TIME CAPSULE LETTER
Written by Adrián, David, Lena, JuanK, José, Sharron, and Katie
Hola! ¿Cómo estás? ¡Pura Vida!
We are missing you in Costa Rica and can’t believe it’s been so long since our Animal Rescue Project. The rain comes in the afternoon and there are many birds singing in the background as we reflect on our time together.
We feel honored to have been part of your journey. Each of you were an important part of our community. Together we built an inclusive and positive environment that focused on joy and service. Each one of you are special and we hope you are still carrying the energy of what you experienced in Costa Rica!
Thinking back, can you remember our first days at Lands in Love? They were filled with excitement – getting to know all the animals on the property and each other. Some memorable moments in the first few days included drinking yummy fresh juices and eating vegan food. For an icebreaker we gathered in groups and created a skit about the expectations of our time together. During the skit times, we not only learned the expectations that were being held, but the different people and personalities that we would be working with for the next two weeks. We laughed together and started building the community we wanted to live in for the next few weeks. We created agreements like inclusivity, team work, lifting each other up, and all shared a similar goal which was to make a positive impact in this place while getting to know the people and communities here.
There were many laughs on the bus in anticipation of our time ziplining and at hot springs. Soaring over the Costa Rican jungle canopy time stood still. The fresh air and incredible views made for a special adventure. At the hot springs do you remember having all the leaders go down the slide? Adrian tried them all out first to tell everyone the tips for each slide. When you heard the sound coming from the waterfalls of the hot springs, you felt at ease.
We worked really hard at the service site taking care of retired and rescued horses, cleaning their stalls, and sharing love with them. The groups working with dogs woke up early to walk many of them before breakfast. Then we cleaned their kennels and gave them much needed attention. Do you remember the rumble of the dogs when they would begin barking? Or the peace when there were moments they were calm? A couple other community service adventures included working with chickens and clearing trails on the property. Take a moment to think back to your favorite dog.
After our road trip we arrived in Liberia to meet the veterinarians we’d be working with at Vida. The following day we visited houses in the community and gave their pets tick/worm care. Then we asked them to come to the local spay and neuter campaign we’d be doing. You all worked really hard at the service site, so much sweat and laughter during those long days but the impact you made is what you should be proud of. We achieved a lot! Your commitment and hard work left an impact on the humble people there. I am sure that they will remember you and how you cared for their animals.
What an adventure we had! From making homemade empanadas and tortillas, to dance class, to finding yummy new fruit to try, to uncovering all we could as we traveled across this beautiful green landscape. Plus all the lovely people in our group, as well as the community members we got to meet!
A few memorable people and moments from this session:
-Laughing and swimming in the pool at Lands in Love
-Adrian teaching us fun dances and being super sweaty
-Flash mobbing Liberia doing AruCapirua, Asuo, Asua AAA, AAA Asuo, Asue like professionals
-Surprising Lena and eating so much cake
-Trying to go to sunset but the bus not making it then getting beautiful pictures at the beach but getting eaten by mosquitoes then arriving back for pizza!
-Saying our sweet and meaningful goodbyes
One of you wrote, “Surrounded by people you just met and made connections with from the start you get the feeling of never wanting to leave, it feels like home, the adventure is at the tips of your fingertips just waiting for you to soar and make the impact you intended to on this trip.”
Remember our OMG -One Meaningful Goal-?
Returning to our communities to share what we’ve learned about caring for animals through action- like getting involved in a local organization or educating our friends and family.
We hope you continue to do what you think is important in the world and share it with your friends, family, and in your community. Thank you for making a difference in the communities here! We hope that the memories we shared continue to impact you as much as you impacted the people here.
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Here are a few things you can expect:
- We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
Cell Phone Policy: The GLA cell phone policy is currently in place this summer to help foster meaningful connections between students. This means your student’s phone will be collected every day and returned to them after activities are completed to have with them through the night. Actual tech times and regularity will vary greatly by program location and time zones. During designated ‘tech time’, your student may use their phones as they wish. Please note that your student may not always choose to use this time to get a hold of their parents. If you are not hearing directly from your student each day, you can assume that no news is good news! We strongly recommend you follow the blog to follow your students’ experience without talking to them every day. If you are a parent and would like to get in touch with your student directly, you can call us at +1-619-758-3031 and we can set up a formal time for you to connect with your student.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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BLOG POST FOR JULY 2 & 3
Hi families!
An exciting and compassionate summer for our leaders has begun.
We are finally all together 😁!
Our home base is a paradisiacal and vegan hotel and restaurant named Lands in Love 💕.
After a long day of traveling and a well deserved rest all students arrived safely at their Home Base in San Ramón, Alajuela province. Weather has been hot, humid, and beautiful. After long flights they got the chance to recover and have all the energy for the upcoming activities, on the first day we went around on a tour of the home base and got to know the place. Everyone is with an amazing attitude and putting their hearts to the experience.
We are so excited because we will be hands on with local service activities and in care of noble companion animals.
So far we’ve gone through some curriculum activities, getting to know each other ice-breakers and our first guest speaker about Costa rica history!
Today was a good day and the weather was on our side so we had the opportunity to take the swim test, everyone passed! So pool during free time is a great choice to relax and start getting in the experience. Getting to know the home base is needed, so we did a tour and got to know where services will be and some places that are important to keep in mind to meet with the group before and after activities.
Parents, families, and friends please follow us on this blog as we feature the daily adventures of this amazing group of leaders.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 4
Today was our first day of service at Lands in Love!
The work was divided amongst four groups: trail making, dog walking, chickens and ducks, and barn maintenance with horses. While some of us were walking dogs, the rest of the group enjoyed a buffet style mix of Costa Rican cuisine. This included fresh plantains, rice and beans, fruit, vegetable pancakes, and a variety of fresh juices.
Dog walkers were able to eat after an exciting hour and half with the pups! After service, all of us went for a swim in the pool. For lunch we had pasta with mushrooms, rice, beans, potatoes and other traditional Costa Rican foods. We then played soccer and volleyball in the rain all together which was so much fun. Though the heat was scorching, we managed to keep our spirits high, only stopping to fill up water bottles.
The game ended in a tie. We had our first curriculum lesson on “The Danger of a Single Story”. It was an insightful class on issues of the world including global capitalism and colonialism. It started a really spirited conversation on different economic systems. The TEDTalk even referenced how literature affects racial stereotypes. For dinner we ate an Israeli dish including pita, falafel, vegetables, and of course, fresh juice. To the end the awesome day, we had a salsa class with a professional Costa Rica teacher and had a dance off with each other in groups. It was an awesome day and everything we did was so fun.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 5
Today, July fifth, was an exciting day for the 30 GLA students. This morning was nice and sunny, foreshadowing a positive day filled with learning and friendship. After eating breakfast, we got on the buses and drove to the zoo/rehabilitation center. Once we got to the sanctuary, our tour guide showed us around and told us all about the native and exotic species that were taking refuge there.
We heard stories of animal cruelty that were transformed into ones of rescue and rehabilitation. A toucan whose beak was chopped off with a machete found a home and even a prosthetic beak so that he could live his life normally. Our tour guide led us through the many enclosures. Among the birds there were macaws, parrots, toucans, and some owls. Other animals that we all saw were the squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, turtles, a snake, leopards, and multiple others.
Our guide taught the Spanish names for the animals as well and it was interesting to see our creative differences (sloth for example translates as lazy bear! -oso perezoso-). Some way into the tour, we stopped and rested a little. In this area there was the option to buy some souvenirs and ice cream. The majority of the students bought the orange-pineapple flavored ice cream to enjoy while socializing with each other.
Since we were at the zoo past 1:00, we got lunch at the restaurant located on site. As we were waiting for the buses to arrive, one of the very energetic GLA staff members, Adrián, led the group in some song and dance. Then we headed back to home base where we relaxed for an hour and then did some yoga with our mentors. After the amazing relaxation from yoga we then had a delicious Costa Rican dinner.
To finish off the tiring day we met with our mentor groups and talked about the days ahead and before lights out, we enjoyed each other’s company in a group hangout in the lobby of the hotel.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 6
Hola hola GLA familias!
Today our team took a break from service to indulge in adventures off base.
We started the day at Lands in Love with another wonderful vegan breakfast, and practiced a team building song before getting on the bus.
A relatively short ride ended with scenic views of the Arenal volcano, one of Costa Rica’s seven active volcanos. Upon arrival, Go Adventures staff strapped us in with safety equipment, and after a quick demonstration, the GLA group was ready to zip through the jungle. Our group had the opportunity to ride 7 zip lines over the valleys of Alajuela, and even repel down an optional 70 foot wall. Before leaving, the GLA group was invited to an educational talk with the Maleku tribe, where we even got to try their traditional beverage.
The day was not nearly over, and a 10 minute drive took us over to the Baldi Hot Springs Resort where we were greeted by a delicious buffet style lunch. After eating, our group changed into swim wear and explored the worlds largest natural hot springs, consisting of 25 thermal pools and water slides that reached a speed of 27 mph. 4 hours of fun left our team with memories that we will cherish forever.
On our way back to home base, we stopped at a large souvenir shop, where we purchased gifts for their loved ones and other personal items to take back home.
After an action packed day, our group cooled down with a delicious dinner and some rest time, before going to bed for another day of important work.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 7
As many say: ”the early bird gets the worms”, we started our 6th day in Costa Rica bright and early; especially for those who were assigned to walk the dogs of the rescue center. Breakfast was as delicious as always with popular choices like pancakes and a variety of juices. We joked and laughed while catching up all the things that happened during the 9 hours of separation at night. From 8:30 to 12 the groups worked with different animals on site such as: grooming horses, cleansing chicken and duck habitats, developing trails and giving the dogs their daily walks. Personally, it was challenging to let our beliefs aside and support in ways Lands in Love needed most. After our service hours, we departed from home base and headed towards our cooking class where we learned to make traditional Costa Rican cuisine.
Seconds after we arrived, we were greeted with the loudest thunder and pouring rain that really cooled us down. The cooking process for tortillas and empanadas were highly similar. They both consisted of the process of mixing flour and water and flattening the balls of dough into a thin rounded shape. However, the empanadas were filled with beans and cheese while the tortillas were topped with cheese that were simply described as “queso de vaca” by the locals which means cheese of cow. Despite it being made of cow’s milk like most of our cheeses back home, it had the visual representation of tofu and lacked the pungent smell of processed cheese. We also had a sweet drink with water and sugar cane. It was a great learning experience for many of us as we embrace the local culture during our time here.
On our way back, we spotted a sloth that hung onto the electrical wires. We all got pictures, it was so exciting for everyone to see! We were most definitely amazed by this extraordinary sighting and made our eventful day even better. When we got back we had free time; some people just hung out with each other, and some went in the hot tub.
After our return we had dinner followed by a guest speaker who taught us the culture, ecotourism, the impact of tourism on its economy, the geologic difference of each province and more. We even got to try a snack made by one of the biggest companies here. Fun fact; Costa Rica does not have an army! Instead, the funding goes towards supporting healthcare insurance and providing free education all the way up to college. Afterwards we had about 30 minutes for free time/ tech time to relax. Then we got ready for bed and went to sleep. To wrap up, our day was not only exciting but very educational and we made many memories that we’ll bring home and share with our friends and family.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 9
Today we had our final vegan meal before leaving Lands in Love for our new home base in Liberia. We have the entire hotel to ourselves and are enjoying the food that has been made for us. Though the vegan food at Lands in Love was amazing, we are all super happy and excited to be able to eat meat and dairy again. There are many cats and dogs that live at the hotel including a dog named Luna! Vida, the program we will be working with while we are here, described and explained how we will be helping out the animals and families of the local neighborhood, and setting up mobile vet clinics to help the community.
After we settled into our rooms and enjoyed a delicious lunch, we explored the town and stores including a clothing store, supermarket, and gelato stand. Once we returned to home base we had some free time and spent it playing volleyball, swimming, and playing card games. After a delicious dinner the bonding continued with some music and dancing led by Adrian. We are all super excited to be working with the animals and helping out the community this week, and cannot wait for what comes next.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 10
Today we started our first day of service with the organization Vida. Vida is an organization that is dedicated to helping animals in communities that are less fortunate. We took a 30 minute bus ride to a local community where we met up with the Vida workers, and from there we were split into groups. Each group visited 5 pet owning homes in the community, where they conducted a pet survey including questions like:“how many times a day the dogs in their household get fed”, “if their vaccinations were up to date”, etc. Once the survey was complete, we had a good idea of what their struggles were in owning their animals, so the group made suggestions to the owner on ways that they could improve the animals way of life. We also dewormed each dog, and encouraged the owners to get their dog spayed or neutered if they are not already.
The visits were very eye opening and made us understand that many of the people truly do love their dogs, they just do not have the money or the means to give them the proper care that they need. Vida’s goal is to teach pet owners responsible and economical ways that they can care for their pet and hopefully prove to them that owning and maintaining a pet is doable and it is not right to set the dogs loose on the street when they get too hard to take care of.
After our work was done, we came back to the hotel for some lunch and then we headed out on a walk from the hotel to a lookout point of mountains and forests around us. We finished the night with some dinner from Pizza Hut and free time by the pool. Many partook in Volleyball which ended in many jumping in the pool together fully clothed. It was truly an incredible day.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 11
Today was our first day of actual surgery at the vida clinic! We woke up bright and early for breakfast at 6:50 then headed to the clinic dressed and ready to go in our scrubs. We spent the morning setting up a surgery clinic in the community center in a town and throughout the day spayed/neutered 2 cats and 6 dogs. We got to help every step of the way from intake (we got to shave their arms for the shots and then we shaved the area for surgery). to the actual surgery, to recovery where we sat with our animal and did basic grooming while they slowly woke up. Some of us got to take out the ticks and fleas on our animals while they were in recovery, to help prevent other diseases.
Most of us felt uneasy when it came time to put the breathing tube down our animal’s throat; even though he couldn’t feel it, we all felt bad. It was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience. After our surgeries were done for the day we headed into the bus, ate a quick lunch to-go, and drove to a beautiful waterfall (Llanos de Cortéz) where we spent the next few hours swimming and taking in the beauty! Once back at our home base, we had a super insightful group meeting where we talked about what we noticed about life in Costa Rica, partly about the care for animals, but also just lifestyle in general. We all engaged in deep conversation about similarities and differences to our own lives and how this opportunity has shaped us. To wrap up our long and fun day, we ate dinner and hung out on home base.
