8/16/2017
After a 6:30 breakfast we headed over to the local community center to do our first day of service. Everyone took part in different tasks ranging from wood carving and working to painting. After lunch we headed to the beach for our first surf lesson. After four hours of wipeouts everyone had the chance to get up at least once. Following dinner we were all able to share stories about ourselves and backgrounds and get to know each other. Great day of firsts!!
8/17/2017
Fun filled day on Wednesday. We started the day with delicious pancakes and rice and beans. Then we set out for our second day of service. We spent 4 hours painting and finishing the signs and painting and finishing the trash platforms (to keep out animals). We completed all of the signs and many platforms. We had a nice snack of ice cream and popsicles! Then we walked home for a lunch of beef and rice and beans, with pineapple-mango juice.
Next, we had our second session of surfing. We worked on controlling our speed while on the surfboard, and being able to turn and like turns while on our feet. About half way it started pouring rain but that did not stop us. We continued surfing and having a blast until we had to quit a but early do to the incoming storm. It rained the whole 20 minute walk home but no one complained and everyone kept a positive stride. Following many card games and a dinner of spaghetti, we did our Story of Self part 2, where everyone who had not gone the night before, shared their life story, and we all got to know each other better.
It was a great day and we are looking forward to the rest of the trip!
-Justine
8/18/2017
Today was a very tiring day. Our firs activity was a 4 hour hike, 3 miles up and 3 down. Though it wore our bodies out, ultimately, it was worth it. The view from the top of the mountain was beautiful. After we came back to camp we recovered and had lunch. At 2 we headed out to surf where we had our first lesson in paddling out to the waves. It was a great day!
Day 6 Blog
Today we had fun going white water rafting in the morning, followed by yoga in the afternoon. For some people, this was their first time on the water rafting through rapids. We took an hour or so bus ride to the Savegre River, where we launched the boats. We had a snack on the river and we also “jumped” from a waterfall’s base.
There were three boats, so there was friendly and fun competition between all of them. After the rafting was done we had lunch at a restaurant that overlooked a palm plantation. When we got back to home base where we had our “first” yoga class. That was followed by dinner and a conservation movie called “A Plastic Ocean”.
Day 7 Blog
On our 7th day at Bodhi Surf we woke up at 6:30 for a breakfast of pancakes, rice and beans, pudding, oatmeal, eggs, and a variety of fruit. Soon after we went back to our rooms to get ready for the day. To start off, we walked down to the beach to start surfing at 8:00am. It was basically an all day beach day. We surfed for a few hours out in the green waves and then came in for a snack. Some of us went back out after the snack, some of us just swam, and some just lay on the beach.
At around 4, we went out with bags to pick up plastic all along the beach. Some of the kids from the area came down to the beach to help us out too. Then we showed the kids how to surf and played volleyball on the beach until it started raining super hard and thundering. We packed up our stuff fast and walked in the pouring rain back to the home base. We showered and got ready for our 2nd yoga session.
After yoga we went to eat a traditional American dinner of burgers and fries. Shortly after dinner a group decision was made to do karaoke instead of a movie. Various artists were included during the session.