We're Home!

This has been an amazing trip! Special thanks to Gail Edwards and all the Chaperons!

Sorry for the late blog post, this new hotel requires a hotel Internet account. Yesterday we transferred two hours to Jaco Beach. About a half hour from Jaco, we went zip lining. Everyone in OYO and every chaperone decided to go on the zip line. We actually did what is called “Tranopy”, a combination between tram and canopy. After we were in our harnesses, we boarded a metal tram. On the tram we saw all the plants, bugs, animals, and birds the rainforest had to offer. When our beautiful ride was over, we crossed a small metal bridge, and began zip lining. This was one of the safest zip lines in the country. We were attached to two cables, not one, and wore helmets, and gloves. We were hooked up each time, (there were ten zip lines), and we put our feet up and went. The feeling in the air was amazing, with wind cooling you down in the warm, humid climate. After, we went to our hotel for a night of sleep. Today, we went to breakfast and took a van to the White Beach. The beach was beautiful, and very warm. We swam and relaxed. We are currently getting ready for our final concert tonight.

We had our concert, it was at a beautiful church. It went well, but we we’re sad that it was the last concert.

The Concert

The concert last night was great! It went very well and we got a great turnout. The place was packed! In addition, we got a rare, exclusive, morale raising pep talk from Brian before the show. It made us all feel highly appreciated our hard work paid off well. All of the Costa Rican musicians we played with were very impressed with our musicianship, especially since we are so much younger than them. The Costa Rican Orchestra was also amazing.

Today we went to a local coffee plantation, to learn how the coffee was grown, prepared and sold. We went to a plantation called "Cafe Tres Generationes". We sampled the coffee, took a tour of the facilities, and had the option to purchase the coffee and other things from the gift shop. After that, we headed over to the crater of the Poas Volcano. After a short hike, we had a spectacular view of the crater. Sulfuric gas was flowing out of the center of the sulfur lake in the crater. We had a great lunch then went on a hike by La Paz Warterfall Gardens. The falls were beautiful and the agriculture was spectacular. After we returned we stopped at the hotel. We went to dinner, where there was a great firework display, Latin dance show! Great Day!

A Golden Day

<---- WE MAKE NEW FRIENDS!!!
Yesterday, we had perhaps the best meal we will ever have here. It was in an area where you wouldn't expect a restaurant. We got to order an appetizer, entree and dessert. It was all amazing.

A Golden Day? What does that mean? What are they talking about? Well, today we went to the San Jose Gold Mueeum. We saw gold and stone figures. They had a very cool gift shop. We had a two hour rehearsal at the National Theater, it is very beautiful, then went to a mall and walked around, shopped and got lunch. We then returned to the hotel to relax. We have our concert soon!

A Fun Time

Today, we awoke at 6:30, not at 5:30, we overslept. After a buffet breakfast, we transferred to a local private high school. We were each paired up with a student, who showed us around the campus, and took us to their classes. The school was beautiful, and very modern for the area at 7 years old. The price to go to the school was only $2700 a year. After we said goodbye to our Costa Rican friends, we had a two hour rehearsal with the full Costa Rican Youth Orchestra. We then returned to our hotel room and we will be going to dinner soon.

San Jose, We Have Arrived

Well yesterday was a great day! After relaxing at the great pools, we had a great dinner! We awoke at 6:30 this morning, and went to breakfast, a buffet. After we left for a three hour car ride to San Jose. In San Jose, we ate lunch, at subway. We had a two hour rehearsal, with members from the Costa Rican Youth Orchestra. After, we had a great concert for students we will be following around at school tomorrow, to learn about their school and the way they learn. We had such a big reaction at the end of the concert, and so much clapping, we played another piece. We went to dinner at a local restaurant where we hand made tortillas! After the meal, we returned to our hotel, ready to get a good nights sleep, for when we have to wake up at 5:30 tomorrow. Pics below!!!