Costa Rica is a beautiful country. Each time I turn toward the mountains, I’m struck as if it were my first glance. Both imposing and majestic, they serve as a resplendent backdrop to the already colorful and vibrant valley. Trees and shrubbery abound in and around homes, markets, and even on streets. The father of my host family has been cultivating orchids for forty years, his backyard replete with various different colors and aromas. This homestyle garden is just a modest representation of the country as a whole. After all, it isn’t called “The Living Eden” for nothing.

And the people are incredibly joyful. Walking through the market today, a very kind gentleman directed me toward the trash can in response to my holding up an empty passionfruit peel, and then to the sink and the soap after. I regret not asking for his name, as his electric smile inspired one of my own.

Our experiences so far have outdone my expectations. Today alone, we got to listen to a marching band perform, we visited a mall after eating an enormous lunch, and we even managed to find a park for a fun game of soccer (or futbol). Overall, I’ve really been enjoying myself, as I expect will continue to be the case moving forward.