My Costa Rican Experience

Having spent the last few years feeling very restless and not sure in what direction my life was heading, I started researching voluntary work overseas but found the costs of 'gap year' companies extortionate. Delving deeper I found some superb projects, particularly Rancho Mastatal in Costa Rica, I emailed in an application for voluntary work and very luckily was offered a three month internship starting in January 2010. I am very excited but also feeling rather nervous, as I am sure I will be the oldest intern ever!!.....I will be 51 when I go and even though I am quite fit and strong, I just hope I will be able to keep up with the other interns. This is their web address http://www.ranchomastatal.com
This is my story and hopefully the start of not just one but other new experiences for me.
Philippa x

Tuesday, 12 January 2010

The Journey

Puriscal
I travelled to London by train on Wednesday afternoon, even with the bad weather the train was on time. I met Joe at Paddington and we had a goodbye meal together, he saw me and my far too heavy and awkward backpack to the station and I made my way out to Terminal 5 on the tube. I finally arrived at the Travelodge at just after 11pm, I had not read very good reports but it was fine, and the shower wasw superb, so would definately stay there again.
Thursday.....got to Heathrow at 0645 and had to queue for over an hour to check in, security was also very busy but they had the queue moving pretty quickly. My flight was delayed firstly because of the extra gate security, everyone had their hand luggage checked again and had a body search. The other delay was due to ice on the wings and having to wait almost an hour for a de-icer. On arrival in Miami I cleared customs and immigration then joined a horrendous queue for more security, finally I was onboard and flying to San Jose!
On arrival after customs and immigration they screened all my luggage, seemed rather odd to me, I battled my way through all the unofficial taxis and found the official taxi rank and took a 5 minute ride to my hotel Los Volcanes, arriving just after 11pm local time (Costa Rica is -6 hours), very friendly owner was waiting for me. My room was dark and had no windows but I did have a little private courtyard, unfortunately I just could not work out how to turn off the light just managed to dim it. I awoke at 430am ugggh.....had a shower and at 7am had breakfast which was included in the price....fresh fruit, granola and yogurt.
The hotel had iron gates to all entrances including my room, so I can only guess that the area was not that safe.
I took a taxi to the bus station in San Jose as my backpack had given me horrendous bruises and I was not that sure where to get on and off the bus. I attempted to use my broken Spanish with a girl at the bus station, she offered to speak in English! I was so lucky because she was also going to Santiago de Puriscal, we chatted for the hour journey and then she helped me find where I needed to catch my onward bus from and as we had arrived at 1030am and my onward bus did not leave until 3pm she also spoke to the restaurant owner where the bus stop was and he looked after my horrid heavy bag for me!I spent my time in Puriscal between having food and cooling drinks in the restaurant and sitting in the local park.
At 3pm I boarded the bus to Mastatal, my backpack was stored in the boot and well Joe...I am sorry but it is not filthy! The two hour journey to the Ranch was along a dirt track with huge potholes, the bus was packed mainly with locals who were also travelling to remote areas. Finally arrived at Mastatal, I met three girls on the bus who were also on their way there and as they had been there before knew where to get off!
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