Expedition Poas, Day 5

By Rob Matchett
Edited by Mr. Moreland

Today was our trip to the Poás volcano. Things started off pretty early in the morning again, and the only break in our routine was going to breakfast at a different place where we met a geologist (Don Rodolfo Van Der Laat) who spoke about volcanoes. We had a breakfast that included bread, rice and beans, and this delicious sour cream (called natilla) that you mix with salt. After that we piled up into our tour bus and set out on an hour and a half bus ride up the mountain to the volcano. On the way up your surrounded by coffee fields that extend for a long stretch of land. As you continue to go up in elevation the scene changes a little bit. The type of farm changes from coffee plantations to live stock, more specifically cattle farms. The streets are red dirt roads that are created as a result of the iron that is in the soil.

When you pull up to the park you find a parking lot and all of these trails with tons of plant life. One of the most dominant plants are these big leafed plants that are called poor mans umbrellas. We were being led to this building that reminded me of the movie Jurassic Park. I hiked more than I ever did in my whole life today. Most of the paths were uphill and there were a lot of steps, but when you got up to the top it was all worth it. There was this observation area that at first was full of fog or steam but it looked like you were standing in the clouds. It was so hot but when the fog blew away all you saw was this vast green lake that led down to this huge crater.

Another trail which took us even higher in elevation took us to our interview sight which was a formerly active volcano, which now contained a giant lake. Throughout the whole interview there were these brightly colored small animals like squirells and birds that kept getting our attention.

The hike up was really challenging for me but it was all worth it once I saw that scenery. The ride back was relaxing; I enjoyed all of the fresh air from the mountain hike. Then we stopped for ice cream and went to lunch.

Finally before heading back to the hotel, we drove to a man's house who showed us his collection of handmade paper mache masks. His grandfather used to make these masks, and he now makes them, so you can say the tradition lives on. He calls the masks his second family. You could tell by the look on his face that this was something that he really loved doing. After telling us about a couple of different masks he put on a show for us to show us a typical mask dance. Then he invited a few people to volunteer to put on a mask and dance. That was the highlight of my day (Aside from the sing along bus ride back to the hotel).

One of the things that I am noticing here is that material things don't matter as much as sentimental things. In America its all about the money, but here people follow their passions (the thing that they love doing) and people are so respectful. Here family is the first thing that people think about and value the most. Being poor isn't a weakness; the people still are happy and find joy in all of the small things in life. Ticos seem to feel that each day holds new experiences that you learn from. I mean so far I've learned everything from valuing hard work to appreciating nature.