One year ago...

So, one year ago tonight, I was frantically packing and repacking, going over my "what to bring" checklist and doublechecking my carry-on to make sure I had my passport.  Did I even sleep a wink that night?  I can't believe it's been a year since I headed out to meet up with the most awesome group of teachers ever - I am sad I can't see them all every day now, but so very grateful to have such wonderful memories.  I think I can say that my adventure in  changed me in many ways - I have a new perspective in my personal life, for sure, and I know the experience has enhanced my teaching. 

It also opened up some new doors for me, professionally.  My fellow travelers and I stay connected via Facebook - we share lesson, opportunities, good news and general silliness (or is it silly-ness?) - all because of this connection we made in a little patch of heaven called Costa Rica.

To be continued - I am currently working on my next adventure...stay tuned!

Mrs. Smith
PS - I sort of miss having rice and beans for breakfast ;-)

Day One in San Diego

Travel time is upon me again! I am in San Diego now, first to do some sightseeing for a few days and then I'm going to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for a conservation course (and a "camp out" IN THE PARK!)

Coincidentally, it happens to be Comic Com weekend here, so the Gaslamp Quarter is a hive of activity - lots of fans dressed up, lots of vendors (swag!) and lots of fun. One of the teachers that did the Costa Rica trip with me is also here, so we met up and are hanging out in the city until Monday when we head out to the Safari Park for our training.

So excited to see a new city (and to have a friend with whom to share it) - cross fingers that this trip goes better than my recent ill-fated family vacation to Alligator Point, Florida. Tropical Storm Debby thwarted my fun-in-the-sun in June but we made the best of it and still had some good family time.

Updates to follow!

An incredible opportunity!

Last week, I found out that I have been awarded a spot in the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research's Summer Teacher Workshop in Conservation Biology. Best of all, I'll be joining one of the teachers from my 2011 Costa Rica trip! Susan Tate from Michigan was also selected for the program so it will be a mini-reunion of sorts (West Coast-style).

I copied this from the Institute's website:

“The Summer Teacher Workshop in Conservation Biology gives teachers the opportunity to study the science of saving species while gathering stories, activities, and lessons in conservation to bring back to students in the classroom. In the state-of-the-art Conservation Education Lab, teachers learn through hands-on experiments about the innovative ways our scientists are using techniques in genetics, reproduction, and disease diagnostics to conserve endangered species around the world. With 900 acres of protected native habitat just steps away, teachers also have the opportunity to assist field researchers in projects such as biodiversity monitoring, habitat restoration, and remote sensing, while learning how new technologies in ecology can be brought to life in the classroom. While in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, teachers will learn how our captive population of endangered species contributes to our conservation mission through studies in animal behavior and climate science, night lectures and guided walks, a Caravan Safari, and free time to explore the Park.”

Needless to say, I am pretty jazzed about the whole thing. And I never would have applied if another teacher from the Costa Rica program hadn't posted info about it in our Facebook group, so I feel like the whole Costa Rica experience is still continuing to enrich my life.

I will share more information as my mid-July travel date approaches!

*photo courtesy of San Diego Zoo

Renew!

So, remember the lovely white bag I purchased prior to my Costa Rican adventure? Sadly, my lovely red raincoat liner bled all over it (it WAS the rainforest, after all. There was a bit of rain.). It was ugly. I was resigned to sending it to an early grave until I remembered some of the lessons I learned on my trip. And decided to actually use those lessons. You know, really live the whole "reduce, reuse, recycle" thing?

Figuring I couldn't make it look any worse, I bought some scarlet dye from the Amish store (that's a whole 'nother post for a later date) and for about 50 cents, I turned trash into treasure!

A long weekend coming up (either a snow day tomorrow or MLK Day Monday) so I will be working on repurposing some furniture with a few cans of paint and a lot of imagination. Post to follow soon!

Pretty sure this airport is a bit sketchy

Today, we are leaving La Fortuna via Nature Air, which is a carbon neutral airline. Since we are traveling as a group of 28 or so, we are taking two planes. Because we won't all fit on one plane!

Actually, it's fine and safe; I am not scared. I actually like flying in these little puddle jumpers. I think part of the reason we are flying to San Jose is because the road to get there is mostly gravel and very curvy. Last year it was a 5 hour drive by bus. For us, it will be a 15 minute flight. Nice!

See this fabulous runway?

ZIP

Zip line? Piece of cake! We spent our afternoon zip-lining through the canopy. What a rush! I think I'm an adrenaline junkie now! I took some footage with my Flip camera, so I will share it with you next week. I'll just sat amazing and leave it at that.

Tonight is dinner and shopping on our own in the city so my "work" duties are done for the day. Tomorrow we are flying on a carbon-neutral plane to San Jose to begin our journey home. I am excited to see my family and of course, all of you, but I hate to leave this fantastic place. I have so much to tell you!

I'll leave you with a photo from today. This is me and one of our guides, Eduardo. He is some kind of superhero! This was after our lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Arenal volcano.

Agricultural school, volcano and mineral springs

Today was a busy one! We checked out of Selva Verde (green jungle) Lodge and headed to the Arenal volcano area at La Fortuna. Along the way, we stopped at an agricultural high school and it was quite an experience. The students start there in 7th grade and choose a "major" such as agriculture, ecology, ecotourism, etc; they take the appropriate classes and also work 4-6 hours a day in their major. For example, the school runs a farm, complete with vegetable gardens (where I got to "plant" some hydroponic lettuce), pigs, goats, cows and chickens, all of which supply the cafeteria with ingredients. I was most impressed with the hotel that is run by the students! They have a patio for dining and even have a botanical garden for guests. It was a student endeavor right down to the last detail - even the artwork on the walls was student-made.

Then, off to La Fortuna, only a 45 minute ride. After we all checked into our bungalows at the base of the Arenal volcano, we had a productive teacher meeting and fantastic dinner, followed by a nice, long dip in the mineral spa. Tomorrow is hiking, probably zip-lining and then some free time in the city. Shopping, anyone? I can't decide whether to shop or visit the hotel spa on my free afternoon ;-). Just kidding. Shopping always wins. It's a bit cloudy (have I mentioned that sometimes, just sometimes, it's a little rainy here?) so we haven't seen the top of the volcano yet, but I am hopeful we'll see it before flying back to San Jose on Friday morning.

More to follow! Hope all is going well!
Hoping to post some zip line pix tomorrow. Until then, take a look at this lovely poison dart frog I saw on my way to breakfast this morning. Cute, huh? I have found tons of frogs, but most have been the famous blue jean variety, which is also poisonous. I've only seen three of these little green and black fellows!

Pura vida!