Hello family and friends back in the US!

We had an exciting day four of our Costa Rica trip. We started our day eating some delicious pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, juice and eggs provided by Vera and Diego (Our fantasic chefs). After this nutritious meal we hiked our way to the Aquiares Coffee Plantation. We learned the process to go from plant to cup, workers picking the fruit in baskets, roasting, and staying as sustainable as possible. The certifications this plantation had included being carbon neutral and Rainforest Alliance to protect the people and nature. We were even granted the opportunity to pick and eat the fruit right off the branch. On our hike we got to see the beloved giant Ceiba Tree that is special to the locals.

After a nice walk home, we followed it with a tasty casado (typical Costa Rican meal of rice, beans, chicken, salad and plantains). We had some down time, playing cards and doing group activities before we headed to a cheese farm called Finca La Florita, owned by a wonderful woman named Karla. She explained the whole process of cheesemaking, from what the cows eat to the aging of the cheese. Bringing in volunteers to milk the cow and press the cheese, we got hands-on experience with several aspects of the farm, including a little taste test. As our focus today was on sustainability and conscious consuming, Karla explained how the process reuses materials, completely eliminating negative effects on the environment, using the manure to produce natural gasses and fertilizer that she uses on the farm and her own home.

Toward the end of the night, we had a nice meal of nachos followed by a relaxing night of socializing. Today we also celebrated Phoenix’s birthday!

Having a blast here in Costa Rica. Hope everyone at home is doing well!

Love you and miss you all.

Phoenix and Lei