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.