Hello Amigos!
So finally now that Jterm has come to an end have I had time to write an update to the blog. J-term I believe went very well!
Quick Summary of how the volunteers spent their 3.5 weeks in beautiful Costa Rica:
The volunteers arrived in San Jose and for two days had their Amigos CV training. We heard from a guest speaker Jorge Barquero (a famous volcano expert and pretty much the only volcano expert in Costa Rica) who spoke about the varying flora and fauna Costa Rica has to offer. We also had a chance to visit Inbio Parque where volunteers actually got to experience the different environments and prepare a little assignment detailing the parks we would be going to.
Amigos vols at Inbio Parque
In total we were 9 US volunteers, and 15 Tico (Costa Rican) volunteers for each park. In addition to the volunteers we had 2 project staff for both Amigos and Casa de la Juventud. Generally what happened was we would spend a week in each park, and travel back to the host city San Isidro and spend a night there before heading to the next park.
The first park we visited was Parque Nacional Volcan Tenorio, a relatively new park (11 years old). There we stayed in the park housing and worked every morning from 7:30-12pm. It rained a lot on Tenorio because it is a cloud forest, but the rain didn't stop us! The first day there we were taken on hike to get to know the park. At times we were up to our waists in water! It was still a lot of fun. The work consisted of transporting large cement blocks that are put into the trails so when it rains, the trails do not get muddy. Park staff were extremely helpful and worked with us everyday and even went karaokeing with us! Volunteers enjoyed the parks practically to themselves int he afternoons and explored the Aguas Celestes, the waterfall, and thermal waters after a long day of work.
Volunteers and park staff carrying baldosas.
Work group in Tenorio!
The second park we visited was Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, the second most visited park in Costa Rica. This park is hotter than the other two parks, has a jungley feel and is home to a beautiful beach. Volunteers stayed in housing in the middle of the park. The project in this park was by far the most interesting and revolutionary. We made trail separations out of concrete using bamboo found in the park for mold. We had to cut and measure bamboo, cut re-bar for reinforcements, mix and fill bamboo molds with cement. All in all we made about 500. Cement was used because of the humidity in this park, wood only lasts about 2 years. Although this work was time consuming, it will last much longer than trails with wood. When not working volunteers were able to lounge on the beach, hike, and occationally explore the town of Manuel Antonio. In addition to this, we also went on a night tour, and had a soccer match volunteers against park staff (they won, but not by much!). Waking up to the sound of howler and capuchin monkeys, sloths, lots and lots of raccoons, and other park animals was an amazing experience only our volunteers will get to experience!
The beach at sunset!
A not-so-shy White faced monkey (capuchin)
Mixing cement for the bamboo molds
The last park we visited was Parque Nacional Chirripo, the highest point in Costa Rica (3,820 meters or 12,533 ft high). Chirripo is an amazing place and the most different of all the parks. The hike up to the hostal 14.5 kilometers (9 miles) up and takes anywhere from 6 to 8 hours to climb. Once up top, volunteers experienced a cold very unlike that of most of Costa Rica, temperatures reaching freezing at night! Two main projects was the focus of our work in Chirripo. One was hauling rocks and placing them on a trail to prevent erosion during the rainy season. The other, construction of two foot bridges. These projects are very helpful to the parks being that all materials and food must be brought up either by person, or by horse. Volunteers were required to carry what they needed for the week up with them. Being that the park is so large, volunteers were never bored exploring. On our free day, volunteers left at 2:30 am to hike up to the cerro (or point) to watch the sunrise. It was extremely cold, but well worth it!
Volunteers carrying bags of sand in Chirripo
Taking a break while hiking Chirripo!
The trail we built!
Hike to the top! So Cold!
Speaking to volunteers from both Amigos and Casa de la Juventud, as well as park rangers, it seems like J-term was a success. Volunteers not only were able to participate in volunteer work, but learned about local culture including the flora and fauna, language, food, and of course people! It was amazing to see volunteers from two different countries come together and work toward a common goal, all the while having fun! It was an experience no one will forget!
Showing their "guns"
Volunteers playing Cabeza de Mierda, a favorite pastime during the campamentos
New Friends!