June 23, 2012

Day 1:

So here's the thing: that once-a-week flight took place on June 23 while the program started on June 24, meaning that I arrived in Guanacaste one day earlier than everyone else. I thought that would be the most awkward thing in the world—just the mentors and me, however, it was pretty cool. Anyways, more on that later. I woke up at 2 o'clock in the morning to drive to Chicago. And by 6:30 my mom and I finally found our way to the correct terminal. We shared one of those embarrassing airport hugs and I was on my way through security. My flight was on time, even early, but once I landed it was realized that we had received the wrong paperwork to get through immigration. So, some airport employees scurried around looking for the correct forms, and the people in my flight waited in line while others were allowed through. Talk about frustrating! I was relieved when we finally got the right paperwork.


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Can you see the lizzard?

Finished with immigration, I walked through the door leading to the rest of the airport and was overwhelmed by many people holding signs yelling, "taxi, taxi!" Then, to my relief, I heard someone calling my name. I looked around to find that the voice belonged to a young-looking blond woman. She introduced herself as Kate, one of the two mentors. I also met Arnie one of drivers. Since, I was there early, there was a still a little prep work to be completed. We went by a Tico grocery store to pick up some bread and lunch-meat to make sandwiches for when the others would arrive. We drove to Horizontes, the station of experimental forests, in the dry tropical forest where we would be staying for nearly a week. There, I met Adam, the second mentor. I was able to look around a little and that was pretty much it for that day.

The trees are amazing