Buenos Noches Madres y Padres;
Today we awoke to a fantastic breakfast from Aunt Randy.
Then we headed into town where we participated in a community project- yada, yada, yada.
We went to the biblioteca and worked with Ascona (google it).
Then we took the SMS uniforms to the local escuela, and presented them to the gym teacher. Their volleyball team from the school was the National Champions- blah, blah, blah.
Finally, made our way to the Iguana Lodge for something to eat and to hang out on the beach. Lunch was great, water was wet, it was fun - see pix.
Other notable activities -
After the lodge we went into town to spend some dinero - Please send money.
Laura Marx bought 4 machetes- she seems very angry. We don’t let her around the kids anymore.
A monkey threw poop on Tim Fallon. What a great learning opportunity for the kids.
Perry and Clint teamed up against the locals on the hoops court. White men can jump…I think gravity has less effect the closer you get to the equator.
On a serious note, we are sad that Greg Andsager (aka the most interesting man in the world - stay thirsty my friends) left today. I think Ricardo Montalban(check spelling) was the pilot. de plane, de plane…
We checked our flights for Thursday…looks like they are canceled. We’ll let you know when we reschedule.
We miss you all. Wish you were here!
Con Amor, Los Chaperones!
PS: As a result of winter storm Titan, the kids are trying to catch up. I saw a few of them around here today. Kids blog to follow later.
Hola mis queridos amigos!!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you all had a great day at the school library and swimming afterwards. I miss everyone so much already.
Believe it or not but the entire Puerto Jimenez Airport was the size of a St. Mary classroom. I had to walk onto the runway with my handwritten ticket to get onto the 16 passenger plane to San Jose. The flight was awesome because I could see the many different areas of Costa Rica by air. The Golfo Dulce, Dominical Beach and San Jose.
I'm leaving Atlanta on my way home now and thought of everyone on the trip and how special each and everyone one of you are to me.
(Sorry Annaliese but this blog might get a little long. So go ahead and tell your friends I'm about to get all gushy and stuff.)
To the fine students soon to graduate from St. Mary, I salute you!!! Each and everyone of you!!!
Daniel - "Senior Determination" - I think he was up to 21 "hooks" on the string, ring and hook game. Great job and thanks for snorkeling with me. The Moray Eel was awesome!!!
Sam - "The Adventurer". I think you were first in line for every activity (and for the dinner bell :-). You have a great passion for exploring the world. Keep it up and spread the good word.
Part 2.
ReplyDeleteAnnie - "The soft voice with a Gigantic Heart". Thanks for spending time with me at the lodge. I love how you care so much about everyone. I hope we can order pizza from Julio's restaurant in Puerto Jimenez in Cincinnati. Do you think he delivers?
Lucy - "I'm not going to miss a single thing on this trip". Lucy, you are so awesome. Your great attitude and willpower helped make the trip better for me. It's contagious and you will have many more great adventures in your life. Thanks Lucy.
Brittany - "Braveheart of Osa" - you are so incredible to watch as you take on every challenge and maybe even face fear with the heart of a victor and a winner. Thanks for all the conversations and reminding me to be brave to try new things. Thanks Brittany.
Merritt - "The eyes tell the Osa story". Your eyes were amazing to watch as you explored new worlds. I loved to see your eyes when you first saw wild monkeys or dolphins. Your eyes tell such a great story. I was also touched to see your eyes of compassion when you saw children and others less fortunate. Beautiful eyes Merritt!
Cate M. -"The smile to brighten Costa Rica". The temperature was warm to the skin, but you helped warm everyone's heart with a beautiful smile and encouraging words for everyone. Thanks for helping everyone in your group enjoy and embrace Costa Rica.
Kate J. - "Princess of the Rain Forest". I'm so sorry about Captain Morgan's story on the beach and my screeching scream. Thanks for all the great conversations and compelling reasons for me to stay in Costa Rica a few more days. So happy to share Costa Rica with you.
Curran - "Miss Fearless". Truly a brave warrior zipping thru the Costa Rican rain forest on a wire from tree to tree. You are also a great waterfall jumper. I gave your zips and jumps perfect scores. Thanks for sharing dinner time at the lodge with me.
Rosemary - "Rose of the Jungle"- Rosemary makes every moment count in everyday. She's one of the best creekers I've ever seen. She also appreciates a good prank. Be careful amigos, Rosemary may get you in a good prank. Thanks for the many lodge conversations.
Caroline - "Hollywood of the Osa Penisnsula". You are incredible at everything you do. From dolphin watching to zip lining to creeking, you always had a glowing look on your face and the perfect attire. Thanks for all the great conversations and looking out for me.
Annaliese - "Miss Compassion" - walking Guaca"mule" down the steep hill on the horseback ride with 11 horses and one donkey. Thanks for having the toad jump on my plate. It was one of the best laughs of the trip.
Avery - "The Osa Cyclone with the best smile". I followed Avery for a day to pick up everything she left behind in the winds of her excitement. :-). I love her great spirit, smile and wonderful compliments she gives to others. Thanks for pleading with me to stay. You have great persuasion skills.
Claudia - "Miss Go Pro" - You won't miss a thing if your with Claudia. She embraces every activity with passion. I love how she dives in feet first with every activity. And in case you weren't there,she has the video to prove it!!!
Alex - "The Voice" - a beautiful voice to lead the singing on the bus. Not only do you have a great voice but you're a great leader. By the way, I hope you saw some dolphins in between your sun tanning sessions on the boat. :-). Thanks for looking out for me and my cough Alex.
Mimi - "The Spirit of the Osa". I think Mimi enjoyed and embraced every activity including school work. Mimi was awesome at helping write the evening blogs with others. Thanks for all the great conversations and and being at great friend to your classmates.
Part 3
ReplyDeleteChaperones. My amigos!!!
Tim - "The Cowboy". Not only is he a great equestrian for the love of his son but he also is "The Banker" to keep the finances in check for the trip. Thanks Cowboy Banker!!!! Thank you Tim.
Perry - "Dr. Como" - Simply the best field medic ever!!!! From bug bites to minor scrapes to sun protection, Dr. Como helped keep everyone healthy. In his spare time from being a doctor, he's also a great Go-Pro technician. Thanks for being a great "Cabina-mate". Thank you Perry.
Laura - "The Spirit(s) of Costa Rica". (Interesting play on words). Laura is awesome and approached every person with a warm and comforting smile. Her contagious laugh helped set the mood for everyone to have a great time. She simply made the trip better for everyone. Thank you Laura.
Clint - "The Sun Worshiper". Even if Clint didn't have any SPF 90 on, he braved the sun and shared time with every student on the trip. I admire how much individual time he spent with everyone on the trip and his blossoming Spanish speaking skills. I wonder if he wrote in Spanish in his journal? Thank you Clint.
Carolyn - "El Teacher". Miss Kelly is a great ambassador for the St. Mary Costa Rica trip. She's made many personal sacrifices for everyone on the trip and kept each student on track with Journals and homework. She's also organized the blog so that loved ones at home can stay in touch with the group. Miss Kelly understands and embodies the "servant's heart" and feels the joy from everyone on the trip. MUCHO GRANDE THANK YOU!!!! -Ravindranath Tagore
Gary - "El Capitain"!!!! A great leader. Thank you for sharing your Costa Rican paradise with all of us. You are a great host and ambassador to Costa Rica. We all thank you for your generosity and hospitality. Thank you Gary.
Randy - "Aunt Randy the Chef" - best cooking ever!!!! Thanks for waking so early every morning to set up breakfast and keeping the jungle lodge in great order. Thank you Randy.
Marvin - "The Bus Climbing Arborist". Simply the best tree climber on top of a bus I have ever witnessed. Thanks for keeping everyone safe ON and OFF the bus.
Pura Vida amigos!!!!!
Greg
Greg - your comments were so fun to read! I'm sure you're missed!
ReplyDeleteJulie
I think that Greg's response pretty much sums up everything. Ok guys, you can come home now. We officially miss everyone :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Greg, as per usual, you were an observant and supportive chaperone! Clearly, you will be missed. Work must be really important if you can resist the persuasive talents of Kate J.! And, I can attest to the fact that Avery does, in fact, need someone following behind her to collect all that is distributed by her personal cyclone (picture of her room to follow!).
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, a HUGE "Thank You!" to ALL of the chaperones. Your sacrifice of time and money is not unappreciated by those of us back home who were unable, unwilling or just plain too chicken to go! Maybe next time....
Kari
Thanks Greg. What a fun peak at the trip!
ReplyDeleteI second Kari's comments.