When I arrived in Costa Rica, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I haven’t had many opportunities to explore other countries, especially not one as unique as Costa Rica. One of the first things I noticed after stepping outside the airport was the abundance of lush, green grass throughout the area. Rather than paving over unnecessary spaces with concrete, Costa Rica embraces its natural landscape, allowing grass to grow freely wherever it can. As we made our way to the homestays, the architecture and construction of new buildings seemed very organic and well-integrated into the environment. There was very little wasted space. Speaking of waste, I quickly learned that food was meant to be eaten hot and not saved for later. Every meal so far has included a beautiful assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to that, I was able to have my first cup of Costa Rican coffee this morning with breakfast. I’ve never really enjoyed the taste of black coffee, but I was surprised by how smooth and flavorful it was. It felt familiar, yet clearly better.
Before arriving in Costa Rica, I knew I’d need to speak at least some Spanish. After taking Spanish in high school, I tried my best to brush up on my Spanish speaking skills. It turns out that was not enough. Today we toured Heredia, the “City of Flowers”, exploring Nicolás Ulloa Soto Park and the Central Market. While walking through the Central Market, we had the chance to sample numerous fruits native to Costa Rica. We also got practice bargaining with local vendors for the best deals on Costa Rican sweets. I purchased a piece of “Cajeta Dulce de Leche,” a caramelized milk candy very similar to regular caramel candies found in the US. I ended up getting one piece for 300 colones, which is 60 cents USD. I made an effort to try and converse in Spanish as much as I could. Even after just one day, I learned several new Spanish phrases. I plan to keep expanding my Spanish vocabulary, and I’m especially excited for the Doka Costa Rica Coffee Tour tomorrow.