Mas pura vida - Saturday

Hello all,

Much activity on Saturday. In the morning we visited the local elementary school with our gifts and inthe afternoon we rode horses.

Elementary school visit

Again, parents, thank you for your contributions of papers, pens, markers, crayons, books, etc. The JLS students as well as the other schools with whom we have been travelling were able to donate a huge pile of school supplies that are desperately needed at our local school. (see photos).

When we arrived the children, ranging in age from three to fourteen, greeted us wearing tradional Costa Rican garb. They then treated us to a lively dance performance - they were all so cute! Then they invited us to join in the act. Afterwards, we all played soccer - the little ones really gave us a run for our money.

Then we were back to the hotel, had a quick lunch, changed and got ready for the horse-back riding adventure. As we drove back to the hotel, it started to started to sprikle. As we drove to the stables it was raining steadily. As we walked from the reception area down to where the horses and guides were waiting, it was a veritable downpour complete with thunder claps. We all looked at each other, wondering if we should turn around and head for the bus! But the kids decided to soldier on. (See photos of JLS students stoicly braving the rain)

It ended up being the right decision. As soon as we were on the horses, we were all so excited we didn´t even notice the rain. The horses were well trained and gentle. The guides extremely confident and polite. Yes, it was muddy, and yes, a might have been a bit smelly, but it was certainly an adventure and one were not likely to forget.