5/24/2023

Today marks our second day at the Eco Resort in Chilamate. We began today's adventures with a morning hike, stomachs full of our new favorites: plantains and passion fruit. Led by three amazing naturalists, we explored the vast rainforest we call home, applying our Junior year biology skills on meiosis and natural biomes to frame our new knowledge of the jungle. So far we've seen bats, howler monkeys (who serve as early morning alarm clocks), snakes, millipedes, iguanas, toucans, bats, and more (with lots of unwelcome insects). 

Eager to wash off our sweat from the extreme humidity and heat, we quickly transitioned into a swim in our nearby river, where we enjoyed skipping rocks and attempting to catch fish with our bare hands. At lunchtime, we played games as a whole group while enjoying excellent arroz con pollo (a Costa Rican party dish). Afterward, we enjoyed a long period of downtime where the group engaged in different activities: poker, making friendship bracelets, napping, reading, and storytelling. 

We reconvened as a full group to prepare for our homestays and to be the future winners of our upcoming soccer game against the community-- we are very confident. Right now, we are back to talking and playing games while preparing to have dinner. We expect to be blown away by their amazing food once again. 

We have a newfound appreciation for the hundreds of bats who surround and protect us by eating some of the pests. 

Hope to have another great day tomorrow.

-M&M (Marco and Maddie)