Berkeley Carroll School: Costa Rica 2015

Authentic Costa Rican Cooking Class:

As we left our homestays we walked together in a big group toward Barney’s house, where the cooking class would begin at 3:00. We walked along the dirt road, and up the hill to a large house built by Barney himself, almost single handedly. We arrived at the house at 3:15, and quickly sat around a wood table, covered with food and ingredients to make empanadas. As we sat down, Jennifer told us that she would be translating a bit for Erica, the cooking teacher. Erica introduced herself, and we quickly began. Each of us took one of the many balls of corn dough and started to make an even, flat circle. Erica instructed us to not make the dough too thin, and also not to make it too thick. When we were all done with making the circles of dough, Erica passed around tubs of chicken, beans, and cheese. She showed us how to put them into the empanadas, as well on how to close it and write our initials into the dough. When we were all done, we took out empanadas and gave it to a woman who put them in a frying pan, and she fried all of our empanadas. As we waited, Erica passed out cups of coffee, with milk and sugar. When our empanadas were done, we sat around the same wooden table with our mugs of sweet coffee and enjoyed our homemade empanadas.

 — Miles

Take Aways:

            After a fun night with our homestay families, we gathered at the Eco-lodge this morning and talked about take-aways from this entire trip so far. There were extremely thoughtful, well phrased, and smart answers to some difficult and complicated questions. For example, we were talking about how extremely close and loving the families that we were staying with are, how they trust each other, and how they are so happy. We had an in depth conversation about the connection between money and happiness. We realized that we, as a group, have more material things than the people we have encountered in Costa Rica. However, we noticed how incredibly happy and loving, in general, the people we have encountered are. When the people of Chilamate need help with something, they can literally just yell and someone will be at their door within one minute. The children can go out and play without it being a worry, but at least with my family, my mom must know how long I will be out, with who, why, when, when I will be home etc, etc.

— Imogen

           

Last day at the Chilamate School:

Today was our last day at the school. Because it was raining very hard, we weren’t able to paint as planned, but we did talk in Spanish and English and hang out with local Chilamate students. We visited an English class full of sixth graders, and asked them questions such as, ‘How old are you?’ Afterwards, we had recess for 10 minutes, and used that time to connect more with the students. We then had an assembly in the school hallway, which really showed us why they need a roof for a meeting space: the outdoor auditorium we were helping to build. The kids and teachers sang a national hymn to the flag and then the national anthem of Costa Rica, and gave us personal hand-made cards. We then ate lunch at the school with the students. The experience of students giving us cards and expressing their thanks was humbling for us all, showing that you really can make a difference, even if it’s only for a few people.

— Alayna

At 2:00 in the afternoon, we all left the Eco-Lodge for white water rafting. We hiked along the river to the station where we got onto a bus. After 15 minutes of driving, we made it to one of the banks on the river. There, we were equipped with life jackets, helmets, and paddles. One of the instructors told us all of the safety rules and commands that were necessary while rafting, and in five minutes, we were off! After 30 minutes of splashing through the rapids of the Sarapiquí River, we stopped at a beach to eat freshly cut pineapple and swim in the river. 15 minutes later, we started rafting again, making our way through the small and large rapids in the river. Finally, when we were tired, cold, and wet, we finally went ashore and walked back to the Eco-Lodge. It was a great experience.

—   Jasper