Thursday July 23, 2009
Day eight started off with a rush. After enjoying the blue morning sky, our delegation began our zip lining tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. The tour started off slowly with the completion of what we had thought to be only three short zip lines. Soon after finishing the first three lines, we found ourselves zipping across tree tops in many different ways: upside-down, backwards, and in pairs. To complete our tour, we each plummeted off of what was likely a 30 ft platform to find ourselves dangling from the “Tarzan Swing.” This was certainly, for me, the best way to start off a great day.
After lunch, our delegation split into two groups to complete our service projects. One group left to join Willow Zuchowski, a famous botanist, and the other to help construct a handicapped-accessible viewing platform in the Children’s Eternal Rainforest for the Monteverde Conservation League. The group that went to work with Willow, the botanist, gathered materials for the construction of a garden and removed grasses in order to create a path with benches to view their hard work.
The other group, who went to build the viewing platform, had quite a bit in store for them. The work mainly consisted of digging 18, 2 foot deep holes in which to place the very large supporting wooden poles of the platform. In addition, delegates cleared brush, moved large rocks, carried wood –and whatever else was needed.
Needless to say, after planting 500 trees yesterday, creating a garden and digging the holes for the poles today, GYFHC Costa Rica delegates are certainly qualified for strenuous yard work. We left the service sites today feeling exhausted but happy for a job well done and knowing our contributions will help the Monteverde Conservation League. This may easily be our favorite humanitarian project we have completed so far.
- GYFHC delegates Madison Taylor & Sarah Mathiesen
2 comments:
Amazing! The delegations is doing such a great job. You should be very proud of yourselves!!!
Steph, don't forget topack "everything" for your flight tomorrow. Don't forget: Ipod, camera, phone, and passport!!!
What a wonderful experience you have all had. I cannot imagine what this has been like. Not only did you get to experience the magnificent scenery of the land but you were able to make a positive impact on the people you met. It is comforting to know that the United States has such stellar ambassadors as you all. I have anxiously looked every day for these blogs. They have been such a wonderful connection to Amanda and the entire group. Thank you for taking the time to detail your adventures. Have a safe journey home.
Post a Comment