Today was a much more scenic day compared to the others. As we left the Central Valley and headed toward Monteverde, we were able to see all of Costa Rica’s lush landscape. On our way up to Monteverde, we passed a variety of different communities, each with its own attractiveness. It became very obvious how diverse Costa Rica as a country really is. As we ventured closer to Monteverde, the more lush the scenery became. As we climbed higher into the mountains, the roads narrowed and the air grew noticeably cooler.

Even though the ride up the mountain was full of beautiful scenery, the ride wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. The winding roads kept getting steeper, and it felt like we were only crawling up the mountain. Luckily, I was offered an AirPod on the bus and learned that music can help with motion sickness. That, paired with deep breathing, allowed me to survive the journey. Before reaching the Hotel, we stopped at the creamery to enjoy a presentation hosted by Ricardo Guindon about how a group of Quakers from Alabama settled in Monteverde in the 1950s. We were able to get a first-hand look at how the Quakers went about finding Monteverde. Through a series of authentic photos shown to us by Guidon, we were able to visualize the entire timeline of the Quaker settlement. These Quakers brought with them a strong commitment to conservation. Monteverde is one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse regions and is worth protecting. Through working with the Costa Rican locals and protecting Monteverde’s environment, the Quakers have been a great example of how foreigners can leave a positive impact.

Since arriving in Costa Rica, my perception of this country has shifted away from the touristy beachy getaway to understanding it as a place with a rich cultural background. Monteverde really made that visible, featuring clouds, culture, and conservation all in one place. To end the and, we decided to take a dip in the resort pool. Even though it wasn’t warm outside, it still made the night that much better.