Day 8

After staying up until 2am, rolling out of bed at 5am and scrambling to finish our projects, we all gathered in the classroom to present our final presentations.  My group, Los Zompopos, presented last.  Overall, every group had a fascinating presentation.  I was both sad and relieved that our research projects are done.  I enjoyed every part of the field research.  Watching hundreds of leaf cutter ants devour G. Aborea leaves we placed on the foraging trail was unbelievable to watch.  Our presentation went very well and our results were very promising. 

When we finished our presentations, we helped with a community service project painting a community center and afterwords got ice cream and Cokes. 

The rest of the evening was spent with leisure activities as we celebrate our last day at Finca La Anita before we head out to the beach for sea turtle research.

Annabelle Kindig

(The petri dishes for one of the team's experiments)

 (Some of our students on the bus ride to Colonia Libertad  for community service)

(Our lead scientists posing for a picture before their goodbye)

Note: Other pictures will be posted upon return; we have limited access to WiFi to upload many photos

Day 7, Working in the Dirt

Today is full of work. We're scrambling tonight because we have our final presentation at 10:30 tomorrow morning. However, I feel certain that it will pay off.  My group is the first group in the Seeds of Change program to study butterflies and caterpillars.

We are doing a bacterial study of the 1st, 3rd, and 5th stages of Caligo butterflies or owl butterflies. We predict that the more mature caterpillars will have more variety and quantity of bacteria because they will have lived longer and therefore will have been exposed to more bacteria.

So far, in the few results that we have, our data has supported our hypothesis. This fact is very invigorating. We have been working very hard and are looking forward to the reward for all our hard work. Not just my groups, but all of the groups, are very excited and energized because all of our hard work is about to pay off. We're looking forward to the presentations tomorrow and you will definitely hear from us soon.

Jesse Akers

 (One of our teams working vigorously on their final projects)

 (Our work schedule over the past few days)

 (A few of our students analyze their data with the help of Alan)

(Another team working on their projects on the porch outside)

Day 6 - Wading in Waterfalls

Getting up at 5:00 a.m is never enjoyable, but it was made even worse by multiple alarms all going off at different times. However, it was made worth it by a quick breakfast of pancakes and eggs, before rushing off to Rincon de la Vieja, in the Santa Maria sector.

The day started off with surprisingly clear blue skies, something we have rarely seen all trip. Our trail guide, Freddy, was very knowledgeable; he was able to find many creatures and plants, and every hole in the ground, sharing fascinating information along the way. The biodiversity in the forest was something that we haven't seen before in our hikes back home. On our way to the hot springs, we saw many bugs, birds, and reptiles that we definitely have not seen before. Thanks to the sulfur in the springs, we all smelled like eggs for the rest of the day. Even with the the stench of eggs in the air, we still managed to enjoy ourselves. 

 After sitting around in mineral rich water, we got out and started our hike back. Before officially starting our bus ride back, we took a break in one of the beautiful waterfalls. It was quite the challenge to even get in the water, due to the steep decline, mud, and slippery rocks. Once we managed to get into the water, it was the exact opposite of a hot spring. The water was so cold it was hard to even wade in past your knees. Once it started to rain, we rushed out and made our way back, slipping and sliding in the mud to our buses. 

After getting back an hour later than we planned, we resumed working on our projects, only to be stopped again a few hours later for diner. After eating a delicious meal of pork, vegetables, and yucca, we celebrated our friend, Jean-Luc's19th birthday! Directly after that, we went straight back to our experiments and research, which officially ended our day. 

Buenos noches!

-Rhys and Chloe

 (Chilling in the hot springs after our exhausting hike)

 (A toucan spotted at Finca La Anita)

 (Some of our more courageous students braving the freezing water falls)

(A surprise birthday cake for our birthday boy, Jean-Luc, celebrating his 19th!)

Day 5 - Horseback Riding and Cooking Lessons

Two different beginnings to the same great experience! We split into two groups the night before, one left at 6:30 a.m after a standard breakfast of eggs, rice, beans and toast. They then made the trip to Colonia Blanca by car to meet with their riding instructor and caballos (horses). The path took us up and down the hills and plains of rural Costa Rica, providing an excellent view of the mountains and jungles. The second group left at 8:40 and took the same (albeit wetter) trail, before returning to Finca la Anita. From there, we spread out for some free time, some check their experiments, others visit the nearby store in Colonia Libertad, and some just soak in the jungle from their cabin porch.

After some lunch, we're ready to hit our experiments. Each group reviews the results from earlier fungus cultures and then reorganizes to begin work on their projects. Swabs, butterflies and blenders are all procured for various experiments, just watching other groups hustle about the facility makes you want to hear about their projects. 

We find a place to wrap up and drive to a kitchen where we get firsthand experience with local cuisine. Our gracious hosts show us the ins and outs of making fried plantains, fresh tortillas, salad and cheese before adding in some chicken, fruit juice and rice for a wonderful feast! We learn toasts and puzzles (you'll never look at a matchstick the same way again) and we leave our names in the guestbook. I'm writing this after a working session with my team, in which we continued our experiment and cracked open our lab notebook. Today has been a fine of hard work and hard play. I hear we do it all again tomorrow.

Pura Vida from Cosa Rica!

EJ

 (One of the horse-back riding groups at the top of the mountain)

 (Annabelle showing off her cooking skills)

 (Rhys displaying the key ingredient to our chicken)

(Our chef showing us the steps)

Ant Extraction, Examination, and Excitement

Today was our first day working with the leaf-cutter ants. They tickled, itched, and pinched. But the detail of their colonies were works of art - architecturally and agriculturally. Digging the fungal gardens out of the ground took a long walk followed by digging in the dirt, anxiously waiting to hit the colony, as well as fearing damaging it, and thus destroying the specimen. When we finally collected the colonies, after hours of anxiously waiting, we headed back to the lab, and decided our experiments. In the experiment design and decision, there were times that it felt like the experiments were going nowhere and nothing was going to get done at all. But in the end, all the groups pulled through, working together, better than before.

- Lucy Berger

 (A group of students watching Dr. Pinto extract an ant colony)

(A group of students gathered around a ginormous Atta colony)

(Some of us need to take a break once in a while)

(One of our teams focusing on the lecture in the classroom)

(Some colony inspection with Alan)

Ziplining & Zompopos

After an early wake up from a long night of activities, we headed to breakfast to have our morning dose of pure deliciousness. Following breakfast came our science study sessions. After the long awaited, built up anticipation of heading out to find some ants for our tests, we were rained out (which seems to be a common thing here in Costa Rica). After attempting to wait out the storm, we came to the conclusion that it would be tough to avoid a storm that comes in pulses. 

Dr. Pinto made the executive decision to wait and push our expedition to the following day, much to our disappointment. Instead, we chose to work more on the ❇☆Scientific Method☆❇. Our question- "Where in the leaf-cutter ant colony is Escovopsis located?". After establishing our hypothesis, we moved on to take samples of locations to check our predictions. After a morning of work, we had lunch in the rain.

After such an informational morning, we took the afternoon to go ziplining through the rainforest. Following a 30 minute car ride, we got to the base where we were hooked up with equipment and instructions to help us through our rainforest adventure. We hiked up a beautiful mountain and took a series of lines down. In total, there were probably about 8 lines we had to switch between. Our final zip line was 300 meters long and concluded the adventure with a beautiful look at a forest crawling with wildlife. 

Once the thrill of our extreme zip lining was concluded, we took a trip over to a butterfly sanctuary run by local women in the village. We were all educated in the field of butterflies, metamorphosis, and their impact on the people of Costa Rica. 

To conclude a long and eventful day of thrills, we had a study session to learn more about the process of collecting leaf-cutter ants (which are called Zompopos in Costa Rica) for observation in preparation for tomorrow. I think this is it to conclude day 3 of our Costa Rica endeavor! Mom, Travis I'm sorry I can't message you due to lack of service but I love you!

-Grace Alter

(An acromyrmex ant in our lab today)

(Our gang getting ready to take one of the final jumps of the zipline tour!)

(Greyson getting ready to hike up the vast mountain)

 (A group of our students visiting the local convenience store)

(Two of our students, Rhys and Greyson, enjoying the view on our bus ride to Finca La Anita)

Here are Some Things You Won't See in Texas

So we woke up and - after eating breakfast - we started the cacao (chocolate) tour. We first got to try the roasted cacao beans by cracking them open like peanuts. They were really bitter and tasted vaguely of dark chocolate. After that, we made the hot cacao drink with vanilla, chili, and sugar. Next, we had the chocolate spread and then tasted the "Costa Rica gold" and "California" chocolates (if you want to taste some of the great chocolate for yourselves, you can purchase some at http://www.upalachocolate.com/upala/. Pablo and Ana will package it up and happily send it straight to you!). Finally, we visited the cacao plantation and got to try the sweet, mango-y pulp of the cacao. 

Promptly afterwards, we got our boots, and Pablo harvested the heart of palm for our lunch salad. Then, most of us went to the village again and some of us went to see the army ants. After that, the microbiologist Dr. Pinto taught us the scientific method and we practiced it by swabbing various places around the farm to find which place has the most bacteria. 

After that, we had dinner, which was mostly uneventful except for the tiny pineapple that we saw in the decorations. But, there was an alate bullet ant that flew onto one of the tables. While everyone was screaming, Pablo marched over there and squashed it (but I managed to get a picture of it before that happened).

Next, we went to the classroom to watch two short movies - one of which Pinto was in. Pinto also taught us the main differences between the two leaf cutter ants, Atta and Acromyrmex - during which, I had a banana cockroach land on my hand. Shortly after we ended our discussion, the banana cockroach started giving live birth on my hand. I have officially become a father. Russell says godfather, because the bug is an arthropod. A video will be posted in the future on return. 

Yours truly, 

Ben Stave

A bullet ant I managed to snap a picture of before Pablo crushed it

   A leaf cutter ant

      Coasta Rican gold (left) and "California" (right)

     Freshly made cacao bars with chocolate spread.

     Pablo harvesting a heart of palm.

   Banana roach (probably) giving live birth on my hand.

First Day

A 4am start had most students a bit groggy. In spite of that, we made it through security and onto our fight to Houston. With only 30 minutes between Austin and Houston there wasn't much time for naps, but we got time for that during our three hour layover. Houston to Liberia was roughly 4 hours, so I don't think it's wrong to assume that most of us got much needed sleep. The time flew by on that flight! Pun intended...

Finally in Costa Rica! Some of us were wondering if today was still today; it seems so long ago that I missed my alarm. Customs went by without a hitch and suddenly we were in the humid air of Costa Rica. Here we met with the last three of our gang, from Nevada and Virginia, as well as one of our hosts, Ana. Although humid, a lovely breeze was in the air when we packed into the bus that would take us to lunch.

To merely describe the meal we had for lunch would not be remotely satisfactory. Amazingly tender chicken breast with fresh salad and classic rice and beans. A mystery salsa later explained to be fresh chili was very spicy, even for me, a seasoned (yes, another pun) spicy food eater. To drink was an exotic drink most of us were unsure what is was, called tamarindo juice.

Not a long bus ride took us through the countryside into our eco-resort, Finca La Anita. This is where we met our other host, Pablo. After a brief introduction about the land, we went off to dinner. Of course it was another outstanding meal. Freshly breaded sea bass that practically melted in your mouth, served alongside potatoes, green beans, and carrots. Specifically recommended by Pablo was the fresh Costa Rican pesto, which I poured on everything of course. Another amazing juice was served with dinner, this time it was blackberry juice.

We conclude the evening with a group of students running off like fools into the jungle in search of reptiles and another on the patio taking pictures with me writing this summary. Tomorrow will kick off the real adventure... with chocolate!

Wishing Texas the very best,
Emma Quartaro

 (Pictured here is the group of scientists at their final meeting) 

 (A view from our bus ride to La Anita)

 (A view from a pathway at La Anita ranch)

Photos by Mariah Farley

Days Away

We are roughly 14 hours away from our departure to Costa Rica, and it's beginning to set in. Our final pre-trip meeting took place last Sunday, where we discussed everything from plane flights to possible shark attacks. The students are spending their last days in the U.S packing, planning, and getting lots of rest before their 6:30 a.m flight.

While most students are coming from Austin, Texas, a few join us from elsewhere in the U.S such as Las Vegas or Virginia.  These students will arrive in Liberia a few hours before us Austinites, but we'll quickly meet up for lunch at one of the local restaurants.

With a rough week of hiking, researching, horseback riding, Ziplining, swimming, and trekking ahead of us, all the students have done their due diligence in terms of preparation. Whether it be doctor's appointments to get vaccinated, or purchasing anti-coral-bleaching sunscreen, all 16 students are ready to emerge themselves in the beautiful - but often sticky and bug-filled - rainforests of Liberia. Shout out to the parents for doing all the shopping with us!

As we head out for what will surely be the trip of a lifetime, we're all eagerly anticipating the research, recreation, education, and cultural immersion that Costa Rica has to offer. Thanks again to everyone who has made this possible, and we'll be back soon!