Sisters students trek Costa Rica

Nearly 20 Sisters students headed south over Spring Break with Spanish teacher Janis Quiros on a trip to Costa Rica.

The crew flew into San Jose and spent the night in the city. Early the next morning, they left to go up to a working ranch in the mountains where they hiked through the jungle, swam in a river, climbed rocks, visited a warm springs, and went bird watching on a boat.

After two nights, the group left for Monte Verde, which is 5,000 feet above sea level and butts up to a natural reserve. Here the group had their choice of 25 to 30 trails to hike, some of which lead to skybridges, the highest of which was 137 feet in the air, clear above the tops of the trees.

"It was so beautiful up there," said Quiros. "On the hikes we went out and was tarantulas and quaquiles and stuff like that. And walking across the skybridges was so amazing, watching the rain descend onto the treetops."

The next stop was in Puntaleona for some beach time on the beautiful white sand beaches in 100 degree temperatures. The students were able to snorkle a bit; however not as much as they would have liked due to the high tides. Some went to the Manuel Antonio Park.

"Basically," explained Quiros, "it was time for some fun in the sun. The EF tour (the company plans and coordinates the trip) takes you on so many buses to so many places that most of us said, 'enough.'"

For the last two days of the trip, the group traveled back to San Jose, where they went white water rafting.

"The jungle adventures, touring rainforests, experiencing other cultures - it was wonderful seeing this different style of living contrasts ours," said Nancy Dyer, a chaperone on the trip.

But this is not simply a vacation for Janis Quiros or her students. There is unique educational elements as well.

"I take kids on these trips so that they can experience the cultures from other countries and gain a greater appreciation of their culture," Quiros said. "This is as good of an educational experience as any other, I can't stress that enough.

"If you ask the kids," she continued, "they'll tell you that it was so valuable to them. They write me letters and say it's the best experience of their life. Later on in college they're more likely to do a year abroad. It's great."

The trip is an annual event, though it's destination varies each year. Next year, Quiros plans on taking a trip to Greece.

"It's a great way to travel," said Nancy Dyer, " and the students are great. I would recommend it to anyone."