Free Day – San Jose, Carara Ntl. Park, and homestay families

First some photos. Click the images below to see more photos from a “nice afternoon” and  “Futball Cinco”.

Yesterday lunch through the afternoon was very relaxed and pleasant. As Juan said “we arrived promptly on US time, but left on Tico time.” I didn’t mention dancing lessons yesterday, adding to the frisbee, soccer, cooking, eating, pinata, relaxing, and birdwatching.

Today we went in various directions. I ended up going with Juan and seven students went to San José. We walked around the city a bit, made some purchases at the artisans market, and had a snack before heading on back to Atenas. Amber went with Will and Amelia to a full day of birding at Carara National Park, a little more than an hour away. Some students went to public swimming pools or soccer matches with their host families. Tonight we are all going to the “Fiestas de Sabana Larga.” Sabana Larga is outer neighborhood of Atenas and the hold an annual festival that includes a “Tope” (or parade which includes horses). There is bull riding and other rodeo events, dancing, food, and small amusement rides. Juan, Amber and I will be there to help them navigate this event. Students are settling into the rhythm of the town, and they all seem to be enjoying themselves.

Tomorrow we are off at 8:00 am to see Volcán Poas. Poas is a mildly active volcano, and, if it is clear, we will see a small hot lake at the bottom of the crater. The visit will shift us over a little into the science and natural history mode. The forest and ecosystem there will most resemble our last site of the course–Los Quetzales. The area is moist and frequently covered with clouds, and the forest is dwarfed somewhat from the altitude and higher winds. We have switched things around a bit in the itinerary as this was the only day we could arrange transport to the volcano. We should be back early in the afternoon.