Entry 2: 5/27/11

Today was a super busy day! We went ziplining at Selvatura in the Monte Verde Cloud forest and it was so amazing! It was such an adrenaline rush to be racing down a cable over the canopy of a beautiful rainforest! We ziplined mostly in singles but would occasionally zipline in pairs which was really neat! There was one time that I was paired with a naturalist that came with us and we got stuck and stopped moving in the middle of the zipline! One of the guides had to come and get us, but it was still really fun and a cool experience! After ziplining we hiked through the canopy and did the canopy bridge tour. We got to see many different types of plants that we have previously seen throughout the course and got to see this really cool bird called a Bell Bird! They only live in the canopy and it was really neat to see one even though it was very far away.

Later today we went into Santa Elena to shop and get some ice cream! It was a lot of fun to see part of the Tico Culture outside of where we were staying. We also went to a women’s co-op to get some arts and crafts which was really cool as well. Unfortunately our trip is coming to a close and I know for sure that I am going to miss this wonderful land of Costa Rica!

Pura Vida! -Amanda

Entry 1: 5/15/11

La Selva- Night 2

We are in La Selva for night two!! We went on a forest hike this morning with our tour guide Alberto. We went into the New and Older Forests of La Selva. I was extremely excited to begin observing wildlife! I had to my hopes to see a Jaguar (but not too close…) but I knew the chances were slim. We saw many types of animals and plants but my favorite was probably the Toucan. I wonder why out of so many different species of toucans that the Keel-Bill Toucan is the one that we chose to portray in American Culture. We saw a Chesnut-mandibled Toucan today and it was very beautiful. A group of us also saw a Great Curassow Bird which seems to be fairly rare in La Selva. It was very beautiful.

We had wonderful meals and had our first lectures and reading assignments. I am officially in love with rice and beans! Today has been a long day but the wonderful teachings of the forest were UNBEATABLE. I as a future teacher wish to be as efficient of a teacher as wildlife, and would like to give my students the wonderful experience that I am experience in this beautiful country. I am looking forward to our future adventures.
Buenos Noches! –Amanda