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Going to Costa Rica was my favorite travel in AGS. Even though I was a little nervous about all of the idea of bugs and dirt, I was so excited when I arrived. It felt empowering to be traveling
The first night we spent at EARTH University. Everyone was Tired from a long day at the airport(s).
The first full day we spent in Costa Rica was at the Bri Bri. I put my bag down in what looked like a really big treehouse and picked out where I wanted to sleep: a mattress surrounded by a net.
We did service work there by painting signs, picking up trash, and planting trees. I had a really great time talking with members of the Bri Bri tribe and experiencing a culture that was so much different than mine. We walked to an old folks home in the town and practiced our Spanish by talking with the elders. That night, the Shamen of the BriBri spoke to us about their customs and daily. Once it was dark, I went to sleep in my mosquito net bed, which was actually really cute, and surprisingly comfortable. The food was delicious, and I loved getting to understand the world from another point of view. Visiting the BriBri was an amazing and unique experience. We visited Talamanca Beach and it was absolutely beautiful. On our way back, we all picked up trash along the beach. On the beach and along the trail next to it, I saw some of the most amazing animals in the world. Butterflies were colorful, monkeys were cute, and the ants were giant!
The first night we spent at EARTH University. Everyone was Tired from a long day at the airport(s).
The first full day we spent in Costa Rica was at the Bri Bri. I put my bag down in what looked like a really big treehouse and picked out where I wanted to sleep: a mattress surrounded by a net.
We did service work there by painting signs, picking up trash, and planting trees. I had a really great time talking with members of the Bri Bri tribe and experiencing a culture that was so much different than mine. We walked to an old folks home in the town and practiced our Spanish by talking with the elders. That night, the Shamen of the BriBri spoke to us about their customs and daily. Once it was dark, I went to sleep in my mosquito net bed, which was actually really cute, and surprisingly comfortable. The food was delicious, and I loved getting to understand the world from another point of view. Visiting the BriBri was an amazing and unique experience. We visited Talamanca Beach and it was absolutely beautiful. On our way back, we all picked up trash along the beach. On the beach and along the trail next to it, I saw some of the most amazing animals in the world. Butterflies were colorful, monkeys were cute, and the ants were giant!
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The next two nights, we got to see all of the different parts of EARTH University. EARTH incredibly cool and everything the students do there works to fix issues around being sustainable and solves an issue faced by many communities in the world. We saw the gardening area, where they have different typed of mulch, beds, and growing areas. We saw a recycling and trash management center. Everywhere we went we got to help work. In the afternoon, we went to have lunch with a finca- a small family farm. Our first finca didn't speak a lot of English, but with a little help we were able to have a lot of fun. At the second finca we went to, a small farm where a man, his sister, and his sister's son lived. They were so kind and gave us such good food and coffee as well as an amazing tour. The mom and son took us on a hike to the top of a hill and the view was amazing. When we got back to the house we played music and sang, and played cards.
Overall, Costa Rica was really amazing and I wish I could write about every single incredible activity we did but it would take forever so these were just a few of my highlights. I learned so much and had a lot of fun and I feel like my perspective on global issues and the world has shifted slightly because of this experience. The problems and solutions I saw in Costa Rica were very thought provoking and gave me something to think about back in Austin. It definitely blew my mind and I can’t wait to have the opportunity to travel again, with AGS and on my own.
Overall, Costa Rica was really amazing and I wish I could write about every single incredible activity we did but it would take forever so these were just a few of my highlights. I learned so much and had a lot of fun and I feel like my perspective on global issues and the world has shifted slightly because of this experience. The problems and solutions I saw in Costa Rica were very thought provoking and gave me something to think about back in Austin. It definitely blew my mind and I can’t wait to have the opportunity to travel again, with AGS and on my own.