{"id":6715,"date":"2016-07-20T14:52:05","date_gmt":"2016-07-20T14:52:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.globalroutes.org\/?p=6715"},"modified":"2016-07-20T14:52:05","modified_gmt":"2016-07-20T14:52:05","slug":"costa-rica-rainforest-action-center-and-el-nuevo-del-cajon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalroutes.org\/staging\/8011\/2016\/07\/20\/costa-rica-rainforest-action-center-and-el-nuevo-del-cajon\/","title":{"rendered":"Costa Rica – Rainforest Adventure Center and Pueblo Nuevo Del Cajon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Visit to the Rainforest Adventure\u00a0Center and Pueblo Nuevo Del Cajon<\/h2>\n
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Enjoying a pristine waterfall within the rainforest action center. Scroll to the very bottom for our first Video Update!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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!<\/p>\n

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Drying off after an intense waterfall soak — feeling rested and refreshed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

At the R.A.C, we were welcomed with warm smiles and a yummy lunch of\u2014big surprise\u2014rice and beans. There\u2019s 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

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Locked in on the task at hand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Day two at RAC was more adventurous. We deepened our trust and support as a community as we paired up in teams to belay one another up a beautiful giant Ceiba tree<\/a> that was being strangled by a strangler fig<\/a>. At the highest point, each successful climber (everyone made it) relaxed, like Mowgli, on a perfect resting branch. Later that evening some of the crew embarked on a short evening excursion where we met a bull frog and the very rare and quintessential red-eyed tree frog<\/a>. We also saw plant-life that glows in the dark! Some real Avatar stuff!<\/div>\n
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Look at this strangler fig…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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…which proves to be a useful handhold.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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“On Belay… Belay On!”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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“Perched like Mowgli”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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, \u201cperfectionism.\u201d Another, \u201cexcuses.\u201d Another, \u201cself judgement.\u201d In affirmation, the group asserted, \u201cFREE!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Touchdown”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A stylish approach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Enjoying the descent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The following morning, our group headed out to make a long days journey back to Hotel Los Pi\u00f1os. 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<\/a> and a dead body of the infamous fer-de-lance<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Waterfall Part II<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The perfect way to cool down<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Also, upon arriving to Hotel Los Pi\u00f1os, Hicham learned about the recent tragedy in Nice, France. With the ensuing heartbreak, terror, and anger, the group got together and shared their feelings. With tragedy that strikes everywhere, everyday, we all have depths of experience with feeling the pain of the world and in our communities. With one so close to home and family, our strengthening community supported one another in being with it all. Open hearts and warm embraces were thick in the air.<\/div>\n
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En Route to Our Future Home, Pueblo Nuevo Del Cajon (one student practicing the typical straight face Costa Rican style of posing for photos \ud83d\ude42<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a nights sleep, we embarked on a 45-minute ride to our host community. The community, (or “comunidad” in Spanish), is so quaint\u00a0and 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\u00a0restrooms we were to build in the senior center.<\/p>\n

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A few of our gracious host mothers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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They gave us the best welcome — which was translated to the group by Jackie and Liz. The parents and families couldn\u2019t 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\u00a0our 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Learning how to make homemade tortillas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Painting tires (and each other!)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Here are some of the things our group has shared about their community experience:<\/p>\n

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Krystyna \u2014 \u201cI really like it at my house.\u00a0 I feel really comfortable and happy there.\u00a0 My family is very open and welcoming and the little kids are so open and playful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amelia \u2014 \u201cOur homestay dad tells us a lot about their culture and their farm.\u00a0 I really like everything there is to do there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maeve \u2014 \u201cI really love the children at my homestay, because they still love me even if I can\u2019t speak Spanish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bailey \u2014 \u201cKeyna, my homestay sister, is probably the cutest little girl I\u2019ve ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Livi \u2014 \u201cMy homestay brothers are really funny and they love us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hicham \u2014 \u201cMy family is very hospitable and welcoming.\u00a0 They ask me all the time if I need anything, like to eat or drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jackie \u2014 \u201cI love my family\u2019s kindness \u2014 my homestay mom made me tea for my throat when it was hurting and now I feel much better.\u00a0 My homestay grandma reminds me a lot of my own grandma, and it makes me feel really grateful that I\u2019ve had her in my life growing up.\u00a0 The culture is very similar to my own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raye \u2014 \u201cMy homestay is very welcoming even if I don\u2019t speak Spanish\u201d<\/p>\n

Silver \u2014 \u201cI really like playing soccer with the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kacey \u2014 \u201cThey are so open \u2014 they allow me to do what I want in their house and they don\u2019t even know me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Teaching the community school English<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Enjoy this video of us teaching the children English through the silly but classic, Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes<\/em>:<\/p>\n