As this trip nears it's end, my cameras are tired. I, however, am refreshed, enriched, have a few more freckles, and am contemplating how I can escape to this magical place again within the year.
I would, easily, go as far as saying I would come here, to Costa Rica, rather than Hawaii. Hawaii is beautiful and tropical, don't get me wrong. I enjoy myself when I'm there, but it is just so commercialized at this point. Not that I'd ever turn down the opportunity if offered a visit. Let me show you why:
Day 4: Did you know, in Costa Rica, the children are treated as pediatric patients until they are 12.5 yrs old.... In America, we consider them pediatrics until they are 21 (especially, if they have a chronic illness followed by a pediatric service, or a cancer affiliated with the pediatric population). So >13yr old kids with cancer get put in the adult oncology wards is Costa Rica.
Then came along an inspiring and handsome kiddo, named Daniel Arce. Daniel was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at age 15, in 2003. He spent 4 years fighting, with 29 rounds of chemo and 9 surgeries. This means he spent a lot of time hospitalized with adult patients. The boy, who wanted to become a doctor, became a man who wanted to learn about finance, so he could make money to build a better, in hospital, experience for adolescents with cancer. He began creating a plan that incorporated creating a room with things appealing to a teenager... Flat screen tv, Wii, brightly painted walls, redone bathrooms, and a computer. He began raising money, but passed away at the age of 20, without the chance of seeing the final results of his legacy. His family recognized the importance of completing his project and created Proyecto Daniel (Project Daniel)...
On this day, before heading off to the beach town of Puerto Viejo, with all of our luggage piled high on top of the bus, we had the opportunity to hear this inspiring story and see, 1st hand, the outcomes. We met Maria, Daniel's mom, outside of Hospital San Juan de Dios (1845)... The oldest hospital still standing (not rebuilt) on San Jose.... She told us his story, and I lost it. Tears! What an inspiration. She used her connections to get us some time with the patients in the Proyecto Daniel rooms (1 boy room -with 2 beds, and 1girl room- with 3 girl beds). They were beautiful, as were the patients inside. We spent time playing with colorful wax thingies (see pic), beading, watching Next Top Model, and giggling with the girls. When it was time to go, I slipped my email address to the 17yr old girl I was hanging out with, and told her to use it any time. Though it was against the rules to take pictures of her, her face and smile will always be encapsulated in my mind and heart. She and I took pictures of our creations, which I have posted for you to enjoy.
Every time Maria spoke of her son, he was referred to as, "My Danny." The sign outside of the 2 rooms said, "Vivir Nuestros sueños y hacerlos realidad. Gracias Daniel por tu herencia." In English, "Living our dreams and making them true. Thank you Danny for your inheritance."
I feel like I should stop there, but there is so much more to say.... Pouring down rain, off we went to the Caribbean. Lush, with spontaneous waterfalls, a wonderful SLOTH sighting, and monkey sightings. Jorge maneuvered the bus towards our little hotel... Ok, maybe we got lost once. Ultimately, we made it safe and sound. There was no jacuzzi for jacuzzi-boozie time, so we made do with just boozie.... Resourceful, eh?
Day 5: We, Californians, are "missing" the rain this year. I mean, we don't actually miss it, we love the beautiful weather, right? But everyone repeat after me: if it's yellow, let it mellow; if it's brown, flush it down... Lock it in, because we are headed for a drought! In Costa Rica, this is not an issue because it rains 13 months out of the year. This, particular day was a rain day. Did that stop us fierce travelers? NO!
In the pouring rain, we rode bikes, attempted ocean kayaking twice (the second time was successful), successfully river kayaked, swam and played in the waves, rode our bikes again, and zip-lined. It was a nice relaxing day in the Caribbean. We were exhausted.
Our team for zip-lining was a hoot. We were in fits of laughter most of the time, and I got to see 2 SLOTHs!!! But the fits of laughter were only made worse when the following happened: On the fastest and steepest line, I watched the 2 teammates in front of me fly down and make some form of contact with the tree. They were laughing and uninjured as the guide, also known as my Hero, on the other end helped them down. As I got hooked up, the guide on MY end looked at me and said, "No break..." This wouldn't be a problem, as I had yet to figure out the whole breaking thing. So off I go, yelling out our team's flight yell of "that shit craaaaaay" ( please note that the cray part is similar to how Tarzan would yell). As I'm racing toward the platform, I am realizing that maybe the best plan would be to open my legs and straddle the tree, thus avoiding breaking my ankle. But at the last moment, my Hero jumped out to catch me and I ended up straddling him instead. My teammates lost it as I apologized profusely. We were both bright red with embarrassment.... One platform later the 2 guides wanted to take our group's picture... I wonder why... I hope he knew it was just a one zip-line stand, because I'm not sure I can commit to a repeat performance on that level.
Day 6: This day was hot (and not in a just straddled someone on the zip-line kind of way). Off we went to an indigenous community school, with a wonderful guide named Alex. I think it is important for you to know that Alex, and a guide named Jupy (sounds like: Jew-pee) who I will talk about later, would just hop onto our bus in downtown Puerto Viejo. We know Maria and Jorge knew they were coming, but we were surprised. So Alex hops on and off we go! As we drive he is telling us about the community and it's people. He mentioned that we will have a 3 kilometer walk to get to our destination. The director (teacher)?of the school walks it every day, as do many of the children. Ok! Let's do this.... Let's fast forward to 10 minutes Into the hike. It was straight uphill!!! No joke... I was in tears, it was so awful. But then you take a break and turn around and there is this beautiful valley, with a river and the mountains of Panama. I thought, "Come on girl! You got this," along with the support of a few of the people in my group who took loving pity on me, and I made it to the top! At the other side of the hill was the Freakin Emerald City, a little school, one room, with a huge field surrounded by jungle and some other buildings. Just up the way there was a little clinic, where the doctor visits 1 time per month.
As we enter the room, it looks just like a classroom with desks and a chalkboard. But the walls were half chain link, there were 2 overflowing bookshelves with used books, and a tattered flat soccer ball in the corner. The children sat obediently wondering what the heck we wanted from them, I'm sure.
After introductions were made, some of our group started handing out coloring books and art projects, while some set up a blood pressure station, and others handed out toothbrushes and floss with little demonstrations. I, of course, went to my happy place... I started taking pictures. The kids love seeing themselves on the camera. It makes them smile, so I was sure to show them every picture I took of them. Then part of the group moved outside, where a new soccer ball began getting used. Those kids were good! We also introduced them to a jump rope, bubbles, and beach balls. We had so much fun for a couple of hours with these kids. Alex said that they all seemed so happy that we were playing with them. It was hard to leave. I think we could have stayed for several more hours. I talked the teacher into giving a few of us a ride back to our bus.... I'm not an idiot.
But, as if the day couldn't get any better, it did. Alex took us to another indigenous community school. This one was more easily accessible and slightly better equipped.... The children were waiting for us, and since we were pros at playing, at this point, off we went... Soccer, coloring, puzzles, stickers, blood pressures, etc. they were hysterically funny, and in such great spirits. These children (at both schools) had nothing, but they were so grateful that we were there spending the time playing with them. This was my favorite day of the whole trip.... Despite the crying in the beginning. Cause for going out on the town that evening.
I learned, however, to find out a hotel re-entry plan when you get home really late. No joke, I was at the top of the chain link fence, ready to throw my leg over, when I was saved by a hotel employee who saw me and opened the gate. The next night he gave me a gate tutorial... A day late and a dollar short dude.
Day 7 (the last one I will chronicle in detail, I promise): I have mixed feelings about this day. But, it started on a hilarious note. As we came to a stop in the town of Puerto Viejo, the bus door opened and a Rasta-man, with long dreads, a wife-beater and cargo-shorts hopped on. Kathy, one of the instructors on the trip, reared back (she looked scared), waved her hands and said, "No no! This isn't your bus!" the man laughed, and Maria introduced "Jupy" our guide for the day. I was in hysterics..... Laughed so hard, I could hardly breathe. Poor Kathy. She is still claiming that she was just notifying him that it wasn't a "public" bus.... I think he scared the shit out of her.
We drove to a river, where we all piled into water taxis..... Wooden boats.... A little nerve wracking at 1st, but hey, it worked! On the other side of the river, we got onto a ghetto school bus and we went to this little tribe village. There we met a medicine man and learned a little bit about their culture. When we were done, we ate food from a banana leaf bowl. Really cool experience. The kids were not playful, more like scared. They did not like our bubbles. When the tour, et al, was over we had 2 hours to kill.... We did not enjoy this. There was nothing to do and i felt like we were intruding. Enough said.
We also did not enjoy our beach time that afternoon, at which point a massive wave took out a few of the girls and soaked a lot of our stuff. The casualties included, a pair of shorts, an iPhone, a camera, and a knee. Everything else was just wet and we were a little traumatized. However, in the late afternoon, I took the best nap. I know that is random, but it was that good. I had to mention it. Of course, it prepared me for another evening our with the girls.... An evening where friends of Jupy got free shots!!! Whoot whoot!!!
Our last day was all travel... It was sad. This was probably one of the best trips I have ever been on in my entire life. The experience has changed me and sparked my senses. It was enhanced by the comradery of the other 17 people in the group, and by knowing Maria and Jorge. I am walking away with so many new friends, an improved knowledge of what other cultures deal with in the healthcare world, and some really fantastic pictures.
P.S. the spiders in Puerto Viejo were indescribable... They were huge and mean looking. The ants carried leaves, and some bit us.... I loved it anyway.
P.P.S. The guy next to us on the plane smells so bad of B.O., that Charlene and I are risking being placed on the no-fly list by wrapping scarves around our faces... We did inform the flight attendants of our discomfort.... They don't offer deodorant. This is going to be a long 4 hrs....
