Trekking Locally

View from our home in Ciudad Colon

5:30 a.m.

Sharp. 

That's when the local roosters begin to crow each morning. Although waking up at dawn seemed a daunting task at first, my personal wake up call has helped Costa Rica feel like home. 

The start of our dirt road

Bright and early I, along with my roommates, say goodbye to our home (and our spectacular view seen above) for our trek into town. We walk down the road together to our bus stop. On the way we pass mountains and trees, worker ants and stray dogs, and feel the high levels of humidity sink into our bones. Our bus ride takes us into town to start our ride to UPEACE campus. We traverse up and down the steep mountains, through rickety bridges, over creeks and ravines, and past coffee plantations that continue as far as the eye can see. Finally we arrive to a campus with a long day ahead of us. Around 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. is spent at the university; guest lectures, discussions, and study hours fill the majority of our days.

Our bus stop called "the end of the pavement"

Soon our time of departure arrives and our cohort flocks to the university shuttle, reminiscent of jam-packed AU shuttle's on their way to the Tenleytown metro. Except our ride provides a much more scenic view rather than just passing the Japanese embassy and the Department of Homeland Security -- although that DC path is nice as well.

We opt to get off the shuttle in town in hopes to explore the local community of Ciudad Colon. After a quick trip to the SuperMora, our group discovered a delicious local bakery in town. Mus Anni, a community staple, was filled with yummy treats at a great price. I bought two treats just for 800 colones. That's less than two dollars!

Coffee fields on the way to UPEACE

Unfortunately our explorations always come to a quick end. From May to February is the rainy season in Costa Rica. Costa Rica divides its seasons into two, the rainy season and the following dry season. Around four p.m. each day ignites a ferocious downpour continuing into the night. This constant rainfall makes it difficult to search for interesting places in town, but we will continue regardless! A consequence of living in Costa Rica during the start of the rainy season is the subsequent arrival of bugs. I have seen variations of so many flying insects and critter crawlers that I hope to never see again! Hopefully our weekend trip to Monteverde provides an escape from some of my new friends!