Day 7: Visiting the Boruca community and Shark Class

     Today we had a break from waking up early, and were allowed an extra hour of sleep from yesterday's intense activities. Once the bus arrived at the MCEC, we hopped onboard and began a long drive through the looming mountains to our destination: the Boruca community. During the drive, we played cards and read our books. Close to the town, we drove up to one of the  nearby mountain peaks to look at the beautiful mountains surrounding us. Standing on the edge of this mountain, we all were in awe of the grandeur of the natural landmarks. 

    When we arrived at the small town, we were greeted by a few members of the Boruca community. One of them explained to our group about the significance of the various indigenous people in Costa Rica. She told us that the Boruca people have a strong tradition of handmade crafts: mainly weaving with fabric, rope drums, and masks. They are especially known for their mask-making, a tradition that has been passed down hundreds of years. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to purchase one of these colorful masks to take home—this supports the Boruca people both financially as well as allowing a part of their culture to return with us. After a delicious breakfast of eggs, pupusas, and empanadas provided by our hosts, we were able to experiment using different berries as natural makeup to mark our faces in the traditional ways. The Boruca people also showed us how they weave cotton into clothing, a process that would take us many hours to learn. One of my most important takeaways from this was when one of the Boruca ladies explained to us that she always considers visitors "friends" and never just "tourists." She hopes that everyone that learns about their culture shares it with their friends and families back in their respective home countries. 

    Next we hiked up the mountain to plant some trees—a symbol of our commitment to saving the environment. It was difficult work in the blazing hot sun, but we did our best and planted all the tree pots we brought up. Our guides offered that we try eating termites—and it is definitely now the strangest thing I have ever tasted, personally. Then, we visited some small waterfalls and swam in the cool waters. The view around the waterfalls was also breathtaking. After this, we returned to the town and ate a hearty lunch of mixed vegetables, refried beans, pico de gallo, yuca fries, and smoked pork. 

  We came back to the MCEC after the bus ride, and had a quick lesson about sharks by one of the Innoceana instructors. He talked about the sharks' anatomy and the different types in Costa Rica. He also explained  how many people have the wrong impression about these animals, and the depiction of them in Hollywood as monsters is completely innacurate. The instructor stressed the fact that the shark-fin trade industry is a big problem in not only Costa Rica, but also the whole world. He ended by saying that he hopes we, as the next generation, will put our efforts into continuing supporting marine conservation.

 I learned a lot today, and I'm excited for the days ahead!