Day 4 July 18

Hola,

 

Today was a full day of science, including fungus culturing, experimental design, and crushed dreams. After a breakfast of rice and beans, we began the day with extracting fungus samples from the colonies that we collected yesterday. Additionally, we completed our science booklets of depressing disease information and biology crosswords. Who knew a tuberculosis epidemic was imminent? We then began brainstorming ideas for our main experiment with the ants. MANY ideas were shot down; one final idea survived. We were also treated to a break of Costa Rican coffee and homemade cinnamon rolls. After dinner, the lights suddenly flicked off, and a delicious chocolate cake for Abby's belated birthday. Our last act of science for the day was presenting our experiments. After a barrage of critiques from our amigos, our experiments became more solidified, in contrast with the melting heat surrounding us.

The blog is significantly shorter today, as it is
 late and we are sick of typing and critiquing each others grammar.

Con mucho amor,
Isaac y Charley

Day 3 July 17

Last night we were woken periodically by the lovely sound of rain pounding on our metal roofs. I, Maia, personally thought that I was dying several times (it was that loud). While I, Abby, personally thought that I would be more in danger since I have top bunk and Maia would have been protected had the rain broken through the roof. I, Maia, believe that had the rain burst through the ceiling it would be pouring so hard that the bunk bed would collapse and I would be smushed (yes it really was that loud).

The rain continued into the morning. While soothing, and frightening to some (*cough cough*), it was disappointing to all when we had to leave our cabins and trudge through the mud.

After breakfast we continued to trudge through the rain and mud, this time in search of ants instead of food. It alternated between drizzling and pouring, and soon we were thoroughly soaked.

We were looking for two different types of leaf-cutter ants, Attas and Acromymex. Acromymex build their single chamber colonies in the sides of steep banks, whereas Attas prefer to build their complex multi-chamber colonies on flat ground.

Once we spotted the mounds signaling the Atta colonies, we began to carefully uncover their tunnels in search of the chambers containing their fungus gardens.

The ants cultivate the fungus by feeding it their leaf cuttings. They then feed off the fungus. Once we found them, we scooped out the ant-filled fungus and put them in plastic containers.

The ants and fungus were transported back to the classroom and we trudged to lunch.

The afternoon was filled with horseback riding up into the border between the rainforest and cloud forest. We drove about twenty minutes to another town where 17 horses were ready for us. We lined up in order of experience and were loaded onto horses. The rain had thankfully stopped, but some mud remained on the trail.We made our way up the mountain, slip sliding through the mud.

Once at the top, we stopped to enjoy the view of the valley, volcanoes, and surrounding mountains (we could even just barely see Lake Nicaragua). We posed for pictures, and then began the long, slippery trek back down. Once we were almost back to the town we got to run on a flat stretch of road. I, Maia, got to gallop twice and it was the bestest, fastest thing ever (sorry Mom). I, Abby, would like to clarify that we all galloped/trotted and would like to reassure Diane that her daughter stayed on her horse through the entire ride.

The science from the morning continued after we returned from riding. We were able to prepare our ants new homes so that our experiments may start tomorrow. Dinner interrupted the science, much to the joy of Maia, and the day finished with discussion about the two ant species that were collected.
Maia would like to add that she is always hungry and very much enjoying the delicious food here. Abby would like to inform Maia that we all know she enjoys the food, she has made it very clear to everyone.

BLOOPERS

 This morning, Carter earned himself the title of Ant Murder. His extremely aggressive digging technique resulted in the destruction of an Acromyrmex fungus garden (much to the horror and sadness of his groupmates, including I, Maia). He then almost destroyed the next Atta colony we found, but luckily with Dr. Pinto's assistance we were able to save the Queen, her workers, and their fungus garden.

Pranav fell not once, but twice while horseback riding. The first fall was while on the actual ride up the mountain , while the second was simply trying to get out of the saddle. Neither of these falls were as spectacular and theatrical as Mason's, who managed to fall and tumble over the front of his horse as it slide down the mountain. Both were not injured, but Mason is encouraged to join Cirque de Soleil as clearly his tumbling skills are on point, while Pranav is encouraged to avoid horses in the future.

I, Maia, would like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY and FELIZ CUMPLEANOS to Abby, who had her golden birthday today!! Hopefully she will live to see many more (despite the predictions of her mother), though I doubt any will ever be wild and interesting as a day spent digging up ants in the rain and riding a horse up a mountain.

Goodnight, from Maia and Abby. We will be going back to our cabins and passing out very quickly, hopefully not to be woken up by wild torrents of rain.

 War paint courtesy of Maia.

Day 2 July 16th

Day two in Costa Rica!

CAW CAW. . . The tropical birds awoke us with their majestic calls.

Started the day out right! We ate about 4 courses of homemade chocolate, two cups of hot chocolate, and the bitter Cacao Bean. However, the Cacao Fruit that surrounds it when ripe is rather citrusy. We had an amazing tour experience, and learned a lot about where we are staying, with Pablo leading. This included seeing the chocolate making process, learned of the business philosophy, and trekked through a forest of Cacao and Plantain trees. The picture at the top shows us on our way to the village where we stopped at the Pulparia and for homemade ice cream out of a bag! For lunch Ninja Pablo skillfully 'captured' and 'gutted' the Heart of Palm for our salad.

Luckily, the science started this afternoon with Dr. Adrian Pinto. We got our groups and formed awesome squadron names:
The Dream Team  with Teresa, Maia, Carter, and Nathan
Los Gringos with Charley, Isaac, and Emma
The Nerds of the Round Table with Pranav, Alex, Griffin, and Abby
The Ant-ibiotics with Cory, Nick, and Mason

After a small, self directed, experiment about bacteria we headed out into the woods to hunt out the Atta species.  We saw some tree dwellers, and a large leaf-cutter ant nest! Pinto taught us about the way the ants ventilate their nest. Interestingly, they have a tunnel system designed to expel warm air from their waste keeping the nest cool. While digging, Maia and Abby both sacrificed themselves to the solider ants ( :

Meanwhile, Mari was working on her community service project of helping the local school curriculum (K-6) with their English. This included meeting with a peace corp volunteer, Aimee. When asked about the experience Mari said "Life's a party, it is always fun," in other words Mari is enthusiastic in continuing her project.

During down time we occupied ourselves with card games which Teresa dominated, like always.

 . ."It is on!"
To end the day we watched movies about..... Leaf cutter ants!

And now for the bLoOpeRS of the day!

"Look at that Gecko! Look at it scurry!" Teresa

Pranav's favorite number is Avogadro's Number :)

The banana bubbles, and ants. "Can we eat them?"

Mason the Orange Man

Griffin's Australian accent is ACE! ;)

For Mom, love Maia ^^^^^^^

"The Second Amendment... The right to bear arms" Corey with the mortar ( ;

Emma and the 10 billion bugs in her hair.

Emma and Teresa at the mortar...... :)

It has been such a wonderful rainy, and somewhat sunny day wearing our boots.
Can't believe it is only day two! We look forward to more exciting experiences that lay ahead.
Signing off,
Mari, Emma, and Teresa ( :

P.S. Someone has to pick my cucumbers, but leave the carrots and beets alone.... Love Emma to Family.

Day 1 July 15th

Hi everybody, we arrived here in Finca La Anita after a long and arduous journey lasting approximately fifteen hours. Our journey began at 2:00 A.M. when we all woke up and dragged ourselves to the airport while the sun was still in Africa. Luckily, we all arrived on time and boarded our first flight when Mrs. Leland started a riot on the plane; an exceptionally brave flight attendant regained control of the situation. When Mr. Doleman stood up to hand out our first educational documents, the same outstanding flight attendant heroically maintained control of the situation.

Once we landed in Houston, we faced a flight delay that left us playing spot-it and snatching a very early lunch. By the way, most of us raised our arms at the beginning of both flights.  When we finally shoveled off in our buses, we discovered monkeys, parrots and a toucan on a journey through a desolate region. We soon found ourselves surrounded by rain forest, just before stumbling upon the beautiful Finca La Anita. We dined a phenomenal dinner of chicken and vegetables with tamarin juice interrupted only by the flickering of lightning.

We soon ventured on a journey searching for leafcutter ants and other creatures. We found ants, moths, frogs, and more on this short trek.
Goodnight,
Corey Prell and Mason Zarns