Escuela y piñas: Part 2

After another night where Matias shortened Justin's goatee to a handlebar mustache, some of us woke up for a morning run in the sun, though maybe not as soon as we would've liked (thank you malfunctioning alarm). When everyone woke up we ate breakfast and got our backpacks ready. 

We stayed in the same groups as yesterday and this time those who went to the organic farm went to the elementary school and vice versa. 

On the way to the farm we saw chemically, monocultivated pineapples, and learned about the negative effects that these large farming conglomerates and their chemicals have on Costa Rica and its environment. When we reached the farm, we got to try the flesh around the cacao bean, and also got to feed pigs, stomp compost, and play soccer with the farmer's grandson, Josue. After lunch we tried one of the farm's peppers, and although we didn't see any howler monkeys, we heard them (thanks to Carlos, our guide, for teaching us how to make the howler monkey sound!) After seeing each station in the farm, we then listened to Farmer Daniel's story and fight against monoculture, and got to try some Costa Rican arepas and some delicious coffee. We then stopped by at a supermarket to get everything from bug spray to chips (and a lot of them too.) 

However, due to it being a Friday at the elementary school, there were not many kids at all. Even with the lack of kids we all had a blast and competed against them by playing a game that required you to grab other people's hands and try to get a hula-hoop from one end to the other without letting go. Unfortunately, we were unable to bag a win for Menlo but everyone had so much fun! After that, many kids began grabbing our hands and dragging us around the school, showing us the ropes and playing more with us which was so cute. After playing with them we ate an incredible lunch and then we created a blueprint for a design of the garden they want to add behind the school. 

At last, when everyone was back we swam in the river, slept in a hammock, and finally packed our bags to get ready to go to our homestay families. 

We'll see you all eventually! Nos estamos divertiendo muchisimo! :D

                                                                                                                                               ~Melina y Kayan