This is our last day in San Jose, which is my favorite place by far. I really do love this city, while most of my classmates may disagree. This morning, we've had our last encounter with Joaquin. I'm going to miss his crazy self and all the help that he gave us to navigate around this city. I’m also going to miss the liveliness of the city, people moving from quickly all over and driving crazy, as well as getting food whenever we want by walking to the local Mas y Menos (a Costa Rican grocery chain)!
Joaquin began the discussion by asking us to reflect on our expectations of Costa Rica and our actual experiences in the country. We were 30-40 minutes into our discussion when were visited by Daniella, who works with the Media Observatory on migrants and refugees. She was invited to speak with us because of her expertise as a media, race, and culture critic. After her introduction, Daniella shared with us facts and information about the portrayal of migrants from Nicaragua and Colombia, and Ricans from the Caribbean in the media. These ideas of racial profiling and prejudice are very similar to those that we have in the United States. Migrants are often portrayed in a very negative light, and even small crimes committed by an individual of a certain race are put in the forefront of magazines, newspapers, websites, and television news castings.
As an employee of the Media Observatory, Daniella explains to our class how the local diversity and its reality have been made invisible, and that many media outlets are responsible for the prejudices that people develop as a result of what they see and hear in the news. Health, security, and education, which are some of the concurrent issues covered in Costa Rican media, have been depicted as being on a decline because of the migration of Colombians and Nicaraguans into the country. Multiple times on our trip it has been revealed the that both overt and covert racism have been directed towards to these migrants, and sadly, it makes a lot of sense how these ideas are perpetuated through the media.
As Dr. Vanessa Smith from the University of Costa Rica told us in her discussion last week, many Costa Ricans have had very minimal, if any , interaction with individuals of other nationalities, ; therefore, these perceptions must have come from some place where the information is easily accessible. Perception is reality and has harmed these migrants in many ways. It is so sad to know that this happens all over the world. Of course, we have our own history of prejudice and racism in the United States, but for some reason, it still amazes me that racism is still so prevalent in other countries as well.
As the day progressed, we lounged around and casually discussed our topics and ideas for our presentations, which are to be given while we are on the UGA’s campus in San Luis. We are such college students, waiting until the last moments to brainstorm and complete our tasks, but we have gathered so much information on a daily basis and have countless facts and observations to complement what e have learned thus far during our program. My group’s topic is “Stereotypes in Costa Rica and beyond,” while the other group’s works work will be on the proximity of affection, as well as the perception of beauty and appearance. I am excited to see what we all come up with and when we put all of our perceptions of the information together and present it to our class.
Well, we had class at the end of the day, our final class session of the program! To wrap up the term, Dr. Harris asked for us to write down five things we have learned and will adapt into our daily lives once we return to the US. Here is my list:
1)STOP making generalization
2)Make a conscious effort to see past race and embrace other’s cultural differences and backgrounds
3)Go to events, programs, etc that are different from what I am used to, such as the AOPi house with Carly
4)Have much more patience with people and things
5)Find the positivity in ALL the things that I have; be grateful
Some of us made comments about being more critical as consumers, sharing new ideas with family and friends, and being more self-reflective. I am so proud of how far we all have come on this trip thus far. We’ve learned so much and I only pray that we will continue to apply this knowledge as we come back to the “real” world.
Yours Truly,
Bianca Wilson-Price
Friday, July 1, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011: Do You Know the Way to San Jose?”
Hi, friends and family. My name is Stacy and I am a doctoral student in the Communication Studies department at UGA. I am happy to finally have the opportunity to blog about my experiences on this trip. I became interested in this trip largely because I believe in Dr. Harris’ mission. Dr. Harris’ dedication to the area of interracial communication and commitment to teaching and pedagogy is inspiring and helps me remember why I am choosing this path to academia myself. I can say that, aside from a few wardrobe choices, I have no regrets about this program.
Today was certainly a day of reflection. At the very least, we had plenty of time for it. Because we are traveling, we have no classes or activities planned. This has given others the opportunity to read or catch up on sleep, but for me, it affords me the opportunity to reflect and ponder what this program has meant to me on a more personal and intimate level. (I must mention, however, that we did stop by the Crocodile Man (Tarzan Tico’s) restaurant and tourist site for lunch. I don’t know that I necessarily wanted to see him in action and fighting with the gargantuan crocodile that refused to surface in the lake, but it was an interesting stop in our long travel day.)
This morning we leave Talamanca for San Jose, with heavy hearts. We have made great friends, great memories, and, we hope, a lasting impression with the school where we did our service learning. At breakfast, we heard the news that Armondo, our driver, went to Casa Calateas to pick us up instead of Namu Woki and the bus got stuck on the road leading to it. Thankfully, ATEC sent a tractor to get him out! When he arrived at out resort, he seemed shaken, but was in good spirits. Although we got a later start than anticipated, it’s PURA VIDA, so we went with the flowI am able to see how cultural dimensions range on a continuum. When we first arrived, we thought San Jose was more laid back than the U.S. Here, we find San Jose to be much faster and more high-strung than Talamanca. We are able to see how Talamanca represents a co-culture within what we know as Costa Rican culture
Prior to our departure, we completed a questionnaire for ATEC so they can work to improve their programs. This survey required us to think back on each activity and rate its enjoyment and its relevance to our course. This opportunity to reflect on our activities individually allowed me to think about how even the more mundane things (like eating at a restaurant) tell us something about the Caribbean culture. Upon reflection, one thing really struck me. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all come from privileged backgrounds that tend to make us less appreciative of the small (and more valuable) things in life.
This revelation came as our day began to unfold. We woke early this morning to finish packing, eat breakfast, and head back to San Jose. Namu Woki had been our little slice of paradise for six, days, and while we all loved the luxurious accommodations, for me, the resort was a stark reminder of the privilege I enjoy at home and here, as a tourist. Each day we immersed ourselves in the cultures of Caribbean coast; cultures comprised of people that are proud of what they have, that live in unity with nature, and that represent (at least in my mind) the very essence of a true community. Although I feel privileged to have the opportunity to tour here, to study here, and to stay in such beautiful accommodations all the while, I have been wondering what it means to be privileged. I think back to the homes I visited (some smaller than my bungalow at Namu Woki), the schools we visited (not much larger than the poolside dining room), and the people we talked with.
By the looks of things, I could feel guilty for the privilege I enjoy, or the privilege afforded to those living in the Central Valley. As a white woman, I am grappling with how to manage my white privilege. I expected to have similar challenges here. Instead, I found that the people of Talamanca felt something else for us. Generally, they were so content (dare I say happy) with their lives that they felt sorry for us. Many of the things we view as privileges (e.g. money, careers, nice homes, cars, access to media, technology) are seen to complicate our lives in ways that divide communities and keep us moving so quickly that we take life (and the people in it) for granted.
How many times a day do we think, “ I would love to do that, but I just don’t have time”? Not having time is not something the people here can understand. Costa Ricans have a polychromic orientation to time, which means that punctuality isn’t as valued as in our culture and time blocks are longer. It also means that Costa Ricans always have time for something. Some classmates told the class about a conversation with a local during which a student said the common utterance, “We don’t have time for that.” She said that the local just could not understand.
I am leaving Talamanca with a new perspective. Although recognizing my privilege is essential when I travel to other places, it is also important to think about what privilege means. Many of the things that mark me as privileged just aren’t valued here. I found myself feeling envious of the people of Talamanca and their approach to life and living. Nevertheless, I continue to be grateful for the things we have: advanced medicine, education, technology, etc. I will continue to be at odds with nature [read bugs], but I hope to take away some of the values of the beautiful simple life where time isn’t necessarily such a fixed commodity, community matters, and I live with my environment instead of in competition with it.
In all, I have learned a great deal about myself since being here and have also learned to question some things I once thought I knew about myself. I don’t have answers for some of these questions and don’t know what they mean for our increasingly global society, but I am grateful for the growth this opportunity has afforded me. Hasta luego, Talamanca! It has been both a pleasure and a privilege.
-SAW
Today was certainly a day of reflection. At the very least, we had plenty of time for it. Because we are traveling, we have no classes or activities planned. This has given others the opportunity to read or catch up on sleep, but for me, it affords me the opportunity to reflect and ponder what this program has meant to me on a more personal and intimate level. (I must mention, however, that we did stop by the Crocodile Man (Tarzan Tico’s) restaurant and tourist site for lunch. I don’t know that I necessarily wanted to see him in action and fighting with the gargantuan crocodile that refused to surface in the lake, but it was an interesting stop in our long travel day.)
This morning we leave Talamanca for San Jose, with heavy hearts. We have made great friends, great memories, and, we hope, a lasting impression with the school where we did our service learning. At breakfast, we heard the news that Armondo, our driver, went to Casa Calateas to pick us up instead of Namu Woki and the bus got stuck on the road leading to it. Thankfully, ATEC sent a tractor to get him out! When he arrived at out resort, he seemed shaken, but was in good spirits. Although we got a later start than anticipated, it’s PURA VIDA, so we went with the flowI am able to see how cultural dimensions range on a continuum. When we first arrived, we thought San Jose was more laid back than the U.S. Here, we find San Jose to be much faster and more high-strung than Talamanca. We are able to see how Talamanca represents a co-culture within what we know as Costa Rican culture
Prior to our departure, we completed a questionnaire for ATEC so they can work to improve their programs. This survey required us to think back on each activity and rate its enjoyment and its relevance to our course. This opportunity to reflect on our activities individually allowed me to think about how even the more mundane things (like eating at a restaurant) tell us something about the Caribbean culture. Upon reflection, one thing really struck me. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all come from privileged backgrounds that tend to make us less appreciative of the small (and more valuable) things in life.
This revelation came as our day began to unfold. We woke early this morning to finish packing, eat breakfast, and head back to San Jose. Namu Woki had been our little slice of paradise for six, days, and while we all loved the luxurious accommodations, for me, the resort was a stark reminder of the privilege I enjoy at home and here, as a tourist. Each day we immersed ourselves in the cultures of Caribbean coast; cultures comprised of people that are proud of what they have, that live in unity with nature, and that represent (at least in my mind) the very essence of a true community. Although I feel privileged to have the opportunity to tour here, to study here, and to stay in such beautiful accommodations all the while, I have been wondering what it means to be privileged. I think back to the homes I visited (some smaller than my bungalow at Namu Woki), the schools we visited (not much larger than the poolside dining room), and the people we talked with.
By the looks of things, I could feel guilty for the privilege I enjoy, or the privilege afforded to those living in the Central Valley. As a white woman, I am grappling with how to manage my white privilege. I expected to have similar challenges here. Instead, I found that the people of Talamanca felt something else for us. Generally, they were so content (dare I say happy) with their lives that they felt sorry for us. Many of the things we view as privileges (e.g. money, careers, nice homes, cars, access to media, technology) are seen to complicate our lives in ways that divide communities and keep us moving so quickly that we take life (and the people in it) for granted.
How many times a day do we think, “ I would love to do that, but I just don’t have time”? Not having time is not something the people here can understand. Costa Ricans have a polychromic orientation to time, which means that punctuality isn’t as valued as in our culture and time blocks are longer. It also means that Costa Ricans always have time for something. Some classmates told the class about a conversation with a local during which a student said the common utterance, “We don’t have time for that.” She said that the local just could not understand.
I am leaving Talamanca with a new perspective. Although recognizing my privilege is essential when I travel to other places, it is also important to think about what privilege means. Many of the things that mark me as privileged just aren’t valued here. I found myself feeling envious of the people of Talamanca and their approach to life and living. Nevertheless, I continue to be grateful for the things we have: advanced medicine, education, technology, etc. I will continue to be at odds with nature [read bugs], but I hope to take away some of the values of the beautiful simple life where time isn’t necessarily such a fixed commodity, community matters, and I live with my environment instead of in competition with it.
In all, I have learned a great deal about myself since being here and have also learned to question some things I once thought I knew about myself. I don’t have answers for some of these questions and don’t know what they mean for our increasingly global society, but I am grateful for the growth this opportunity has afforded me. Hasta luego, Talamanca! It has been both a pleasure and a privilege.
-SAW
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
So You Think You Can Serve?!
I must say that today would have to be the most mentally tiring day for me. It is our final lap at Puerto Viejo; it is truly bittersweet. We began the day with our service-learning project at the La Playa Chiquita School, where we assisted with the completion of the decorative window construction on the school's newest building. After horseback riding yesterday and being sore, physically uncontrollable ailments, and the humidity of this beautiful city, it took much mental control to overcome my personal emotions and dealings to accomplish my assigned task. I had been instructed to create a mosaic of glass pieces in an already creatively designed window treatment of makeshift shutters to the windows. Each of these shutters told a different story or idea; one was of the solar system (with two Earths), using recycled bottles, and another was a palm tree with palms exploding out using bottles, marbles, and old ceramics. I was given the pieces of glass and the materials needed to make cement that, used to stick the glass into the shutters.
At first, this was not what I wanted to do; the heat was too much to bear, along with being sick on different levels. Nevertheless, I had made the decision that I was going to make the best of the experience and do my job to the best of my ability. I took a minute and observed the children who had been in class and thought about all that I'd seen and felt while in Puerto Viejo. They looked so content, sitting in class and learning, and then having multiple recess breaks, and very pleased to have us as foreigners on their school grounds. It amazes me every day how the things that bother us on a very small scale seem to be the farthest thought from the minds of the people in this city. They don't worry about difference or what they have or lack and I use the term “lack” loosely, according to North American standards. The longer that we have been here, we’ve all pretty much adapted to a similar mentality; one in which we have embrace each other and our development of personal friendships with one another and less with technology and the things that we possess. Without a doubt, the major reason for this is the fact that the technologies that value so highly, such as phones, do not get service in here. Yet, I personally have thorough enjoyed not worry about material things that hold much less value than the experiences and relationships that I have created on this trip. Even more so, it was interesting to see us all interact with one another as friends and classmates to come together and accomplish the goal of the day. We get better and better at our interaction and communication each and every day.
The students and their parents prepared a meal for us at lunch. It was a typical dish of chicken, rice, and beans, but it was extremely thoughtful of them to prepare and serve us, I felt like a queen! There was a little boy, about the age of eleven, who is Canadian and is probably one of the most intelligent eleven-year-olds that I know. Earlier, he talked with Laura and I like an adult about politics, and at lunch, he made sure that we all had plenty of food and juice. One thing that I’ve noticed about Costa Ricans as we’ve visited places to eat that are not restaurants: they will keep feeding you! I think it is because they know the stereotype of how Americans overindulge and that large portions make us happy. But boy do I get stuffed, simply because I eat all of my food so that I do not come off as rude!
After service learning, I came back to the hotel and crashed. I literally slept until dinner. The humidity and heat have really taken a toll on me since we have been on the Caribbean coast. Most of the girls went back into town to the beach of sun and waves, while Ryan roamed around the local communities, meeting people and asking questions, as is to be expected. I realized that this had been my first time alone on the trip at any time. I think that everyone needs time to reflect and regroup by themselves, especially in settings such as these. But overall, it’s been an absolutely wonderful day.
Yours truly,
Bianca Wilson-Price
At first, this was not what I wanted to do; the heat was too much to bear, along with being sick on different levels. Nevertheless, I had made the decision that I was going to make the best of the experience and do my job to the best of my ability. I took a minute and observed the children who had been in class and thought about all that I'd seen and felt while in Puerto Viejo. They looked so content, sitting in class and learning, and then having multiple recess breaks, and very pleased to have us as foreigners on their school grounds. It amazes me every day how the things that bother us on a very small scale seem to be the farthest thought from the minds of the people in this city. They don't worry about difference or what they have or lack and I use the term “lack” loosely, according to North American standards. The longer that we have been here, we’ve all pretty much adapted to a similar mentality; one in which we have embrace each other and our development of personal friendships with one another and less with technology and the things that we possess. Without a doubt, the major reason for this is the fact that the technologies that value so highly, such as phones, do not get service in here. Yet, I personally have thorough enjoyed not worry about material things that hold much less value than the experiences and relationships that I have created on this trip. Even more so, it was interesting to see us all interact with one another as friends and classmates to come together and accomplish the goal of the day. We get better and better at our interaction and communication each and every day.
The students and their parents prepared a meal for us at lunch. It was a typical dish of chicken, rice, and beans, but it was extremely thoughtful of them to prepare and serve us, I felt like a queen! There was a little boy, about the age of eleven, who is Canadian and is probably one of the most intelligent eleven-year-olds that I know. Earlier, he talked with Laura and I like an adult about politics, and at lunch, he made sure that we all had plenty of food and juice. One thing that I’ve noticed about Costa Ricans as we’ve visited places to eat that are not restaurants: they will keep feeding you! I think it is because they know the stereotype of how Americans overindulge and that large portions make us happy. But boy do I get stuffed, simply because I eat all of my food so that I do not come off as rude!
After service learning, I came back to the hotel and crashed. I literally slept until dinner. The humidity and heat have really taken a toll on me since we have been on the Caribbean coast. Most of the girls went back into town to the beach of sun and waves, while Ryan roamed around the local communities, meeting people and asking questions, as is to be expected. I realized that this had been my first time alone on the trip at any time. I think that everyone needs time to reflect and regroup by themselves, especially in settings such as these. But overall, it’s been an absolutely wonderful day.
Yours truly,
Bianca Wilson-Price
Monday, June 27, 2011
I’m Basically a Professional Surfer Now!
June 27, 2011
Hello there world, it’s Bria Barnes again! Today has been my favorite day thus far on the trip. Every day I spend in Puerto Viejo I feel like I’m learning so much about the culture and community.
This morning we woke up and had our breakfast by the pool at Hotel Namu Woki. I have grown very fond of the pineapple here. I might be spoiled when I get back to the States because I have grown accustomed to fresh fruit. After we ate breakfast, we all went our separate ways for our optional activity with ATEC. Each student had the option to choose surfing lessons, a massage, horseback riding or the Jaguar Rescue Center. I automatically knew when I first got the schedule I wanted to try surfing. Surfing was on my “Bucket List” and thought doing it in Costa Rica would be amazing. The other students that came with me surfing were Lina, Carly, and Ryan. We got to the beach around 10 am and had the pleasure of meeting our two instructors, Topu and Jordan.
Before we were able to hit the waves, we had to learn the basics of how to stand up on the board and body control. After two hours of surf lessons, I personally felt like I was ready to become a professional surfer! The hardest part to me was getting back out into the water. The current was so strong and kept knocking me down, but being able to stand on the board was exhilarating!
After everyone’s morning activities were completed, we headed back to the hotel to shower and freshen up for our afternoon excursions and roundtable discussion in town. I was personally tired and had every intention of taking a nap, but everyone else wanted to have lunch in the city so I went along. We were all so hungry by the time we got into town, so we picked the first restaurant we saw. Lucky for us, everyone enjoyed their meals! I ordered chicken fajitas and they might have been the best chicken fajitas I have ever tasted. So far, the food in Puerto Viejo has been very delicious. I think it has a special Caribbean flavor most other places don’t have.
Because the Round Table Discussion was scheduled for 3 p.m., we had around an hour to spend exploring the town. Lina, Laura, Danielle and I went to the local bar Tex Mex, where we met the owner Roger. He gave us a brief story on his life and how he ended up in Puerto Viejo. He was from Britain but moved to Texas as an illegal immigrant. He had been in Texas for 12 years before he was kicked out the country. The sad part about the story is that he has a son who is still in America and can never visit him. Don’t feel too sad for Roger; he now owns two bars in Puerto Viejo and is very successful.
After our quick excursion with Roger, we walked further into town where we met Dr. Harris and the rest of the class at the restaurant Miss Veronica’s for the Round Table discussion. The panelists included a British/Tica, an Afro-Caribbean man, an Indigna (indigenous male), and a Tica who were ready to speak with us about their interracial relationships, race relations in their local community, ecotourism, and the concept of marriages and relationships in Puerto Viejo. We were able to discuss with them their journeys, racial discrimination they encountered because of their relationships, and how their different backgrounds shaped their relationships today. All the individuals we interviewed could agree that there is not much of a racial problem in Puerto Viejo, and they all recognize and respect their own cultures; however, the Puerto Viejo community is very open to learning and accepting different cultures.
An interesting point that all the individuals brought up was the idea of marriage in Puerto Viejo. Out of the four individuals, only one of them was married to their partner. When we asked them why they did not get married by law, they responded by saying that marriage makes no difference in their relationship. The couples have the same legal rights as married couples because of a law in Costa Rica. The law states that if you live with a person for at least 3 years, then you get all the same rights as a married couple. My favorite part of the discussion was when the students were able to give feedback to the round table participants about racism and culture in America. We shared that although there is not much blatant racism, we still manage to “naturally” segregate ourselves at our University. They all did not really understand why we could not diversify ourselves, but I believe that in America, people are more comfortable being around members of their own race. I believe that this discussion helped all the students see that we should take initiative to bring what we learned at the Round Table back to UGA and also our every day living.
Once the Round Table was over, we went to the hotel to freshen up again and then return to town, where we were scheduled to have a cooking lessons and a home-cooked meal courtesy of Miss Veronica. We arrived to her house around 7 p.m. where she had all the ingredients and utensils laid out for our typical Afro-Caribbean meal. We all helped Miss Veronica prepare rice and beans, chicken, fried plantains, a salad, and potatoes. Once again, the food was delicious! I was also proud of all of us for being able to prepare a meal! Once we were seated, we devoured our delicious meal, reflected on our day, and thanked Miss Veronica for allowing us into her home and preparing such an amazing a meal. Not surprisingly, the majority of us were all exhausted from the long day we had, so as soon as we returned to the hotel, we looked forward to the rest and relaxation that awaited us upon our return.
Today was such a fun day, and I feel like I have fallen in love with Puerto Viejo! Once again, I am so thankful for this opportunity to be able to travel throughout the country and learn about interracial communication! Pura Vida!
-Bria Barnes
Hello there world, it’s Bria Barnes again! Today has been my favorite day thus far on the trip. Every day I spend in Puerto Viejo I feel like I’m learning so much about the culture and community.
This morning we woke up and had our breakfast by the pool at Hotel Namu Woki. I have grown very fond of the pineapple here. I might be spoiled when I get back to the States because I have grown accustomed to fresh fruit. After we ate breakfast, we all went our separate ways for our optional activity with ATEC. Each student had the option to choose surfing lessons, a massage, horseback riding or the Jaguar Rescue Center. I automatically knew when I first got the schedule I wanted to try surfing. Surfing was on my “Bucket List” and thought doing it in Costa Rica would be amazing. The other students that came with me surfing were Lina, Carly, and Ryan. We got to the beach around 10 am and had the pleasure of meeting our two instructors, Topu and Jordan.
Before we were able to hit the waves, we had to learn the basics of how to stand up on the board and body control. After two hours of surf lessons, I personally felt like I was ready to become a professional surfer! The hardest part to me was getting back out into the water. The current was so strong and kept knocking me down, but being able to stand on the board was exhilarating!
After everyone’s morning activities were completed, we headed back to the hotel to shower and freshen up for our afternoon excursions and roundtable discussion in town. I was personally tired and had every intention of taking a nap, but everyone else wanted to have lunch in the city so I went along. We were all so hungry by the time we got into town, so we picked the first restaurant we saw. Lucky for us, everyone enjoyed their meals! I ordered chicken fajitas and they might have been the best chicken fajitas I have ever tasted. So far, the food in Puerto Viejo has been very delicious. I think it has a special Caribbean flavor most other places don’t have.
Because the Round Table Discussion was scheduled for 3 p.m., we had around an hour to spend exploring the town. Lina, Laura, Danielle and I went to the local bar Tex Mex, where we met the owner Roger. He gave us a brief story on his life and how he ended up in Puerto Viejo. He was from Britain but moved to Texas as an illegal immigrant. He had been in Texas for 12 years before he was kicked out the country. The sad part about the story is that he has a son who is still in America and can never visit him. Don’t feel too sad for Roger; he now owns two bars in Puerto Viejo and is very successful.
After our quick excursion with Roger, we walked further into town where we met Dr. Harris and the rest of the class at the restaurant Miss Veronica’s for the Round Table discussion. The panelists included a British/Tica, an Afro-Caribbean man, an Indigna (indigenous male), and a Tica who were ready to speak with us about their interracial relationships, race relations in their local community, ecotourism, and the concept of marriages and relationships in Puerto Viejo. We were able to discuss with them their journeys, racial discrimination they encountered because of their relationships, and how their different backgrounds shaped their relationships today. All the individuals we interviewed could agree that there is not much of a racial problem in Puerto Viejo, and they all recognize and respect their own cultures; however, the Puerto Viejo community is very open to learning and accepting different cultures.
An interesting point that all the individuals brought up was the idea of marriage in Puerto Viejo. Out of the four individuals, only one of them was married to their partner. When we asked them why they did not get married by law, they responded by saying that marriage makes no difference in their relationship. The couples have the same legal rights as married couples because of a law in Costa Rica. The law states that if you live with a person for at least 3 years, then you get all the same rights as a married couple. My favorite part of the discussion was when the students were able to give feedback to the round table participants about racism and culture in America. We shared that although there is not much blatant racism, we still manage to “naturally” segregate ourselves at our University. They all did not really understand why we could not diversify ourselves, but I believe that in America, people are more comfortable being around members of their own race. I believe that this discussion helped all the students see that we should take initiative to bring what we learned at the Round Table back to UGA and also our every day living.
Once the Round Table was over, we went to the hotel to freshen up again and then return to town, where we were scheduled to have a cooking lessons and a home-cooked meal courtesy of Miss Veronica. We arrived to her house around 7 p.m. where she had all the ingredients and utensils laid out for our typical Afro-Caribbean meal. We all helped Miss Veronica prepare rice and beans, chicken, fried plantains, a salad, and potatoes. Once again, the food was delicious! I was also proud of all of us for being able to prepare a meal! Once we were seated, we devoured our delicious meal, reflected on our day, and thanked Miss Veronica for allowing us into her home and preparing such an amazing a meal. Not surprisingly, the majority of us were all exhausted from the long day we had, so as soon as we returned to the hotel, we looked forward to the rest and relaxation that awaited us upon our return.
Today was such a fun day, and I feel like I have fallen in love with Puerto Viejo! Once again, I am so thankful for this opportunity to be able to travel throughout the country and learn about interracial communication! Pura Vida!
-Bria Barnes
Sunday, June 26, 2011
June 26th-Sustainability
Greetings from the sunny beaches of Puerto Viejo! Once again, I am Kendra Gibbs from Bethune Cookman University. We began our day very early this morning with breakfast at our hotel, Namu Woki, and then a trek to Manzanillo, which is a small town near Puerto Viejo populated primarily by Afro-Caribbean Costa Ricans. Our plan for the day was to begin with cooking lessons, followed by interviews with locals about their life in this part of the country. Today was really exciting for me because we got to cook! Miss. Luba a local lady who taught us how to make “journey cakes” ( in patois sounds like “johnny cakes”) over an open flame! I’m not sure that I’ve ever had bread with lard in it before this trip, but it was awesome.
During the cooking lessons, we also got mini-lectures about Afro-Caribbean culture. We learned that the people in Miss Luba’s neighborhood were currently battling local government for the right to stay on the land they’ve lived on for generations! If allowed to move forward with there plans fifteen homes including Miss Luba’s home will be the first to be torn down. The government plans on kicking people out of their homes to create nature preserves. I commend the government for wanting to preserve Costa Rican land. However I question if the government knows the indigenous and Afro-Caribbean peoples customs they waste nothing and produce the least amount of synthetic waist possible. An example would be the lunch we were served in banana leaves, most Americans would have provided paper plates for such a large group. We also learned that Miss Luba’s children and the neighborhood children speak English, French, and Spanish in school. That was truly amazing to me that here I making feeble cave man attempts at Spanish and Miss Luba’s 9th grade daughter is trilingual!
After our cooking and culture lessons, we broke down into smaller groups to have one-on-one interviews with some of the other locals. This was designed to help us learn more about their life in Puerto Viejo. We actually devoted a whole class period in San Jose to developing interview questions for this wonderful learning opportunity. One thing we have learned is that there are three distinct cultural groups in this country, and this really came to life when we arrived here this week.
Elyse, Ryan, and I, had a chance to take a walk along the beach while interviewing our guide Andy. Andy was a character. Just to give you a little background, Andy is a Afro-Caribbean Puerto Viejo native and he is also Miss. Luba’s brother. Andy informed us that he does catering work similar to his sister who sells journey cakes in town; they both love cooking. Andy kept the group laughing as our new canine friends followed us along the beach while we asked him questions about growing up in Costa Rica , specifically the Pacific region, and his family. Andy told us that he loves the simplicity and sustainability the land offers (a concept very different from the American way of life). After all , if the food doesn’t come from a supermarket/grocery store, then we usually don’t have it in our kitchen, and rarely do Americans grow crops unless we’ve taken gardening up as a hobby. We discussed with Andy that most Americans didn’t know the first thing about growing “produce” and that we had many people in the US that went hungry at night. Being that Andy has visited the US before he knew what we were talking about. He laughed at the notion in Puerto Viejo, one would have to really work at being hungry in Puerto Viejo with bread fruit, plantain and citrus fruit aligning the streets. I couldn’t help but wish we had the skills and resources to in the US to help families that struggle.
Our time with Andy was quite informative and educational. In addition to learning about his way of life, we also came to know the general culture of Puerto Viejo, which is very different from San Jose, the capitol of Costa Rica. I really appreciated spending time with Andy. I am sure I learned a lot from our “interview” that I probably couldn’t capture from the things we have been learning from our course work. Even though both are very important,, there’s nothing like speaking to someone from a particular group or culture to truly understand what it means to be a part of that community.
Once we completed our walk with Andy, the class met for lunch at Maxi’s. The restaurant was near the beach, and it seemed as though everyone enjoyed his/her meal. Since we had a break in schedule, several of us caught the last rays of sun the day had to offer, and others planned to go snorkeling, courtesy of Andy! As for a few others and me, we just threw in the towel and fell asleep the moment we sat still. We returned to the hotel for some rest, and then gathered around 6:30 to depart for dinner at Johnathon’s Afro-Caribbean Restaurant.
So far, spending time with Luba has been one of my favorite activities! It’s not every day you learn to bake with no oven! We’re more than half way through our study abroad program. Luba is waiting to give cooking lessons and the people in Puerto Viejo are some of the warmest people we’ve met on the trip, I hope some of you are clearing your schedules for next summer to join Dr. Harris on her annual study abroad trip! Well, it’s been a pleasure Pura Vida!!!!!!!
During the cooking lessons, we also got mini-lectures about Afro-Caribbean culture. We learned that the people in Miss Luba’s neighborhood were currently battling local government for the right to stay on the land they’ve lived on for generations! If allowed to move forward with there plans fifteen homes including Miss Luba’s home will be the first to be torn down. The government plans on kicking people out of their homes to create nature preserves. I commend the government for wanting to preserve Costa Rican land. However I question if the government knows the indigenous and Afro-Caribbean peoples customs they waste nothing and produce the least amount of synthetic waist possible. An example would be the lunch we were served in banana leaves, most Americans would have provided paper plates for such a large group. We also learned that Miss Luba’s children and the neighborhood children speak English, French, and Spanish in school. That was truly amazing to me that here I making feeble cave man attempts at Spanish and Miss Luba’s 9th grade daughter is trilingual!
After our cooking and culture lessons, we broke down into smaller groups to have one-on-one interviews with some of the other locals. This was designed to help us learn more about their life in Puerto Viejo. We actually devoted a whole class period in San Jose to developing interview questions for this wonderful learning opportunity. One thing we have learned is that there are three distinct cultural groups in this country, and this really came to life when we arrived here this week.
Elyse, Ryan, and I, had a chance to take a walk along the beach while interviewing our guide Andy. Andy was a character. Just to give you a little background, Andy is a Afro-Caribbean Puerto Viejo native and he is also Miss. Luba’s brother. Andy informed us that he does catering work similar to his sister who sells journey cakes in town; they both love cooking. Andy kept the group laughing as our new canine friends followed us along the beach while we asked him questions about growing up in Costa Rica , specifically the Pacific region, and his family. Andy told us that he loves the simplicity and sustainability the land offers (a concept very different from the American way of life). After all , if the food doesn’t come from a supermarket/grocery store, then we usually don’t have it in our kitchen, and rarely do Americans grow crops unless we’ve taken gardening up as a hobby. We discussed with Andy that most Americans didn’t know the first thing about growing “produce” and that we had many people in the US that went hungry at night. Being that Andy has visited the US before he knew what we were talking about. He laughed at the notion in Puerto Viejo, one would have to really work at being hungry in Puerto Viejo with bread fruit, plantain and citrus fruit aligning the streets. I couldn’t help but wish we had the skills and resources to in the US to help families that struggle.
Our time with Andy was quite informative and educational. In addition to learning about his way of life, we also came to know the general culture of Puerto Viejo, which is very different from San Jose, the capitol of Costa Rica. I really appreciated spending time with Andy. I am sure I learned a lot from our “interview” that I probably couldn’t capture from the things we have been learning from our course work. Even though both are very important,, there’s nothing like speaking to someone from a particular group or culture to truly understand what it means to be a part of that community.
Once we completed our walk with Andy, the class met for lunch at Maxi’s. The restaurant was near the beach, and it seemed as though everyone enjoyed his/her meal. Since we had a break in schedule, several of us caught the last rays of sun the day had to offer, and others planned to go snorkeling, courtesy of Andy! As for a few others and me, we just threw in the towel and fell asleep the moment we sat still. We returned to the hotel for some rest, and then gathered around 6:30 to depart for dinner at Johnathon’s Afro-Caribbean Restaurant.
So far, spending time with Luba has been one of my favorite activities! It’s not every day you learn to bake with no oven! We’re more than half way through our study abroad program. Luba is waiting to give cooking lessons and the people in Puerto Viejo are some of the warmest people we’ve met on the trip, I hope some of you are clearing your schedules for next summer to join Dr. Harris on her annual study abroad trip! Well, it’s been a pleasure Pura Vida!!!!!!!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
"Chocolate Waterfall"
I’m back! A full two weeks in on the trip and I’m still having a great experience!
Today I would have to say was one of the best days I’ve had thus far! We traveled to Talamanca Canton in the Limón Province of Costa Rica, which is an indigenous territory (Bri Bri) near the Caribbean. We spent the night in a lodge nestled in the (literal) jungles of Talamanca. The territory is occupied by around 3,000 indigenous people who are actually referred to as the Bri Bri tribe. We arrived at the site to meet the patriarch of the indigenous society, Timoteo, for a presentation on the history of the tribe and a tour of some the surrounding area.
The history that Timoteo shared with the class was extremely impactful. He positively spoke of his community and detailed measures that he and others have taken in order to preserve their way of life and advance their communication skills. He also appeared to be very passionate about environmentalism and education.
After speaking with us about the Bri Bri way of life, he served as our personal guide on a 40-minute hike to a beautiful waterfall entrenched in a dense forest area. The hike was tough but the sights were breathtaking. We hustled along the paths lead by Timoteo until we finally arrived at the waterfall. Wow! Just looking at the waterfall soothed me. We all eventually got down to our swimsuits and waded in the swimming hole where Timoteo instructed us to jump in.
Jump in? Well alright, but is it safe? The first things I thought about were snakes and alligators. (Haha.) Obviously, wildlife doesn’t fall under my area of expertise, so I was a little hesitant to indulge. FORTUNATELY, I was also no expert on waterfalls, but I was excited about this adventure that lay before us! So the class eagerly jumped into the lagoon as a way to relax after a good hike. We swam and talked a bunch amongst ourselves and Timoteo until we watched him climb on top of a huge rock in the middle of the swimming hole.
We looked to get some sort of inclination as to what he was doing. I assumed he was going to dive in, so I thought, “Oh, I want to dive too!” But he called for everyone’s attention and informed us that he wanted to pray with us. Intense! I bowed my head and listened to him praise in appreciation. Who gets a chance to do something like that? I can’t begin to describe the feeling that overwhelmed me. I was more than just a traveler in Costa Rica; I was a very small portion of a big picture. I felt connected.
We eventually left the waterfall and headed to a farm where Timoteo was excited to pass on to us his knowledge of herbal remedies and natural cures. If there was something he wanted us to try, I volunteered for it. We had to rush the tour a little because we were hungry and were going to have lunch prepared for us by the Bri Bri women! And the mosquitos in Costa Rica are very serious about lunchtime as well, and boy they were hungry!
We bid farewell to Timoteo, who proved to be an insightful guide and a really nice person. My experience with him made me think about my first blog, “Bad Behaviors.” Remember that? Well, I began to think specifically about my experience at the racquetball court. My new friends were wrong. The people in Puerto Viejo couldn’t be further from the negative stereotypes perpetuated about them in the rest of the country. The people in this area are wonderful.
After our tour, we board the bus and travel through the territory and arrive at a small grouping of houses surrounded by a farm. Keep in mind, farming in this area of Costa Rica is entirely different from farming in most areas of the U.S. Farms in this area and many parts of Costa Rica are tremendously dense with a variety of vegetation (fruits, trees, grass, vegetables, everything) and a house could literally be on/in the farm. Alright, let’s get back to my day.
We met a small indigenous family who spoke to us about culture and family life while they prepared our great lunch, which was very interesting to say the least. We were served chicken, rice, yucca (a potato-like vegetable), vegetables and I’m not sure what else. Great food, but it came not on a plate but in a banana leaf. Haha! This was wild! If only you could have seen the girls’ faces. Classic! No forks, no knives, not even a cup. The juice was served in a hardened fruit shell. Lunch plus watching the girls have to eat with their hands?? The best! I’m still laughing at this surprising yet spectacular experience. The Bri Bri welcomed us into their community with open arms.
Shortly after lunch, we toured the farm and were amazed by the many ways by which medicine, jewelry, and ointments could be fashioned from the vegetation on the small farm. Everything seemed to be on that farmnatural dyes, teas, threads, and food! I imagined how much of a pest I would be if so much fruit grew right behind my house back home. No bueno. The best part of the tour was a few steps away from the farm at a small cooking house. Here we learned about the history of chocolate production and the way that the family currently manufactured their chocolate. We also had the opportunity to assist with the roasting and grinding of the cacao beans which we immediately used to make hot chocolate. It was probably the best hot chocolate I had ever tasted!
We ended the tour by visiting a small “shop” on the family’s property, fashioned out of natural materials, where we purchased handmade items that they created onsite, ranging from jewelry to wall ornaments. Eco-tourism! We were so grateful that these women took time out of their busy schedules to not only prepare us lunch but to teach us a great deal about the communication, culture, and history of the Bri Bri people. In exchange, we showed our gratitude by supporting the local economy and purchasing very unique, decorative items from their shop.
Overall, today was a great day. The indigenous community was welcoming and eager to teach our class about their way of life. What struck me most was their “simple” living. They were literally living off the land and seemed incredibly content with life as a Bri Bri. I enjoyed my contact with people whose culture was much different from my own and “bad behaviors” were essentially non-existent. Thankfully, my experience with this community taught me not to judge a book by it’s cover ─ even if someone else claims to know it as truth.
Until next time,
Ryan
Today I would have to say was one of the best days I’ve had thus far! We traveled to Talamanca Canton in the Limón Province of Costa Rica, which is an indigenous territory (Bri Bri) near the Caribbean. We spent the night in a lodge nestled in the (literal) jungles of Talamanca. The territory is occupied by around 3,000 indigenous people who are actually referred to as the Bri Bri tribe. We arrived at the site to meet the patriarch of the indigenous society, Timoteo, for a presentation on the history of the tribe and a tour of some the surrounding area.
The history that Timoteo shared with the class was extremely impactful. He positively spoke of his community and detailed measures that he and others have taken in order to preserve their way of life and advance their communication skills. He also appeared to be very passionate about environmentalism and education.
After speaking with us about the Bri Bri way of life, he served as our personal guide on a 40-minute hike to a beautiful waterfall entrenched in a dense forest area. The hike was tough but the sights were breathtaking. We hustled along the paths lead by Timoteo until we finally arrived at the waterfall. Wow! Just looking at the waterfall soothed me. We all eventually got down to our swimsuits and waded in the swimming hole where Timoteo instructed us to jump in.
Jump in? Well alright, but is it safe? The first things I thought about were snakes and alligators. (Haha.) Obviously, wildlife doesn’t fall under my area of expertise, so I was a little hesitant to indulge. FORTUNATELY, I was also no expert on waterfalls, but I was excited about this adventure that lay before us! So the class eagerly jumped into the lagoon as a way to relax after a good hike. We swam and talked a bunch amongst ourselves and Timoteo until we watched him climb on top of a huge rock in the middle of the swimming hole.
We looked to get some sort of inclination as to what he was doing. I assumed he was going to dive in, so I thought, “Oh, I want to dive too!” But he called for everyone’s attention and informed us that he wanted to pray with us. Intense! I bowed my head and listened to him praise in appreciation. Who gets a chance to do something like that? I can’t begin to describe the feeling that overwhelmed me. I was more than just a traveler in Costa Rica; I was a very small portion of a big picture. I felt connected.
We eventually left the waterfall and headed to a farm where Timoteo was excited to pass on to us his knowledge of herbal remedies and natural cures. If there was something he wanted us to try, I volunteered for it. We had to rush the tour a little because we were hungry and were going to have lunch prepared for us by the Bri Bri women! And the mosquitos in Costa Rica are very serious about lunchtime as well, and boy they were hungry!
We bid farewell to Timoteo, who proved to be an insightful guide and a really nice person. My experience with him made me think about my first blog, “Bad Behaviors.” Remember that? Well, I began to think specifically about my experience at the racquetball court. My new friends were wrong. The people in Puerto Viejo couldn’t be further from the negative stereotypes perpetuated about them in the rest of the country. The people in this area are wonderful.
After our tour, we board the bus and travel through the territory and arrive at a small grouping of houses surrounded by a farm. Keep in mind, farming in this area of Costa Rica is entirely different from farming in most areas of the U.S. Farms in this area and many parts of Costa Rica are tremendously dense with a variety of vegetation (fruits, trees, grass, vegetables, everything) and a house could literally be on/in the farm. Alright, let’s get back to my day.
We met a small indigenous family who spoke to us about culture and family life while they prepared our great lunch, which was very interesting to say the least. We were served chicken, rice, yucca (a potato-like vegetable), vegetables and I’m not sure what else. Great food, but it came not on a plate but in a banana leaf. Haha! This was wild! If only you could have seen the girls’ faces. Classic! No forks, no knives, not even a cup. The juice was served in a hardened fruit shell. Lunch plus watching the girls have to eat with their hands?? The best! I’m still laughing at this surprising yet spectacular experience. The Bri Bri welcomed us into their community with open arms.
Shortly after lunch, we toured the farm and were amazed by the many ways by which medicine, jewelry, and ointments could be fashioned from the vegetation on the small farm. Everything seemed to be on that farmnatural dyes, teas, threads, and food! I imagined how much of a pest I would be if so much fruit grew right behind my house back home. No bueno. The best part of the tour was a few steps away from the farm at a small cooking house. Here we learned about the history of chocolate production and the way that the family currently manufactured their chocolate. We also had the opportunity to assist with the roasting and grinding of the cacao beans which we immediately used to make hot chocolate. It was probably the best hot chocolate I had ever tasted!
We ended the tour by visiting a small “shop” on the family’s property, fashioned out of natural materials, where we purchased handmade items that they created onsite, ranging from jewelry to wall ornaments. Eco-tourism! We were so grateful that these women took time out of their busy schedules to not only prepare us lunch but to teach us a great deal about the communication, culture, and history of the Bri Bri people. In exchange, we showed our gratitude by supporting the local economy and purchasing very unique, decorative items from their shop.
Overall, today was a great day. The indigenous community was welcoming and eager to teach our class about their way of life. What struck me most was their “simple” living. They were literally living off the land and seemed incredibly content with life as a Bri Bri. I enjoyed my contact with people whose culture was much different from my own and “bad behaviors” were essentially non-existent. Thankfully, my experience with this community taught me not to judge a book by it’s cover ─ even if someone else claims to know it as truth.
Until next time,
Ryan
Friday, June 24, 2011
Futbol con los niños!
After a restless night sleep in the rustic cabin called "Casa Calateas" in Carbon, Costa Rica, many of us felt confident that we overcame some fears of the wilderness. Our group sat at breakfast and shared funny stories about what happened in our cabins the night before. Some people had lizards in their rooms; others had what could have been bats. We all laughed a little hearing the stories and we were excited for what the new day had in store for us.
After breakfast, we went around town and interviewed various people in the community. I personally went to speak with the two teachers. One teacher was retired and the other worked at a school that had 40 kids enrolled.
The first interview was with a retired teacher named Angela. She allowed us into her beautiful home to hear her story. Angela talked to us about the education system and how students from different cultures are able to interact while at school. According to Angela, all of the students come together at school; everyone is welcome and they all learn the same things. The schools do not use different evaluations for different cultures because then you are dividing people. She also talked about white people coming in from other parts of Costa Rica and what it's like to live in Limon.
She talked about how the Ticos and the Afro-Caribbeans are both losing some of their own culture. Angela thinks that the two cultures are influencing each other, and are also being influenced by outsiders. The Afro-Caribbeans used to work in the banana plants but now they want better jobs so people from the new cultures will come in and take over these jobs. Ticos and Americans both give work they don’t want to do themselves to the foreigners. Angela said the construction of the major road in Costa Rica was like a dream. It allowed them to become part of the whole territory and create a diverse culture.
Even once the cultures started growing and becoming more diverse, the schools were still united. Angela believes that uniting the kids within the schools helps bring interracial peace. Costa Rica has nationwide uniforms that all look the same based on what grade you are in. This helps students to not divide themselves based on how much money their parents have. When they all have to wear the same thing, you are not able to see how much money the family has, which helps create equality.
The next place we went was a school of 40 kids. We had such a great time visiting this school! We started out by speaking with Sandra. She told us her story, where she is from, how she became interested in teaching and how she is currently commuting two hours to get to work. We also talked about schooling here in Costa Rica and how very few kids go to high school and even fewer attend college.
After we finished speaking with Sandra, we were able to join the kids during recess. This had to be my favorite memory of the trip so far! The kids decided they wanted to challenge our group to a soccer game. These kids were anywhere from 5 to 9. They split into teams and then played process of elimination in order to choose our group members for their teams. I was beyond thrilled when a sweet little girl chose me first! Dr. Harris was the goalie for our team and it was very enjoyable. Both the kids and our group were having a blast running around that field.
We left for Playa Chiquita after lunch at Casa Calateas. After about fifteen minutes, we arrived at our destination. Our new hotel, Namu Waki, was incredible! It had a pool and there were monkeys climbing in the trees! Needless to say, we were in heaven. It was very relaxing to sit by the pool after we unpacked our luggage! We hung out there and talked about the plans for the week.
For dinner, we went to an adorable restaurant outside where we had one of our best meals yet. It was a taco bar with burritos, guacamole and all of the fixings! Pamela, a lady who worked at the restaurant, came over to visit with our table while we were eating. She told us about her life and what brought her to Costa Rica. Her life seemed to be very simple and enjoyable. Pamela was very proud of the life she lives and how she works to conserve the environment. She was very hospitable and even decided to show us her gorgeous house. After checking out her house, we headed to bed because it had been a long day and we had an even longer, yet amazing week ahead of us!
After breakfast, we went around town and interviewed various people in the community. I personally went to speak with the two teachers. One teacher was retired and the other worked at a school that had 40 kids enrolled.
The first interview was with a retired teacher named Angela. She allowed us into her beautiful home to hear her story. Angela talked to us about the education system and how students from different cultures are able to interact while at school. According to Angela, all of the students come together at school; everyone is welcome and they all learn the same things. The schools do not use different evaluations for different cultures because then you are dividing people. She also talked about white people coming in from other parts of Costa Rica and what it's like to live in Limon.
She talked about how the Ticos and the Afro-Caribbeans are both losing some of their own culture. Angela thinks that the two cultures are influencing each other, and are also being influenced by outsiders. The Afro-Caribbeans used to work in the banana plants but now they want better jobs so people from the new cultures will come in and take over these jobs. Ticos and Americans both give work they don’t want to do themselves to the foreigners. Angela said the construction of the major road in Costa Rica was like a dream. It allowed them to become part of the whole territory and create a diverse culture.
Even once the cultures started growing and becoming more diverse, the schools were still united. Angela believes that uniting the kids within the schools helps bring interracial peace. Costa Rica has nationwide uniforms that all look the same based on what grade you are in. This helps students to not divide themselves based on how much money their parents have. When they all have to wear the same thing, you are not able to see how much money the family has, which helps create equality.
The next place we went was a school of 40 kids. We had such a great time visiting this school! We started out by speaking with Sandra. She told us her story, where she is from, how she became interested in teaching and how she is currently commuting two hours to get to work. We also talked about schooling here in Costa Rica and how very few kids go to high school and even fewer attend college.
After we finished speaking with Sandra, we were able to join the kids during recess. This had to be my favorite memory of the trip so far! The kids decided they wanted to challenge our group to a soccer game. These kids were anywhere from 5 to 9. They split into teams and then played process of elimination in order to choose our group members for their teams. I was beyond thrilled when a sweet little girl chose me first! Dr. Harris was the goalie for our team and it was very enjoyable. Both the kids and our group were having a blast running around that field.
We left for Playa Chiquita after lunch at Casa Calateas. After about fifteen minutes, we arrived at our destination. Our new hotel, Namu Waki, was incredible! It had a pool and there were monkeys climbing in the trees! Needless to say, we were in heaven. It was very relaxing to sit by the pool after we unpacked our luggage! We hung out there and talked about the plans for the week.
For dinner, we went to an adorable restaurant outside where we had one of our best meals yet. It was a taco bar with burritos, guacamole and all of the fixings! Pamela, a lady who worked at the restaurant, came over to visit with our table while we were eating. She told us about her life and what brought her to Costa Rica. Her life seemed to be very simple and enjoyable. Pamela was very proud of the life she lives and how she works to conserve the environment. She was very hospitable and even decided to show us her gorgeous house. After checking out her house, we headed to bed because it had been a long day and we had an even longer, yet amazing week ahead of us!
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