As it becomes time to wind down and reflect on our trip, I have realized how much I’ve learned about this beautiful country. The people, the culture, and the breathtaking natural landscapes all tie in together to create an experience that feels both humbling and inspiring. Every moment taught me something new, challenged my perspective,…
Tag: Dylan Tenn
Everything we eat has a story behind it
Today, we got to try some true Costa Rican chocolate while also learning about the history of chocolate and how it eventually made its way to Costa Rica. Chocolate first originated in Central America, but was only ingested as a drink. Spain brought the first chocolate to Europe from Central America, this was the first…
Bananas, Bites, and Coconuts
Today, we looked at the production of crops from a different angle. We got to see a family farm and how they function as a business. Our host, Francini had opened up her farm to agrotourism with the help of her mother and aunt. She also lives on the farm and was able to build…
A Taste of Paradise
Today, I had the best pineapple I have ever eaten at a pineapple farm in Sarapiqui. There are many differences when looking at the supply chain of coffee and the supply chain of pineapples. To start, the process of growing and harvesting pineapples is way less complicated. There are not as many machines used and…
Getting Our Hands and Feet Dirty: Planting Maize the Costa Rican Way
We made one last final stop before leaving Monteverde to return to Heredia. At Cafe Monteverde, we had conversations with Guillermo about the economy, ecotourism, and sustainability in Monteverde. The farm was started in 1989, when they first acquired the land it was a pasture with almost no trees. Over the past thirty five years,…
Monteverde: Encountering new bugs
Today, we got to experience true Monteverde climate, with clouds coming down into the rainforest and periods of pouring rain. We got to see species that are endemic to the Monteverde region like the quetzal. After hiking for five miles and enjoying the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, looking at different animals and viewpoints, we made…
Monteverde: Windy Roads and Winding Histories
This morning, we took the windy roads up to Monteverde. Once we left Heredia, the scenery immediately changed to mountains and forests. After an hour and a half of relatively smooth driving, we arrived at our rest stop where we interacted with and looked at farm animals and had lunch. Once we left our rest…
Putting the Caffeine to Work: From Plantation to Dance Floor to Pavement
Today, we had a much shorter ride to Cafe Britt, taking only about fifteen minutes compared to the hour and a half yesterday. Cafe Britt recently bought Doka Estate last year to help improve the plantation and have a source for more beans. The Cafe Britt property was very nice, and it is obvious that…
Cup of Coffee with my Primera Fresa
Today, we had an early start to the day as we made our way to Doka Estate to tour our first coffee farm of the trip. There, we had our first look at the production and process of growing and exporting coffee. It all starts with two coffee seedlings that are grown together in a…
Primeras Impresiones de Costa Rica
Costa Rica is different than what I would have expected before learning about the region and coming here. When Costa Rica first came to mind, I would think about the beach and the rainforest, but as we have explored Heredia and had conversations with my host family, I have learned that there is a lot…
¡Pura vida! Set for Costa Rica
Hello! My name is Dylan Tenn and I just finished my first year at the University of Pittsburgh’s College of Business Administration. I plan on majoring in Finance and Accounting. I’m involved in Real Estate Club and Undergraduate Finance Club. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, playing soccer, spending time with…