It has been two days since my return back home…and yet I still feel the ripples of my previous adventure.  I’d like to take this time to reflect on the series of events, as a reminder.  Perhaps I can also offer suggestions for future volunteers.

My last night, last patrol to Playa Blanca was the cream of the crop of my entire turtle project.  Oh, before I forget, do not wear flip flops while patrolling at night…you never know when you’ll be sent to another beach to patrol and you end up walking the trails full of vicious ants. Ouch!  Anyway, I anticipated rain.  Off the distance, there was lightning…lots.  We continued….looking for signs of tracks and new nests since we were anticipating a turtle to arrive this night.  We saw asymmetric tracks of the Hawkbill turtle that arrived the previous evening, but no new ones…not even until we arrived at Cahuita point.  After picking off the ants feasting on our legs, Phil called us out to the shore.  “Come check out the moon!”  It was magnificent!  The moon came out to play and it was another great night, watching the moon, constellations, waves rolling in and some thinking… We talked about the anteater we saw on the trail; even after we shone a light on it and we were nowhere near from being quiet, it did not even flinch.  It confidently walked across the ground and climbed vertically up the tree.  I commented, “Animals are different from humans.  They either do something or not, but us humans we think things through…sometimes way too long.”  And maybe, we act on things at times way too late.  My point is, at some point before the species of turtles started becoming endangered, it must have crossed someone’s mind that overharvesting and stealing the eggs is wrong!  Good thing is, it’s not too late this time…

Continuing on to the patrol experience….On our way back, Phil suggested we check out the nests where turtles were anticipated to hatch.  He dug up the nest and we found many baby turtles, a few hours away from reaching the surface!  At first he suggested that we allow the turtles to climb up the nests but then he grew worried that the other animals (like the raccoons we saw getting jiggy with it on the shore – lol) will eat the baby turtles.  So, he dug up 9 for us to watch as they go to the ocean for the first time…The experience was indescribable!  They were small…the hawkbill turtles were about 3-4 inches in length and they started very slow perhaps because there wasn’t much oxygen when they hatched in the sand and as they were making their way up the surface.  They gradually increased in speed, with their asymmetric movement toward the water.  Two did not move as much as the others so we put them back in the nests, but the lucky seven we cheered on as they disappeared from our sight (we can already barely see them since it’s about 10 or 11pm at night and we couldn’t have flashlights on.)  I was happy.  I asked Phil why we didn’t just set them by the water but he said, they have to make a chemical imprint so that when they mature they can return to the shore to lay their up to 120 eggs, around the same time, 3-4 times, every two to three years.  Amazing!  When we returned to the rest of our group, Phil mentioned that there will be more to be off to the shore at around 4 or 5am in the morning.  And they witnessed 28 more…hope of the species…go the ocean for the first time…

The next day was our day off…and finally it was a sunny day (2 out of 11.)  We spent it hanging out and swimming in the pool…Had our special lunch with our new friends, talked, drank, laughed a lot… and off to San Jose we went.  In San Jose, we enjoyed our nice warm baths and set up our touring plans with the concierge…a little sad since we knew it will be a while until we see our new friends and it will never be the same.

We went to Mt Poas…we saw the crater of the very active, very sulfuric smelling volcano.  The tour guide said we were lucky to see the crater since usually it was covered by clouds.  It was suggested that we hold off on eating and even chewing gum (so no chiclet) due to the acid rain in the air.  After that, our tour guide took us to La Paz Waterfall.  I liked it because we saw the coffee fields, butterflies, orchids, parrots, toucans, frogs, ocelots, pumas, a sloth and even hummingbirds!  The waterfall was just as beautiful, especially when Eddie (our tourguide) showed us how to see “the magic.”  The entire trip was from 7am until 6pm.  So, we got back in time to watch the futbol game at the bar.  Unfortunately, the Costa Rica team lost badly…  Honduras won… the score 0-4.. our bartender was not so jolly…But, Pam got to see her first futbol game with me!

Our last day, we took the day trip to see Mt. Arenal, lunch and dinner came with our tour…  I remember it being such a long bus ride.. at least 2.5 hours just to go there.  We stopped for souvenirs where I proceeded to purchase something to wear when we go to the springs (since I forgot my bathing suit – always bring a bathing suit, towel and flip flops, even a raincoat would be good…how’s that for advice?)  Had lunch and then they took us to the Springs resort.  I really thought I was going to see natural springs but the place was a resort… it was nice…the water used was not pool water but from the springs…and the resort overlooked Mt Arenal, which unfornately was covered by clouds.  The day was relaxing if not from my own small mishaps and dinner was good.  We also made new friends, people that were part of our tour group.  So, we went off to see the lava flowing from the Arenal volcano which would have topped off the evening but much to our dismay, it was still pretty cloudy and we saw nothing but the black of night.

What do volunteers absolutely need to bring???  Mosquito outfit and net, bug repellant, flip flops, closed walking/cross training shoes, camera with extra battery and/or charger, games, bathing suit, raincoat, baby wipes, lite sleeping bag, towel (small disposable ones), water bottle, malaria pills, journal and something to write with, plastic/ziploc bags, flashlight, duct tape, sunblock (maybe useful if it didn’t rain so much), camp soap, lotion, exchange colones at the airport so you are not subject to the mercy of the so-called exchange rate of the vendor if you pay in a different currency, shorts, tights, long sleeve light clothing, sun glasses, hat, an open mind and a book to read.  Make sure you have your emergency contacts, travel insurance and copies of your documents too.

What to watch out for?  Opportunities to experience something different…make sure you do it safely.  For example, if you’ve never tried guanabana, rambutan, etc.  Try it, but make sure you have the correct med to counteract your possible stomach reaction to the food.  Oh, if you are lactose intolerant, inquire about the food before you eat it.  Malaria pills may make you sick…try taking them at night and as directed.  Always drink from bottled water.  Don’t play with wild animals (hello! Rabies!)  Make sure you get all you shots and they are updated – Hep A, typhoid, etc.  A visit to the travel clinic will help you despite how costly everything can be.  Learn some basic words like “where is the bathroom? telephone? embassy? airport?”  Be friendly with cab drivers, the concierge and tour guides especially.  Oh, don’t be a target to thieves; don’t carry too much!  Be aware of your surroundings.  As I have mentioned before, my friend and I witnessed someone snatch someone’s purse during a service inside the church.

I promised I’d mention the following:  My friend witnessed the owner taking water from the pool to use for cooking, a gentleman though ever so friendly and responsible seems to be always high from Mariana, Mariana cake, surfers always seem to pose and fling their hair as they get out of the water, and talk about everything being fertile, we witnessed a pregnant cat, dogs seem to travel in pairs, howling monkeys very “loud” especially around 3 or 4am (wink), and raccoons getting jiggy with it in the shore!

So, enjoy, enjoy!  Take lots and lots of pictures!  Make lots of friends!  How often is it you get to be in another place, out of your comfort zone, meet new people, see new things?  Life is good and remember, we have to be the change we want in the world….Until next volunteer trip….

Puerto Viejo is my fave town and hanging with new friends is awesome.  Night patrols, censos and hatchery patrolling is quite interesting.  None like no other.  Will keep you posted next time.