As we were driving to Monteverde, I noticed there was a significant increase in lush forest areas with an abundance of trees and plants. Overall, there were fewer houses and establishments than I had seen when walking or driving around Heredia. Also, due to the fact that we were driving to a higher altitude, I could look out my window and see the mountain peaks almost level with my location. This differed from Heredia, where I had to look up and far into the distance to see the tops of mountains. There was also much more fog during our drive, which I assume was due to the higher elevation, meaning we were driving through the clouds. Also, there were a lot more windy roads to maneuver our bus up the mountains. Another difference I observed was the greater biodiversity in Monteverde compared to Heredia, which was fascinating to witness during the journey. Furthermore, most people I interacted with along the way spoke English. This may be because Monteverde is a touristy area and fewer people actually live there due to the hills and higher elevation. 

My perception of Costa Rica has changed in a way where I have begun to see beauty in every aspect of the country. Even though Heredia isn’t filled with luscious, rich rainforests, it still has the beauty of community and togetherness in a way I’ve never experienced before. 

Listening to Ricardo share his family’s story about being Quakers from Alabama that then settled in the Monteverde region and brought their own influence to the region, I learned about many of the impacts they had on the Costa Rican economy and culture. For example, Guindon helped establish Monteverde’s economy by founding a fine cheese factory. This allowed them to make profit to continue building their community. They employed Costa Ricans around their town and were able to share their views and journeys with them. The Quakers and Costa Ricans shared similar values, such as a desire for peace and a rejection of military force. There was also a pharmacy that was started for all the people of Monteverde. As for the culture aspect, the Quakers and Costa Ricans intersected their ideas to create a welcoming community for everyone. For instance, the Americans introduced the others to their mail system and new tools such as chainsaws. People of all ages participated in shared activities such as square dancing and sports like volleyball, softball, baseball, and, of course, soccer. In addition, the schools incorporate both American and Latin American ideas, combining the culture of both and teaching the children from a young age about the history.