My first week in Costa Rica is already done, and I am dreading having to leave next week! This week has been packed with wonderful experiences and memories. Earlier in the week, I toured mainly Costa Rican coffee plantations and participated in sustainability talks. The end of the week I spent in Monteverde, Costa Rica’s Cloud Forest. There, I went on a night walk to observe animals and insects, and I hiked the cloud forest and visited the continental divide. My favorite experience was touring the Monteverde Institute that specializes in educational and environmental programs to advance sustainability in Monteverde. As the effects of climate change are increasing, the number of days without water in the Cloud Forest has increased by four times. This is worrisome for the numerous species of plants and animals living in the Cloud Forest as the ground cannot soak up as much water. The rainfalls are for shorter periods of time, with more intense rain rather than the constant misty cloud that usually encompasses Monteverde. Monteverde Institute is working to find ways to hold more water in the ground such as by creating water reservoirs, planting more trees, and engineering water filtration and irrigation systems.
After living in Costa Rica with my host family, I have observed many characteristics of life here. Like my home in Buffalo, the family spends breakfast and dinner together each day. At dinner, everyone will share things that happened during their day. My host mother’s grandson even plays the same video games that I play with my friends. He attends middle school five days a week, studying the same subjects I studied, and he plays soccer each day. On the other hand, I have noticed that Costa Rica is much more relaxed and laid back than the United States. There is a common word here, ‘mañana’, which directly translates tomorrow. This word in Costa Rica is used to express the relaxed atmosphere where people are not rushing from place to place. Costa Ricans are often late for things because they run on ‘mañana’ time. I have noticed that meals here last much longer, and my host family eats slower to really enjoy company with each other.
The typical day here has a similar structure to life at my home in Buffalo. However, families wake up earlier since the sun rises around five in the morning. After breakfast, students attend school and adults travel to work. After their day, they return home for relaxation time and then dinner. As I have explored Costa Rica, I have taken in the bright, hot sun each day. Since dry season is ending and wet season is starting, it usually rains everyday, but this rain does not typically last for long. It may be sunny, raining and thundering, then sunny again all within an hour. Outside, I observe beautiful plants and flowers. Costa Rica has a wide variety of plants, even in the cities. This brings a natural and beautiful atmosphere to the streets in Costa Rica. I hope that cities in the United States can bring more plants and natural elements to their streets as well. I have really enjoyed my time here in Costa Rica so far, and I am excited to see what next week brings.
