Welcome back! While this week wasn’t spent at Ninos, we still saw Dr. Bogantes as we had two days of cadaver lab. Was it an interesting experience? Yes. Did it also freak me out a bit? Also yes. I’m glad that I got to have the experience and see that side of medical training, but I would not do it again. I had to step out at one point since passing out in the lab would be frowned upon, and like Dr. Howard said the first week, “You have to take care of yourself first and not become a patient”.
Aside from that, I have made a lot of progress on my project. I’ll save the photos for next week’s update, but I’ve gotten to make a low fidelity version of my device. It’s been nice to have a physical thing to manipulate and model as this project wraps up. In the same vein, I’ve sent the 3D print files to be printed and should have those pieces this week. The CAD turned out to not be so bad, and I’m glad to have gotten the practice. As for what I’m doing these next few weeks, I’ll be putting the final touches on my prototypes and going back to the EEG techs to get their thoughts on my project. I want to wait until I have my prints, so that I have a physical thing to show them. Past that, it will be working on my final presentation and write up, plus some general planning for the whole “I have one week once I get back to move to Texas”!
This weekend was our Girl’s Trip to Jaco! Since we didn’t have observations, we got to leave Friday morning and hit all the holiday traffic as it was Guanacaste Day. But, we made it to the Rainforest Adventures Jaco Park in one piece and got to ride the Ariel Tram. It was a cable car up a mountain that had incredible views of the rainforest and sight lines all the way to the coast. We also got to see some animals, including lizards, frogs, and a very camera shy sloth. After that, we went to the Butterfly Garden and one landed on me! It was so cool to see them up close and it reminded me of seeing monarchs in my Grandad’s flower garden as a kid. That evening, we spent relaxing on Playa Hermosa, a black sand beach that was literally across the street from our hotel. The sunset was beautiful, albit a little cloudy.
Saturday was jam-packed with a full day on Tortuga Island. And by full day, I do mean full as it took a 4am wake up, an Uber, a van, a bus, a speedboat, and 2 hours of travel to make it out there. But, it was well worth it, and not just because we saw dolphins on the boat ride out. Upon arrival, we got the chance to snorkel which I was initially concerned about since my eyesight is horrid without my glasses. Luckily, the fish got up nice and close so I could see them, and there were so many! Afterwards, we spent 4 hours lounging, moseying about, just generally relaxing and enjoying the beach. It was the perfect time to get some sunshine and catch up on my podcast (Destiny and Chicken, if you’re interested).
Sunday was a great end to the weekend. We had a slow morning that included free hotel breakfast and walking along the beach. Afterwards, we hiked to El Miro, because is it really a trip for us if we don’t hike something? El Miro is a viewpoint that is the unfinished hotel that overlooks the coastline. It was such a cool place to visit and it honestly surprised me. Afterwards, it was again fighting with the holiday traffic to make it back, but we once again survived.
I can’t believe that we’re wrapping up not only the project, but this summer as there’s less than 2 weeks until I fly back to the US! Until then, be sure to keep up with the rest of the Costa Rica crew by checking out Apple, Rei, and Connor’s blogs!