Day Two in Review

As I write this, its about 5:45am on Monday, the birds are making beautiful music, and the clear sky affords amazing views of the mountains - particularly the live volcano with steam billowing from it.

As you can see from the pictures below, day two was an active time of sightseeing and fun.  The drive to Irazu, the now dormant volcano was spectacular.  The highest point is 3432 meters, which is over 11,000 feet.  We definitely could feel the effects of the thin air.  It last blew in 1963, causing much damage.  The good news now, though, is that the land around it is some of the most fertile in the country.  To see active farmland on the sides of the mountains is awe inspiring.  

In Cartago, we saw the ruins of of a cathedral that was half completed until an earthquake badly damaged it in 1910.  Now, just the stone walls are standing.  Apparently, they decided to leave it as a gathering place as it is next to the town square.

We also went to the basilica in Cartago - the largest in Costa Rica and a pilgrimage site to pay homage to the Blessed Virgin.  There is holy water from a spring on site, so people come from all over the country as well as Panama and Nicaragua.  Mass was standing room only so we did not attend - couldn't even get in the door.  However, after the service, pilgrims were making their way to the altar.  Apparently, the custom is to travel the last section, from the entrance to the altar, on their knees.  It was very inspiring.
We saw much beauty in our travels, including coffee plantations with their shade trees hovering about the coffee plants.  In Oroso, they sell their locally produced beans to Starbucks.  Some of us purchased some to bring home.

Last night we had our Habitat orientation and are prepared for our work.  We will build a 45 square meter two bedroom home for a family of five.  Our first task is to dig 36 holes for the columns.  I imagine that we'll be fatigued but content when our day is finished.

I'll try to convince some of the teens to post of their experiences as well.