first steps into the ocean. It was happy and sad at the same time, knowing they all will try so hard at the first moments of their life, being thrown to the sea, and that most of them wont survive. But because the chances of them living without the help of the Reserve or the volunteers is so much smaller, we are so happy to help and make that difference. it may not seem that big, but it is. the people there do everything they can to make sure they survive the first few rounds of life, to give them a better chance against predators such as raccoons, and even the locals looking for their eggs. After they are born and crawl out of the sand in the hatchery, we release them on the sand by the shore, and let instinct take over. they crawl to the water instantly, sometimes getting pushed back by the waves and having to start all over again. But after they make it in the water, its up to them. We did everything we could to help those little guys, and I loved every second of my time there. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.
The food was amazing there, the volunteers were amazing, the director, Massimo was amazing, and my favorite, the stars were amazingggg. The stars shown and twinkled the brightest when the moon went down at around midnight, so people in the later shifts got the most breathtaking view. I cant remember a night where I saw less than 15 shooting stars. Thanks Costa Rica.
This place was so interesting and wonderful and many of us enjoyed our time here, even if we did get really tired during the day. We had lots of free time to hang out together, sleep, sing and play guitar, give mac a singing lesson or two, play lots of cards, and drink no less than 8 cups a coffee a day for some people, and got really sleepily goofy a lot of the time. Lucas wearing elles leggings and being a ballerina, Riley wearing elles clothes and looking spunky, and lots and lots of listening to comedians of Lucas’s ipod. all in all, it was pretty neat.
oh, and did I mention it was AMAZING?
Thank you La Playa Camaronal for such a great time and an interesting learning experience.
I want to take this time to say thank you to Sam, and all he has done for us. This trip would not have been as fun without you, and I’m so glad you chose this program. You’ve come so far since those first few days at Earth lodge when you opened up to us. You’ve grown and changed for the better, and you’re on your way to becoming the person you want to be. We can all see it. You’ve challenged yourself, first and foremost for making the decision to come here, and every day since then. You’ve taken charge when you needed to, owned up when you felt called to, and helped us challenge ourselves when you thought we needed a little push. You’ve faced lots of things while here, (from ingrown toenails to friend problems to your many outfit identity crisis’s to uncomfortable beds to your pooping problem, and lets not forget that whole thing where you had a baby) we all have had our challenges to be honest, but you’ve grown so much from them. We’re all so proud of you. You provided a new level of fun and laughter that I’ve never experienced. Always a smile on everyone’s faces when you’re around, Sam. We miss you so much. It’s been much different without you… quieter.. if I must say honestly. Which isn’t necessarily a good thing. But don’t worry Sam, you’re still here with us, all the time. Never will we ever non speak in double negatives anymore. Your words are drilled into our heads, and we love it and laugh and think of you every time we catch ourselves speaking like we forget how to speak English. We only have one more week on this trip, but you have made an impression on all of us forever. We will never be the same. Thanks for everything, and never have we ever missed you more.
We’re almost home, parents. We will see you very soon.
Love,
Maddie
P.S. “you would rice this up and make this taste like rice.” -Yenny
