Did you know......

Costa Rica means "rich coast"
Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos.
Boys are often called chicos and girls chicas.
The common greeting among the laid back Costa Ricans of "pura vida" which translates literally as "pure life" but means something in between "no worries" and "it's all good"
They are a very welcoming and friendly people.
Costa Rica is a democratic republic with no army (which was abolished in 1949).
Money which would have gone to the army is put in education and healthcare.
Costa Rica has a 95% literacy rate.

In 1951 a group of Quakers from Fairhope Alabama settled in the Monteverde region of costa Rica.  Why? They opposed the draft bill.  They farmed and presently have a very successful Cheese Factory.  We had the pleasure of spending an evening with Marvin Rockwell one of the original "Society of Friends".  What a great story.  Hopefully there will be a documentary on public television "Sweet Home Costa Rica", it is currently in production.

Kaleidscope of Color

Take the time to look at these pictures it will give you some insight into the beauty and diversity of Costa Rico.

Highlights

Thinking about the last ten days in Costa Rica I wanted to post some of the highlights for me.  Over the next few days I will post timeline of my trip in more detail and post some pictures.

1. Visiting two elementary schools
2. Seeing Arenal volcano at sunrise
3. Birdwatching at 5.30am
4. Hearing the howler monkeys
5. Touching a fruit bat
6. Learning about the history of the banana industry and seeing the plantations up close
7. Visiting coffee plantation
8. Kayaking on Lake Arenal in misty rain
9. The amazing birds
10. Orchids, hibiscus, African tulip tree and more
11. Frogs
12. Seeing spider monkeys playing in trees in the grounds of the hotel in Tortugeuro
13. Hiking down to La Fortuna waterfall
14. Eating pineapple, mango, watermelon.
15. Night boat ride
16. The many hikes in the rainforests
17. The random stops along the road when our guide spotted a bird, monkey etc.
18. Green tree iguanas up close
19. Spiderwebs, dragonflies, butterflies
20. Ziplining
21. Planting a tree at the EF reserve in Monteverde

Costa Rica

Two uneventful flights to San Jose on Thursday. Luggage did not make it instead all luggage from our group went to Dallas.  Quick dinner at Grab Hotel in San Jose then back to airport to pick up luggage.

Bright and early Friday morning we headed to the Cafe Britt coffee plantation great experience

Then to Sarchi to visit a small factory that makes the ocxcart which is the national labor symbol of Costa Rica.

We had the opportunity in Sarchi to attend an afternoon Valentine party at a senior center we were visiting a church heard music playing across the street and we stopped by what a welcoming group of people we danced, laughed and had a lot of fun.
Costa Rica is an amazing place so much to see so much to talk about.
WIFI is unpredictable and I have so much to share.
I will try and update soon

Sloth

Today we met our furry friend Sloth, he will be going to Costa Rica with me.  There was a lot of excitement in class and we took turns holding him.  Our next activity is coming up with a name.  Children have been busy writing their choices down and we will decide on a name once everyone has had the opportunity to think of one.
Finally our sloth has a name, Patience. How appropriate.  Some of the ideas were Slowly, Slow, Hunny, TNT, Binky, Henry!!