Week one complete. Boarded my flight out of Boston at 5 am on Monday the 12th, then boarded a connecting flight in Dallas, and found myself in San Jose, Costa Rica. I met with another MATE intern after customs, Emilia TopJohnson, who is on the same cruise. We grabbed food near the hotel and then turned in for the night, awaiting news of wether or not the other team members arriving the next day would be delayed by weather or not. Luckily they arrived on time with no issues, and we all made it onto the chartered flight out of San Jose to Golfito, where the ship is in port. Once in Golfito Emilia and I met many more members of the Alvin and Sentry teams, and we were well aquainted with our mentors by the end of the night. The next morning was a weight party which involves moving and stacking steel plates which are used on the Alvin submersible as ditchable weights. I enjoyed this laborous introduction to work on the ship. After that party we were free to explore the area. My roommate, my mentor, and I found a local dive shop and joined an expedition to two wreck sites. As someone with only cold water diving experience I will say that it will be difficult to go back. Today we had a packed day of working on pre launch tasks. I first assisted in securing spaces with line, and then I helped in the mechanic shop. For the majority of the day I helped the team install new parts onto water samplers which are used to take water samples from hydrothermal vents. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the time flew by. The team is very knowledgable, and more importantly helpful and positive with teaching me. Tonight is our last night in port, and we are scheduled to depart at 0930, but that could change. Until next time.