Michael, Nick C and Caden

Today we were able to go to a small farm which had a variety of fruits. At the farm we were able to see how they process the sugar cane. They have a large lever that they move to turn gears to crush the sugar cane between two cylinders. This was able to produce sugar water which was really good to drink. We also chewed on the sugar cane which was really good. After that we had to put up a fence around the recycling center we built last year. We had to put polyurethane on the fence boards to water proof them. To paint them we had to put them down on the hill but the boards were on piles of ants. Luckily I didn't get bit by them but some other people did. We were able to get the work done very fast. When we finally got back to the house we rested by having some coffee. After that my house mom, Cindy, took us to a very fancy hotel that over looked the valley. It was very close to the house so it didn't take too long. There was a beautiful view of the valley and the lake. After that we went to the house and rested while watching soap operas. It has some nuns whose car broke down and some sad children. I didn't really follow the story. Then after dinner some of us went to see some people in the village practice martial arts. It was pretty interesting. We are having fun and can't wait for the days ahead of us.

-Michael Keller

Today I woke up pretty late compared to the other days. I slept like a baby last night, probably due to the extreme manual labor that I've been participating in. I love it here, I feel so at home. I actually, to your surprise, washed the dishes after dinner... FOR EVERYONE. I don't mind the work we've been doing lately, except for the painting. The painting is extremely repetitive and it makes it seem as if we're not making any progress. The painting was all we did yesterday. Today Nick Siebert and I dug holes to put fence posts in to build a fence around the recycling center. I'm looking forward to the rafting trip. I'll consider coming home.

-Nick Coppola

Captain Accident Reporting In! The above posts give a good idea of the things we've been doing so far so I'll just speak about the most important thing on this trip. That's right, ME! The biggest observation I have so far is that Sitio de Mata is quite a bit like Northern California, except tropical and humid. I've been taking a good deal of pictures so don't worry Mom, you will see what the trip was like.  One day, I didn't feel well. I went to lie down, and my house mom, Cindy, gave me this lemon drink that was just unendingly bitter but I'll be cursed if it didn't work. I was out like a light until I woke up two hours to the sound of overdone music. I set out to find my friends and help out but they were back before I could put on my shoes. Afterwards we had a coffee break, which let me just say, the coffee here is amazing and, as a side note, I now love to drink my coffee 100% black. I've been making a lot of new friends, specifically the five other people who live in the same "sector" as myself, those people being Maddie Crow, Logan Clark, Sara Shealy, Nick Coppola, and Michael Keller. We've been spending a good hour at each meal discussing anything and everything, especially movies. We've compiled a list of good movies that we need to get together and watch, so mom you better start cleaning the house! After dinner everyone went to this martial arts thing, which was mentioned above. Everyone except me that is. I instead went to the store and bought snacks for the afore mentioned people. Until next time.

-Caden Mayo