Day 9: Mama I'm Comin' Home

Hello everyone, I'm blogging from the runway in Atlanta. Reflections are coming tomorrow, but I just want to take this moment to thank all of you parents for sharing your awesome kids with us for 9 days in Costa Rica. This is seriously one of the best behaved, problem free groups I've ever had. Every day was an adventure, every day was a party, every day was an absolute pleasure. The Atlanta, San Francisco, and Los Angeles groups became truly family for our nine days, and parting truly was sweet sorrow. I'll always look at this spring break with extreme fondness, and I'm happy and privileged to have 10 members in the Prill family. PRILL FAMILY FOR LIFE!

Photo from the Folklore Dinner Outside of San Jose

Day 8: Last Tango in San Jose

Hello everyone one last time from San Jose! Today has been another great one, and I do believe the tour ended on a high note overall. The day began leaving Jaco and the entire Pacific coast for the Central Valley once again. So goodbye to the Pacific til next time, wherever it is that we may encounter it next. Entering the Central Valley once again I am reminded that this is where the heart and soul off Costa Rica lies-- the rolling hills, towering volcanoes, coffee plantations, coupled with that day to day spartan spirit that makes us who we are as a people. In any case we made some stops in the towns of San Ramon and Sarchi to visit some stores of local artisans that craft some beautiful wood products, among other things. At any rate, this is when the souvenir shopping opened up wide, so be expecting some of these things in your home tomorrow (yep that's right, the group returns tomorrow). We then set out for our return to San Jose in a nice business class hotel in a neighborhood called Sabana Sur on the west side of town. There's a beautiful brand new stadium built for soccer right down the street from the hotel that we checked out and we spent the better part of the afternoon exploring the neighborhood. As I've said before, although San Jose is not love at first site for most, I really like San Jose and I always have. The thing is is that tourists tend to avoid the city like plague which is great because here there are few tourists and you get to go where Costa Ricans go and mingle with them. The nightcap, and really the cap of the tour as a whole was folklore dinner. And wow, what a view! The restaurant is perched on a hill overlooking much of the metro area, so the view of the lights of the city was spectacular! We were introduced to a few traditional dances, including the dances my people in the province of Limon. At the end the whole group got to go out and do some dancing. All in all a great way to close out a highly successful tour. Our guide Gustavo told me today that he liked our group very much and was impressed by how well behaved everyone was and that everyone ate well and remained in good health. And I will second that comment by saying that I couldn't have asked for a better group. No major drama and a high level of experiential learning-- what more could I ask for? Well as always I'm fading fast here, say I'll say goodnight for now, reflections tomorrow, oh and families will be reunited tomorrow. I promise you they'll be back tomorrow. Cheers!

Day 7: Another Day at the Beach

First of all, the photo at the top of this post was taken at our hotel and no this is not what we've been doing all day. Unfortunately, despite all the great photos I got at Manuel Antonio National Park, there were all my camera and I forgot to get one on my Blackberry. In any case, we enjoyed Manuel Antonio very much as it is teeming with wildlife. When our guide Gustavo brought out his telescope I knew we were in for some good times. Camouflaged birds, tree frogs, sloths, and monkeys everywhere is Manuel Antonio. Oh and of course beach. Rains came early today but we still managed to get in some swimming in the calm waters of the park. I'm more of a trail guy so I got a little bit of water and then hit some trails. Overall, a nice time, and I definitely got my best animal action shots of the tour there. The monkeys were so amazing, and theft minded. Travelers are always told to watch their belongings on the beach because things can be stolen, but it's not other humans that one should be worried about, it's the monkeys! I literally watched these guys go up to unattended backpacks and unzip them, take stuff out, and run up the tree with it. The raccoons were just as bad. For me today had an additional bit of coolness because I got a chance to meet up with cousin of mine and her husband for a bit here in Jaco. Great to reunite after a few years! Then we played pool for awhile (random I know) but I'm stopping here because in and out of sleep in my hammock here. Good night folks! Back to San Jose tomorrow.

The Group Pic from the Pacific at Jaco

Day 6: Crocodile Huntin'

Hello all from a hammock in Jaco! It's been yet another full day of traveling and exploring. Some of the views during our drive this morning were absolutely spectacular! After a few stops at a few roadside stands we arrived at our impromptu destination-- a crocodile safari. GOOD CALL! This was not originally part of our tour, but our guide worked it in, and it was amazing. There was so much life in there-- literally 360 degree views of wildlife all around. Once again a great education in the balance of a nature! We soon arrived in Jaco which is a beach town all the way. A great way to end our stay in this country indeed. This will be a short post here as I'm fading fast in my hammock. Tomorrow is one of the highlights of the tour-- Manuel Antonio National Park. Til tomorrow then...

Day 5: Chills, Thrills, and Spills

Hello everyone one last time from Monteverde. Today was the big adventure day for sure, and as a result I'm going to have to make this update short because I'm fading fast. We started out today at the Santa Elena Cloud Forest with about a two hour hike or so. It was incredible to be in there. So much life exists in this rare cloud forest, and it was a great experience for all involved. Probably the best part of the education that came out of the hike was just helping the students to appreciate the balance that exists in nature, and all of the mutual relationships that exists between the thousands of species there. Our guide Gustavo made an excellent point, that if you cut down a tree you don't just cut down a tree but an entire habitat, and if you re-plant a tree, the tree may grow back, but that habitat may never return. That said, we visited a local high school afterwards to plant some trees in connection with a project the high school is involved with. So another day of giving back. We then broke for a quick lunch and then off to horseback riding and zip-lining. Both were great. For many it was their first time engaging in such activities. Needless to say there were no sad faces at the end of the day. My challenge was that I had a horse named Renegade, and I soon found out why the name. He did whatever he desired and he liked to kick other horses. What are the odds that this was the horse I got put with? Then with zip-lining, which was good times, I got stuck 2/3 of the way down by accidentally breaking too early (long story, but it's valid), and I had to get rescued. Let's just say a few students had some laughs at my expense, but hey, such are the joys of being on tour. There was this thing at the end called "Tarzan's Rope" at the end which was essentially miniature bungee jumping followed by swinging. Most did it, I couldn't, and not making any apologies for that. Couldn't work myself up to. But the majority did and had an exhilarating experience. The day was capped off by the kids adopting this dog that befriended us on the way to an ATM. Still not sure what to do with it. Another long story that will have to be explained later. So tomorrow morning we're up bright and early to head off to the Pacific Coast. On the way, a little change of plan: we're going on a crocodile safari! More on this tomorrow. Good night everyone!