All in all a really lovely day, with smiles all around.

A brief respite on a passing log.

The kids were very keen on these action shots, of which I must have about 20, of them leaping off a small platform in to the water below.

Enjoying the crystal clear water after the sweaty hike.

A few of the students on arrival. Some began the day hesitant to get in the water, as an urban legend says that random whirlpools can suck you in and in fact the actual depth has not yet been ascertained, but at the end no one could resist. Those without swimsuits just went ahead in their uniforms.

A view of the laguna on the short, steep hike down to the crater's edge.

As a reward for a well-completed summer-session, a group of us organized a day trip for about 50 of the secondary students to the Laguna del Apoyo, a beautiful lagoon in the crater of the small volcano just outside the city. An older brother of one of the students provided transportation for all in the back of his pick-up truck. Here we are piling in.

Yours truly with Fatima (left) and Alison (in lap.)

Another preschool student, Luis, in a very typical shy and gentle moment.

Four of the some thirty total students in the preschool class with which I work. Alison, with a big smile as usual, in the back. Jordy on the left- a bit camera shy, it would appear, as he strikes similar poses in almost every photo I take of him. Ana Lucia in the middle, and finally Eliseo on the right.
Working with this sizable class of kids, from three to five years old, was admittedly daunting at first (and still presents its challenges), but I'm settling in nicely I think. It's a great pleasure for me to get to know each one's very unique personality a little more each day.