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)
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