On our first full day in Costa Rica, we explored Heredia. We met at Central Park, where a church opens to a big space where Costa Ricans hang out in their leisure time. There was a pavilion where we saw people breakdancing, which was cool because I had only seen dancing outside in New York City. We visited the central market, where we saw all kinds of fruits and vegetables you do not usually see in a Grocery store in the U.S. This market consisted of many different vendors, such as meat, fruit, and vegetable stands. People from Costa Rica will come to this market to grab the essentials for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Some may go daily. There are stands around the street selling fresh fruit, which still needs to be cut or cleaned. This is very different from the U.S., especially where I am from, Ohio. The fruits are unique, and I am excited to try some that I have not tried before.
As we walked around the city, I noticed it differed from what I had expected. Before traveling to Costa Rica, I pictured there would be trees everywhere and colorful buildings as I was mostly thinking of the nature side. The city only has a few trees except in the parks. When we walked through one of the parks, I learned that equipment can be used for exercise and a basketball/soccer court. The adults usually came in the morning, while the children utilized these features in the afternoon. I noticed children on a small trampoline strip in the ground and families eating together at the tables. Most buildings have barbed wire or metal gates in front of them as security. The shops are similar to some in Florida as clothes hang outside, and all doors open. Another difference between Costa Rica and the U.S. is that pedestrians yield to cars in Costa Rica. If you want to cross the street, you must be very cautious. Although I pictured a more tropical look, walking around Heredia was an excellent experience.
We went to the mall after having a delicious meal at a restaurant. We got a fantastic view of the city. As we walked around the inside of the mall, I noticed many similarities. The structure is the same as in the U.S., as there were kiosks with makeup and other gadgets. There were similar stores: The Lego Store, Froyo, and a Toy Store. The food court was also very similar, except for the fact that it was halfway outdoors. There was a children’s play set where they could climb on big leaves that extended high up. It seemed a little dangerous, but they were having fun. Overall, the mall had many similarities to the malls in the U.S. The first day in Costa Rica was a success, and I am beyond excited to explore more.
