After a week of relaxing in quite a westernised environment in Tamarindo we are now planning the next step of our journey, so I thought it was time to stop and take stock of the things we, and especially Sam, have learned so far!
On a years trip like this, it is not possible to spend every day doing something 'touristy', we would just be exhausted, so we just plan the things that are important to us. We are finding that by spending time in villages off the beaten track, as we did in Nicaragua, you get much more of a flavour of the culture, rather than staying in the big city and doing the typical, expensive, 'touristy' things. It's also much safer for Sam outside of the city, and of course he has more opportunity to surf.
In the last seven weeks he has seen Antigua in Guatemala and mingled with the indigenous people there. He has lived just outside of San Salvador and sampled both city and coastal living in El Salvador. This is where he met his lovely Japanese friend, ate ceviche in the local market, wandered through a huge fish market in the port, played table tennis with the local kids and met a guy who did the stunts in a hollywood film. In Nicaragua he experienced a slower pace of life and realised that the country is much poorer and much less densly populated than anywhere he had been before, here we drove through flooded rivers and Sam learned an amazing card trick! In Costa Rica he has experienced Western culture again (and is longing to get back to the 'real' Costa Rica), however it has been a nice break and a chance to relax before we hit the road again - and of course we saw Howler Monkeys, Iguanans and Humming birds here.
On top of all this, he has studied for a couple of hours every day and now knows about the digestive system, the signs of life, enzyme reactions, the make up of blood, algebra, factors, characterisation and looking at media texts and he has managed to fit in a couple of hours of surfing every day! Sure he could be in school in England for six hours a day, but to be honest I think he prefers to learn on the move. He certainly seems to be taking in more here and is voluntarily reading his book 'Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief' and is looking forward to reading the final 'Harry Potter' book - he has never voluntarily read before - he is also currently doing a power-point presentation on Costa Rica
And of course there are the practical things he is learning without knowing it, his Geography is coming on a treat (how many of you knew which country followed which in Central America at age 12? I didn't know until we came away). He is learning about budgeting and the value of money, converting currency and planning ahead when moving from place to place...and most importantly he is having FUN. Sure every day has it's ups and downs, just like at home, but we have cried and we have laughed an awful lot.
So our next stop is Santa Teresa which is on the coast and near the rain forest and here we are planning on doing a zip-wire ride through the rain forest, from here we will head to San Jose where we will fly down to Lima in Peru - once in Peru we will head away from the coast for a couple of weeks to see the Nazca Lines and Macchu Pichu! Then of course we need to start heading down to Chile to catch our flight to New Zealand.
Time is flying by so I thought it was time to stop and look back at all the amazing things we have done and seen so far... that's it for now, better get on with the planning!!
Goodness Ruth! You have only been away for such a short while really, and Sam must have learnt SO much. If he were at school for the same period of time, I doubt that he would have learnt as much of such importance. Apart from the biology and maths and reading that he is clearly doing, and the learning how to interract with other people of different races and cultures, he is learning how to cope with life; how to deal with the realities or living. Just as important, I am sure everyone will agree, as knowing who were the 6 wives of Henry the Eighth! (Not that knowing that isn't important too...but he can read a novel, while he is travelling, that can tell him that too).
ReplyDeleteCarry on doing what you are doing. As you say, it will have it's ups and downs, but so does life. And he is learning more than its possible to put into words.
I'm very proud of all of you, and love you to bits. xxx Mum (whose clearly feeling a bit soppy! What's new!)
Well this is all well and good but I'm sure Sam would be much better here as he is getting to the age where he could hang out in McDonalds with some hoodies and spend his spare time on the X Box! Instead of learning Spanish he could be learning to speak English inapropriately instead!
ReplyDeleteTell me again when you will be in Bali? We are sooooooo looking forward to meeting you there.
I'm really enjoying the blogs too but it is making me really jealous. Still, we are off to LA in 10 days and then NY for xmas and New Year.
xxxxxx
My god ruth sounds like you are having the times of your lifes,,glad you did'nt mind me writing to you about archie did'nt know if it would upset you as i know how much you will be missing him,i was taking some pictures of them a couple of weeks ago in the field and even video a bit i will send it to you when i know how to hahaha,,archie got a real habit of having a good rub on my back when i get him in everyday,very cute!!and he is eating very well,anyway ruth speak soon xxx
ReplyDeleteWell I never! There was me imagining that your days were spent dozing in a hammock, sipping gin slings in more wakeful moments and dipping lazily in and out of a quiet sea. And now you have gone and shattered my illusions.
ReplyDeleteI suppose all of this schooling business is paying off though. Sam's latest blog shows how much his written English has improved. I really do think he generates an excitement in his writing (just like his mother)and you should encourage him to blog to us all more often. I do congratulate both you and Will for the patience you have to trawl though his silly bus (sic. for my pedantic other daughter).
When you get to Peru don't forget to buy the guide books and read them (If you have not already got them)before you take off for the Nazca lines and Macchu Pichu. Wow! I wish I was coming with you. It will be a great experience for all of you. And at the risk of becoming boring, if you get the opportunity to make the trip to Galapagos then take it. Apart from swimming with iguana, dolphin and turtle a visit to the islands and the Darwin Centre will teach Sam more about true Biology than a year of classes at school.
Love
Dad
Ruth,
ReplyDeleteI love the way you attach a picture with each blog. It really gives me an idea of what kind of places you are in.
Have you been able to use your flipcam?
So good to see that Archie is doing well.
Love
Dee