Iguanas and Monkeys and Jaguars, oh my...

Hey everybody! These past few days we did something that not many people can say they have done: spend a night with indigenous Costa Ricans in the middle of the forest! This past weekend we discovered that the farther you are from civilization the better the food is :)





After we left CATIE, we drove past Cahuita (the Atlantic Ocean), canoed down the river that divides Panama and Costa Rica, and hiked to a small native town called Talamanca, which belongs to a group of Bribri people. Upon arrival, we had to win a soccer game against the highly competitive Bribri children in order to get dinner. Thanks to Tyler's amazing coaching skills we tied and called a game over :)



We learned how to make 100% chocolate out of cocoa beans and were serenated that night by Dr. Vargas and his guitar-playing Bribri friend. Some of us also learned how to weave out of leave strands and got to swim under a Panama waterfall. Sunday was a free day at the beach!! We all did different things: some swam, others body-surfed, and Kristel and Chase walked on the beach during sunrise. Some of us also walked into the city of Cahuita and spoke with the locals. On Monday we went to an iguana breeding farm and drove back to San Jose. On Tuesday we visited Volcano Poas and saw the third largest crater in the world. After walking down the volcano, we went to the La Paz Waterfall Garden, which was beautiful. There, we were able to see monkeys, jaguars, frogs, snakes, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Oh and 4 giant waterfalls! Can't wait to see what's next.

Pura vida,
Economic Team
Kristel
Tyler
Angelle
Krista
Bekah