by Cabot Dick, Luke Spalding, and Garrett Hoffman
After a restful night’s sleep, we awoke to a new schedule following the end of our three-day rotation. Today, we started with breakfast and a group meeting. We were then separated into our three morning activities, a cooking lesson by the hotel’s chef on a traditional Costa Rican dish, a nature tour with one of the groundskeepers and a wade down the nearby river. After lunch at the hotel, we boarded the buses to a picturesque Costa Rican beach. After arriving the lifeguards took us through two caves that connected to the warm ocean. Everyone spent time playing in the water, relaxing on the beach or drinking coconut water from the local vendors. After a few hours we headed back to the buses to come back to the hotel. Following showers and some light packing for our trip back to San Jose tomorrow, we had the Convent & Stuart Hall Talent Show and the final Salsa competition. The talent show was filled with Irish dancing, singing, stand-up comedy, flips, and a creative poem. Then, after much practice from our salsa instructor Mr. Flores, a show was performed for all the students, chaperones and hotel staff nearby. After the impressive dancing, a couple was awarded by Judge Alejandro, a hotel staff member. We ended the day with packing and playing pool.
Since the night hike lasted longer than normal, this is a continuation of Day 3. Our journey took place in and around the same place as the waterfall we went to earlier in the morning. We boarded some safari trucks and headed down dirt paths to the trailhead. After turning on our head lamps, Juan Carlos led us down the trail and we spotted poison dart frogs, cicadas and spiders within a few minutes. Later on we saw snakes, butterflies, turtles and countless other insects. We ended the hike at one of our guide’s houses on the top of a hill where we were rewarded with Costa Rican treats & drinks provided by his family along with beautiful views of the night sky and surrounding valley.
Quotes:
The talent show was a very good experience, I just wish Mr. Farrell’s song was a bit longer. — Ross
One thing I’ve realized today during the river walk is that silence is okay, being in the moment is okay, and you don’t need to worry about what you can’t control. Costa Rica has taught me that the past is unchangeable, and to live a pura vida life every day. — Scarlett
I’ve had so much fun over the course of this trip and have very much enjoyed all of the new experiences throughout, from performing in the talent show to going on the night hike. — Sterling
The night hike allowed us to see Costa Rica through shadows and creatures only experienced in silence. In a similar way, experiencing my students in unfamiliar contexts allowed me to appreciate the best—and often overlooked—aspects of these persons: kindness, care, and openness to others. — Mr. Campos
Convent & Stuart Hall Travel 