Reflection Time

As of right no my emotions are mixed. I have set up a lifestyle here in Costa Rica and I am content here but at the same time I am excited to go back home. Over the last couple of weeks I have become more comfortable with the country and therefore I don’t feel as though I have changed that much. However, I have a feeling by the time I adjust back home I will look in the mirror and see a different version of myself. The only thing I can say I have noticed more in myself is independence. Since coming here, in my free time if I need to get something or want to go to the pool I have to look up where to go, I have to find which buses I may or may not need to take and so forth. I have found that now I have the skills I need to do these things whereas before I was always just calling my dad and asking for what I need instead of getting it myself. I have found here I am no longer dependent on the internet (I realize there is a bit of irony in the fact I am writing a blog entry for the Internet). The Internet is not readily available and I don’t have the ability to simply look up the answers on my phone here. Although it is not necessarily considered a new idea to write homework on paper instead of typing it, to my generation it is. In Costa Rica I have learned to rely on pen and paper and less on my computer to do school work, which is something I had not done until this trip. Something I would do differently here would be to have explored more in my free time. I have to admit there were moments where I had to choose between sleep or going for a walk around town and I chose the former. I wish I had spent more time seeing all that Heredia has to offer. Also, I wish I spent more time getting to know my host mother. Although we had some great conversations at dinner and she took me to go pick fruit one morning before school, I wish I spent more time understanding my host mother and her life. In the end, I am glad I have gone on this trip even though I cannot feel all the ways it has changed me, I do know they are there. 

Arenal

Arenal Volcano is located in northwestern Costa Rica, in the district of La Fortuna located in the province of Alajuela. The resort we stayed at this weekend was very close to the volcano and when it wasn’t cloudy you could see how close we were. The weather by the volcano was rainy and cloudy, it was a stark contrast to the consistently sunny 81-degree days we’ve had in Heredia. Over the weekend we went to the La Fortuna waterfall and we were able to swim in the outlet of the waterfall. The water was very cold; it felt like water with ice cubes in it. Also since the waterfall as so powerful the outlet was like the tide pools at the amusement parks. Getting to the waterfall was an obstacle, steep stairs had to be climbed to get down to the bottom of the waterfall (and to get back up to the bus, oh that was fun).  In addition, surrounding the water were sharp slippery rocks that made it difficult to get to but it was worth it to get to swim by the waterfall. After the waterfall we went to the hot springs at the Baldi Resort. The water in the hot springs had different temperatures some of the pools were lukewarm and some were like a steaming hot shower. Overall the hot springs were very enjoyable and a nice way to wind down from the waterfall. The most surprising thing about this excursion was the difference in the weather. Although we were still in the central valley, La Fortuna definitely had a more tropical vibe. There was lush green vegetation everywhere and there were more exotic animals (there was a sloth hanging in a tree at the resort). There was definitely more humidity and rain in this area as well. The difference in the climate made apparent the biodiversity Costa Rica has. The volcano, waterfall and hot springs all offer the chance to educate visitors about the importance of protecting this biodiversity. This area provides people with the opportunity to participate in ecotourism and help Costa Rica develop sustainably. This excursion was included to present us with an example of ecotourism and Costa Rica’s involvement in sustainable development. 

Sarchí

     

This weekend we visited Sarchí located in the Alajuela province. There we walked through the city, seeing the Wedding Cake Church, which was once aquamarine and pink. Also, we saw the largest ox cart in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Afterwards we took a tour through woodworking shop, which described the evolution of the oxcarts. Ox carts were used in Costa Rica to transport agricultural products like coffee nowadays ox carts are the national symbol of work as they represent fortitude and self-reliance. As time progressed, so did the ox carts this is apparent in the change of the design of the wheel. The first version of the wheel used to get bogged down with mud and water. In order to fix this problem, the spokeless wheel was created which uses a metal rim filled with triangular pieces loosely held in place. The ox carts have evolved from just means of transportation as families in the twentieth century began to decorate the carts (this showed social status) and to design each cart’s wheels to make its own unique sound. The most surprising thing about this excursion was seeing such common tool become a national symbol. Costa Ricans have truly embraced the ox cart as each family creates their own design and sound for it.  Sarchí illustrated the pride Costa Ricans have in remembering the history of their country lifestyle if very important. Overall, Sarchí was a valuable excursion as it displayed Costa Rican history and culture. 

Goooo Heredia!

After visiting the INBio Park some of us decided to go to the benefit soccer game at the national stadium located in San José, which is the capital of Costa Rica and part of the San José province. The benefit game included the four best teams of Costa Rica which are: Saprissa, Cartago, Heredia and Alajuela.  The teams each played 30-minute games against each other, but we were unable to see all of the games. Before we could enter the stadium the group of us had to walk through mobs of people. Every street corner had someone selling apparel and other fan gear for each of the teams playing. However it was pointless practically every person I saw was already wearing a team jersey or sporting their team’s colors.  The national stadium, located in Sabana Park, was very impressive. Walking through the stadium I could tell how new it was being that it was only just completed in 2011. As we watched the games even though it was only a benefit tournament every one was cheering on their favorite teams and disappointed if the team wasn’t playing well. I was surprised at how intensely the Ticos rooted for their teams. However, all of the people showing up to the game to support both the cause and the teams made apparent the national unity Costa Ricans have. The benefit tournament was an important excursion because it allowed us to partake in this unity as we cheered on the teams too.  

La Paz

The La Paz Water Gardens are located in the Alajuela Province towards the pacific coast of Costa Rica. The Water Gardens have a variety of exhibits of rescued wildlife. Before visiting the La Paz Waterfall the group toured a majority of the exhibits. The tour began with the birds, where we saw toucans and parrots among other species. After we toured the butterfly and sloth exhibit, then the monkeys and snakes and lastly the jungle cats. Throughout the tour the exhibits were very interactive. For instance we were all able to hold toucans during the bird exhibit. Also, in the jungle cat exhibit we were able to shake a piece of rope to “play” with the jaguar (however the jaguar wasn’t in the mood to play). Once we finished all the exhibits, we went to the waterfall gardens. In total we saw 3 waterfalls, each one get a little wetter than the last. Learning about the various species of wildlife was very interesting. I really enjoyed the butterfly exhibit learning that the monarch butterfly is called a monarch because of the gold trim it has on its cocoon which is actually a warning to predators that it is poisonous. The biggest surprise about the waterfall gardens was learning that each of the animals was rescued from homes where locals had tried to take in these animals as pets (someone actually tried to make a puma there pet…what?). In addition, all of the exhibits displayed the variety of wildlife existing in Costa Rica. The wildlife, although native to Costa Rica, was exotic to me. The interactive nature of the exhibits helped me realize how Ticos have to interact with these exotic creatures (depending on where they live). The theme of Ticos having to work with their environment, in this case specifically the wildlife keeps reappearing. The La Paz Water Gardens are important to Costa Rica because they help preserve nature as well as educate people on the importance of it. This excursion was included to demonstrate the richness of Costa Rica’s biodiversity and the importance of Costa Rica continuing to participate in sustainable development to preserve this biodiversity.