One Ladder Short . . .

As I write this at 5:30 AM, the sunrise is but a distant glow, I am sitting over  the back street in Samara at the Casa Esmeralda, with the ocean a cyclical roar in the distance.  It is quiet, peaceful but for a wailing dog and the start of the avian orchestra - unlike the evening before where the sunset was stunning, music and liquor flowed, the end of a fine day spent at the beach, the team's getaway weekend for the weeks' work.  Samara is a south facing cove on the Pacific side of the Costa Rican peninsula, a wide beach, robust waves at high tide, and a healthy dose of gringo/a's and tico/a's, and I suspect, ex-pats attracted by the easygoing lifestyle, having met several in a two days.

And work they have - this team.  So who are they?  A diverse group, permit me to introduce them, as they have organized themselves.

Gophers all, left to right rear: Carrie,  Jordan, Jack, Tayler, Peter, Aaron and Paul
Front: Ann-Marie, me, Amy and Bobby.  Where's Mullaney? Missing: Sarah on another translation adventure.  Taken on our Alejuela Culture and Construction tour.

 Our drafting team consists of Jack, Jordan, Paul and Aaron:   Jack the redhead, graced with a broad smile and prone to fits of animated excitement, especially when playing with the children we have met, is thus quite logically attached to the orphanage project .  His partner Jordan, who admitted he was formerly "ripped"  - as in muscular - slides easily into the conversations but with a studied air, and is driving the design of the orphanage.  Paul, a talented gangly tree at 6'3" is the tallest  (1/2" shorter than me)  and would likely qualify for the broadest smile on this team,  is driving the design of the women's center with buoyant enthusiasm.  Paired with Paul, Aaron, also tall (we have a few "trees" in this group) is focused and driven, with an easy smile, quick of hand and mouse as he magically transforms blocking studies before our very eyes.

Our estimating/scheduling team is clearly led by a former Navy man, Travis.  Prone to fits of studied perfection, his head is a gearbox, seeking precision and perfection in his estimating model, except when navigating a local tropical drink - his guard goes down, his eyes widen, excitement rising.  He is partnered with Peter, always "on", ever-animated, excited, and once with love-struck eyes, exclaimed upon the extraordinary beauty of Paola.  And on that he would be correct.  Bobby is the sleeper, enjoying the fact that he can sleep to the last possible minute, and with a freely given smile enthusiastically track down a cost estimate or a good pizza.

We have an unusual tandem in our group, Carrie and Tayler, mother and daughter, a very rare occurrence on a university program of this type.  Clearly both very good friends; my initial concerns about having a mother daughter team on this trip, where I know a party atmosphere can erupt at a moment's notice, were unfounded.  It is interesting to note their polarity.  Carrie, assisting the estimating team and writing the proposal for the women's center, is quiet and studious, an accountant, and a purposeful listener, who suddenly erupted at a design meeting with a suggestion that sparked a solution.  Tayler, perhaps a match for Paul in the smile department (for I have been told that she is rarely without one), is a diminutive bundle of energy with a focused passion for her tasks, is naturally excited to be the project manager for the women's center, demonstrating  a passion for their mission.

We have two "consultants" to our team, Sarah and Ann-Marie, yet another pair of tall "trees".  Sarah, a student in Spanish translation, is quiet and admittedly quite shy, but will jump into her role with a concentrated determination and grace, with much appreciative support from her teammates, as she learns this new field of construction industry terminology.  And speaking of grace, Ann-Marie is grace and devotion personified, and might easily be voted "best dressed".  With a camera constantly at the ready, shooting perhaps hundreds of frames a day, she moves about her task as interior designer to both teams with studiously determined interest, passion, and a Mona Lisa smile, but belying her demur nature, can wickedly demolish any of the gents on the ping pong table.  We  have shared our mutual love of photography, comparing shots as part of the "walking" club.

John, the other project manager for the orphanage, is mysterious, clearly driven to the beat of a different drummer, and is usually always late.  The "where's Mullaney" comment has come up often, he can be found drinking a white milk and protein substance, running earlier than any of us rise, and to his credit, is prone to wandering off and just talking with the locals without fear or particularly strong Spanish language skills.

I know Amy well as we are teamed on the Honduras orphanage projects. Amy is finishing her degree through Metro State and needed a Capstone experience.  As senior project manager, a role quickly assigned by her teammates as the most experienced in the group, she is a quiet, smiling, efficient yet engaging leader, fitting in easily with this group, wrapping her head in both projects with delight and determination.

We are further joined by two other students visiting Costa Rica for their own personal missions.  Crystal, a student from UW Oshkosh volunteering at the same orphanage we are working on, and likely the youngest cheesehead in this group, is slowly, quietly if perhaps a bit shyly, finding her place among this team.  Beverly, a graduate student from Maryland, is raw mojo personified, quick to dance, laugh, tease, yet is passionately dedicated to her mission teaching the women of Baho Tehares much needed skills in money management at the women's center.

This group has gelled well, finding common ground in a variety of endeavors - a morning walking club dedicated to a 6 AM wander on beach or very steep slopes, the sport fishing club bringing home not one but two Mahi-Mahi.  The surf club, doing more in the manner of body surfing than actual surfing, and the reader-loungers finding simple pleasures in a book on the beach.  And of course, the consumption of mojitos seems to lubricate their souls.

As for me, I have found this experience of the first week and weekend very satisfying, with great conversations, experiences  and "teaching moments"  wrapped in discourse, fueled by the student's unbridled energy and enthusiasm for their work . . . . and play!  And, as you can see below, I support students in any way I can, even when short one ladder to seek "higher learning"! 

Tayler, head and shoulders above!