Today’s long travel day had me asleep for most of the four-hour bus ride, but when we finally reached Monteverde, my eyes could not leave the window. It is so beautiful here, and being able to see the Pacific Ocean from our hotel room is amazing. It feels like an entirely different place up here. As opposed to Heredia, where the sun is out and the humidity is high, here it is chilly and windy. Last night I was annoyed that I could barely fit my long pants and sweatshirts in my bag, but now I am so glad I brought them! When we arrived, we stopped for ice cream, and it was clear how kind and polite the people up here are, with all the smiling faces I saw.

We then learned about the history of Monteverde during a talk with a son of one of the original settlers. It was really interesting to get his point of view, and especially getting to see all the pictures of when they first settled on the mountain. After World War II, Quakers moved here and were essentially starting from scratch. They had no electricity and used horses and tractors for transportation. However, as time went on, they developed more as more people migrated with special skills. For example, a pharmacy was opened after a nurse with wartime experience came here and was willing to work. This was a game-changer for the people in Monteverde since it allowed them to receive medical attention and treatment right here on the mountain. 

What really stuck with me was how integrated and community-centered everything seemed. In school, students learned both English and Spanish, as well as other skills like sewing and weaving. People spent their time watching plays, playing games, and going square dancing every other Saturday. People of all ages went to these events, bringing the community together. They also created the tradition of having a potluck on the first Sunday of every month, which shows the great value they place on community.