Sloths Have Arrived!

Dear Sloth Families,

After an early morning arrival at SFO, our sloths meandered into the waiting area for a *gulp* 5:55 a.m. departure time.  Students spent the five-hour flight sleeping (Shubham), playing video minigolf (Jake), working on Rubik's cube speed times (Saahil), reading Moneyball (Luke), curling up and enjoying a movie (Ashley), or enjoying other on-demand entertainment (many!).  Yuto kept track of the flight time, distance, and windspeed for us.  It was a safe and uneventful first leg.  Bravo to our team!

We arrived into El Salvador for a short, one-hour layover, before starting on the last leg of our journey -- a one-hour flight into San José.  Our guide, Sergio, was waiting for us outside of customs, and led us on to two air-conditioned buses for the short drive through the dramatic, hilly San José downtown.  The air temperature and humidity at 5 p.m. felt wonderful -- not too hot -- and students settled into their rooms and then down for our first group meal -- a delicious buffet.















Tomorrow, we have a 7 a.m. wakeup with a full day planned -- a drive into the rainforest to visit and have lunch at a local school, followed by an excursion into a local butterfly preserve, finishing with a check-in and swimming at the La Quinta Sarapiqui Lodge.

Going forward, we will create and share drive folders of all of our raw photos for the day, and include all students.  On the blog posts we will curate a few representative photos, like those above.  We are also asking students to share their perspectives in a short freewrite.  Over the course of the week, all students will share their reflections.  Today, we asked KC Mungali, Eliza Schnizter, Viraj Iyengar, and Sophie Frolik.

Onwards!

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KC:
"At the time of this entry, we are at a cruising altitude of around 37,000 feet and a little under 3 1/2 hours from landing in San Salvador.  A few hours ago, over 50 of us boarded this plane full of excitement and eagerness as we embarked on a journey that we will remember for the rest of our lives.  For some, it may be the first time they have travelled on a plane, and for others, it may be the first time leaving this country.  But even with all of our differences in traveling, the feeling of adventure and excitement is mutual.  As we continue our adventures, I hope our energy will be enthusiastic and energetic.  We seem to have hit a patch of turbulence, and I must sign off.  Adios!"

Eliza:
"When I got to the airport this morning, there was lots of chaos and people everywhere.  We checked in and then we went through security and to the gate.  The plane flight was very fun.  I played card games with some friends and I watched a movie in Spanish.  We will take another flight soon and then we will be in Costa Rica!  I am very excited to try speaking Spanish, experience new cultures, and try new foods.  I hope to have lots of fun during our upcoming adventures."

Viraj:
"As we fly through the clouds on our way to Costa Rica, I grow more and more excited.  Afer another short flight, we will be there!  I just took a short nap, so I feel light and refreshed, and ready for anything when we touch down.  I cannot wait to begin this amazing adventure, and to experience a new culture in the upcoming days."

Sophie:
"I have been looking forward to this trip for such a long time and I am so excited to arrive in Costa Rica! It was so much fun to get to the airport this morning and seeing everyone so eager to begin our trip.  Although we had to wait an hour and a half for security to open, everything has been going very well.  We only have two hours left until we land our first flight, and I cannot wait to have many new experiences on this trip!"