A website for updates, stories, pictures and videos from the 2009 GCCS senior class trip to Costa Rica!

Mini-Updates (via Twitter)

Monday, May 25, 2009

Flight info for tomorrow


DELTA 416 LV SAN JOSE 1247PM
AR ATLANTA 657P

DELTA 2000 LV ATLANTA 915P
AR COLUMBUS OH 1050P

Latest Pics - Tortuga!!

Here are the pictures from our excursion to Tortuga Island today. It's a really fun trip, and the island is beautiful. But it is also a long day, so we are all very tired, and ready to come home. Luckily, we get to sleep in a bit tomorrow, and our flight leaves around noon. I'll try to re-post the flight info in case anyone needs it - for now, pictures:

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Pics from the last couple of days



Video of the Tarzan Swing

Here are some videos from us going on the Tarzan Swing -





Saturday, May 23, 2009

Arenal!!

I simply LOVE this part of the trip. It is a long bus ride (4 hours)
across the country, up and down mountains. But it is so worth it. The
volcano is inspiring, the waterfall is gorgeous an the hot springs
just melt away the stress.

We are all having a magnificent time. No one is ill or hurt in any
way. We have had great meals, clean hotels, and fantastic tours.

I will try to upload a few pictures tonight and write a bit more.
Right now, it's dinner time at the hotel :)

To the Volcano!

We are going to Arenal today, stopping off at the town of Zarcero. It will be a long bus ride, but very much worth it. Our hotel at Arenal is beautiful, tropical, outdoors, and very relaxing. We will enjoy the waterfall, hot springs, zip lining, and then stop by the orphanage in Fortuna on our way home.

Last year I wasn't able to get internet on this part of the trip, so you may not see/hear from us for a few days. But we will be back Sunday night, with great stories and more pictures. So stay tuned!

Thanks to everyone who has left comments - it's a joy to read them and know that people are following the trip and praying for us. It makes a huge difference. We have been safe, healthy and happy so far- praise God!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Rafting Day

We survived the river!! Actually it was an amazing day full of adventure. We couldn't take too many pictures, and none digital because of the water. So you will have to settle for a long blog post....

The day started early with the Adventure Naturales tour company picking us up at the hotel at 6:00am! It was an hour and a half drive to breakfast up in the mountains with great views of the volcanoes around the country. We enjoyed gallo pinto (traditional Costa Rica rice and beans) for breakfast, and then drove another hour or so to the river. We parked the buses and then it was a good 10 minutes downhill hike to the river where we met our guides. The "K Hos Crew" was all able to stick together for the trip - 6 of us in a raft with our guide, Louis (who has been guiding down this river for 15 years!)

We went down the Pacuare River - 18 miles, 450 meters in eleveation change, class ii, iii and iv rapics, about 4 hours on the river. For several in our roup it was their first time white water rafting ever. And it was a great time! Big waves, lots of water, full of adventure. We really had a blast. And no one in our boat was tossed out unexpectedly! We all stayed in, paddled hard, and made it through the rapids.

We stopped about halfway through the the trip to have lunch on the river - plenty of fruit, tortillas and some pasta salad. Then we finished up and drove the 3 hours home.

Tonight we were able to relax, enjoy a nice dinner and group devotions (led by our guide, Jimmy Lizano). After dinner we walked to the McDonalds on the corner for ice cream, and then relaxed by the pool again. We are enjoying the sites, the experiences, the conversations, the food, and the amazing adventure of Costa Rica!!

PS - sorry for no pictures - the links to the websites should have some so you can get an idea of where we were.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Newest Pictures!

Day Two

Today we start our second day in Costa Rica, and I think it is the
most important one. We will be spending time at the Abraham Project in
San Jose. The ministry there is amazing, and the time spent with the
kids can be life-changing. Please pray for the students that they will
be able to hear the children speaking to them in deep and meaningful
ways. Pray that we will be open to God's leading as we play simple
games, give hugs and share love without words. Today could be a day
that changes a life - one of the Costa Rican children's life, or one
of our own.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Our first day, and PICTURES!!

Our first day in San Jose has come to an end. We went to the market before dinner and we all enjoyed shopping and seeing the sites of downtown. After the market, it was a long drive through rush hour traffic to dinner. We were all really hungry, but everyone had great attitudes and didn't complain (too much). Dinner was worth the wait though, and everyone was much happier after having some chicken, fries, coke and fresh fruit drinks.

On the bus ride home our guide, Jimmy, gave us the details for the rest of the week. Tomorrow we will be visiting the Abraham Project and learning about the ministry, as well as doing some work with the kids. Then on Friday we will be doing white water rafting! So we have a fun week ahead of us, and we are already having a blast. The first set of pictures are below, and you can click on the slideshow to go to the Picasa album and see the pictures in a larger format. If you have trouble, just let me know -

Arrived safely!!

It took a few minutes to get out of Atlanta, but we have arrived safe
in Costa!! We have met up with one of the other two groups that we
will be traveling with this week. Right now we are just relaxing in
the hotel (which seems to have good wifi) and getting settled in. I
think we will do some exploring soon.....

More updates, with some pics hopefully, to come later tonight!!

So far so good!

we are relaxing in the Atlanta airport waiting to board. No trouble at all on our first flight. We should get into San Jose in the early afternoon and check in to our hotel. I'll try to make another quick post then.

Be sure to leave comments!!

In the airport - ready to go!!

It is not even 5am yet, but we are waiting in CMH. Our flight should
leave in about an hour. Everyone made it through security just fine,
even though we were wearing pink bandanas an saying "K Hos Crew" !! We
are a small group, but we are havin fun already.

First fun story: As I was going through security they asked if I had
anything sharp in my bag. I said "no" but I did have some toys for
kids in Costa Rica. They opened my bag and examined - - the sidewalk
chalk. Apparently that can be dangerous on a plane? Oh well :)

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Flight Info!

In case you don't have this, or you are curious, here is the flight information for our trip:

Day Date       Flight     Status Class       City        Time  Other  Cabin
--- ----- --------------- ------ ----- ---------------- ------ ------ -------
Wed 20MAY
DELTA 1805 OK L LV COLUMBUS OH 600A 22D
AR ATLANTA 738A COACH

Wed 20MAY
DELTA 411 OK T LV ATLANTA 945A F M 14D
AR SAN JOSE COS 1147A COACH
TA R

Tue 26MAY
DELTA 416 OK T LV SAN JOSE COS 1247P F M 14D
TA R COACH
AR ATLANTA 657P

Tue 26MAY
DELTA 2000 OK L LV ATLANTA 915P 23D
AR COLUMBUS OH 1050P COACH

Different kinds of posts

Hi everyone -

I'll be trying some different types of posts this year. First, there will be the standard blog post that I will write from my computer (like this one). Second, I can write quick updates from my iPod that will update the blog through an email address - the format might look a little funky, there may be a few spelling errors, and the posts will be shorter (but hopefully more frequent).

Finally, there is a new section on the blog, at the top just above these posts that is labeled "Mini-updates (via Twitter)." Basically, these are very short updates that I will "tag" #gccscr and they should update and scroll on this page. Other students with Twitter accounts can also post tweets, tag them #gccscr, and they will appear in this section as well.

Also, be sure to leave comments - just click on the green link that says "0 comments" and write something in the text box. You can sign in under a google account, or you can write an anonymous comment and sign it within the text field.

I hope that all makese sense! If not, just enjoy the updates in all the various formats :)

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Mobile Test

This is a test blog from my iPod.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

A New Year - A New Trip!!

I'm excited for this year's trip, which will take place from Wed. May 20-Tues. May 26. It's going to involve some new experiences, new people, and all of the same fun from last year. Thanks to all the students who are coming, and the parents for your support.

Please look around the blogsite, get acquainted with leaving comments, and once we get to Costa Rica, check back often! I will be updating as much as I can (from airports, coffee shops, hotels, basically anywhere I can get wireless!!) Feel free to look back at pictures from last year and get an idea what we will be doing. I will try to upload pictures as much as possible.

If you ever have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at jschroeder@gccsk12.org or call the school at 614-875-3000.