Submitted by Dylan Scerri on the 2017 winter session program in Costa Rica sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…
Today was incredible. Today, I and the rest of the group woke up bright and early to climb the Irazú Volcano. Irazú is located in Cartago so we had a pretty long bus ride.
The trip there was beautiful and well worth the 6:30 am alarm. When we arrived to the volcano, I think I underestimated exactly how cold it would be. It was freezing! After I stepped off the bus, I was very grateful for my heavy rain jacket. The hike was amazing. It didn’t even feel like I was on the same planet! The craters looked like something out of a movie. As cliché as it may sound, I’ve never felt so alive. The air was cold, but the scenery was to die for. This was the first time I’ve ever even seen a volcano in real life! I’m still in awe at the beauty of Irazú. I also love Mario, he is such a great tour guide and is so informative. My favorite part about the trip to Irazú was hiking the last 15 minutes to the very top. The hike was not easy, the cold air makes it pretty difficult to breathe.We pushed through the brisk air and finally made it to the top. It was very cloudy at first, but for a brief moment the clouds separated and we could see the whole crater below us. I truly don’t think I will ever forget that moment, a picture could never do it justice. I can’t wait for our future adventures in Manuel Antonio. I am counting down the days!
