"Green Gold" - Thursday, February 21, 2019

Today our Cardinal Travelers headed to La Fortuna Waterfall Ecological Reserve located just outside of the quaint town of La Fortuna. A piece of "green gold" that is hidden, yet sustains the local community.  The waterfall is visited by more than 1000 tourists a year, who come to enjoy this piece of heaven.  The pure waters of the La Fortuna Waterfall and its 230 feet of height, reflect the magnificent power of Mother Nature. Our students spent time in harmony with this natural resource learning about its coexistence with the fish which nurture the crystalline waters.

Now available in every grocery store in every state in both fresh and canned varieties, pineapples were once so sought-after in colonial times that people would actually rent them for a day to use as a party decoration. At one point in history, the pineapple was literally too expensive to eat! The pineapple gained its prestige with the age-old equation of supply and demand making it symbol of royal privilege, and then later it became the meaning of welcome, friendship, and hospitality. Our students experienced that hospitality as guests at an organic pineapple plantation. They explored the fields where they are grown, learned about harvesting and its supply chain, and how this crowned gem plays an important role in Cost Rica's  farming and economy.