Tortuguero - A Snail's Pace at the Turtle's Place

One of our students, Danielle Breslow, is serving as a guest correspondent for this part of our tour. Here is her report from the little town across the canal:

Yesterday and today we went to the small village of Tortuguero. Tortuguero is a peninsula with the Caribbean Sea on one side and on the other side the Tortuguero Canal. Stray dogs roamed the island and followed us hoping for a little food. There was a small playground with old rusted machines in it. The machines came from old saw mills, used to cut wood, in the early years of the island. When in the town we walked around looking at the rustic school buildings and picturesque homes. The locals were very interesting to talk to as they all were different. Some were selling cold refreshing coconut water, and others were relaxing on the cool sand of the Caribbean Sea beach.  Many kids challenged themselves when talking to the locals, speaking in Spanish to ask for an exchange objects or information [The guide suggested this activity to increase opportunities for speaking]. For example, my friends and I gave a young girl a flower in "exchange" for her name and if she goes to school. In addition, a girl gave a young boy a coin and he told her his name. A few kids on our tour played soccer in a schoolyard with some of the children who lived in the village. The field was bumpy, there was a little grass scattered throughout the field, and the rest of the field was sand and dirt. Everyone played barefoot and by the end of the game they had sand all over their feet.

 - Danielle Breslow

Thank you, Danielle! 

 

The students have really enjoyed La Baula. In addition to crossing the canal to Tortuguero, they have been very excited to have howler monkeys as their alarm clocks - they eat early (at around 5 am). The pool has been delightful - a small waterfall and clear, warm water. The big question: how many students can fit into a pool? The food has been great - plentiful, ricey, and tasty. There have been no complaints (to my ear) about the lack of air conditioning, as the hotel is located where it captures great breezes off the Caribbean. In addition to traveling to Tortuguero, the students have taken long boat excursions into the back canals for wildlife viewing. Here are a few pictures from Mr. Rottman's lens.

A group sets out. Early moments yet. Excitement palpable.

Nothing makes cereal more enticing than seeing the actual bird (toucan) that represents Froot Loops. This one appears oblivious to his (her?) cross-over appeal.

He sees you as well. He is just better at concealing his interest.

 

Directional signs for each of the canals. 

 The students have enjoyed their many sightings of spiders. This one is probably close to actual size. We have to have confirmations of the "flying spiders" that apparently beset one of the rooms, although adult skepticism may have put a damper on student reporting.

Tonight, we eat heartily again. Some students are putting together the components for a Deal/Spring Break in Costa Rica seder for later on tonight. We will see what Tortuguero offers up for this important landmark - our students are creative, however, so I am sure we will have another unique experience. Tomorrow we leave for Sarapiqui and our canopy tour (think zip lining), although I think as a group we are having a harder time thinking about leaving the banks of the canal. Especially with the freeze warning posted for Monday night back in DC. Maybe some of us will just stay here . . .