I have had a great time in Costa Rica so far! On our first full day, we spent time in Jaco, hanging out at the beach. On the drive there, we got our first view of the Zurqui Mountains and some of the volcanoes there. The country is gorgeous, covered with both dry forests and rain forests, which cover the country in lush green with some pops of pink from the native plants. In the mornings, you can see the clouds hovering over the mountain tops. Upon arriving in Jaco, I was surprised at how close together everything was. The buildings seemed to be right on top of one another. I was also surprised to learn that the beach sand was made from volcanic debris.
We also met our host families that day. My host mom is extremely nice and has made my roommate a variety of traditional foods to try. Most dishes consist of rice and beans, which are a staple here. Chicken is also a common dish here. However, the flavors are more savory, which makes trying the foods even more interesting. Something I was surprised to find was that open-air markets are common here. For example, one of the malls in Heredia, the Paseo de las Flores, has open hallways. Many buildings and houses also have slats in the windows to allow breezes to pass through the house.
We have been traveling around Heredia, where we are spending most of the trip. Some of the activities we have done so far have been a lecture, a dance lesson, a cooking class, a tour of a chocolate and coffee factory, and a tour of the Quitirrisi Indigenous Territory. I have learned a lot about Costa Rica and its culture and am excited to see what I learn in the coming week!
