Turtle Reservation

Today we get to go to a Turtle reservation. We get on our boat and go for about an hour boat ride seeing all the nature surrounding us including a sloth. Exited to see all they do to protect the turtles.

Day at the pool

Today they gave us the evening off to relax in the hammocks and go swimming. That evening after dinner our tour guide Victor taught us some Costa Rican dancing. We learned to salsa and some other dancing. It was a lot of fun and we got to make new friends by dancing with them. (:

Early Morning Boat ride

This morning we woke up at 6 AM to go on a nature boat ride. It was early but so worth it. We got to see so many different animals like the jesus lizard, howler monkeys, toucans and so many more. It was so cool seeing all of these different animals that are not common back in Ohio. We also got to see a cayman that was swimming very close to our boat. Yes it was really early, but seeing all those cool animals was awesome!

The kids of torteguero

Spending the evening with those kids was really eye opening. It was an amazing experience and I loved bringing them school supplies and seeing their faces light up with excitement. Also getting to play soccer with them, until I realized I don't play soccer, then just playing games with the younger kids. Them teaching us their games in spanish and then us teaching them some english games. I learned so much for them how we take so much for granted that we don't need to make us happy.

Meeting the kids

Going to this village was life changing to say the least. Seeing how much they live without. Dirt floors in their houses 2 room school for 86 students. Still being excited about some simple pens and paper. They were so excited to show us their family and how they live. When I saw all this it pushed me to want to become a nurse. I want to go to countries like that and help kids stay healthy. I really got a lot out of that experience.

Torteguero Village

Tonight we are going to a small village and meeting some of the kids. Visiting the school, bringing them school supplies, and even get to play some soccer. Who do you think will win?

Hotel 2

This is our second hotel. We had to fit 3 people in this very small room without power. We didn't have a fan with the humidity. It was hot and torturous. We spent most of our time outside though so it didn't matter. We did get to cool off in the pool!

CAYMANS

We spotted a baby cayman or alligator sunning himself.  He likes to just chill on the beach.

Boat ride

We are now going on an hour long boat ride to get to our next hotel! On the ride we got to see a lot of different animals including caymans the costa rican alligator.

Bus ride

We are now starting our long bus ride to get to the boats to take us to our next hotel. Our hotel is on a very small island named Torteguero. While we are there we are going to visit the village that is located only 45 minutes down the river, the same one we are taking to our hotel, and bringing them school supplies.

On with our trip

Now that the summit is over we get to start the rest of our trip. The summit was fun I got to meet so many new people from all over the world. Jane Goodall came and talked to us about her life and experiences with the monkeys. It was a great experience and taught me a lot about what we can do for the environment and how we can help the planet. Throughout our trip there was an artist that kept track of everything that we did.

Second and Last day of the Summit

The second day of the was mostly actually building our prototype and presenting it to the others at the summit. Our prototype turned our really well, building a small tube that goes across the water but having material in the water to catch all of the trash in the water

Side Activities

At the end of the day there we different activities that we could choose to do just for fun but was still focused on helping the environment. My friends from the Hilliard schools we apart of the trash fashion show. We had to create an outfit strictly out of trash but mostly recyclables and then was created to the entire summit and we voted for the best. This was a fun way to make some new friends but still stay with the people we knew. Our "model" in this picture was Sandy, from California.

My groups Project

For our project we worked to prevent trash and other pollution in lakes and streams. The first day of the summit was working on a plan and how to create it. Using our innovation skills to come up with the best way to reach our goal.

Official start of the summit

Everyone at the summit got together to talk about our goals of the summit, sharing different Weshare projects, (projects we completed individually before the conference on a subject that is important to us that we can work to improve.) Ones that stood out and were really well put together. Heres a picture of all of us there. Heres the beginning of an amazing experience.

Night 1 at the Summit

Tonight we are having dinner at the summit. To meet our group that we will be with for the next 2 days working on a prototype on something that will help the environment. We did some team building exercises where we also worked on our innovation skills. We had to build a tower using only the shoes at our table. My group consisted of people from different parts of Ohio, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Mtaylasia, and some people from Costa Rica. My group won with the tallest tower.

Driving through the country side

We are finally here and driving to our hotel was amazing seeing the beautiful mountains and hills I don't think I've ever seen a place so beautiful. I can't believe I am spending the next 9 days here I am so excited. This picture was taken on our bus ride to our 1st hotel in San Jose. 

WE ARE HERE

We are finally here. The heat has hit, we see palm trees. It is so pretty here. Driving to our first hotel lots of crazy drivers on the road. Learning that in Costa Rica drivers don't stop for pedestrians here. Thats something to get used to. Our first selfie in Costa Rica (:

Finally on our way

We are now officially on our way to Costa Rica. There is no turning back now. When we land no communication, we are stuck for the next 9 days, I hope I like it here...

Boarding the Plane

On our way to Charlotte! Dark columbus at 6 AM But I guess we can get some shut eye on the plane. But looking out on to beautiful columbus. See you in 9 days columbus!

Leaving Columbus!

March 20 was the first day of my 9 day trip to Costa Rica. This is the first time I have ever left the country and I am super excited. At the Airport at 4 AM isn't very fun but I got my passport and my boarding ticket and I am ready to go!