Costa Rica with Longwood 2020

December 2019 - April 2024

Students and faculty will travel through Costa Rica to learn about ecotourism and sustainable development. Read more

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Melanie Marks Costa Rica with Longwood 2020
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- Dec 25, 2019, 12:50pm
- ⛅ 50 °F
- Altitude: 486 ft
- United States Virginia City of Charlottesville Vinegar Hill Ebenezer Baptist Church 38.032101, -78.48899838°1’56” N 78°29’20” W
Gearing up for departure
December 25, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F
Happy Holidays to all. In just a week, 14 students and 2 professors will travel through Costa Rica, visiting both well-known eco-tourism locations and destinations off the beaten path. As they travel, they will be immersed in the culture, will connect with locals in meaningful ways, and will learn how this small, developing nation has become one of the leaders in environmental protection.

Students have been asked to pack lightly, as we will relocate almost every day. Students will be enjoying nice weather, so I am sure they will be happy to leave the cold in Virginia. As we travel, I will update the journals so you can read about and see (through pictures) what we are up to. It promises to be an exciting program.Read more
Traveler Hope y’all have an amazing time and can’t wait for pics and updates!!!
12/31/19Reply
Traveler So glad you all made it safely! Happy New Year 🎉
12/31/19Reply
Traveler Happy New Years! Have a great time!
12/31/19Reply
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Melanie Marks Costa Rica with Longwood 2020
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- Dec 31, 2019, 5:56pm
- ⛅ 70 °F
- Altitude: 3,123 ft
- Costa Rica Alajuela Parque El Arroyo 10.014634, -84.20937710°0’53” N 84°12’34” W
Alajuela town
December 31, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Today we explored this cute town near the airport. There is so much local color here. We started in central market, danced in the park, and visited a church.
Traveler Love the pictures! Happy New Year!
12/31/19Reply
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Melanie Marks Costa Rica with Longwood 2020
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- Dec 31, 2019, 5:58pm
- ⛅ 70 °F
- Altitude: 3,123 ft
- Costa Rica Alajuela Parque El Arroyo 10.014603, -84.20939610°0’53” N 84°12’34” W
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My group rocks
December 31, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
This group is up for an adventure. They will be so fun to travel with.
Traveler Love being able to follow along on the journey! Enjoy!
12/31/19Reply
Traveler So excited to be able to follow along! I know you guys will enjoy this awesome experience.
1/1/20Reply
Traveler The Adventure begins!
1/4/20Reply
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Melanie Marks Costa Rica with Longwood 2020
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- Jan 1, 2020, 12:43pm
- ⛅ 75 °F
- Altitude: 4,049 ft
- Costa Rica Provincia de San José San Antonio 9.904916, -84.1374269°54’18” N 84°8’15” W
Mask workshop
January 1, 2020 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Students enjoyed a great workshop with senior Montoya. You see them with traditional, handmade masks used for celebrations. Students made masks, as well.
Traveler Love the mask!
1/4/20Reply
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Melanie Marks Costa Rica with Longwood 2020
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- Jan 1, 2020, 12:44pm
- ⛅ 75 °F
- Altitude: 3,947 ft
- Costa Rica Provincia de San José Escazú 9.908264, -84.1382599°54’30” N 84°8’18” W
Trapiche lesson
January 1, 2020 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Students learned about sugar cane and made their own juice with a small trapiche.
Traveler Super cool!
1/1/20Reply
Traveler That’s awesome!
1/1/20Reply
Traveler Great experience!
1/4/20Reply
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Melanie Marks Costa Rica with Longwood 2020
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- Jan 1, 2020, 1:36pm
- ⛅ 79 °F
- Altitude: 2,628 ft
- Costa Rica Provincia de San José Colón 9.924856, -84.2405679°55’29” N 84°14’26” W
Typical lunch
January 1, 2020 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
This is the traditional lunch plate with choice of protein. Sam is sitting under the plantains.
Traveler I'm sure Seneca is not eating the beans. Lol. Love plantains!
1/1/20Reply
Traveler My guess is Julia only ate the beans rice and bread!
1/1/20Reply
Traveler Looks delicious 😋
1/1/20Reply
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Melanie Marks Costa Rica with Longwood 2020
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- Jan 2, 2020, 10:34am
- ☀️ 75 °F
- Altitude: 3,773 ft
- Costa Rica Provincia de San José Barbacoas Piedades 9.862036, -84.364339°51’43” N 84°21’52” W
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Nacientes Pal Michal
January 2, 2020 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
Staying for two days in a community tourism project...an area known for coffee. Took a short trek with our local guide.
Traveler Are there any snakes in the area? 🐍 You are all troopers!
1/2/20Reply
Traveler Are you going to post this to the Longwood fb page?
1/2/20Reply
Traveler They all look like their having a great time! :)
1/2/20Reply
Traveler Awesome picture!!
1/4/20Reply
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Melanie Marks Costa Rica with Longwood 2020
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- Jan 2, 2020, 10:40am
- ☀️ 77 °F
- Altitude: 3,773 ft
- Costa Rica Provincia de San José Barbacoas Piedades 9.862069, -84.3643269°51’43” N 84°21’52” W
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Pizza with local family
January 2, 2020 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Dinner was homemade pizza with a local family who serve as local hosts. It is part of the community tourism model we are exploring. It also brings in additional income, important now since they list their coffee plants to a fungus.Read more
Traveler Love those smiles!
1/2/20Reply
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Melanie Marks Costa Rica with Longwood 2020
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- Jan 2, 2020, 10:43am
- ☀️ 77 °F
- Altitude: 3,773 ft
- Costa Rica Provincia de San José Barbacoas Piedades 9.862065, -84.3643369°51’43” N 84°21’52” W
Blue flag rated river
January 2, 2020 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Thus community is based along a river that is so clean that you can drink right out if it. But that is because the community has taken great measures to protect it.
Traveler Looks like a beautiful area and a much warmer day than we have in Virginia!
1/2/20Reply
Traveler Great picture!
1/2/20Reply
Traveler I am jealous!! Looks like fun!
1/4/20Reply
Traveler What a great group!
1/4/20Reply
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Melanie Marks Costa Rica with Longwood 2020
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- Jan 2, 2020, 10:45am
- ☀️ 77 °F
- Altitude: 3,773 ft
- Costa Rica Provincia de San José Barbacoas Piedades 9.862055, -84.3643389°51’43” N 84°21’52” W
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Trapiche lesson
January 2, 2020 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
At Doña Rosa farm learning about sugar cane. This is a huge trapiche and students are serving in place of the oxen. The juice is so sweet and we mix it with sour oranges.
Traveler This pic is a great ad for Tevas.
1/2/20Reply
Traveler What an amazing experience! Thank you for leading our kiddos 😊
1/2/20Reply
Traveler Memories they will never forget!
1/4/20Reply
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