Lisa, Sophia, Maya and Katie are here in Antigua and we´d like to tell you that it is awesome and so is our group! We have seen many awesome things today. A bunch of cute boys came and kissed us on the cheeks many times after taking a picture with us (Lisa took it). Gotta love that southern courtship. Pretty soon we´re going to go eat delicious food and converse… Read More

Antigua!

Lizza and Ellen are exploring the beautiful city of Antigua at the momento. So far we have eaten banana bread, explored gorgeous ruins, and walked through the ever colorful markets. We win the scavenger hunt. The end. Mucho amor por nuestras familias en las estados unidos. Less than 3, Lizza and Ellen… Read More

First Post from a Foreign Land

After 24 hours of various transfers and flights we finally made it to our destination; Guatamela City Airport. We were promptly picked up by two vans which took us through Guatemala City, Antigua, and up into the surrounding mountains to our current location. The Earth Lodge is nestled high up in the clouds surrounded by a beautiful luscious forest, as well as numerous avacado and lime trees. The view was… Read More

Arrival in Guatemala

Hello Friends and Family of the Central America MAYA group, I just wanted to let everyone know that I’ve heard from group leaders Jess and Brent that the group has arrived safely in Guatemala and are settling in to the hostel outside Antigua where they will be for the next few days.  The group themselves will be posting updates from this point forward, so stay tuned for posts about their… Read More

Scavenger Hunt in Portland: An Adventure!

Hola, MAYA students! This is Jessica and Brent, checking in from Portland, Oregon, home of Voodoo Donuts, Powell’s Books, beautiful rose gardens, and of course, Carpe Diem Education. We found all of this out today on one of the mot epic Scavenger Hunts we have ever been on. Not only did we bike 15 miles through and across most of Portland’s 12 bridges across the Willamette River, but we visited… Read More

and a good time was had by all

Here is the real last post: our final week was AMAZING as we all studied and played hard to earn our PADI OPen Water Scuba Certifications on the Honduran Caribbean island of Roatan. We saw tons of tropical fish, sea turtles, felt jellyfish and more! The final night included a sunset cruise and sharing gratitude and celebration of our successful semester. Looking back we all learned a lot and pushed… Read More
Dear families and friend of the Spring 2013 Central America group, This spring’s Central America semester has come to an end!  We’ve heard from program leaders Michelle and Alex that after a lovely stay in Roatan, the group was seen safely to the airport and with a mixture of smiles and tears, are heading back to the US. Carpe HQ wishes everyone safe travels home. Our thanks to all our… Read More

Turtle loves me!!!!

Last week we were at the sea turtle conversation project. Our time at Nuevo Bacuare started with a beautiful boat ride (which looked very much like New Orleans) which would take up to the super small town that awaited us. We realized just how secluded of a town we were to find ourselves in when we loaded our food for the next five days into the boat with out packs. … Read More

San Jose feels like home…almost

Office Depot, Subway, Starbucks??? oh my! At least there are still street vendors and we have 2 weeks left until we click our heels together 3 times. Until then, we´ve safely arrived in San Jose for our wonderful last day of student directed travel before heading off to get to know some sea turtles…cowabunga! michelle 🙂… Read More

Gigante happenings

I’m sorry the pictures got out of order!     We climbed El Pie de Gigante during the week, which left us breathless from not only scaling an almost vertical trail but for the amazing sight we found at the top. The sunset pictures are from yesterday and Adrienne, Ally and I went fishing this morning.     Just wanted to share with you all that we are doing well.… Read More

Tiny Gigante

Here at Playa Gigante we had our last week of Spanish school, while volunteering at their school. We finished painting the kindergarden building while the locals joined in to help. After a hard days work of service we relax on the beautiful beach of Gigante and Amarillo, where the waves knock ya right on your bums. This next week we´ll be learning how to cook the local food, go fishing… Read More

Poop and Bugs: The story of Finca Bona Fide

Hello from Playa Gigante! Sorry for the long hiatus between posts. We haven´t had many opportunities for internet in the last couple of weeks. Last week the group worked hard on Finca Bona Fide on Ometepe Island. The farm´s main goal is to promote permaculture, or permenant agricultural, a practice of sustainable farming where the available resources are constantly reused as opposed to being used up as is in most… Read More

Sweat City in Leon.

  Dariana Language School has taught our group that Spanish classes in temperatures above 94 degrees are still bearable. We came closer to the burning sun by standing on the top of the biggest catedral in Central America, Catedral de Leon. If you can not stand the heat, get out of Leon – and head to the beach ASAP.            … Read More

Leon!

    The group is off to a successful country transition. Here we are at the largest cathedral in Central America and enjoying learning in our Spanish classes through Dariana Language School! Turn your head sideways to get the real perspective 😉 Read More