Visit to the Rainforest Adventure Center and Pueblo Nuevo Del Cajon
Our adventure to the Rainforest Adventure Center (RAC) started in Brujo, a nearby town, and by nearby we mean a 2-hour hike. Mauricio, Rosibel, Freddy and Vianca met us beforehand to be our leaders during the grueling hike to protect us on the trail because of all the dangers that could arise. On the trail we learned that leaf-cutter ants bring particular leaves and compost materials to their underground homes to harvest mushrooms. We also made natural tattoos with a plant that temporarily stains the skin when pressed firmly against it, making a beautiful fern-like pattern. Another plant also collapses to the touch as a defense to protect against predators. So cool!
Mauricio was a wonderful host and invaluable contributor to our newly forming Global Routes family. Once upon a time he literally cleared trails through untouched mountainous tropical forest to make way for RACs first international group. From then on, many people from his community became local guides and respected leaders. They have inspired a growing eco-tourism and rain forest restoration movement in a place where tropical forests were becoming non-existent at the cost of a cattle-based economy.
At the R.A.C, we were welcomed with warm smiles and a yummy lunch of—big surprise—rice and beans. There’s an ongoing saying in Costa Rica that Ticos (Costa Ricans) have gallo pinto for breakfast (mixed beans and rice), rice and beans for lunch, and beans and rice for dinner. After some group building activities, we sat down with coffee, pancakes and homemade chocolate sauce made from local cacao trees and we all felt ourselves ease into the comfort and peace that was the R.A.C. It didn’t hurt that our view for all of our meals and from the main area overlooked a rushing river surrounded by the forest and framed by the cliffs.
Day 3 at RAC was also amazingly adventure filled and deepening as a community. One by one we repelled down a trickling water face and, later, zip lined over and across a giant valley with a snake-like river. On the 10 minute nature walk toward zip-line beginnings, we walked in silence as everyone reflected on the personal burdens and weights that we place on ourselves and that hold us back. One asserted, “perfectionism.” Another, “excuses.” Another, “self judgement.” In affirmation, the group asserted, “FREE!”
On the final evening, the group had a dance party at RAC. Mauricio taught everyone how to Salsa. We asked him to teach us after we saw him dancing with his wife. The group all wanted to join in on the fun and culture. Mauricio went step by step with us and then we partnered up. Mauricio played the music and we attempted to salsa. Some of us were good and the rest of us just went with it. Mauricio set up a salsa competition which Liz and Jeremy dominated. Afterward, we played music… and we just jammed out and danced the night away.
The following morning, our group headed out to make a long days journey back to Hotel Los Piños. This time, the students led the way as they celebrated their growing bond, commitment to one another, and growing sense of responsibility. On the way, we saw a pit viper and a dead body of the infamous fer-de-lance snake. After bathing once more under the wonderful waterfall, we made our final steps off the trail and arrived happily on the road to Brujo. The rest of the day was spent resting and preparing for our long anticipated community stay. We talked cultural sensitivity, safety, and got oriented toward a successful and supportive cultural immersion.
After a nights sleep, we embarked on a 45-minute ride to our host community. The community, (or “comunidad” in Spanish), is so quaint and wonderful. Everyone here is so excited to have us here in their town. We are living with families who are the most excited people to have us. The seniors and homestay moms were extra pumped to meet us when we first arrived. Especially the seniors, who showed up in high numbers with gratitude in anticipation of the wheelchair accessible restrooms we were to build in the senior center.
They gave us the best welcome — which was translated to the group by Jackie and Liz. The parents and families couldn’t have been more accepting and loving of us all. The home-stays are probably our favorite part of the trip, and they all are different. There is a lot of playing with the kids and trying to communicate, across language barriers, with our parents/uncles/aunts/grandmas. They feed us so much that after every meal we feel full and bloated. Then they send us off to play in the plaza with a herd of little kids which is so exhausting but very worthwhile.
Here are some of the things our group has shared about their community experience:
Krystyna — “I really like it at my house. I feel really comfortable and happy there. My family is very open and welcoming and the little kids are so open and playful.”
Amelia — “Our homestay dad tells us a lot about their culture and their farm. I really like everything there is to do there.”
Maeve — “I really love the children at my homestay, because they still love me even if I can’t speak Spanish.”
Bailey — “Keyna, my homestay sister, is probably the cutest little girl I’ve ever seen.”
Livi — “My homestay brothers are really funny and they love us.”
Hicham — “My family is very hospitable and welcoming. They ask me all the time if I need anything, like to eat or drink.”
Jackie — “I love my family’s kindness — my homestay mom made me tea for my throat when it was hurting and now I feel much better. My homestay grandma reminds me a lot of my own grandma, and it makes me feel really grateful that I’ve had her in my life growing up. The culture is very similar to my own.”
Raye — “My homestay is very welcoming even if I don’t speak Spanish”
Silver — “I really like playing soccer with the kids.”
Kacey — “They are so open — they allow me to do what I want in their house and they don’t even know me.”
Enjoy this video of us teaching the children English through the silly but classic, Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes:
Written by Jeremy, Liz, Krystyna, Silver, and Jackie
