YouthInkwell Publishing

 This is perhaps the most beautiful place that I have ever been; I wish I could stay here forever. Everything is green in
Costa Rica. There is a mysterious aura hidden in these jungles. It is almost like a scene from Jurassic Park which I learned was filmed in
Costa Rica. This could be compared to Oz and the
Emerald
City because we are following one main road and because everything is as green as theEmerald
City. We are now on a bridge and just like a painting, the trees part and there lies in the distance rows of hills that flourish with foliage climbing towards the heavens. The hills are consumed by a fog that whispers to you and creates even more illusions in this land of wonders. Trees soar up with branches as thick as elephants and leaves that are so beautiful that they appear to have been fashioned by Aphrodite herself. Palm trees sprout profusely and give the atmosphere a more tropical mood. It is impossible to tell where the sky begins because it bleeds into the fog which disappears into the mountains. There are small villages amongst the hills where life is much more simple disconnected from our normal emotionless lives. The fog rolls over the hills climbing just to fall again. It floats ethereally, white and surreal, casting long shadows. The fog slowly swallows the forest as its prey.

Later:

            Zip lining ¾ of a kilometer, just a normal part of our day. Today the crew and I drove two hours to the San Lorenzo Canopy where we did what most people will never have the opportunity to do. All of us zip lined across the rain forest which is an amazing experience, but I also had the special honor of carrying Maurice in my harness the whole day. Holding our mascot was the greatest honor I could have ever asked for.

            The day began with a fresh start. We woke up bright and early and ate hearty breakfasts in order to prepare for the long day. At nine we boarded the buses and drove for three talkative hours. I had a great bus ride because the tour guide asked how many provinces were in
Costa Rica and I magically guessed seven and won a traditional Costa Rican candy. When we finally got there we geared up quickly and set off immediately for action. Awkwardly we stumbled along full of heavy equipment until we finally reached our destination. At first most people weren’t sure if they wanted to be the first victims of this new experience, but after the first two cables, mostly everyone was loving it. Later when we felt like pros, some of us dared to let go of the pulley and dangle tauntingly, suspended out of the grasps of imminent death. After all of the zip lining, we settled down to devour a scrumptious meal of quesado provided by the tour. During that time I made a new friend named Carmela; she was small, cute and had short brown hair. She would follow me around everywhere and I always had fun petting her. Oh yes, did I mention she was a beagle?