TAMALES

     This morning we went back to the Chilamate school expecting to work further on the playground, but because the students had classes today, we took advanage of the opportunity and organized games and activities to play with them. The first activity we played with the students was a name game. The language barrier was a bit of a problem but eventually was overcome. After that, to the extreme delight of the sudents came a game of soccer! Then we went into the cafeteria where the students were eating  arroz con pollo, which is a delicious, traditional meal composed of rice and chicken. Lastly, the sixth graders, the oldest in the school, arrived and we played enthusiastic and competitive English games

 
(Ivy and Pauline working on the tamales)

 

                                                         (a perfect finished tamale)   

This afternoon we participated in a very exciting activity, Costa Rican cooking lessons! We went to the house of a very kind woman named Olga who welcomed us into her home with open arms. Her house was very cool and we learned that most everything was created by her husband. We had a delicious lunch of arroz con pollo and a heart of palm dish that we used as dip with some tasty tortilla chips. We also had a great juice made from guanabana. After this appetizing lunch, we all sat on the outdoor porch and talked for a while. Then came the best part, making tamales! We used banana leaves as the base for a delicious mixture that you will see in the pictures. After half an hour and a lovely singing and guitar playing performance by Hannah and Lesley, the tamales were ready and to say the least tasted incredible! It was an amazing afternoon that we all feel so lucky to have had.



Enjoy,
Haley