The Elon University women's soccer team is currently spending its Spring Break in Costa Rica. The team is spending its time exploring San Jose's historical "central Mercado" with other full-time Elon study abroad students. The players will also run a soccer clinic for the local girls in Quepos while playing the Costa Rican national team and the Saprissa women's team.
 
Today, Sarah Henson shares her thoughts on the team's trip thus far.

---

¡Hola amigos!  First off, sorry for the limited updates – WiFi here is pretty scarce and we have been completely entranced by this amazing country while being constantly on the move the past three and a half days.  Day two of the trip started with another early departure when we left the hotel at 5:30 a.m. to drive to the Pacuare River for some casual whitewater rafting.  And when I say "casual," I mean 30-kilometers (about 17 miles) of Class 3 and 4 rapids that took four hours to complete. 
 
Once we got off the tour bus and had a great breakfast of beans and rice, potatoes, freshly made omelets, fresh fruit, toast and hot coffee, the whole team loaded into the back of a wooden flatbed that we guessed must be nearing the end of its life.  We were all thrilled when we finally reached the river and started loading into our rafts.  Junior Nicole Dennion broke a river record for earliest fall into the water while she was first trying to get into her raft.  However, Junior Katie Boyle took home the trophy for most unplanned trips into the water out of the team.  The Rios Tropicales river guides were amazing, but the sights were even better.  Our head coach, Chris Neal, was really fascinated by the beautiful blue butterflies we saw along the river.  It was an exhausting four hours, but definitely worth the bruises, scrapes and tired arms!  We rode back to our hotel and had another great traditional dinner and hit the hay early.
 
The next day began once we left our hotel in San Jose to drive to La Fortuna.  One of our tour guides, Michael, gave us some information and history about Costa Rica on the bus ride.  Here are some of the interesting things he shared:
 
• Has not had an army for the last 66 years
• Gained independence in 1821
• Biggest product is pineapple followed by bananas, house plants, and coffee bean
• Free and mandatory education until 9th grade
• 37 private universities and four or five state owned universities
• Traffic accidents are the No. 1 cause of death
 
We made a stop along the way at a Soda El Mirador, which is like a pit stop for snacks and homemade goodies.  After trying some new Costa Rican snacks and reloading on water, we were back on the road.  Our second stop was the town of La Fortuna, which is home to an unbelievable view of the Arenal Volcano.  The town is actually named "The Fortune" because these people and the area survived the first, giant eruption.  We all stopped to have lunch, do a bit of shopping and of course take more pictures.  We were lucky enough to experience a clear day and have a full view of the volcano. 
 
Next, we checked out our hotel where we got to hang out in the pool and the natural hot springs that are heated by the volcano!  Then we took a quick trip to a nearby soccer field to have a full team practice.  Once again, the scenery was amazing with mountains in the background, bright flowers and a clear evening sky all around.  We even got one of the local kids to play keeper for us when we scrimmaged each other (shout out to Luis!).  The rest of the night was spent eating dinner at the hotel, having great conversation, and enjoying the hot springs again.
 
So far, I think the number of times the words "amazing" or "unreal" have been said is up to about 500.  The most interesting part of this country for most of us has been the incredible, natural scenery everywhere you look.  Driving to and from each of our destinations, we are all taking hundreds of pictures because we've never seen anything like it, and there's really no way to describe it without seeing it.  Coach Neal described it perfectly when he said Costa Rica is not extravagant, it's genuine.  Not just with its landscape, but its people too.  Everyone we meet and interact with is so happy and welcoming, which doesn't always happen other places since there are over 30 of us.  More updates to come!  Pura Vida!