Day 4

Costa Rica/2011-Day 4:

Wow! Today I started with a very wholesome breakfast. The menu had eggs, rice /beans, cheese, rolls & fresh pineapple & papaya. I am also enjoying having a cup of Costa Rican "black" coffee each morning. The senioritas that serve us each day like to add half milk & half coffee. You really have to let them know that you do not want milk. "NO milk please, thank you" with my very best Spanish accent.

I returned to my room to change into my hiking boots. Today will be my 2nd day to wear hiking boots. What I'm saying is, I've never worn them until yesterday. Jean, Jeff, Debbie & I are visiting the swine/cattle farm & banana plantation on EARTH's campus. I'm excited but nervous because everyone has warned me that there are "LOTS" of fire ants, giant grasshoppers, snakes & many interesting smells. Now this will all be ok...if I can brave the elements & environment. I quickly remember that on this trip we are learning to
"have comfort with our discomfort".

I'm on the bus & everyone seems excited. We drive a couple of miles to the banana plantation and we learn everything there is to know about bananas. Although they are not my favorite fruit I have an appreciation for all the work that is put into one harvest of bananas. I was doing well until we saw a baby mouse squiring under our feet. That did it for me & my lesson on bananas.

Now we are headed to the swine & cattle farm. We unload and I'm so excited about seeing the baby pigs. Unbeknownst to me with a baby pig you get a momma pig who is very large & very protective. She fusses at her piglets as they peek their heads out from the door of the nursery. At this time I'm doing really, really well considering there is "poo" everywhere & it is very muddy. As I enjoy the baby pigs, we enter the bachelor pad of pigstys. This is where the daddy pigs-also known as "the studs" are being housed. As I enter I am very overwhelmed by the smell. I fan myself, I gag, I spit, throw up a little in my throat & begin to panic as my stomach turns & rumbles. I'm looking around & I seem to be the only person that even notices the smell. The bad part of all ot this is there are no restrooms available for me to gather myself. Needless to say this ends my tour for the day. I go back to the bus & relax in a cool breeze of fresh air. This was all very good for me. I learned alot about bananas, swine/cattle farming & how to quickly get rid of a queasy stomach.

Miss you all!

Deatrice Swett