All About Costa Rica in a Few Short Minutes

This video in Spanish tells the major facts about Costa Rica in a few minutes.

5/30 Viernes

Today was a full day of play. We ran hard from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm.  We had a typical breakfast of arroz con frijoles and headed out to tour a local chocolate plantation to learn the process of cultivating and producing one of God's more delicious gifts. 

Chocolate Tour

Fuimos a una plantación de chocolate a las ocho. Tuvo lugar en una finca en las afueras de La Fortuna. La finca pertenece a una familia. Los papás se están envejeciéndose. Entinces, las hijas, Tatiana y Vivian se pusieron en carga del fúturo de lo de su familia al empezar el negocio de educar al público el proceso de hacer chocolate. Sembraron unos árboles de cacao, aprendieron las ciencias de cuidar el cacao y abrieron las puertas al público. Ahora, dan tours a muchas personas para educar sobre la magnífica fruta, el cacao. Aprendí mucho del proceso. Los azteca llamaron el cacao cacahuatl. Cuando Hernán Cortés llegó, los azteca le presentaron con el cacahuatl. El creyó que fueron locos al principio porque le ofrecieron una comida que parecía a caca y el nombre era similar a caca. Pero después de poco, él lo probó. Le gustó, lo renombró chocolate y lo conquistó como hizo con la mayoría de lo que estaba en las Américas antes de su llegada. Bueno, ni modo. Seguimos. 

Las Cataratas de Arenal

Después del tour de chocolate, nos reunimos con el resto del grupo y fuimos a las cataratas Arenal. Hicimos una caminata de más o menos 600 pasos hacía abajo al río. Un grupito de nosotros decidimos hacer ejercicio y subimos y bajamos las escaleras una vez más. Entonces, nos bañamos en el río con la vista de las cataratas al fondo. Fue muy bonito!  

Regresamos al hotel para almorzar. La comida ha sido excelente durante este viaje. Normalmente, las comidas tienen algo con arroz o frijoles, pero este hotel ha tenido pastas también. 

Los Termales Baldi

La última actividad del día fue una excursión al hotel Baldi. Es un Resort muy bonito que tiene albercas con aguas termales. Nos bañamos en una serie de albercas de aguas termales naturales. Fue muy terapéutico!  Pensamos que queríamos quedarnos tiempo extra pero nos cansamos y regresamos al hotel un poco temprano. 

Cenamos y fuimos a nuestras habitaciones para dormir. Fue un día muy largo pero inolvidable. 

5/29 Thursday

Nos despertamos tempranísimo esta mañana a las 6:00. No dormí muy bien pero es normal para mí no dormir bien. Zane y Jacob durmieron así así. Zane comentó que mis roncas le molestaron.  Desayunamos y salimos para bioparque. Hoy fue el cumpleaños de Alexa. Le cantamos y le regalamos un sombrerito. 

Bioparque es un lugar que presenta al público todo lo que ofrece CR acerca de parques nacionales y biodiversidad. Vimos ranas, tarántulas, Livélula - dragonfly, cayman, palmarés, palmitos, cienega tree, iguanas, incluso un oso perezoso. Después de una hora nos fuimos al Volcán Poás. 

El Volcán Poás

Llegamos a las doce. Tuvimos que caminar media milla al volcán. Estuvo bien nublado cuando llegamos y no pudimos ver nada. Sin embargo, después de poco el sol apareció através de las nubes. Pudimos ver la laguna en el centro del cráter. El agua era muy verde!  Saliendo de la laguna era una pluma de humo donde la tierra tiene aceso al centro de la tierra. Pudimos sacar algunas fotos juntos Zane y yo enfrente del volcán. Regresamos al camión y manejamos unos viente minutos a almorzar un plato típico. 

El almuerzo fue un casado con arroz, frijoles, ensalada y carne en salsa. Zane lo comió con pollo. Nos dieron un postre de algo que pareció a flan. Tomé un cafecito también. 

La Fortuna

Después de Poás, fuimos a un pueblo turístico que se llama La Fortuna. Allí, nos quedamos por dos noches. Estoy ansioso para submergirme un los termales y hacer una caminata a las cataratas. 

A rumbo al hotel vimos canchas de banana. Nuestra guía, Hiedy, nos informó que las razones por las cuales cubren las bananas con bolsas en plástico azules son: 

1.  Las protegen de bichos, pájaros y otros predadores que quieren comerlas. 

2.  Avanza el proceso de crecimiento y ayuda a hacerlas más grandes. 

3. A la vez, detiene el proceso de maduración para que estén listos para comer después de su viaje a nuestros supermercados que puede durar hasta dos semanas. 

Después de la cena, los chicos nadaron. En la alberca de nuestro hotel. Antes de entrar, sin embargo tuvieron que rechazar a unos sapos un un pájaro muerto de la alberca. Lógicamente, se empujaron en el agua y casi nos dieron ataque de corazón de que se iban a lastimar. Todos sobrevivieron sin asunto. 

Cuando se tranquillaron, regresamos al comedor para hacer una ronda del juego Left, Right, Center. Algunos fueron a dormir mientras Zane, Jacob, Madeline, Alexa y Isabel se quedaron para platicar y jugar las charadas. Por fin, nos fuimos a dormir a las 10:30. 

5/28 Wednesday

We woke up early at 3:30. Leslie was nice enough to give us a ride to the airport. Our first flight to Altanta left at 7:30. After a 3 hour layover, we headed to Costa Rica. We arrived in San José around 7:30 a little ahead of schedule. We went through customs and met our guide, Heidy, out front. We had to wait for another group that came from Nebraska. So, naturally, the kids started arm wrestling one another. Around 9:00, we got to the hotel, the Gran Costa Rica in downtown San Jose. The hotel was built in 1930. 

Packing List

Pueblo Costa Rica 2014

Packing List

 

Required

 

____ ***PASSPORT***

Clothes

____ Walking Shoes

____ Extra pair of walking shoes

____ Light Jacket

____ 1 Nice Outfit

____ Jeans (1)

____ Shorts (3-5)

____ Shirts (5-6)

____  Bathing Suit (maybe 2)

____ Pajamas

____ Underwear (10)

____ Socks (8-10)

____ Sunglasses

____ Sweatshirt

____ 1 Comfortable outfit for plane (maybe the same “nice outfit” above)

 

Toiletries

____ Toothbrush

____Toothpaste

____Comb/Brush

____ Deodorant

____ Razors

____ Sunscreen

____ Shampoo

____ Small washcloth

____ Chapstick (with sunscreen)

 

Other

____ Books (for plane and bus time)

____ Snacks (for plane and bus) (no fresh fruit, and make sure it’s allowed on the plane (no large liquids or gels))

____ Reusable Water Bottle

____ Cash (we won’t have many opportunities to get to an ATM)

____ Camera, batteries / charger (film or card)

____ Alarm clock

Optional

 

____ Money Belt

____ Small Umbrella

____ Light Rain Poncho

____ Water Shoes

____ Tissue packs (may need in bathrooms)

____ Small Journal / Note pad

____ Pens / pencils

____ Game books (Mad Libs, word find, crossword)

____ Small electronics (iPod, etc)

  ** Note: electronics are YOUR responsibility**

____ Address Book

____ Gum (for plane)

____ Motion Sickness Medicine

____ Anti-Diarrheal medicine

____ Small First-Aid Kit (Band-aids, Motrin, bug bite)

____ Ear Plugs / Night Masks

____ Lotion

____ Bug repellant / spray

____ Quick dry towel

____ Hand sanitizer

____ Playing cards / Travel games

____ Credit / Debit Card (call your bank)

____ Cell Phone (call your provider)

____ Ziploc bags to keep things dry (SEVERAL)

____ Small AZ gifts for school children, driver, and Tour Director

 

*  Carry-on only to keep things quick and simple at airports and hotels. That means 1 suitcase and 1 personal item (backpack) per person (the kids are perfectly capable of pulling their own), and means that all liquids must be in 3oz containers.  

 

Rules of the Road

Costa Rica Rules of the Road 2014

 

When we travel in a group, there are certain rules we need everyone to understand and abide by.  Knowing these ahead of time will help make the trip go smoothly.

 

1. My group leaders (Mrs. Sommer and Mrs. Simpson) are my chaperones on this trip and I will promptly comply with any directions, rules, or discipline. They need to know where I am at all times.

2. This is a Group Travel Experience and I understand that I am required to attend ALL group activities and excursions.

3. As a member of a large travel group I need to consider how my actions affect the rest of the group.

4. I will be on time, every time.

5. I am responsible for my passport on the trip to and from Costa Rica.

6. I am responsible for my own luggage, money, and belongings.

7. I will have an open mind about all things travel and will not whine or complain if something doesn’t go my way.

8. When our guide or another adult is talking, I am not.

9. My headphones come out of both ears when any adult is giving directions or talking to me or the group.

10. I understand that when I travel to another country I am a representative for my school and my country.  I will behave appropriately and respectfully at all times.

11. I will clean up after myself and leave the hotel, bus and all other places I visit in the same condition I found them.  If I damage something, I am responsible for the charges and I will notify my group leader immediately.  

12. I will treat others with respect and do my best to make everyone feel included.  This includes no name-calling, no put-downs, no destructive pranks and no physical abuse.

13. I know that water of any type (ocean, canal, pool, spa, lake, etc.) is off limits when not supervised by an adult.

14. I will respect the “lights out” policy and I will remember that there are other people staying at our hotel.  

15. I understand the use and/or possession of any type of drugs, consumption of alcohol by a minor, or use of a weapon is not permitted.

16. If I break the law (customs violation, shop lifting, use of drugs, etc.) I understand chaperones are not able to help me beyond calling my parent, and my parent and I will likely be sent home.

17. I expect none of the above will be an issue and intend to have fun!!

Duolingo for Learning and Practicing Spanish

There is a great app for language learning. It's called Duolingo. It's free on the iTunes and Play stores and you can use your computer. You can create an account with your Google or Facebook accounts. You can go at your own pace or friend other language-learners and compete against them.

https://www.duolingo.com/

Pura Vida!

Jesse

Me and my bud Jacob ready for Costa Rica estamos listos para Costa Rica

Fundraising Ideas

Fundraising Ideas

Please add to this list as you think of ideas for ways to raise money for the Costa Rica trip

• 50/50 raffle at talent show night
• Silent auction item
• Popcorn and soda sales at talent show
• Ask one of the local Costa Rican restaurants for sponsorship
• Ticoz Resto http://www.yelp.com/biz/ticoz-resto-bar-phoenix

November 2013 Meeting

Costa Rica 2014 – November Meeting (Countdown: 26 weeks or 182 days)

1. Passports

1. If you don’t already have one, you need to begin the process! Please let me know if you and/or your child do not have a current, valid passport.
2. Make sure your name on passport is the same as name given to EF Tours.

2. Rooming

1. Students under the age of 12 must room with an adult.
2. Standard rooming accommodations:

1. 3-4 students/room
2. 2 adults/room
3. 1 adult, 2 students/room
4. 2 adults, 1 student/room

3. Surcharge for 1 adult/1 student only = $30/night or $270.00
4. Unaccompanied students: Jacob, Isabelle, Alexa

We discussed the need to pair these three kids with another parent/child.  We may need to have one of the moms stay with Isabelle & Alexa, and have their son room with another boy.  

5. What is your rooming preference?  Are you willing to take on an additional student in your room?

Let me know if you are NOT willing to be paired with another student, OR if there is a particular student you do not want to be paired with.  

3. Insurance

1. STRONGLY ENCOURAGED!!!
2. Check with your insurance provider; most do not have international coverage.

4. Packing List (see attached)

1. Holiday shopping/gift ideas:   

• Money belt (like this one at Amazon)
• Small folding, compact umbrella (it is a rain forest!)
• Light, compact, rain jacket / poncho
• Postcards / note cards and stamps
• Address book
• Camera - whatever kind you'd like
• Compact flashlight or headlamp
• Travel pillow and blanket
• Books, puzzle books, travel games
• Keens or equivalent (ebay – great deals)
• Quick-dry / Dry-fit clothing (Jacque Hale said not to bother with anything cotton.  Once it gets damp, it will not dry & will stink up your whole bag!)
• Long-sleeve rash guard
• large scarf/pashmina/sarong
• microfiber, quick-dry towel (hand towels size)
• Suitcase – carry-on size

2. Look for sales throughout the year

5. Fundraising

1. Discuss ideas for group fundraising event - Jacque Hale proposed Hot Cocoa sales in the morning before school, starting in January.  We welcome other ideas as well.  
2. Would anyone like to head this up? Jesse Dahl volunteered to coordinate Hot Cocoa sales.

6. Miscellaneous / Questions

1. Horseback Riding – 12 years old is the policy, we are checking into whether or not EF Tours will allow our 11 year olds to participate.  If will follow-up again when I get confirmation.
2. White water rafting – due to the size of our group, we will not be able to confirm this activity until we are much closer to our departure date.
3. Student Tours for Adults – Parents: set your expectations; this I not a 5-star vacation; consider it a step up from camping.  The kids love it and you will too, as long as you understand what you are getting into from the beginning:

1. walking 5-7 miles/day
2. climbing 6 flights of stairs/day
3. meals (smaller & less variety; lots of rice & beans!)
4. accommodations (rooms may not be air conditioned, no hair dryer, smaller, etc.)

7. Next Meeting

1. Week of Jan 27-31 (pm) – Please let me know your evening availability for that week.
2. student e-mail addresses – If your student has an e-mail address, please send it to me and I will include them on future planning e-mails.  

January Meeting

Hi Everyone,

Please join us this Wed, Jan 29, from 6-7pm at my house:

5933 E. Calle del Paisano (56th Street & Indian School)

Phoenix, AZ  85018

(480) 874-1128

Please bring the following:

1. Your passport

2. laptop or ipad if you have one

In the meantime, you will be receiving an e-mail from Jesse Dahl that will invite you to join our Costa Rica Blog.  Please accept the invitation and make an attempt to get yourself signed on to the blog.  If you are challenged in this area (as was I) we can help you through it Wednesday night.  It will speed things along though, if you can get up and running before the meeting. 

Itinerary for the meeting is as follows:

A. EF training tour summary

B. 110 day deadline approaching (Feb 3) - what does this mean to you?

C. Fundraising (hot cocoa sales, future opportunities)

D. Jesse to discuss Costa Rica blog

E. Future meeting dates

F. Questions/Concerns

Please respond to this e-mail and let me know if you will be coming to the meeting.  If you have already responded from the previous e-mail, no need to reply again. 

Thank you,

Kristie Sommer