Hola a todos!

Before going over yesterday’s excursion, we have some important information: half of our group has just left for the village of Silencio! As its name might imply, Silencio is relatively off the grid, so the students’ internet and phone access will be limited over the next week or so (please contact Jono, the program director by phone (+506 6370-4845) or email at mscostarica@goputney.com if you need to reach your student). Our two Community Service leaders, Ryanne and Max, will also have direct contact with Jono and the Putney Office in Vermont. The students will be working on projects for much of the day with healthy doses of language immersion, fútbol and exploration of the surrounding area all mixed in.

Now to the (other) fun stuff. We started with a bright and early breakfast and immediately thereafter boarded a bus for Rincón de la Vieja volcano national park. The park itself covers over 300 square miles and features a volcano, bubbling sulfur pits — they smelled great — and immense biodiversity. We took a hike with world-renowned guide, Claudio, and saw bats, an agouti and howler and capuchin monkeys!

After our hike we were a little exhausted so we grabbed lunch and got ready to go tubing. The river was mostly calm with some rapids and waterfalls thrown in. Once we reached the end of the river we hopped out and headed over to the much acclaimed mud baths. Everyone’s pores were visibly more open afterwards. Once the mud caked, hopping in the river was only logical. From there, we headed to the hot springs to soak in the glory of our day. Worn out from activities, we headed back to Playa Hermosa for a relaxed night. We went over which group would be going to Silencio and which would be staying at the villa, followed by pool time and stargazing.

This morning, students were sad to say goodbye but eager to hop into the activities and challenges that await them this coming week. We will all reunite near Lake Arenal soon enough but will be sure to keep you updated with the happenings in our respective sites before then!

Hasta pronto

Your villa leaders