surreal
I'm speechless. I cannot believe that my 31 days in Costa Rica is over. It's a surreal feeling right now. I have been home for around 36 hours and it still has not totally sunken in. Did I really just live in someone else's home for 31 days? Did I really just tour Costa Rica and learn how to communicate better in the Spanish language? Yes, yes I did.
No Kuriegs in Costa RICA
...No dish washers either
Here is a photo of my Mama Tica making coffee one morning. When coffee (the drink itself) is made, they are made by hand and not with machines. Coffee grounds are put into gauze material bags with small holes. Extremely hot water is then poured into the coffee ground bag that is being held over the thermos. Each morning my Mama Tica would do this process for me to have 2-3 cups of coffee.
Check out the drying dishes in the background... theres no dish washers either! I am sure that some homes have them, but not mine. Each dish was washed by hand and then put in drying racks until the next meal.
Check out the drying dishes in the background... theres no dish washers either! I am sure that some homes have them, but not mine. Each dish was washed by hand and then put in drying racks until the next meal.
For real though, my Mama Tica made delicious meals!
This was one of my favorites- vegetarian soup, eggplant with tomato and cheese with rice and avocado. She cooked breakfast and dinner for us everyday and I can honestly say I could never complain...only that she fed me too much!
This was one of my favorites- vegetarian soup, eggplant with tomato and cheese with rice and avocado. She cooked breakfast and dinner for us everyday and I can honestly say I could never complain...only that she fed me too much!
Gold Museum
The last week we were in Costa Rica we visited the Gold Museum. We learned about why Gold was molded into different animals and the symbolic meaning behind them. Our group also learned a lot about different methods and how each process evolved!
National theater
Seriously how beautiful is this theater? Our group had a lot of fun touring the National Theater of Costa Rica after the Gold Museum. It was interesting to see how this theater was created after European styling. There really is not a bad seat either. There are still shows playing there most days of the week as well.
Free weekend
Our very last weekend in Costa Rica we were given 3 free days to plan our own "vacation" that we wanted. A group of students, 22 of us, planned a weekend to Puerto Viejo! It was about a 5 hour bus ride from San Jose, but it was very worth it. I am so glad I chose this place to adventure in. I stayed in my very first hostel, and it is "Selina." For those of you who do not know what hostels are- my room had 18 beds, 8 occupied by students in my group and the other beds occupied by strangers! That's the hostel life- usually full of backpackers from all over the world. Selina was beautiful, just a short walk from the beach, served amazing food- check out my chicken sandwich! They had a local band on Friday night and a live DJ Saturday night with fire-throwing entertainment. We also had a baby sloth right on our hostel property!
This was my first and only time seeing a sloth in person and I couldn't have been better!
FINAL EXAm
After all the fun in Puerto Viejo- we all had to come back and prepare for our final exam on Wednesday. Our final included speaking for 5 minutes (in Spanish), a listening comprehension, and a written content portion. Over all, I believe I did very well, I am waiting on my final results right now.
But... I did graduate! My professor Jennifer could not have been more informative, jokingly when appropriate, and open-minded.
But... I did graduate! My professor Jennifer could not have been more informative, jokingly when appropriate, and open-minded.
One final supper- Ram luna
For a final celebration, our entire group drove to the Ram Luna restaurant for dinner and a traditional folklore performance. It was incredible- the views, the people, the food, and the performance. First, there were people from all over the world there with us tonight- China, France, Australia, Indiana, California, and more! I got goosebumps as the announcer shared where groups came from that night. Next, as you can barely see in the middle picture- the restaurant had the best view of San Jose. Not only did we see the providence of San Jose, but also Cartago and Alajuela AND the Irazu Volcano! The restaurant was a buffet style but very classy. I got three plates (shhh) it was amazing food! To conclude the evening, there were 8 performers who came onto a small stage and performed for about 20-30 minutes of traditional Costa Rican folklore dances. They did an incredible job.
2 strangers turn family
About two weeks into my trip, my host family and I were talking about who is in our family and more about them. It was at this time that I pulled out a framed picture of my family and talked about my mom, dad, and sister. After we finished our discussion I told my family that the frame was for them and from then I had not seen it after until the day before my departure. In the hallway of my host families home, there is a three tier shelf containing pictures of my host mom, Guiselle's, parents, children, and grandchildren. As I was packing up my suitcase, walking past, I spotted my family picture right along with Guiselle's family. It hit me hard. How amazing is it that two people of different cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, and even languages can come together and become family? I think its incredible and I love the bond I created with my host family. Guiselle knows I will be back to see her soon!