R & R Day!

Today was our day of R & R – Rejoice and Recharge!

Still in La Fortuna, our plans were to sleep in a little later and fill our day with zip lining, hiking the Arenal Volcano, taking a tour of the alligator and butterfly gardens and lounging in the hot springs. These are all things a tourist would do while vacationing in this area of Costa Rica.

Zip lining was our first activity with 13 lines of cable strung high above the ground and through the canopy of tree tops. We were geared up in a helmet, leather braking glove (just one) and an attractive harness which strapped very snuggly around your waist and each leg. We were given the order not to touch anything that had been put on us and then given instruction on how to zip line and told what could happen if we did not follow those instructions. I’ve never listened so carefully in my life at being told how and what to do when.

When it was our individual turn, we were hooked to a cable, feet crossed, head to the left, leaning back, with one hand stretched behind and told to break at the end. Exhilarating!

Cristen loved the zipping from the start with an Indiana Jones-like gusto! Wesley and David were sturdy and strong gliding to each platform with grace. Katie had the look of concentration coming in for perfect landings. Peggy was fearless once she emphasized to our guides that for her to fully understand the procedure prior to take off was non-negotiable. Ryan was “the crazy one!" After our first line he took the next one with a guide, and holding his arms straight out, his face forward, he flew like a giant happy bird!

Trista was as she has been all week, our leader. Even though jumping from a platform to ride a cable at what seemed like thousands of feet above the ground was not her first choice, she was there to support us. After a few lines she had “checked the box” and was done. As a great leader, Trista supported us on the zipline as long as she could, and let us fly on our own the rest of the way. We are a very fortunate team with a very good leader.

Once back on the ground we rejoiced in our individual accomplishments and that of our leader and teammates – our friends. We decided there would be no hiking and that the alligators and butterflies would be fine without us, so we headed for the hot springs and cold pool, each complimented with a waterslide. The waterslide would be better called a track for body bobsledding. It was amazing! We all laughed so loud and hard from our guts as if a dam had broken open with a joyful blast, and our energy was instantly recharged!

We boarded our bus to San Jose and left La Fortuna filled up and ready for our next three days of business. So far this trip I’ve learned much about Habitat for Humanity, BuildLouder, advocacy, housing, land tenure and Costa Rica; but today was about learning that wherever we come from we have more strength as a team than we could ever have as one…..and it’s just more fun to laugh and play with your friends.

It was a good Rejoice and Recharge day!

Debbie Campbell
Team Member, Volunteer