Isabel Docal's Mosaic

Isabel Docal

Costa_rica_minimester_mosaic

Isabel Docal

1. Who are you?

I’m a quirky girl who constantly makes weird faces and animal noises. I love to travel and be adventurous even if it seems like I’m afraid.

 

2. Why did you decide on this Eco-Adventure Costa Rica minimester?

 I had never been here before and I was looking forward to go river rafting and swimming in one of the prettiest and most biodiverse places on earth.

 

3. What was your favorite food/meal on the trip?

I loved granadillas, which I had tried before in Colombia. They had them in the Tabacon Hotel, and all throughout the trip I enjoyed the great variety of fruits Costa Rica has.

 

4. What was the most important item you packed?

Water shoes! They saved my life. I could easily climbed mountains and rocks with them and once inside the water I didn’t have to touch the slippery and moldy rocks with my bare feet.


5. What was your favorite "Tom" moment?

My favorite Tom moment was every time he sung “Ai se eu te pego.” Being in his rafting group, I had to listen to him sing it every couple of minutes. We also competed in who could make the weirdest faces…it was a tie.

 

6. What made you laugh the most?

Our bus rides were hilarious as the entire group tried to get things in the bingo list. Enrique yelling “orchids” and “monoculture” definitely made everyone laugh.

 

7. What made you think the most?

What made me think the most was seeing how much biodiversity there is in Costa Rica compared to here in Miami. It was also shocking to learn how a country that is less advanced than ours still focuses more on being economically cleaner and sustainable.

 

8. What was your favorite adventure activity?

My favorite adventure activity was going ziplining. I was about to not do it because of how scared I was, but seeing that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I did it. I let loose and went. It was exhilarating and I don’t regret it at all.

 

9. What was your favorite eco activity?

My favorite eco activity was going to the organic farm and learning on methane as a form of energy and how it was collected. While being in the farm, we did other fun things like milking the cows and making sugar cane juice, which also served as a learning experience.


10. How was your community service project an important part of the trip?

It was an important part of the trip because we had a hands-on experience and we performed activities many native Costa Ricans do for a living. We ended up getting closer to nature as we got dirty, and we learned new skills that are necessary to maintain the great diversity Costa Rica provided us.

 

11. What was your favorite view?

My favorite view was from the river rafts as we passed through steep mountains on both sides. We enjoyed this view the most when we were allowed to swim and go with the current for a while.

 

12. What was your most memorable moment?

My most memorable moment was going to the hot springs. It was the most relaxing part of the trip and I needed that stop at the warm waters at night after going on hectic bus rides and hikes.

 

13. What surprised you?

What surprised me the most was seeing that one of the guys that worked for the rafting company had a toucan as a pet. I never thought that toucans were allowed to be had as pets and that they would not be scared to get close to a big group of students.

 

14. What changed you?

What changed me the most was the overnight stay at the lodge next to the river. It made me appreciate my own home a lot more and it allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and accept nature. I had to learn to sleep with bats, termites, spiders, and moths around me while trying to be calm (something I could never have done before the trip).

 

15. What did you learn about another person on the trip?

I learned how Miguel could be less picky and be okay with a hotel that wasn’t 5 stars. I have always been a great friend of his, but I could have never pictured him so happy being out and around with nature like I saw in Costa Rica.

 

16. What did you learn about yourself during this minimester?

I learned that I could let go of my stress and I could enjoy my time while not spending it in an air-conditioned concrete room. I was happier than ever doing activities I would have never done spending my minimester week in Miami.