Day 10- Brick Laying and Jam Making

It’s been a week since our departure. I can’t put into words how grateful I am for this experience. How thankful I am for having an amazing host family, who genuinely cares about our wellbeing. While also having the opportunity to learn about construction. 

Today started off like any normal day, wake up at 6:50, eat breakfast with our host father and mother; Micheal and Natalia; then proceed to walk to work at 7:50 AM. Justice and I, laughed it up about ridiculous stories and jokes. 

I can’t express how much I appreciate having Justice by my side. He’s thoughtful, hilarious, and truly one of the nicest people I’ve met. He’s made my experience in Costa Rica unforgettable. 

When we arrived to the job site, everyone geared up and started their work. I helped with the big boy stuff, filling up wheelbarrows with fine rocks, cement, and water.  I would then, along with a Young Dreamer, mix it all together to make concrete. The Dreamers and I pushed the wheelbarrow down the hill which proved difficult. 

I then helped lay filling, cinder blocks, and meticulously used a hammer and level to make sure that the blocks were properly placed. This was a NIGHTMARE, the ground was uneven making it difficult to lay a level block, and the sun was beating on us. 

After work, we rode in the truck (David brought the other one) to Tami lodge and had a coffee cupping activity and a group discussion about the SDGS; a set of sustainable development goals set by the United nation, that are meant to be completed by the year 2030- Green Communities wishes to meets these goals by 2030 as well.

The coffee cupping activity was a lot of fun, we had 4 different kinds of coffee grounds in cups that we had to sniff and decide the aromas of each- Green Communities' Honey roast, Natural roast, a conventional roast, and the cheapest roast you can find at the store. We then added water to the grounds to see what other aromas we could detect, then we tasted it. Everyone then matched each type of coffee to what they thought the brand was, everyone but Gianna got it wrong, my nose did me dirty today.

Although the goals give me hope for the world, they equally frighten me. Some of the goals seem impossible with the current state of the US. We seem to be so preoccupied with ourselves, we forget to consider that nature, that the earth doesn’t need us, we need it. So In our leaders words, I would rather  “die in my boots trying” then watch my world go. 

After the discussion at Tami lodge, our adopted Grandfather, Don Jorge, took some my of. friends and I to see the local savegre river. It was beautiful; the river, the climate, and most important the conversations. Jorge senior always has the most incredible stories. They’re interesting, genuine, and remind me a lot of my father’s stories. I never had the opportunity to talk with my late grandfathers, so I really appreciated the stories and wisdom Don Jorge passed to me. 

We walked back to the house where Justice and I would spend time with our adopted family; notably Liam. Liam is the son of Natalia and Maikal. He’s 2 years old and full of energy and joy. For his age he is very smart; able to briefly talk with us. He kept asking for us to “chocala” which roughly translates to fist bump, it was really sweet, so Justice and I were eager to chocala with him. 

With the remaining energy, we decided to make Uchuva jam with the family. It was sweet, Justice and I had a great time learning the process and later reaping the rewards of our efforts. 

We both agree that having this host family has been incredible. They’re awfully kind, and we are constantly learning from them. Whether it be Don Jorge’s wisdom, or Liam’s playful and energetic outlook towards life. I’m grateful to have spent my time here with these people, who I sincerely love. I already know that I’m gonna miss them a Ton, but to that I say Pura Vída.  

-Alejandro