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

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Soapmaking

This afternoon we have had a session on making soap, I have made soap using Lye (very caustic) about 2 years ago so it was good to have a refresher but here they use pig fat. When a pig is butchered in the village they render the fat and bring it to the ranch. I must admit it made me feel a little sick, hope to make my own batch without it.

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