Beautiful Monteverde. Never have I felt like I have been in a jungle resort, but this place has accomplished that. While driving along the winding roads there was a variety of types of homes and properties that I saw. From homes that resembled shacks that were constructed of sheet metal and various scraps, to resort-type homes that were stately and propped high in the mountains. The other establishments were anything from a fruit stand operating out of a small wooden canopy to large modern buildings for businesses or car sales. This type of fluctuation between homes and commercial buildings led me to be a tad confused on how the majority of the surrounding communities lived and operated.

My perception of Costa Rica has shifted from when I landed on Saturday because of my opportunity to be directed immersed in their culture. Obviously the culture and lifestyles of Costa Rican households rea different from our American home traditions, but now I can see the deeper roots that go beyond what we see from pictures or a drive-by. The home I am temporarily a part of is one that has allowed me to witness the close-knit dynamics of Costa Rican neighborhoods and families.

But back to our Monteverde experience. Our presentation today was one that covered the story of Alabamian, American citizens who identified as Quakers and immigrated to Costa Rica. They landed in Costa Rica due to the appeal of an up and coming government and nonexistent military and eventually found their way up the mountain to Monteverde.

I interpreted the culture they brought being a sense of community, slight codependency and the quintessential American spirit. This worked well because of the sparse numbers of inhabitants of the mountains, so the Americans came together and worked to make homes, a school and a business for themselves. This not only boosted strong morale of the Quakers but also brought profit for them through their cheese business, which is something to really be impressed by. It is a long haul to build so much from so little.