In 2004 or 2005 I took my first trip to Costa Rica. I wanted to try surfing so I chose to attend the Escuela del Mundo, School of the World. The school was founded in 1997 by Zach McDuffie, an American ex-pat from Georgia, I believe he said. It offers lessons in surfing, art, photography, yoga, and the Spanish language. I took their two week surfing/art program. I had a blast.
School of the World, Costa Rica – Surf Camp, Spanish Immersion, Yoga
This is the first of several posts I am going to make about this trip. This one will be about the school itself and our outings.
A partial group photo. In the front holding the dog is the head of the surfing program. Standing behind him is another surfing instructor. To his left is Rita, who was studying to be a midwife and was on her way to the Galapagos Islands. Standing on the far left is another surfing instructor. In front of me are two brothers from Long Island. In the middle in the far back is Tina, an elementary school teacher from Los Angeles. 
Arriving at the beach for surf lessons. We are literally locked inside the van. A surf instructor is trying to get the door open. 
I can’t remember her name but this woman is/was a lawyer from Manhattan. 
After the lesson, packing up and getting ready to head back to the school. 
Back at the school. 
Two classmates enjoying the sun and water. 
The head surfing instructor. 
Loading or unloading? Loading I believe. Getting everyone’s gear and person in the vans was a time-consuming process. The man in the front referred to it as “like herding cats.” 
Coming or going? Going I think.
