We got up this morning and packed all of our wet, moldy clothes into plastic bags for the day of travel ahead. We had our fill of gallo pinto, plantains, queso, natilla, and disgusting coffee before loading up our taxi and getting back on the road. Apparently, last night Wilbur was invited to sleep in the professor's room. He happily agreed because that meant he didn't have to leave and then come back early this morning to pick us up. As soon as he walked into the room, though, he took one look (and sniff) and said nevermind. Apparently awkwardness and stench trump inconvenience. Who knew?
So we headed over to Arenal for the last stop on our road trip. Boot camp is nearly over. Hooray! Then back to classes on Monday..
We have insanely nice accommodations here at Arenal National Park. We each have our own queen size bed with down pillows and lamps on bedside tables. And we have a coffee maker! And hot water for the showers! Unreal.
Apparently this trip was supposed to create a mosaic of different parts of Costa Rica for us in more than one way (Um yeah Fabricio definitely used the word mosaic today). Obviously, we were looking at all of the different ecosystems and biodiversity. But we had no idea that we were working our way up the food chain headed for a freaking resort. We are walking around in our nasty hiking clothes, passing all these tourists in their preppy resort wear. It's weird. I don't like it. I enjoy living in my filth and not being judged for it.
First thing we did upon arrival was eat. Obviously. We sat down in the fancy schmancy hotel restaurant and were given a twelve dollar spending limit. Of course we all spent every cent of that 12 dollars we were given. I got pasta with red sauce with mushrooms and a chocolate shake, and still had one dollar left over. After intricate scheming, Cayman, Abby, and I pooled together our leftover dollars and bought a slice of cheesecake. Go us for being frugal fatties.
Arenal is beautiful. The sky was so incredibly perfect today-- there were no clouds so the view was incredible. I took tons of pictures. I actually filled up my memory card today. That's 356 pictures I have taken this week.. Oy vey. No worries. I have a back-up memory card.
After lunch we had our Arenal orientation walk. It wasn't so bad. We walked over to a waterfall that we could hear but not see and to a giant swinging bridge where we all went crazy taking pictures. We saw toucans and these crazy bird nests and these hideous giant raccoon looking things. Then we walked over to the Observatory to check out the seismograph. It was the oldest functioning computer in existence, probably, but it was cool to see the burps register on it. The volcano did not stop burping all afternoon. It sounded a lot like thunder, but then you would realize oh wait, that's volcanic activity. I could potentially die in the very near future. So that was definitely different from thunder.
I got bored staring at the seismograph after about 2 minutes, and headed back to the room to change for the hot springs. When everyone finally got ready, we piled into our taxi and headed over to the self-proclaimed home of the "water of the gods." So we spent the next two hours jumping from pool to pool of naturally heated jacuzzis. It really made me miss my hot tub.. although my hot tub is not capable of getting up to 152 degrees fahrenheit. Nor does it have lounge chairs in it or a wet bar or a fatty water slide. Also, I can't say I have ever busted out with a random dance party in my hot tub. I should, though. We broke it down to Prince's Purple Rain and other such classics. Haha. After we'd all sufficiently pruned up, we changed back into clothes and headed over to our buffet dinner. Oh buffets! How I love thee. Especially when stocked with pina and dinner rolls and fish and other such treasures.
Although Fabricio really wanted to continue with our dance party after dinner, the majority was ready to head back to our palace to watch the live volcano action. Unfortunately, the clouds had settled in by the time we got back and I have seen no such action. Not even a single stinkin red rock. Weak sauce, Arenal. I am only here for one night don't you know.
I am seriously so pumped to sleep in this bed. It's like my bed. The one that Victoria stole. I shall dream of the delicious coffee that I will be drinking in the morning.
peace love and water of the gods
