Day 2: A Lesson on Cacao, Some Work in Town, and an Introduction to Research

 

We started our cultural conquest with an introduction to the history of cacao and its significance in Costa Rica and La Anita Ranch. We learned about the origin of cacao (upper Brazil/Colombia area), and how it traveled upward from there, all the way close to nearly the Mexican region. We discovered the regions where cacao can be harvested, and the places that Pablo exports his chocolate to. After listening intently to all of the hardcore facts and historical context, we got a taste for ourselves. After watching some of the process, we began by drinking a real hot chocolate (made from cacao nibs, sugar, chili, vanilla, and water... your child will definitely be bringing the recipe home), then got to a straight dark chocolate melted over pineapples, followed by a pure chocolate spread (similar to nutella consistency, but just chocolate), continued with two types of truffles, and finished with two solid bars of chocolate, 72% and 82% cacao content, served with chili pepper, sea salt, black pepper, basil, and Costa Rican mint (for our discretion to add). 

"I am so glad that you all are willing to try everything here today. Traveling is knowing." -Pablo

After our chocolate tasting, we went to see cacao beans in the fields. We followed Pablo to watch him slice a Heart of Palm tree with his machete. We agreed unanimously that it was very skillful and impressive. There were jaw drops. We followed this presentation by eating the Heart of Palm plant in a delicious ceviche salad, also made before our eyes by Pablo. 

After stuffing ourselves (which seems will be the normal here) with delicious food, we went about a kilometer down the road by tractor (slightly bumpy ride) to a local elementary school to move concrete blocks that will be used as a wall to protect the school. We successfully finished in an efficient hour. Following our impressive feat, Pablo treated us to sodas from the local "mall," a small everything-you-need shop.

Currently, we are awaiting our scientist teacher, Adrian Pinto, to introduce us to the topics of Leaf Cutter Ants and the goal of our projects. In our free time, we have completed a lot of reading, some card playing, and lots of good old fashion bonding. 

With love, 

--Maddy Tregenza and Victoria Boatwright (aka Maddog and vboat)