YOLO (ask your teen - oh wait, we have your teen)

Finally a solid WiFi connection (maybe)! 

Friday mid-morning we arrived to our destination in the Caribbean.  Kids suddenly felt the shock of the intense humidity and heat.  It was 95 degrees with full humidity - and NOTHING I could have told them to pack felt like the right weight of fabric.  Our goal was to keep them hydrated and we succeeded in keeping them out of the midday sun long enough to tour the village and put their feet in the Caribbean waters.  A small scavenger hunt in town helped them to gain the confidence in using their Spanish.

Friday evening we ventured out in groups of 8-10 to look for green sea turtles.  It can be real hit and miss as one season is ending and the next species starts in mid-July.  Our lunchtime practice of walking blindfolded, single-file, arm on shoulder totally paid off as we hit the pitch dark beach and kids quickly reached for any hand they could.  Also, the need for total silence as they were walking "blind leading the blind" was well rehearsed in my classroom.  We won the lottery with our find – a turtle had just finished laying her eggs and was camouflaging the nest.  We watched her fling the sand and scoot forward repeatedly.  Close by we learned of another that was preparing her nest and waited oh so patiently for her to start the process.  As we sat and waited, in the dark, sitting on the beach, we listened as the guide gave us detailed information on their life span, nesting habits and the survival rate of the hatchlings (1:100).  In groups of 4-5 at a time we got in close and with the assistance of an infrared lamp could watch the eggs drop.  We then saw 2 more come up and do a “u turn” and return to the sea.  After 2-1/2 hours we collapsed in to bed.

Early Saturday we left on a canal tour and had great luck with our wildlife sightings.  Many kids showed real skill in spotting monkeys or birds along the sides of the canal, and had great questions for our guide about predators, food supply and risks of extinction.  
After a midmorning swim in the pool, followed by lunch, we gave the option of either siesta time, or card playing at the opposite end of the compound.  We reminded kiddos that well-rested chaperones make for happy chaperones.  Shocking as it may seem, all but 5 opted for a siesta for the next 90 minutes and were grateful for the opportunity.  (The sloths have the right idea.  Stay high in the trees and move as little as possible.)  

Last evening’s excitement was the flying rhino beetle that paid us a visit (it landed on yours truly!) as we sat around the pool chatting.  The shape and size could best be compared to a computer mouse – huge!  Lots of photo ops, and finally our bug-boy (Luke) plucked it off the ground and relocated it.

This a.m. we departed for the families – about 90 minutes inland from the boat dock.  This, only after they shocked and surprised us with a PERFECT room check!  In fact, we were embarrassed that their rooms looked better than ours.

This group seemed less anxious about their arrival to the families, than in years past.  In fact, down right eager to be rid of us.  They were jumping off the bus and introducing themselves, and high-fiving one another about the good time they would have.  As we left town, we spotted 3 swimming in the local river with their hosts.  
It is now Sunday evening, and we return for the children Tuesday morning, and head to zip-lining and river rafting.  We will check in by phone in the a.m., yet might find no one is around as it seems there were plans for a party in the community, and some pick-up soccer.

¡Hasta el  martes!