One moment from my homestay that I really did not expect was how our host mom sits and eats dinner with us every night, even if she already ate or is not really eating anything herself. I feel like in the United States everyone is often rushing around or eating separately, so having someone take the time to sit, talk, and check in with us every night has made the experience feel much more personal. It showed how thoughtful and welcoming she is, especially considering we were complete strangers just a few days ago. That small gesture gave me the impression that a lot of Costa Ricans really value connection, hospitality, and making people feel comfortable.
That first impression was definitely confirmed during our visit to Mercado Central and the walking tour. During the scavenger hunt especially, a lot of the stand workers were really patient and eager to help us even though it was obvious we had no idea what we were doing half the time. If we asked for a certain fruit or item and they did not have it, they would not just say no and move on. Instead, they would point us toward another stand or try to help us figure it out. It made the market feel a lot more welcoming and community-oriented rather then competitive. Overall, both my homestay and our experience in the city made Costa Rica feel very warm and welcoming, which has probably been one of my favorite parts of the trip so far.