We are finally here! After a long day of travel, we landed in Costa Rica and started our day bright and early this morning. The humidity and heat took me by surprise, but I quickly was amazed at the lifestyle in Costa Rica. I did not have a vivid image of what I expected within the country, but my first impression of the scenery and way of life was that it is shockingly different from the United States. I believed that the town of Heredia would be more rural, but there were many Americanized shops and recognizable food chains such as Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut. The area is relatively safe, yet the families have fenced in homes and windows with metal bars. I learned that this precaution is not because of danger but provides these families with a sense of comfort and security.
Additionally, shops played music in English and ticos walked around with friends and family. Instead of spending their Sundays inside, many Costa Ricans choose to walk around the park, go to a local market, or attend mass with their families. This cultural difference was intriguing because this familial behavior is not typical in America. There appears to be an enormous emphasis on family time and abiding by core values.
Furthermore, I was interested to see the locals practice their religion either in the many churches or with an outdoor mass. I learned that ticos are very religious and they designate Sunday as a day of rest, enjoyment, and family. Many restaurants and shops were closed or had limited hours due to this day of the week.
Lastly, the people in Costa Rica are overall very friendly and accepting. People smile on the streets and seem willing to help regardless of a language barrier. My host mom made a comparison in reference to friendship, essentially stating that we are all the same. She said we all have eyes, noses, ears, and mouths so we should be kind and open our hearts to others. This type of statement was both heartwarming and astonishing because although many people in the United States want to act this way, many Costa Ricans truly live by it.