It wasn’t easy. We arrived in the dark maybe making some wonder if they had just stepped into an episode of Survivor. At the end of that boat ride stood Jason waiting in the glow of his flashlight. Like the ninja that he is, he helped carry bags and led us through the brush to what we would call home for the next five nights. He would come to teach us about the land, the community, and the true meaning of hard work.
A lot of other beings came to greet us upon arrival. Most of them flew at our heads and clung to our clothes. Others feasted on our skin, leaving a remembrance of their visit. The first few days were tough – it was H-O-T, we were caked in DEET and sunscreen, it was hard to keep up our energy level in the humidity. But we channeled our inner sloths and took naps in the hammocks. We exercised our competitive natures with endless card games. We took farm and mangrove tours, gathered for mentor groups, played with the local children, drank fruit shakes by Olga, and indulged Lazy/Lacy and Kila all in preparation for our true purpose in coming to Parismina: the night patrols. They didn’t disappoint, as we got to see a few leatherbacks.
It was the best we knew to be able to truly understand PURA VIDA!
-Paz
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