Costa Rica: Hanging Bridges

During the 2012 Winter Term (January 3-19), Dr. Arcea Zapata de Aston taught a travel class called Language, Culture and Diversity in Costa Rica. Three students took the class and kept a journal for the KWC blog. If you missed any entries, you can go to the aggregate page for a full account of the trip. You can also see a full photo gallery from the trip online (click “recent albums” to see day-by-day photos).

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Day 3

Tirimbina Lodge and Biological Reserve

Alex:  Today we moved hotels once again to the Tirimbina Lodge and Biological Reserve. This hotel is inside of the rain forest. There are even more plants and animals than at Hotel Robledal. When we arrived, we got to walk in the rain forest and explore. We got to see birds, porcupines, monkeys, bats, and many different insects. We also got to walk across a suspended hanging bridge.

Katie: TODAY I FACED A FEAR! Not going to lie, when I heard the words “rope bridge” two days ago, I thought they were kidding. Well, turns out I was the one who was wrong. Right after arriving at our second hotel of the trip, Hotel Tirimbina, we dropped off our suitcases and headed out the door.

Hanging Bridge

What did I come face to face with at the head of the trail? A “hanging bridge” – actually, it was made out of nothing but twisted metal wire and rusted laced metal sheets. I decided that I had to go. I had to try, if not for the class and opportunity to retell my experience, then for me, so that I can say that I, Katherine Elizabeth Scheck, walked high above trees and a rushing river.

Collin: Halfway across the bridge, I offered to have us all walk together, and I thought she was going to rip my bicep out, she was holding on so hard. Today I saw that fear is a very real thing, and it is something to be dealt with because you can’t just “get over it.”

The hanging bridge from below ...

Katie: Tomorrow holds in store more adventures in the beautiful escape that is Costa Rica. Buenas noches!

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