Here is some of my work for High School A at Copey during spring 2021. I hope you enjoy my article and information about one of our beautiful places.
Samantha
Nauyaca Waterfalls. A Hidden Paradise.
This wonderful waterfalls are one of the principal landscapes in the south of Costa Rica. It´s a natural piece of art and a great place to spend the day with your family or friends; in here you can enjoy activities likes swimming, climbing, jumping and seeking the beauties of the tropical rainforest.
There are many tour options. You can choose hiking to get to the waterfalls; or they will take you by car; or the best option (at least for me) riding a horse. Once you get to the waterfalls you can enjoy of a good swim in the natural pool at the end of the waterfall.
They have food service so you don´t have to worry about your breakfast and lunch, but you should bring some snacks in your bag just in case, because the restaurant is far from the entrance and waterfalls. You can take this opportunity to make a nice picnic.
This place is great for a 1-day-trip or as a complement if you want to know the south of Costa Rica. It´s not so far from San Jose and a good option for making a stop in your way to Bahía Ballena; that´s what my family and I did and I totally recommend it.
Following is the story of my wonderful and revolutionary grandmother. I'm very proud of her and hope you will be amazed at her story, as I am.
Emilia Solís. Who is she?
Samantha Chinchilla
She is a 83 years old woman. Child number 10 out of 13 siblings. Mother of 4, a widow. Grandmother of 7. My grandmother.
She was born in San Marcos de Tarrazú in december 15th, 1937, but someone put “November” instead of “December” in her birth certificate. So, her birthday is November 15th. Her actual name is Abigail, but as she said “my brother Rodrigo wanted my parents to name me Emilia, they didn´t, the named me Abigail, but he didn´t care and called me Emilia since I was born, and I guess, eventually, my name became Emilia, and everyone knows me as Emilia”.
I´ve always seen her as a brave woman, she went through a lot of challenges but never gave up. As a child and when she was a teenager she had to work harvesting coffee and in her parents dairy.
“Since I was young I was visionary. In that time, you didn´t have many opportunities, especially women”. She grew up in the field, and when she was 27 she decided to move to the city of San José and work in a nursing home there. Bach then, women didn´t work outside of their houses and didn´t move far from their families until they got married. So that was a huge step and a very revolutionary action from her. “At first it was difficult, but my dad and brother´s visits and receiving letters from my boyfriend made those years more bearable”.
She worked there for about three years and returned to San Marcos a couple of days before her wedding. She got married to my grandpa Elías, in December 9th of 1967. After 9 years of relationship. She dedicated to the house work and he worked in the field. They had 4 kids. Ismael or better known as “Mayo”, Elías, Luis and Dora (my mom).
When my mom was nine months old her dad got sick. He was taken to the hospital one Monday and six days later, when my grandma was getting ready to visit him; her brother-in-law arrived with the announcement of my grandpa´s death.
“That was definitely the biggest challenge I had to face. Raising my kids on my own” she didn´t have any money, just debts. “my husband was young and full of projects; we would´ve never imagine that suddenly, that August 24th everything was going to change”. For the next 10 years she got her family through the situation using the heritage left very carefully. And she says “thank god; under my roof we never missed the food on the table and shelter for my children”.
Years later she decided to look for a job and she got one in the nursery home of our town. Which made the economical situation easier in her house.
“The loss of my husband left a mark in every way in my life, but I carried on, working humble and tirelessly and with God by my side. My biggest accomplishment is to see my children success. Mayo found prosperity in the US; he is now the owner of a Perkins restaurant. Elías is an oncologist doctor, Luis is a personal motivador and lecturer. And Dora is a psychologist.
Now, she has time to dedicate on things she loves. She has always taken care of animals and still has chickens. She loves her plants and has a beautiful garden. She loves going on small trips and spend time with her friends. “I feel happy and strong because regardless of difficulties I accomplished my goal. I´m blessed with a lovely family and good people that surrounds me. And I have seen my family grow, I have seven grandchildren now.”
Samantha Chinchilla
She is a 83 years old woman. Child number 10 out of 13 siblings. Mother of 4, a widow. Grandmother of 7. My grandmother.
She was born in San Marcos de Tarrazú in december 15th, 1937, but someone put “November” instead of “December” in her birth certificate. So, her birthday is November 15th. Her actual name is Abigail, but as she said “my brother Rodrigo wanted my parents to name me Emilia, they didn´t, the named me Abigail, but he didn´t care and called me Emilia since I was born, and I guess, eventually, my name became Emilia, and everyone knows me as Emilia”.
I´ve always seen her as a brave woman, she went through a lot of challenges but never gave up. As a child and when she was a teenager she had to work harvesting coffee and in her parents dairy.
“Since I was young I was visionary. In that time, you didn´t have many opportunities, especially women”. She grew up in the field, and when she was 27 she decided to move to the city of San José and work in a nursing home there. Bach then, women didn´t work outside of their houses and didn´t move far from their families until they got married. So that was a huge step and a very revolutionary action from her. “At first it was difficult, but my dad and brother´s visits and receiving letters from my boyfriend made those years more bearable”.
She worked there for about three years and returned to San Marcos a couple of days before her wedding. She got married to my grandpa Elías, in December 9th of 1967. After 9 years of relationship. She dedicated to the house work and he worked in the field. They had 4 kids. Ismael or better known as “Mayo”, Elías, Luis and Dora (my mom).
When my mom was nine months old her dad got sick. He was taken to the hospital one Monday and six days later, when my grandma was getting ready to visit him; her brother-in-law arrived with the announcement of my grandpa´s death.
“That was definitely the biggest challenge I had to face. Raising my kids on my own” she didn´t have any money, just debts. “my husband was young and full of projects; we would´ve never imagine that suddenly, that August 24th everything was going to change”. For the next 10 years she got her family through the situation using the heritage left very carefully. And she says “thank god; under my roof we never missed the food on the table and shelter for my children”.
Years later she decided to look for a job and she got one in the nursery home of our town. Which made the economical situation easier in her house.
“The loss of my husband left a mark in every way in my life, but I carried on, working humble and tirelessly and with God by my side. My biggest accomplishment is to see my children success. Mayo found prosperity in the US; he is now the owner of a Perkins restaurant. Elías is an oncologist doctor, Luis is a personal motivador and lecturer. And Dora is a psychologist.
Now, she has time to dedicate on things she loves. She has always taken care of animals and still has chickens. She loves her plants and has a beautiful garden. She loves going on small trips and spend time with her friends. “I feel happy and strong because regardless of difficulties I accomplished my goal. I´m blessed with a lovely family and good people that surrounds me. And I have seen my family grow, I have seven grandchildren now.”
Emilia Solis
grandmother of Samantha Chinchilla
See info about one of Samantha's favorite places below.........