We started today bright and early with a 3 hour trip across Costa Rica to our next destination, Monteverde. On the way, the scenery changed quite a bit as we moved from the city of Heredia into the more rural parts of the country. It started to get way more green with different varieties of trees and way more mountains and volcanoes. We even got to see mucho wild animals like cows and horses alongside the mountain sides. As we climbed the mountains and got closer to Monteverde, the houses started to appear more rural as many had backyards and farms, some even had mini markets right outside their doors to sell their products usually fruit. The area also seemed a bit poorer than the city as the houses were more run down and it didn’t seem like many people in the area owned cars. However, they seem to be very self sufficient with their farms as there are not many stores around. When we entered the town neighboring Monteverde, I noticed that it started to become more tourist-oriented as there were tons of restaurants ans souvenir shops that I doubt any of the locals frequent.

Since we’ve arrived on Saturday, I’ve got to experience Costa Rican culture more extensively and I’ve come to appreciate our differences and even the language barrier. Although, their culture is very different from ours in a variety of ways such as the cuisine, traditions, and greetings, the Ticos are very welcoming and are happy to share their culture with us. I’m definitely getting a better perception of the traditional Costa Rican way of life as we venture into new areas and interact with different people and experiences.

When we finally arrived to Monteverde, we got to hear from Don Ricardo Guindon. He told us the story of how his family migrated to Costa Rica from America because their views didn’t align that of the U.S., so they decided to start a new life in a different country. In Costa Rica, the Quakers formed an inclusive community and adapted to the Costa Rican way of life. They contributed to their town and worked together to form the town we know and love, Monteverde. They contributed to the economy by starting businesses and growing within those. They also brought over their own culture from the U.S. and shared it with the curious locals. From the start, the locals were curious but welcoming of the newcomers, and although they were isolated at first, overtime the Quakers assimilated into the community.