Costa Rican Sunrise

The past three days in Costa Rica have been filled with breathtaking sights and harsh realities. I arrived in sunny San Jose after a draining day of traveling and an extra long layover in Miami. During the bus ride from the bustling airport to the small town of Ciudad Colon, almost immediately I witnessed the effects of globalization in a tiny country like Costa Rica. Sprawled across the gorgeous greenery was a highway, a new facet of the town within the past decade. Alongside the mountainous countryside were staples of American culture such as McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Applebee's, and Taco Bell. Stores and banks catered to tourists, which resonated with our development reading on ecotourism.

Once in Ciudad Colon, we drove down a rocky dirt road heading to our home for the next three weeks. Myself with five other girls were welcomed by Pablo and Antonia, our host parents. The home we were staying in was a vast complex of land. Costa Rica is a collectivist culture which values close-knit relationships and family bonds. Past the rustic gates to our future home were a half dozen houses for the entire family; aunts, uncles, cousins, children and grandparents all lived together. Abuelita and and Abuelo were in charge of the small home I would be staying in with two other girls. Our house was small and cozy but the developing status of the country was clear. Although we had basic necessities, many pleasures we take for granted as Americans were not available to us; hot water, air conditioning, paved roads, effective sanitation, and clean water. Bugs of all shapes and sizes flooded our rooms and high levels of humidity became a new constant. But our house quickly became a home, corny I know.

Abuelita makes breakfast and dinner for us each day. Costa Rican culture centers meals around a large lunch in the middle of the day. Most meals have consisted of differing variations of rice, beans, and meat - protein everyone! Abuelita also fills our refrigerator with different types of juice she makes that morning. Today, we had guava juice with our breakfast toast! She is full of hospitality, and is insulted if we clean our dishes or make our own beds. Our house has beautiful views of the mountains and lush, green trees that fill the valley where our university is located.

This is just one of the views from our balcony, the picture does not do the landscape justice! The bright tiles, lively trees, and mountains in the distance make it worth it to wake up at 5:30 a.m. (Costa Rican time of course) to the local roosters!! More pictures of our home and local community views to come soon!