Jan 14-24

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We spent 3 days in San Jose (including a long walk to the hostel with our bags: some of us will have to rethink our packing choices), exploring the city and shopping. There isn’t much to say about it, just your average city, and all of us were anxious to get out of town. Starting at 9 AM we took a 2 hour bus ride to Bataan where we met with Robert from La Tortuga Feliz. After that it was about 20 minutes in a taxi followed by a 45 minute boat ride. The spraying water was very welcome in the 30 degree weather. We saw lots of birds, turtles and monkeys on the boat ride, but no sloths or alligators. We pulled up to the project at 2:15, greeted by the other volunteers and numerous dogs. We spent the day getting settled in and exploring, including a swim in the ocean. The water is really warm and the current is very strong. We go out and dodge waves but you get pretty beat up after a while. Much more exciting than swimming! There are also (supposedly) bull sharks, so we don’t go out too far.

After a week, we’ve gotten into a nice routine. Breakfast is at 8, and then we relax for a bit before starting our work. Generally this is cleaning or painting the cabins, fixing things around the camp, and taking care of the horses or gardens. Sometime during the day we have a Spanish lesson (designed and taught by Robert, and they’re amazing. We’re 2 hours in and already using complex sentences and future tense!) In the afternoon we might swim, play soccer/volleyball, go for a long walk, read in a hammock, or really whatever we want. Evenings we generally hang out and play cards, although there is an (illegal) bar down the beach we’ve visited once or twice. The project itself is completely alcohol free. There are only 2 lights on the whole site, so we tend to go to bed pretty early. After a few hours of darkness your body just thinks it’s time to sleep

Only one volunteer gets to go into town each time the boat goes so we may not be able to update again until we’re finished at the project (Feb 11). I had to fight to get here, and wake up at 5 AM to catch the boat and I’m not keen to do it again. Talk to you all in a few weeks!

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Comments

[miggoo]

Helloes! today it was -15! Sounds very awesome and warm where you guys are! I love you Ben! *HUGS* MissyK