The Perfect First Day-- Pura Vida!

Pura Vida! Once again, People to People International starts a GYFHC off perfectly. Our delegation began our day with a bus ride through the Alajuela Region to the Arenal Region of Costa Rica. The three hour bus ride gave us plenty of time to get to know our fellow delegates as well as getting familiar with the Costa Rican culture. Our tour guide, Fernando, was very eager to share with us the meaning behind the Costa Rican Colones (the local currency) and popular Spanish phrases used throughout the country. Our delegation listened carefully to Fernando as he spoke about the diverse climates, cultures, and people who make up Costa Rica. Costa Rica is similar to America in a way because it doesn’t matter what skin color you have or where your family originated from. Fernando explained that even though his grandparents came from Jamaica he is still 100% Costa Rican. The pride Fernando for his country made it very easy for him to share with us all Costa Rica has to offer. I know my group is very lucky to have him for our tour guide.

In the afternoon our delegation arrived at the Arenal Volcano National Park. Everyone came prepared to face the ever so changing Costa Rican weather. After trekking down 650 steep stairs, we finally were able to see the spectacular view of the LaFortuna Waterfall. At this moment it finally sank in that I was in a different country. The sparkling water and vibrant green environment made for great pictures and even greater sight seeing. After our waterfall visit our group hopped back on the bus and headed for the Tilajari Hotel.

The first activity at the Tilajari hotel was a team building scavenger hunt. The leaders split all 31 of us students up into three teams, the green frogs, the blue monkeys, and the red toucans. Our teams were faced with different challenges, including building a small traditional ox cart, recalling Costa Rican facts we learned earlier in the day, and looking for parrot figures in the trees. Participating in these challenges was not only fun but it also gave students a chance to use their leadership and communication skills. All three groups worked well together, and in the end, the blue monkeys won! The prize for the group was that each student received a Costa Rica t-shirt. After the scavenger hunt our delegation had dinner at the hotel. Me gusta comida de Costa Rica!

The last activity of the night was a dialogue interaction with local students. Delegation Leader Brandon Wiley did a great job bringing together us American students and the Costa Rican students. We were able to discuss our culture and typical lifestyles. Brandon also posed a question to us that let us share what we love about our country and if we could change one thing what would it be. Later we found it difficult to keep the conversation going between the local students because we did not know much Spanish and they found it difficult to keep up with our fast American speaking habits. Music proved to be the key for all students to open up to each other and bond over a common interest. Despite the language barrier we all became close and were excited to find out that we would see each other again the next day. People to People’s mission of peace through understanding was achieved tonight through smiles, laughter, dancing, and friendship. I am anticipating an amazing trip with this delegation of 31 diverse individuals.
- Maddie Fumi,GYFHC Delegate (Lansing, Illinois)