Elon University women's soccer is in Costa Rica as a part of the Elon Commitment to its students achieving a global experience. Check in to elonphoenix.com to read four blog updates from select women's soccer student-athletes on the team's overall experience! Be sure to also check out posts and updates on the team's social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
Elon women's soccer senior Lauren McKeever writes about the first two days of the global experience trip in Costa Rica.
 

Blog Entry No. 1 - March 25, 2019  |  by Lauren McKeever
 
Despite being tired from a long day of traveling, our first two days in Costa Rica have been nothing short of amazing. After arriving at the airport on Saturday, we took a bus to grab lunch where we had our first of many delicious beans and rice meals. Afterwards, we had a sunset training session at the official training facilities of the Costa Rican national teams. We then returned to the hotel for a pool-side dinner and went to sleep early, excited and prepared for day two.

On Sunday morning, we had a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call to take a trip up the mountain to the gorgeous Pacuare River for 17-miles of white water rafting. We first stopped at Rios Tropicales where we were fed a traditional Costa Rican breakfast of fresh fruit, plantains, pinto and omelettes filled with vegetables and meat. We were then able to walk around in the surrounding gardens filled with luscious palm trees and various flowers. Next, we drove ten minutes down a narrow, windy road to begin our rafting adventure. We were split into groups of five and paired with a guide who taught us all we needed to know to take on the rapids.

Along the way, we saw unique wildlife such as the blue morpho butterfly, the oro pendula bird and monkeys. We also got to see stunning waterfalls, greenery and the homes of the indigenous Cabecar. Our guide explained to us how the Cabécar people travel 5-18 hours on foot daily to gather food to feed their families. As a result, the government installed hand trams along the river to make it easier for them to get the food across. Halfway through the journey, we stopped on the side of the river to eat freshly cut up pineapple and watermelon uniquely prepared into small pieces by the guides. It was by far the most delicious fruit I have ever had!

We then loaded the boats again to keep rowing to the end of the river. I enjoyed seeing local families along the side of the river fishing, picnicking and playing in the water. Each of them smiled and waved to us when we passed by. The "Pura Vida" lifestyle was clear through the short interactions we had with the Costa Rican people and culture. At the end the day, we floated in a breathtaking canyon where scenes in Indiana Jones were filmed. Overall, it has been an awesome first two days and I can't wait for what is to come.