BEACH DAY!

We spent the day at Manuel Antonio beach in Jaco, Costa Rica. After a long bus ride and then hike we finally were able to run our feet into the sand and swim in the Pacific Ocean. As a surprise stop by our team leader Marta, we were able to see a bunch of crocodiles in the river. Being very careful not to get hit by the traffic on the bridge we saw huge crocodiles and some baby crocodiles.

At the beach most of us swam in the beautiful bath water the entire time only stopping for a picnic lunch that we made ourselves. Some of us passed the football and frisbee while a few of us went on a nature hike. During the hike we saw a lot of the beautiful forest and amazing breath taking views of the ocean. Along the trail we heard many different animals and saw many! We saw two capybaras, birds, and lizards. Just as we were heading back onto the beach we saw a raccoon running with a bag in his mouth that he had stolen from someone on the beach! It was crazy! We had to be careful that the raccoons and even the monkeys didn't steal our stuff.

Some of us were riding in and out of the turf. We all had fun either participating or watching people being basket tossed into the water. We swam out pretty far to these cement blocks that we found to stand on and we all met three Brazilian men. We sadly ended the beach day at 3:30 and off to the Taco Bar for dinner!!!! The food was amazing where we sat at a bar on swings, and some enjoyed a delicious brownie sundae! We will be spending our first night at Brillo del Sol hotel.

Chau!!!!!!!

Clinic day number three.

We started the day off by setting up the clinic again in the local church. We saw twelve patients before lunch. After lunch it was "community share" with the locals where we invite the children to come and enjoy coloring, face painting, hair braiding and painting nails with us! About fifty children meet to enjoy the festivities. The nursing students Were excited and thrilled to play with the children and show them how nurses and doctors can be fun. We had the opportunity to give the children small gifts to bring home and enjoy with Their families. The children were so happy and grateful, and the smallest things meant the MOST to them. The gifts ranged from soccer balls to hair ties to coloring books; all things we take for granted in the United States. It was an amazing experience to be apart of, Knowing That We brightened Their Day. To end our experience in the community the shepherd of the catholic church shared with us a grateful blessing. 

Once back at the hotel we engorged pizza and refreshments! A much needed treat for ourselves and for food close to home. As a big group we each made our own collages of our experience here in Costa Rica. We had a long day, but are ready to start another fantastic day very early tomorrow morning.

Buenos nights
                                      

                                   

HOLA!!

Day  3
Clinic Day!!! Started the morning setting up the clinic next to the policia (police). Each group treated 6-7 patients with diagnosis ranging from colds to fungi. It was a long and sometimes challenging day trying to assess the patients with the language barrier. Thanks to our interpreters for helping us through some of the more challenging words, like bacanos (volcanoes) instead of vaccunes (vaccines). Some of the students got to hold and play with some of the local children during some down time.
Dinner was muy bien. We got to enjoy some helado (ice cream) after dinner. Then home to prepare prescriptions for the pharmacist to review for the patients that we had seen that day even though all students were ready to call it a night.

Day 4
Changed to the church for our clinic as the people that run it decided to offer us their space. The building was a little nicer and had fans throughout to help us northerners to stay cool while the locals were in sweatshirts and hats. During lunch we walked to the local store to get ice cream and all payed a different price for the same items. Off to the mall for dinner and some competive games before bed.

Hey everyone,

Day 1
Arrived after a rough landing in Costa Rica a little jet lagged and missing our pillows. Stepped out into warm tropical weather with beautiful scenery. Spent the rest of the day settling into the rooms and the Costa Rican learning ways. We ended the day by learning Costa Rican dancing and called it an early night for the adventure to begin tomorrow.

Day 2
A group of us woke up early morning for a scenic walk. We ate a delicious breakfast of french toast, fruit and beans. After breakfast met with Dr. Rodriguez and built upon the skills we already have. Quick lunch of spaghetti and salad and we were off to start our home visits.  
This began a culture shock for most of it the group. Lots of people just hanging around in the streets, random mounds of trash throughout and buildins were made with multiple materials to create a home. Animals roaming freely and the ones that were contained in houses stricly used for protection and not to be touched. Despite the conditions, everyone was very grateful for us and they opened their doors to speak with us and answer our questions. Many of the families even invited us into their homes to sit and converse with them. The day ended with dinner and relaxing at the hotel.

After spending months raising funds and preparing, there is only 1 day, 13 hours, and 30 minutes until we depart on our Costa Rica trip! Many of us are scrambling last minute making sure we have packed everything and making last minute shopping trips to get supplies and goodies for the children. We are all getting ready to sleep in Boston tomorrow night before departing at 5am on our adventure!

We will be in Costa Rica preparing to provide healthcare to the residents of San Jose, Alajuela, and surrounding rural communities who normally do not have access to it. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of us and we will be sure to squeeze every ounce of knowledge out of it as possible.

            I think I can speak for all of us when I say that I am beyond excited to embark on this journey. Despite the excitement that is running through my bones, I can’t seem to shake the nerves. Heading into a new country and working in a new environment brings a certain level of apprehension. Nevertheless, traveling with a great group of 12 senior nursing students and two inspiring professors helps to ease any nerves that may still linger.

            With that being said, I am off to finish some last minute packing and checking my list twice. Be sure to check back and see what we are up to on our journey!

Pura Vida,

Katie Piscatelli