Tico Times

 

Manuel Antonio

As we spend our last few days here in the wonderful city of Heredia, I am extremely appreciative for every part of this experience. I can think back to the first day when dodging rocks, glass, huge potholes, and trying not to get hit by a bus on our walk to school felt extremely unnatural and challenging. Even though we may still stick out and clearly look like "Gringas" on our walks to and from the ULatina, the route has become increasingly more routine and normal. We have become accustomed and know exactly what to expect. We have had the chance to learn more about Tico culture in and outside of the classroom. From the start our host family showed us how close they were to each other and how accepting they were of us. We have been able to get a peak into their daily routines, their values, and their attitudes about life. We see how they cook, how much time they spend together, and listen to their discussions about the way they see the world. I have embraced the way Ticos live and have made an effort to become apart of their culture and enjoy their way of life, even if it is only for the time being.

Aside from getting to know more about the lives of Ticos, we have all experienced more of the Costa Rican cutlure. We toured San Jose and Pueblo Antiguo to learn about the history of their culture and government, we experienced a huge part of their culture in action at the Soccer game, swam in the gorgeous waterfall at La Fortuna, and saw the biodiversity as we spotted animals some of us have never seen before. For a Country about the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica has an immense amount of biodiversity and land preserved in National Parks. It is amazing that just a couple hours out of the industrialized capital you can find waterfalls, volcanoes, and toucans flying around. As I listened to the sounds of nature in the rainforest and experienced the beauty of Irazu, the Poas volcano, and La Paz, I have gained a greater admiration and respect for nature. As we experienced some of the night life in Heredia we can tell that people our age here have some of the same interests. We may dress and look completely different, however we have many of the same interests, issues, goals,  and some of the same daily routines. Some things are in fact the same in every culture.

With the exception of the few visions I had from photos I've seen of Costa Rica, I did not know what to expect before coming here. You can imagine, envision, and wonder all you want about another culture, but you will never really understand it until you experience it. If anything I was surprised at the friendliness and calmness of the people we have encountered. Nothing seems to ever be a problem and no one is ever in a rush; PURA VIDA! Although at times it is difficult to communicate and find the perfect words and phrases in Spanish to match what I am trying to express, it is rewarding conversing with people and learning about them using their native language. 

As we leave Hereida behind,  I will miss our family, our group dynamic, our routines, classes at the ULatina, the wonderful excursions exploring the Country, and the unique and crazy things we discover each day. It's hard to think that we may never see some of these people or places again; however, I have every intention of returning one day to the Country and culture I have grown to love!

Arenal Weekend

This weekend our group had the wonderful opportunity to visit Arenal. The Arenal Volcano is located in the province of Alajuela near La Fortuna. Until 2010, the Volcano was the most active in Costa Rica. It began erupting in 1968 after 400 years of inactivity and continued until 2010. Due to geothermal activity beneath Arenal, the volcano has heated hot springs surrounding it. We were lucky to experience these hot springs in the area we stayed.

We left for Arenal on Friday afternoon and after about 4 hours we arrived at our hotel, Arenal Paraiso. We all settled in our rustic-looking cabins spread out with close proximity to their hot springs. Even though it was cloudy and a little rainy we explored the hot springs area and got excited for the weekend. For dinner we went into the nearby town of La Fortuna where most of us enjoyed typical Costa Rican meals with fruit for appetizers and tres leches for dessert. After dinner we headed back to the hotel where many of us spent time hanging out in the cabins with each other. The next morning we slept in until about 8am and headed to breakfast to start our day. When we woke up we were surprised to see the Volcano from our window! It was sunny and clear and you could see it and the smoke perfectly in the distance. Only then did we realize just how close we were to the volcano.

La Fortuna Waterfall

Our first stop of the day was La Fortuna Waterfall. It was a super steep hike down to the waterfall; luckily we were all prepared and filled with excitement as we made our way down. Once we reached the bottom we could not wait to jump in and swim in the waterfall! We swam and relaxed for about an hour before we made the trek back up to the top. Then we headed back to La Fortuna for lunch; whereas I chose to eat a vegetarian casado some of my classmates were happy to enjoy an American style burger. After lunch we made a quick stop back at the hotel and then headed to Baldi, about 10 minutes away, to enjoy their hot springs. We spent over two hours relaxing in the various hot springs and experiencing the Wet Bar. It is crazy how  hot the water gets from geothermal heat. Some of us were switching from the hot springs to the cooler pools to keep from over heating. After a relaxing day we had dinner at Baldi altogether and then headed back to our hotel. We were all spending time together when we heard the noise of music in the distance. We followed the music down the road and encountered a family party of Ticos. Although we were obviously tourists just exploring, the family welcomed us to dance and talk. There was about 20 of them all just dancing and celebrating two birthdays. They lived in a very small place and they were super friendly. One of the younger kids told me they had lived there for 15 years. Many of us were shocked at how friendly and welcoming they were. In our culture we are definitely not used to people having foreign strangers come into their homes. For the most part people here are more laid back, easy going, family oriented and have a unique ability to enjoy their lives no matter how much they have.

Aside from enjoying more of the beautiful nature of Costa Rica, this weekend we had the opportunity to experience more of the culture of Ticos. The saying "Pura Vida" has become apparent as we have seen how people here are so full of life. 

Arenal Volcano in the distance

Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Although we prepared for a possibility of rain and cold before touring the Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall gardens last Sunday, we got lucky once again and explored nature on a gorgeous, sunny day. First we ventured to the Poas Volcano early in the morning. This Volcano is located Northwest of San Jose and has the largest active crater in the world! The park is actually 13,800 acres, or 16 times as big as Central Park in New York City. We prepared for the hike up to the top of the volcano. After we enjoyed the view of the crater and learned about the history of the Poas Volcano, we hiked up to the top where we saw a beautiful turquoise lake. The hike was filled with luscious trees and distinctive sounds of birds. Poas is active, however the most recent period of eruptive activity ended in 1954. We learned that eruptions in the past have killed many of the inhabitants and affects the agriculture. The lower slopes of the Poas volcano are covered with fruit farms and huge ornamental flower farms.

Lake at the top of Poas Volcano

Poas Volcano

After our lovely hike at the Poas Volcano we made our way to La Paz Waterfall gardens. Here we enjoyed lunch in the pretty environment filled with humming birds, waterfalls, and other crazy animals. We got to see monkeys, tucans, butterflies, snakes, a jaguar, and more. Mario, our awesome tour guide, told us everything he knew about these species and showed us the breath taking waterfalls. In total La Paz has 5 waterfalls and it receives about 14 to 15 feet of rain each year. We were lucky to walk around and enjoy just the splashes of refreshing water coming from the waterfalls.

La Paz Waterfall

The sound and the view of the waterfalls are amazingly peaceful and I felt as though I could stay there and explore forever! I also really enjoyed seeing all of the different animals and just walking through the rain forest. They have over 100 species of animals and claim that they are all rescued from the wild. A couple of us were thrilled we had the opportunity to hold Tucans.  It is awesome that they can serve as an educational source for people and curious tourists of Costa Rica. We went here to learn more about the species of animals that are living in this extraordinary country and to experience more of the wonderful nature it offers.

Visit to Sarchi

Last Saturday we visited a vibrant town called Sarchi; it is 18 miles from Alojuela city located in the central valley region of Costa Rica. Sarchi is known for its handiwork, mainly of the oxcart which has become a national symbol for Costa Rica. The initial use of oxcarts date back to over a century ago, when they were the main mode of transporting coffee bean to markets throughout the country. Sarchi is home to the largest oxcart in the world and has many intricate handicrafts and furniture stores. 

After we saw the oxcart, which is in the Guinness Book of World Records and hand painted intricately, we ventured to tour the Fabrica Eloy Alfaro. The area we drove through appeared to be more rural. Here we saw a water wheel that runs all of their equipment and learned more about the oxcart's history and purpose. I thought it was interesting that the oxcart is a national symbol for Costa Ricans because it represents hard work. They used to be their only means of transporting coffee beans out of the central valley to other parts of the country. In the early twentieth century, each oxcart started to become individually decorated so drivers could identify theirs. Oxcarts were also designed to sing a unique song when they rode by using a chime on the wheels. After our tour we had the opportunity to paint our own oxcart wheels. It was fun to see how everyone's design was different and they all had a distinct look.

Through exploring Sarchi I learned about the importance of the oxcart to Costa Ricans. Before I never thought twice about its history or purpose. After learning more I can appreciate the value oxcarts have for the history of the Country and the symbolic meaning of it today. It seems like Costa Ricans have always made the most of the resources they have available to them to live a better life.

Old Fashioned Culture

Last Friday evening we visited Pueblo Antiguo, just outside the capital city of San Jose. Pueblo Antiguo is a recreation of a Costa Rican town from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here they have restaurants, horses, cows, a church, and trains on rails that are reminiscent of the charming towns within Costa Rica in the late 1800s. The village of Pueblo Antiguo offers many events such as masquerades, circus parades, folk dances, and tours that seek to preserve the original culture of Costa Ricans.

 As soon as we arrived at Pueblo Antiguo I could immediately feel the colonial-like qualities of the town. Our guide was dressed up in costume and shared with us the premise of Pueblo Antiguo and some history of traditional Ticos back in the 1800s and early 1900s. After a brief tour we had the wonderful opportunity to see a traditional Latin American dance show. The costumes were beautiful and the traditional Costa Rican music was very lively. After we enjoyed the show the dancers brought people from the audience on stage to dance; they were filled energy and enthusiasm. Then we all made our way to dinner where we enjoyed a typical Costa Rican meal and watched as some of us had the opportunity to learn a traditional Spanish dance. It was definitely a fun night for everyone.

Pueblo Antiguo reminded me of Colonial Williamsburg; it is a recreation of what life was like for the people of Costa Rica years ago. The architecture and costumes of the people look similar to those of the Colonial time period. This park is an important asset to Costa Rica because it aims to preserve some of its history and teach both tourists and Ticos more about the wonderful culture in a charming and entertaining manner.

Irazu Volcano, Ujarras ruins, and Cartago

This past Sunday we traveled to see the Irazu Volcano, the Ujarras ruins, and the Basilica in Cartago. I was super excited to go to Irazu Park because it was my first time ever going to a volcano and I wasn't sure what to expect! Irazu is located in the Cordillera Central, about 15 miles East of San Jose. As we drove to Irazu, which is 11,260 feet in altitude above sea level, I was surprised at how different the land was. We began to see cattle and larger plants as we got closer to the clouds. There were fewer homes and it started to look more rural. As soon as we got off the bus we walked a bit to see a fabulous view of the volcano. It was not exactly what I expected, but it was still a beautiful view of the craters; it was a sunny and gorgeous day to be there. After our first views we decided to trek to the highest point. After about a half hour hike up to the top, I was thrilled with the view. It was not what I had anticipated a volcano to look like; the view was filled with the craters and the lake and beautiful clouds, but it did not look like a typical model of a volcano. The impeccable weather and view made the trek to the highest point worth it. I also learned that although there are few inhabitants in this environment, the slopes of the volcano are full of potato, onion, cabbage fields, and dairy farms-- all of these resources are important for Costa Rica's economy.

After the Volcano we stayed in the Orosi Valley to have lunch at the Cafetal La Casona. After enjoying our time at the buffet with a pretty lake area, we headed to the Ujarras Ruins. Here we saw many families spending the gorgeous afternoon in the park. We also saw the oldest Church that was built in the 1690s. It is surrounded by gardens and mountains. The ruins are reflective of how the first settlers began to civilize the natives hundreds of years ago in the Orosi Valley. I was surprised to see that many people visiting; beforehand I thought of the ruins as solely a tourist attraction. However, as we were exploring I realized it is also a park and a peaceful place for families and children to enjoy.

Our final stop of the day was the Basilica in Cartago. We happened to arrive there just as Sunday mass was finishing up. It also happened to be January 6th, Dia de Los Reyes Magos, or the Epiphany. For this reason I think there were more people at mass. I never thought about how religious people are here. I think the majority of people in Costa Rica have a strong faith. After we visited the Basilica, our host brother told us about the pilgrimage on August 2nd. On this day people will walk to the Basilica and may travel for up to 2 weeks to get there. Once they arrive they will go up to the alter on their knees to pray. I was surprised at how many people do this each year; it is interesting to see how religion is such a huge part of the Costa Rican culture.

On this excursion we had the opportunity to learn about the history of Costa Rica, see and experience the beautiful nature that the country has and preserves, and experience a little bit of the current daily lives of Costa Ricans. It was a long but terrific day exploring the culture of Costa Rica!

 Esther and I at the Irazu Volcano

 La Basilica

 Irazu Volcano

Ujarras Ruins

Our first days in Costa Rica!

 The view from el Museo Nacional

 Outside the Universidad Latina

As soon as we got off the plane in San Jose, we all immediately felt the drastic change in temperature. It was a hot, sunny, and beautiful afternoon; no complaints! I’d prefer 80 degrees in San Jose then 35 degrees in New York any day. Throughout the hour bus ride to the Universidad Latina we stared out the windows and commented at all the interesting things we noticed. We saw some familiar chains and some not so familiar things, like cows on the back of a truck. As we drove through downtown Heredia we waited anxiously to meet our host families. We arrived at the University, which seemed small from the outside and had distinctive green and white colors, and met our host mother, Marie. She greeted Esther and I and we drove less than 10 minutes away to move into our new beautiful Costa Rican home.

Before coming to Costa Rica I was told many ticos have dogs for protection; so when I saw they had an innocent looking toy poodle named Dixie with Christmas bows I was surprised! She is adorable. We settled into our rooms and had dinner with Marie and one of her sons, Jimmy. I was surprised at how acquainted our host family is with the states. Marie just returned from New York City for New Years and Jimmy lived in the states for four years. Even though her sons can speak English perfectly and even have an American accent, she encourages them to speak Spanish to us. We need all the practice we can get!

The next morning Marie served us tamal, a traditional Costa Rican breakfast that is made from corn, rice, and cheese served on Banana leaves-- something I definitely have never seen before! We also had delicious cafe con leche. Marie’s son, Billy, showed us how to walk to the University. The walk was a little shorter then we expected, only about 20 minutes, but the route was very unfamiliar. We walked through the residential area and cut through sports courts to get to the main road. I think we are beginning to get the hang of it. There are no street names so you really need to remember the area by the buildings and stores near it. After orientation and a tour in which we first saw the open, sunny, soccer field right outside the university we explored the mall. I was surprised to see many familiar American stores. However, the currency is not familiar. I am still confused when I see a “2 mil” bill in my wallet.

So far everyone I have met is super friendly. I am excited to explore more places in Costa Rica, learn about the culture, and see what opportunities this experience will bring to us!