I am excited to share my experience in Costa Rica with anyone interested! After 22 hours of travel, I have arrived at a cute hostel in a small town called Manuel Antonio.

A few things to know about traveling in this country: always look down when walking. The roads and sidewalks… if you can find one… are anything but even. I will post a picture of Diana´s knee soon. Always carry change. Even if you do not know the conversion, if you have to pee in a public restroom, you have to pay! Who would think! Be empty handed, wet your pants! Other than that, don´t get stuck on a 100 year old METAL bridge in a METAL bus during a huge lightening storm. As the river ran rapidly below us, a canny New York history professor said… I think I just saw a cow go by. That is bad humor my friends… especially since I was certain I was going to join that cow!

The beach is beautiful, the animals are just like you see in the books and the monkeys want whatever you have!

Four more days until we report to school. Hopefully we will find the motivation to leave the coast and head back to Santa Ana… hummmmm

Until manana, Whitney

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:

Whitney is a University of Utah student pursuing a master of social work. Whitney and her classmates are taking part in a service learning class taught by Dr. Christina Gringeri (College of Social Work) and Dr. Armando Solorzano (Department of Family and Consumer Studies and the Department of Ethnic Studies). The three credit hour class will allow the students to work in a childrens’ facility, a senior center, and an ecological preservation project. Whitney arrived in Costa Rica a week before class to tour some of the country’s national parks.