Costa Rica after 4 Days.
Initially arriving to Costa Rica, there was a smorgasbord of emotions that each and every student was experiencing. The first day may have left some feeling a culture shock, and they may have began to feel homesick. Costa Rica is a very different country, with very different culture. The first couple of days have been rough, but after getting in tune with my Mama Tica, and acclimating to such a new environment, I’m beginning to feel at home.
My Mama Tica, Mama Barboza, has served us strictly Costa Rican meals for us to try. While other have had some American foods at home, I’ve only had comida costarricense. The first night was the famous Gallo Pinto, a dish composed of solely rice and beans. The following night was a special recipe made by our awesome Mama Tica. It was composed of plantain that was stuffed with chicken and chayote with vegetables that was baked in the oven. The outcome was a delicious dinner that tasted like lasagna and corn bread, it was amazing. Are meals have been relatively similar to the first, varying with pork and different vegetables.
Speaking Spanish in Costa Rica is way different than speaking Spanish at home or in Mexico. Here, everyone speaks quick and quietly. Multiple times I’ve hs to use the phrase “repita por favor” to get a second take on what the locals were saying. And although we were told that everyone here is nice, I’ve come to find that they aren’t nice when they lose patience. For example, I was trying to buy a nice gift for a friend back in the U.S., I couldn’t understand that the cashier was asking for my debit card and he snatched it out of my hand. My Mama Tica however, is one of the kindest people in the world.
Yesterday, we visited the volcano Irazu. While the trip lasted almost 2 hours and involved more turns than my body could handle, the craters were a sight to see. The climate was nearly 20 degrees colder than that of Heredia. It’s somewhat difficult to describe, so I’ll just put pictures after this to show how cool it was.
Although I’m in a new environment, I’m beginning to feel at home. This country has been very welcoming, and I haven’t had any negative experiences so far. My Mama Tica is looking to arrange an adoption for me, Josh, and Sebastian. So if we don’t make it back home, you know why.
¡Pura Vida!
Mateo Duran
My Mama Tica, Mama Barboza, has served us strictly Costa Rican meals for us to try. While other have had some American foods at home, I’ve only had comida costarricense. The first night was the famous Gallo Pinto, a dish composed of solely rice and beans. The following night was a special recipe made by our awesome Mama Tica. It was composed of plantain that was stuffed with chicken and chayote with vegetables that was baked in the oven. The outcome was a delicious dinner that tasted like lasagna and corn bread, it was amazing. Are meals have been relatively similar to the first, varying with pork and different vegetables.
Speaking Spanish in Costa Rica is way different than speaking Spanish at home or in Mexico. Here, everyone speaks quick and quietly. Multiple times I’ve hs to use the phrase “repita por favor” to get a second take on what the locals were saying. And although we were told that everyone here is nice, I’ve come to find that they aren’t nice when they lose patience. For example, I was trying to buy a nice gift for a friend back in the U.S., I couldn’t understand that the cashier was asking for my debit card and he snatched it out of my hand. My Mama Tica however, is one of the kindest people in the world.
Yesterday, we visited the volcano Irazu. While the trip lasted almost 2 hours and involved more turns than my body could handle, the craters were a sight to see. The climate was nearly 20 degrees colder than that of Heredia. It’s somewhat difficult to describe, so I’ll just put pictures after this to show how cool it was.
Although I’m in a new environment, I’m beginning to feel at home. This country has been very welcoming, and I haven’t had any negative experiences so far. My Mama Tica is looking to arrange an adoption for me, Josh, and Sebastian. So if we don’t make it back home, you know why.
¡Pura Vida!
Mateo Duran
Ummm...no adoption.
ReplyDelete🤔😭🤗