On the ground in beautiful Costa Rica - Day one

As I type this, I can hear dozens of children outside enjoying the hotel pool in the late afternoon heat. We are resting up before dinner at 7pm (9pm your time) and getting accustomed to the warmth.

Both flights went without incident. Deal students were scattered up and down the plane (on the inside) - even a few first class seats went to the 8th graders! We discovered that we couldn't change seats on crowded airplanes and that bathroom lines are long. Arriving in Houston we had 50 minutes to go from one end to the other - no stops for snacks on the way. Texas did not get our full attention, but we did make it to our gate. The second flight took us over the Gulf of Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula, and then in a surprise we passed within sight of Volcan Arenal - where we will be hiking in a few days. It looked amazingly like an angry volcano should look!

We have two buses, and two guides - Chris and Gustavo, both very affable and accommodating. Our bus ride to the hotel was well documented by student photographers, including the excitement of seeing a Central American soccer field. I am sure one or more of your families will get a chance to look at these shots! Once at the hotel we had our room assignments and decided to go en masse to the hamburger joint (Hamburger Factory) 100 feet from the hotel. There really was no other choice - and they weren't really prepared to handle more than 5 dozen of us. Eventually everyone was served, of course, and yes, parents, your students were practicing Spanish left and right.

After this mid-afternoon repast, we winnowed down the plans to one: go back to the hotel and rest or go swimming. Everyone has been on their best behavior since 1am Costa Rica time, so this seemed like a good idea. The zoo closed at 4 and downtown didn't get many takers. So, here we are at and near the pool, enjoying the mild and delicious climate of the Central Plateau.

In the background, behind the student voices at the pool, I can hear the constant roar of cycles and trucks as the work their way through the hills of San Jose. The sun is still up, the students amazingly energetic, and the chaperones glad to be here with these charges.