This is my final blog. Today was my second to last day in Costa Rica. This trip has given me so many experiences I know I will cherish forever, and it has undoubtedly influenced my future life decisions. Throughout this experience I have gained an understanding of the many agricultural trades of Costa Rica and…
Tag: Benjamin Ruggles
Nearing the End is Bittersweet
Today we had the incredible opportunity to visit the gourmet chocolate company Sibö. We sat down for a history lesson on the origins, fundamentals, and evolution of chocolate which was accompanied by a tasting. Learning about the invention of chocolate by the natives, and the subsequent spread to Europe after the colonization of Latin America…
Piña Cool-ada
Today we went to the region of Sarapiqui to partake in two separate tours! The one was for bananas and plantains, while the other was for pineapples. Of the two, I have to be honest and say that while both were incredible, I liked the pineapple tour more. That’s only because we got to try…
Flavor in the Palm of My Hand
Today we visited a palmito, or heart of palm, plantation on the Caribbean side of the country. It was fascinating to see the difference between the heart of palm and the coffee conditions. Coffee is grown at high altitudes with rich soil from the volcanoes. However, palm trees need warmer, much wetter climates in order…
No Paint No Gain
Today we said goodbye to Monteverde, but not before stopping at an amazing sustainable farm, Life Monteverde. We saw a different way of living than any of us are accustomed to and learned some valuable lessons. There was definitely a dichotomy presented at the farm today, one where the farmers lived both serious and devoted,…
Costa Rica is Sustaining Me
Today was full of adventures through the cloud forest reserve here in Monteverde. We got to see so many species of birds, snakes, insects, and mammals unique to the cloud forest and to Costa Rica. Seeing the indescribable beauty of the forest and of the region in general was an important backdrop to our later…
Quaking with Adventure
Today we made our way to Monteverde, located in the mountains. The region provides stunning views and peaceful sounds. Between off and on sleeping, it was very look out over the drop-off next to the road and out onto the incredible views of the mountains, valleys, and forests. The roads were very windy and the…
I Bean Having a Blast!
Today we visited Café Brit to see a beautiful business and a captivating tour. However, pretty immediately it was easy to see the target audience of this thriving business: tourists. The company was a trailblazer in coffee tours, showing those who enjoy gourmet coffee the background and framework for how it is produced. However, this…
My Excitement is Brewing
Coffee is no joke — that is what I learned today at the Doka tour. Between the production process, the logistics, the cultural implications, and the different levels of quality, there is so much to learn about the coffee industry. Some things that particularly surprised me to learn was how multifaceted it is to make…
Con Mucho Gusto
I’m not exactly sure what I expected from Costa Rica before coming here. I guess I likely assumed the people would just be people. They would act, and interact, just as I was used to from back at home. Elements of this are true, but at the same time there is something special here. It…
Costa Rica and Sustainability
Costa Rica is globally lauded for their prioritization and advancement of sustainability efforts and initiatives. There are many ways in which countries should strive to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious. By instituting rigorous policies, measures to prevent degradation, and attempting to shift away from fossil fuels, Costa Rica has become a green inspiration. Right…
Counting the Days, Costa Rica!
Hey everyone! My name is Ben Ruggles, and I’m so excited for this Costa Rica trip! I am a freshmen engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh. I am currently entering the environmental engineering track. I also have many interests in adjacent fields for which I might pursue minors or certificates, such as civil engineering,…