NERVOUS BUT EXCITED

to leave.

For most of the time we were at the airport with Megan, she had her arms folded across her body and her hands inside her sleeves.  She wasn't cold, just nervous. Once the rest of her Global Leadership group got there, she began to over compensate.  I haven't really ever seen her quite that nervous before, not even during her gymnastics years.

Although she was nervous, I could tell that she was also very excited.

I have no idea what she and her friend are talking about but this was the first time she pulled her hands out of her sleeves and away from her body.

Smash and I decided to take a peek at her while she was going through check-in...we had been dismissed but we thought we'd take advantage of the few minutes we had while Jonathan went to get the car for us.  :)

I wish I would have gotten a photo of Smash doing a "stealth" move - rolling on the floor.

I also wish I would have gotten a photo of the face of a lady who watched him!

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We do not have contact with Megan while she is in Costa Rica.  None whatsoever.  That is hard but I can see the wisdom in the leaders wanting to have the kids completely "unplug" in order to have a complete experience there.

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At one of the last meetings, we were given a brief itinerary:

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After the plane ride there, they were to immediately board a bus and ride for 7 hours.

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First stop: Camaronal (Guanacaste Peninsula).  They will be able to work in a rehab facility for sea turtles.  They will also look for nesting sea turtles along  the beach at night.

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The next day they will be participating in a service project in the area.  They will work with a sea turtle restoration project and then look for nesting turtles late at night again.

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The next morning: travel to Monteverde, cloud forest region (approx. 5 hours). Work at a local farm.  That night they will lodge at the Univ. of Georgia Costa Rica Campus and learn about carbon offsets.

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The next day they will visit the Santa Elena Cloud forest and do a little zip-lining. Then they will visit a local town and play with some of the kids. I believe this is where they will be working with some of the orphans and school children.  Meg took a soccer ball to give to them. They will learn some local cooking and then that night they will go on a hike.

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Another day and more travel; 5 hours to Arenal. spend time on the lake there. (By the volcano!)

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The next day they will travel again to Sarapiqui - 3 hours away - and work on a sustainable farm. Then on to a pineapple plantation.  At night, they will hike in the area.

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While in that area, the next morning, they have another service project scheduled.  They will then explore the river.  That night they have a "Bat" activity, I don't think they are talking about the Louisville Slugger variety of bats...

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Off to San Jose, the big city, the next morning (travel time 3 hours). They will meet with the founder and director of the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation and then volunteer in the community.

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And they will travel home on Sunday.

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We were not told everything they would be doing because they wanted to keep some of it a surprise for the kids.

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I can't imagine what else they have planned!

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If their teachers are able to get to an area with internet access, they will send an update.  We have not yet heard from them - I'm sure everything is fine.

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I found some photos online though of some of the areas where the kids will be:

Comments

[Kim]

OH-My-GOSH!! She is going to be on overload when she gets home and with all that traveling will need a week to recuperate. But what an amazing adventure that is surely once in a lifetime.

[Jonathan]

I had no clue about the hands in the sleeves....

JD

[Emily]

Yay! I am so excited for Megaroo!!! I hope she calls me when she gets back to tell me all about it! :)