2010 Costa Rica Immersion B
The Wall of Troy? No… The Wall of Las Brisas.
¡Buenos Dias!
It’s hard to believe another week has already passed. After enjoying a glorious break in the hot springs of La Fortuna, we have fallen into a routine here in Las Brisas, one that is anything but boring or ordinary. Work steadily advances on our project, each day bringing us a greater sense of satisfaction and purpose. What started as a simple grassy slope off the backside of the school has evolved into so much more; a retaining wall of epic proportions, constructed by a team of our eager students and the Costa Rican foremen, Edwin and Ramón, who run the show. Pick-axes and shovels became our best friends, slinging dirt and mud into wheelbarrows and buckets. As work progressed, everyone found his or her niche on the worksite, working hard to help us reach our goal. Matt, Nora, and Hannah became the “Concrete Crew”, mastering use of the cement mixer. Alyssa and Julia bounced between a few jobs, but really came in clutch to help clean out the cement base of the support columns. Ely, Sarah M., Morgan, and Michelle became expert movers, hauling buckets of earth, concrete, and cinderblocks to wherever they needed to go. Sarah C. took charge of leveling the earth at the bottom of the wall into a nice ramp where Karchye and Kerry found their place filling up and leveling out the top. Dan, our resident strongman, could be seen lifting buckets of concrete, moving earth, or carrying heavy bags of cement down to the mixer. Everyone worked hard, and worked together, to help get this project to where it is today.
The second part of our project also came into fruition this week: our mural! The group got together one night and brainstormed ideas for our painting, settling on a desire to include landmarks from all over the world. The mural begins in Costa Rica and sets off across each continent, portraying major landmarks in each. This has allowed many students to display their artistic talent and skill for all to see, and has given us all a new challenge on the worksite. School begins again for the Las Brisas students on Monday, which signals the nearing of the end of our time here. Tuesday night we will say our bittersweet farewell to the town that has become our home away from home and set off on yet another adventure: ziplining through the canopy of Monte Verde.
¡Pura Vida!
The Immersion B Family
Laurie Jacobs says:
Wow, that wall is impressive! Seeing the before and after pictures really brought it home what hard work our group has been doing in Las Brisas. Great job, everyone, and on the mural as well. I know how hard it will be for everyone to leave Costa Rica and head to their respective homes in the States, but I can’t wait to see you, Michelle! Thank you to everyone who helped make this the trip of a lifetime for her. Laurie and Jessica Jacobs
July 24th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
The Schondelmeiers: says:
What an AMAZING job you all did! The before and after is impressive. We heard from Morgan last evening. She was so excited about their week of adventure and couldn’t stop talking about her time in Las Brisas. She is having a wonderful experience and is missing her adopted family already. We thank you for keeping her safe, happy and busy. We can’t wait to see her in two days! Yeah!
July 24th, 2010 at 3:24 pm