Costa Rica: Our Notes to Home

Amira

• I’m grateful for the friends I made
• I learned that I hate walking up hill
• So excited for the last week
• Overall a good trip
• Sadly I miss u

Lila 

• I am grateful for all of the friends I have made and the beautiful place I get to stay in.
• The highlight of the week was swimming in an amazing creek beside a waterfall.
• I miss you all so much!!

Jaylene

• My highlight of the week was when we were swimming around in the creek or when we all had a movie night 🙂
• I’m also grateful for the inside jokes that the group has developed, they really help after a tiring day

Anandi

• I learned that I’ve been not good before this and the trip opened my eyes up.
• I’m grateful for the time going by fast so I can leave as soon as possible.
• Dear parental guardian pls understand that I was right about this trip all along, btw I miss my baby so much and I’m expecting a bengal white kitten female on my bed when I get home. Oh and to add to this I would like a Korean corn dog when I go home (hot Cheeto flavored). My host family is sweet and I killed a fish last night and I’ve made friends with the townspeople. There’s the cutest dog ever named blackie and I hold it and it lays on me it’s so cute. But to tell u more positives I’m getting stronger and I’m eating three meals a day plus my water intake is great. When I go back to Florida I would like to visit my friend in Miami.

Charles

• My host family taught me how to do laundry by hand this week and I’m grateful for the hospitality and the time together we spend for example a card game we play name Phase 10.
• I’m happy to be in Costa Rica and thankful.

Katy

• This week I learned how to make empanadas with my host family! They are so sweet especially the little kids, I love them so much! I also learned how to make brown sugar and how to mix concrete. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my host family and I made my family tu dou bing yesterday for dinner (they surprisingly enjoyed them).
• I’m grateful for all the new experiences I’ve had and the hospitality of my host family.
• I miss you guys so much!

Aurelien

• The highlight of my week was probably a visit to a cave and the moment of silence (and darkness) we had while in there. I learnt that gravel from the river is pretty heavy.
• I’m grateful for having people to honestly communicate with, as well as music while we work, and good food.
• I’m having an overall good time and can’t wait to see/talk to you guys again.

Zane

• Hi mom, dad,Mimi, grandma Kathy, Grandpa Irwin, grandma Debbie, grandpa Alan, and Dolly. I miss all of you and air conditioning I also hope mr Herbert is good. I have been dreaming about all of you guys and In n Out so please when you you pick me up from the airport please can we get some.
• I have learned how to make cement.

Phoebe

• My highlights of the week have been the times spent with my host family. I have improved my comprehension and my use of different Spanish tenses. All the Ticos are incredibly kind and I have loved getting to know them and hearing their stories.
• Hi Mom and Dad, I am having a much better time than the first couple of days. I really love my host mom and grandma and baby sister. My roommates are all super cool too. I am the most proficient in Spanish of the kids in my house and it has made communication very interesting. I had to learn the word nipple so that I could translate for the boys. They won’t clean their room. There are lots of dogs and horses here too so I am quite content. I also explored a cave the other day and it was one of the coolest things I have done in my life. Love you.

Olivia

• The highlight of my week was going to the waterfall after exploring a cave. I relaxed in sun too with my friend Kylie.
• Note to parents: I miss you both very much. My homestay is going well and the community is very nice here but I am excited to come home. It rains a lot here – I hope it is consistently sunny in Greenwich. 

Kylie

• The highlight of my week was spending time at the creek with my friend Olivia over the weekend. This week I learned how to make different foods from my host family.
• I’m grateful for the people I’ve met this trip.
• Dear family, I’m excited to see you again. My homestay is going well, I love my siblings and the community that we are staying in. There are many dogs and children in the village. We’ve spent most days building the community center but my favourite are those where we explore the rainforest and have free time in the nature here. It is very beautiful and I am grateful to have the opportunity to come. I miss you all very much.
  (Don’t forget to bring my phone to the airport and take care of Tubby)

Quinn

• I’ve been having such a wonderful time with my host family! My host sister is nine, and plays Uno with us everyday. The highlight of my days is definitely our afternoon hot chocolate after working in the sun and rain.
  Ema and Abba!!! This trip is so fun so far. Ema, I miss your hugs so much. Abba, I could really go for one of your fancy avocado toasts right now because as much as I love the food here, I’m definitely getting a little bit tired of rice and beans. Tell Emma I miss playing Gin Rummy with her and that I can’t wait to beat her when I get back. We have a little puppy in my host family and she’s adorable but SAVAGE. Severe Dove vibes. I just finished my Strawberry Yogurt O’s this week and they tasted like Trader Joe’s and home.
• I love you guys so much and I can’t wait to tell you about all the amazing things I’ve experienced. Love, Quinnathin

Frank

• The highlight of my week has been spending time bonding with my host mother Mariella, she is the best and I’m so happy with my host family.
• I’m having a great time and spending time reading (seriously), playing chess and working hard on the construction site.
• I love you all so much and can’t wait to see you in 2 weeks to tell you all about it when we are back together in New York. I should be calling this upcoming weekend at some point just so you’re aware although I’m sure they will communicate that to you. Tell Kyle I love her so much and can’t wait to speak to her soon and that I’m thinking about her and miss her so much – it’s really feels weird not speaking to her at all but I can’t wait to soon. I love you all so much and am gonna go back to work now (we are carrying gravel to the worksite) I love you all so much and make sure to show this to Kyle too. Love you all so much. You’re dashing son and boyfriend, Frank

Miles

• My highlight of the week was seeing a giant toad in the middle of my bathroom and going to the waterfall near our worksite. I learned how to make concrete and cement.
• And I am grateful for my friends and time after work to socialize.
• Love you guys! I can’t wait to see you soon and tell you more about my trip! Love your handsome son.

Vanessa

• Swimming in the waterfall
• I learned how to make sugar/candy from sugarcane and I am grateful for good food and our Costa Rica playlist
• I miss you guys and I can’t wait to talk to you