from Sofia Grey
Everyone arrived at the Nashville airport around 4:15 am on this Memorial Day, May 26th, 2008 to check in and get their boarding passes. Though the lines were a bit long, even at that early hour, all went smoothly (thanks to Danny Jones) and we were on our way to the Miami International Airport to catch the second leg of our flight to San Jose, Costa Rica.
While waiting for our connecting flight to board in Miami, Taylor Bailey did a great job giving everyone a brief Spanish lesson. Thanks, Taylor! The group decided that Michael Lamb was a super good luck charm because both of our take offs and landings were picture perfect. Michael told us that this was his first flight experience and from the smile on his face, we do believe it's only the beginning of his love affair with flying!
After making our way through the Immigration lines and then through Customs, we were off to baggage claim to retrieve our bags and to check on the celli...which survived the journey without incident. Then we were off to the Money Exchange window to convert our U.S. dollars into colones. Upon exiting the airport, our tour organizer, Jordi Antich, met our group and we boarded our bus to take us to Hotel Bougainvillea in Heredia, about a 20 minute.
Once at the hotel, we checked in and had a lovely dinner. We're sending a beautiful picture of the menu that was arranged by Conor Grey, Michael Lamb and Daniel Lee. After dinner everyone enjoyed walking the 8 acres of the gorgeous tropical gardens that surround the hotel.
This is truly a setting in paradise.
Around 4:00 pm, the group had a 40 minute rehearsal to prepare for the morning concert performance at Santo Tomas School. Relaxation and a good night sleep is the order for the remainder of today. What a first day this has been!
More tomorrow ....adios for now!
Buenos dias.
Our second day began at 7:00 am with breakfast in the hotel dining room, Restaurante Los Vitrales. The food has been just fabulous! With the help of our hotel's manager, Juan Carlos, we headed out on foot to the Santo Tomas School for our first concert. We took some time to take some group photos in front of the hotel and school and then we set up for the performance. The students came into the hall and after a warm welcome address from the headmaster, Mr. Barquero, and a presentation of some gifts by Susan Mullen and Danny Jones, the music began. The students were very attentive and they really enjoyed all the selections. They chanted, "otres, otres"....meaning "another, another". It had the flavor of a Music to Go Tour and everyone had a wonderful time.
After the performance we headed back to the hotel for a quick clothing change and then we were off to our bus and headed out to the Rain Forest Aerial Tram in Guapiles. We were in the capable hands of our driver, Tio....which means uncle.
"Thank you, Tio!"
The tram ride was a misty, relaxing and awe filled time spent gliding among the trees allowing us to visit with a Three-Toed Sloth, a Keel-Billed Toucan and birds too numerous to list. The flora was magnificent and our tour guides were very knowledgeable. One of the highlights of the walking tour was seeing the Poison Dart Frog and then following the Leaf-cutter ants as they journeyed along. Receiving some nibbles from the army ants was a bit uncomfortable....just ask Amie Hoff and Monty Lee.
We had a lovely lunch at the Rain Forest Café and visited the Gift Shop before heading to San Jose for some serious shopping in the Artisan’s market. Everyone put forth their best bargaining efforts to find those unique gifts while shopping and many items were acquired! We headed back through San Jose’s rush hour traffic and arrived at Hotel Bougainvillea after a long day of adventure. We had a great dinner and then some folks took advantage of the sauna and pool to get some exercise and relaxation while others retired to their rooms. Another wonderful day in paradise!
Adios for now!
Buenos dias! Today began with a wonderful breakfast of fresh mangos, papayas, plantains, strawberries and much more…yum…fresh juice and Costa Rican coffee of course! What a smorgasbord of healthy fresh native fruits and vegetables we’ve been enjoying, as well as the wonderful seafood and meats.
As we boarded the bus at 7:30 am to head out on our big day trip to Parque Nacional Volcan Poas and the La Paz Waterfall with Uncle Tio at the helm, we met our day guide Daniel Barro. He gave us a thorough presentation of the history of the region and answered many questions as we traveled along the winding roads. He truly loves Costa Rica and we understand why. Thank you, Daniel!
As we ascended the mountain, we came upon an ox cart team, guided by their driver, pulling an intricately painted cart; a national symbol reminding us of the days when coffee was painstakingly routed from the fields to San Jose through the winding passes. They were heading to the volcano to take pictures with the tourists. We pulled over to the side of the road and took several photos with the group in and around the cart. Our thanks go out to Donna Hoff for taking some great shots of the group. The ox team and driver were very hospitable and our thanks go out to them as well.
All aboard…and we continued our trek upward toward the Poas Volcano. Our next stop was at the coffee fields to get a first hand tour and brief educational lecture on the role of coffee in the Costa Rican economy. We had an opportunity to try some freshly grown Costa Rican strawberries and to buy some coffee. Then, we were off again!
We arrived at our highest destination of the day around 10:00 am to step off the bus and become one with the mist and clouds that surround the Poas Volcano. The wind was whipping around and the temperature was in the 40’s (F), but everyone was prepared with their rain gear and we began our walk up the Boulevard al crater, about 600 meters. Daniel Barro continued his educational presentation, showing us the very large Poor Man’s Umbrella plant. They grow extremely large in this area. We arrived at the viewing area for the Crater Principal and we had a few crater Lake sightings when the clouds and mist parted. It was incredible! After a time we descended the mountain to briefly visit the Exhibition Center and gift shop. We then boarded the bus to head to the La Paz waterfall, a forty-five minute ride away. Upon arriving at La Paz we toured the Aviary, Butterfly Observatory and Hummingbird Garden before having lunch in the beautiful Colibries Restaurant. The bathroom sinks fascinated everyone; they were shaped like the waterfall and quite unique! We began our hike to the waterfall along the trail….a breathtaking two and a half hour experience enjoyed by all!
We boarded the bus to head back to Hotel Bougainvillea for a late dinner and to pack up for our departure to San Ramon in the morning. This evening’s dinner was a time for sharing stories and reflecting. We thank the sweet Kelsey Wells for sharing her smiles and her “moose” story with us. We greatly appreciate all the interesting conversation, guidance and words of wisdom that were shared with us by the talented Jean and Ray Bills. You are a wonderful couple and it’s been a joy to spend this week with the two of you!
This is a great group to travel with, but I think you’ve noticed that by now.
Another day in paradise! Pura Vida!!!
Thursday began with another great breakfast of course! After breakfast, we met up with Jordi Antich, our guide for the next few days. He is a fellow musician (cellist) and friend of Susan Mullen. We loaded the suitcases and ourselves onto the bus and then we were off to Sarchi. Sarchi is Costa Rica’s main artisan town. We did some shopping and then we visited the Chaverri Oxcart Factory, (www.sachicostarica.net) where we were given a private tour of the assembly room where painters and craftsmen were busy at work; what a family tradition at work in this place. Afterwards, we had plenty of personal time for shopping and then we ate lunch at the Las Carretas Restaurant before leaving Sarchi for San Ramon.
Upon arriving in San Ramon, we set up at the Centro Historica Cultural for our next concert. They have an impressive center that provides a good deal of information regarding Costa Rica’s history. We did have some additional time to walk the historical sites of the town square and to visit some shops. The Centro’s personnel were so welcoming and they provided us with dinner prior to our concert performance. The musicians changed into their concert attire and prepared their instruments for the concert which began at 6:00 pm. A great time was had by all who attended and their appreciation was apparent. We wholeheartedly thank Jordi Antich for setting up this event. Thank you, Jordi!
We thanked everyone and said our goodbyes before boarding the bus to head to Punta Leona on the Pacific side of the country. After a two hour bus ride, we arrived at Punta Leona Beach Resort and checked in around 10:00 pm. A tropical storm had just moved out before we arrived and we were very thankful. The forecast for Friday is very sunny!!! Everyone is excited to get onto the beach. We were assigned to our rooms in the various communities named Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba….we didn’t feel like we were on the Pacific side! It has been a very full day and we’re grateful for the experiences and for the new friends we’ve made.
Quote for the day…. “Para Que Tractores Sin Violines” by Jose Figueres
Buenos dias! The sun was up at 5:07 this morning and the beach was open for visitors….what a beautiful natural setting. There weren’t many visitors today, probably because they thought the weather wasn’t going to cooperate….but it did! It seemed like the beach was all ours at times. There was snorkeling, wave riding, body surfing, trail hiking and sand castle building on the menu for today and all were attempted and enjoyed. Everyone found something to enjoy, including the fresh water stream that flowed directly onto the beach. It was like having a fresh water shower stall waiting for you when you came out of the salty ocean water. The wildlife was bountiful and inquisitive. The Capuchin monkeys and the Coatimundi (pizote) were all around, as well as the ever present Iguana
The fair skinned sun worshippers got very, very red, while Daniel Lee turned a toasty golden brown. The Five Musketeers were always looking out for one another…great job kids! Monty and Nora Lee enjoyed taking lots of photos and got some super shots of all the natural beauty. Nora really enjoyed the spray of the waves when they hit the rock she was standing on and Monty enjoyed snorkeling. Donna, Amie and Sarah Hoff loved spending quality time together and enjoyed their many walks and talks.
Lunch was available at both the Carabelas Restaurant near our rooms, and at the Playa Blanca overlooking the ocean. Several of us ate at the Playa Blanca and had a great meal, even though the fish sauce included octopus feet! Thank goodness there was the available slice of comfort food enjoyed by some folks. Nora Lee and Sofia Grey can attest to that.
After a full day of sun and fun, we had a wonderful dinner in the Carabelas Restaurant and then prepared for our 7:00 pm concert performance at the Punta Leona Amphitheatre. It was a successful concert and the tourists and staff greatly appreciated our presentation. Susan Mullen did a fabulous job expressing her thoughts in Spanish during the introduction speeches for all of the concerts…way to go, Susan! Thanks to Sarah Hoff, Ella Strawman, Taylor Bailey, Conor Grey, and Michael Lamb for identifying their instruments in Spanish during the concerts…great job ladies and gents!
We’d like to thank the hotel staff who helped prepare and decorate the stage for the concert, including the raccoon. Thank you!!! After the concert the group went to the karaoke pavilion and had a great time. Thanks to Michael Lamb for being the leader and singing solo to the tune “I Will Survive”. After that, the whole group led the singing for “YMCA” including hand motions….what a hoot!
Another picture perfect day comes to a close. Buenas noches!
Early risers got to watch the sun rise and take lots of beautiful pictures in an effort to capture the paradise like beauty that resides here. Some took the 6:15 bird watching tour and got to visit with native species of birds and crabs. Breakfast and hiking were in order for some while others enjoyed the relaxation of the masseuse. Those final visits were made to the beach and after a terrific farewell lunch which included grateful words of appreciation directed toward Jordi Antich for his superb organizational talents, we reloaded the bus and headed to Hotel Bougainvillea in Heredia for our final night in Costa Rica. After a two hour bus ride over some of the most spectacular mountains ever viewed, we headed back down into the Central Valley and arrived at the hotel. After dinner we had time to relax and repack for our trip home. At 9:00 pm we all met in Mrs. Mullen’s room for a final briefing and to surprise her with some gifts of thanks. Susan, thank you for your vision and direction! This has been a trip that everyone will treasure in their hearts and none of us will ever forget these special days together in Costa Rica because of your vision and passion. Mucho gracias!
It’s 5:20 am and it’s time to load the bus and head to the San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport for our 8:55 am flight. Many hanks to Donna Hoff for providing breakfast bars for everyone on the bus! We arrived at the airport and said our heartfelt goodbyes to Tio and headed inside the terminal. After paying the departure tax and waiting in line to get through customs and security, we found ourselves waiting for our boarding call. The group took this time to present Danny Jones with some gifts of appreciation and to say a huge “thank you”. Danny, our words and gifts cannot express the true level of thanks we feel for you and for all that you did over these past months to make this trip a reality.
The flight to Dallas went smoothly. All of the take offs and landings were perfecto! O.K… It’s now a fact; Michael Lamb is truly a good luck charm! We’d also like to thank Daniel Lee for sharing his humorous tee shirts with us throughout the week as well as his techno expertise.
After deplaning in Dallas and going through baggage claim and security, we were off on our final leg of the trip, heading toward Nashville. We arrived in Nashville on time and everyone said their good-byes. Those final photos were snapped and everyone departed.
It is my hope that this log will give you a glimpse into our wonderful week of adventure. The MYO was well represented and we were true Ambassadors of Music during this week in Costa Rica. Music is truly the universal language and everyone should be very proud of the contributions they make in promoting this magical language.
Thank you for the opportunity to share these words.
PURA VIDA….. y adios!!!
Sofia Carnicelli Grey, MYO Board Member
