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Longwood in Costa Rica 2019
  • Melanie Marks
  • Melanie Marks

Longwood in Costa Rica 2019

Longwood University students and faculty will explore economic development, sustainability, and ecotourism in beautiful Costa Rica. Follow our journey. Read more
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  • Melanie MarksLongwood in Costa Rica 2019Melanie Marks

    Hanging Bridges

    January 6, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    We completed a two mile walk through one of my favorite ecotourism projects. Místico Hanging Bridges creates income and jobs while leaving the rainforest intact. My understanding is that the owners took advantage of an environmental tax credit program.Read more

  • Melanie MarksLongwood in Costa Rica 2019Melanie Marks

    Reina de la Noche

    January 7, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    This is the queen of the night flower. In Haiti this was used as a toxin to turn people into zombies for a punishment...related to black magic. It puts people in a comatose-like state and people were buried alive...at least this us the story that is told here as a zombie story. But it is true that we need to be careful around them.Read more

  • Melanie MarksLongwood in Costa Rica 2019Melanie Marks
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    Finca Luna Farm

    January 7, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    We visited a sustainable farm today to learn about their practices. What I did not realize was that it would also be a taste testing...all spice, cinnamon, cocoa, a relative if stevia, a natural pesticide, fruit related to the sour sop, etc. We saw vanilla, breadfruit, jackfruit, galanga, etc. Our guide, Roy, was very knowledgeable and gave us a great orientation.Read more

  • Melanie MarksLongwood in Costa Rica 2019Melanie Marks

    La Escuela La Altura

    January 7, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    We are visiting a rural primary school to learn about education in Costa Rica. Teachers of primary grades are required to have a college degree but are assigned to a school for the first five years. To teach high school, a masters is required. The school has a morning group and an afternoon group for a total of around 250 kids. The school is fully funded by the federal government. Even though provinces collect property taxes, those funds don’t go to education as they do in the USA. But funds are earmarked...teacher salaries, books, etc. The government will pay for materials for buildings but not labor. As you see in the pics, we planted trees, jumped rope, played soccer, and enjoyed the warm hospitality.Read more

  • Melanie MarksLongwood in Costa Rica 2019Melanie Marks

    Crocs-Big Ones

    January 8, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    We are taking a crocodile tour to learn about these animals. Rio Tarcoles has plenty of them. Apparently, they can swim 20 miles per hour...so we don’t have much chance against these guys. When the crocs lay eggs, the temperature determines the gender. At higher temperatures, babies will be male. The bigger croc you see in the pics has been named Tornado by the locals. He is more than 1400 pounds and 20 feet long. There is also an Osama Bin Ladin, but we did not find him. There were some great bird sightings along the way.Read more

  • Melanie MarksLongwood in Costa Rica 2019Melanie Marks

    Boruca Masks

    January 9, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    The Boruca tribe is known for incredible masks carved from wood. Luckily, we knew if a spot to buy them straight from the artist at prices 1/4 of what you see them for in the souvenir shops. We even had them signed. The artist couple were thrilled with their earnings from us...probably more than $300. The stand was closed last year... so I have been waiting for the opportunity. We also purchased from another woman nearby. I think the pictures explain it all.Read more

  • Melanie MarksLongwood in Costa Rica 2019Melanie Marks

    Broran/Teraba Tribe

    January 9, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    We are now in the indigenous tribe and learned how the culture was quashed with the arrival of the Spanish, who did not allow use of indigenous languages. But now laws guarantee that lands and culture are protected. You see us with an artifact found by one family...buried almost to the top. It is thousands of years old. The students learned about chocolate and processed their own. We also had a birthday party for one of the boys in the community...playing games and eating cake.Read more

  • Melanie MarksLongwood in Costa Rica 2019Melanie Marks

    Chocolate Workshop

    January 9, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    The indigenous tribe grows chocolate, some of which is sold or traded. Currency used to be chocolate in these community. The pictures show the cocoa pods, which hold the beans. But they are covered with a white gooey substance that tastes like mango to me. After fermenting, beans are dried in the sun and then roasted. You see us using the traditional method for grinding.Read more

  • Melanie MarksLongwood in Costa Rica 2019Melanie Marks
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    Mask Workshop

    January 10, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    We are at the indigenous mask maker’s workshop. Balsa trees are planted and harvested. Wood is dried for 22 days. It takes two days for the husband to carve a small mask (10-11 inches long) or more if it is very intricate. His wife paints them when done. Our students are working on the carving and painting.Read more

  • Melanie MarksLongwood in Costa Rica 2019Melanie Marks

    Local Swimming Hole

    January 10, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 82 °F

    A crazy trek brought us to a favorite swimming hole of the indigenous villagers. We were not equipped, but some decided to swim in clothes...after all, when will you have this chance again.

  • Melanie MarksLongwood in Costa Rica 2019Melanie Marks

    Playa Ventana

    January 10, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 79 °F

    Our last stop today was at Playa Ventana, named for the “windows” carved through the limestone by the water. The beach is a local hangout, so you see families together the Latin music is blaring g and ceviche and coconuts are for sale. Students tried a strange “ice cream” treat made with shaved ice, flavoring, powered milk, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate, marshmallows, etc.Read more

  • Melanie MarksLongwood in Costa Rica 2019Melanie Marks

    Rafting with Rafiki

    January 11, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 82 °F

    Tucked into the jungle is Rafiki lodge. They offer great rafting excursions on the Savegre River (indigenous word meaning savage). The Savegre River is the cleanest in Costa Rica and one of the cleanest in the world.Read more

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