Today we explored the creative, cultural, and historical aspects of Costa Rica! We met at the University in the morning for our guest lecturer, Dr. Laura Ramirez. She discussed the history, traditions, food and games that are native to this country. We participated in interactive stories and ended with painting an ox cart wheel on a canvas. Regarding some of the topics Dr. Ramirez taught, we reviewed the history of Costa Rica and reiterated that the nation is one of peace and great natural resources. They gained independence from Spain in 1821 and no longer have an army; Costa Rica now focuses on health, education, and social rights.
We learned that there are many different cultures in Costa Rica. Each culture has their own set of food, expressions, and music. Dr. Ramirez emphasized cultural diversity because it is a huge misconception in most countries that all of the people are the same. I, along with most others, believed that Costa Rican culture would carry throughout the entire nation. Instead, I learned that just like the culture and way of life differs throughout all 50 states in America, the culture varies throughout Costa Rica. Additionally, we learned about the variety of foods that are native to this country including appetizers, dinners, and desserts. These dishes and favorites also vary in regard to location and individual family traditions.
We also addressed the many games that ticos grow up playing. Most of these games are similar to those played in the United States such as hop-scotch, jacks, jump rope, hula-hooping and more. Many of the activities in which Costa Rican children participate are not very distinguishable from the Untied States. The United States and Costa Rican culture can intersect more than I had previously thought. Lastly, we learned about the tradition of the ox and the box cart. The colors and designs represent specific meanings and signify the people of Costa Rica. We designed our own ox cart wheels and painted them with elaborate colors. Using our current knowledge of Costa Rica, we used colors specific to the land and the attitudes of the people.
After lunch, we learned salsa dancing. It was such a unique experience to listen to the rhythm and practice many moves that local people enjoy. This was an extremely fun time and I hope to use these skills back in America!
