One thing from my homestay that I did not expect was how Tico’s treat pets. Our family has a Golden Retriever named Cartida who is very well behaved. The thing that was different with Cartida was that they rarely let her go in the house and she sleeps outside. In America, I have never heard of anyone who does this. Another thing that was pretty unique was that our family does not have a trash can. What they do is collect all the trash in a plastic bag. This relates to how Tico’s live because they have a strong emphasis on sustainability and staying green.

On the walking tour we went through a supermarket that was very different compared to what I am used to at home. There was a bunch of different stores all combined in one and you would pay for food immediately after you bought it instead of a check out system. One specific moment that stood out to me that confirmed my expectations of how Tico’s live was when we went to the church. They leave the doors wide open and there are many birds that come in. It showed me that even in everyday spaces, Ticos keep a close connection to nature and make sustainability part of their lifestyle.