Gearing up...
December 22, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F
Students and faculty from Longwood University are gearing up for an exciting program in one of Latin America’s most successful nations. While not a rich country, Costa Rica has become a globalRead more
The Organized Suitcase
December 29, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
The organized and well thought through suitcase is key to a Marks study abroad. We will be moving to a new location almost every night. This allows us to visit a diverse set of communities...fromRead more
Ready for Takeoff
January 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
We are boarded and ready to depart. Next stop...San Salvador.
Hostel LaJuela
January 1, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
We have checked into our first accommodation near the airport, and it is a sweet little hostel run by a fantastic woman. She is also an amazing chef.
All dressed up
January 1, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
The Central Square is all dressed up for the holidays. Interestingly, I was here at the same time last year but there were no lights. We took in some local color...families congregate to let kids playRead more
Mercado Central
January 2, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
Our first stop today was at the central market, where locals go to buy fresh produce, cheese, meats, etc. This is not a typical tourist destination so the locals were intrigued by our group.
Mask workshop with Gerald Montoya
January 2, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
We traveled to the community of Escazú in order to visit the unique workshop of Gerald Montoya, whose grandfather was a mask artist. Masks are with in a celebration on Saints Day, with lots ofRead more
Sugar Cane
January 2, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Costa Rican’s enjoy juice made from the sugar cane. Students used the press you see in the photo to prepare the juice. After cutting off the skin, the cane goes through the press two times. SugarRead more
Incredible Sunset
January 2, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
We took a long hike up the mountain to see the sunset. Along the way we passed a beautiful farm and befriended some dogs.
Pal Michal
January 2, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
We are in a rural coffee community learning about sustainability projects. This lodge is our home for two days. Our first night, we had a guacamole and pico de gallo cooking competition. Then we madeRead more
Coffee Farming
January 3, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Learning about coffee farming at Dona Rosa coffee farm. Students picked coffee, roasted it, grounded it, and enjoyed the beautiful environment.
Latin Dancing
January 3, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
Salsa. Meringue. Bachata. Cumbia. These are the Latin dances your students now know. Dancing with the local students was a great time. Hopefully some of the videos load.
Happy Birthday
January 3, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
We had a student celebrating her 20th birthday. So in typical Latino style, I bought 4 cakes and fed everyone in the lodge. Happy birthday Jessica.
More Latin Dance Videos
January 3, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
Check it out...good job Longwood.
Finca Doña Mary
January 4, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
We visited a farm owned by my friend Sergio’s family. It is such a special place, and as you can see from the pictures, it is stunning. We enjoyed a traditional campesino breakfast like whatRead more
Horseback Riding in the Mountains
January 4, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
This afternoon was spent on horseback as we toured the incredible mountains of Monteverde. We arrived at the peak just in time for sunset.
Santa Elena Preserve
January 5, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
We spent the morning learning about cloud forest ecosystems in Santa Elena Preserve. This area is protected thanks to donations from outside of Costa Rica. You see us in our ponchos because of theRead more
Zip Line Canopy Tour
January 5, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Students are finishing up the largest zip line canopy tour in Central America. There are something like 16 segments with a walk in between. In total, the trek is for about 3 hours and there is lightRead more
Monteverde
January 5, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
The area we are in was founded by Quakers who were looking to leave the USA during the Korean War...and save their kids from the draft. Now, it is a destination for ecotourism, especially adventureRead more
Exotic Fruit
January 5, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
We have tried just about every exotic fruit here...mango, green mango, guava, water apple, passion fruit, papaya, etc. Here you see Longwood ladies next to an unusually short papaya tree.
Wind Energy
January 6, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
As we leave Monteverde heading to Arenal, we pass through an especially windy area. You see windmills placed by a private company that is harnessing energy. Costa Rica uses mostly cleanRead more
Arenal Lake
January 6, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Lake Arenal is a manmade lake made in 1990s for hydroelectric power and also to get water to the Guanacaste region. There, you see dry forest and it gets very hot. It is a very flat area and hasRead more
Pipa Fria
January 6, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 77 °F
Fresh coconut water is delicious here and very healthy. Students are sampling freshly cut coconuts.
Coatis
January 6, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 77 °F
Along the road is a huge population of coatis. Over the years the group has gotten bugger and bigger. I remember it being about four and now there are probably twenty. Tourists are feeding them andRead more
Sloth Sighting
January 6, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 81 °F
Great sloth sighting...this one was a three toed sloth. You see a mama and baby. I took the picture on my zoom camera and the used my phone to take another pic.





























































































