Happy Weekend!
I thought I would do a little post and share some pictures of what I have been up to lately. Since my last post I have enjoyed the opportunity to explore and taste the richness of Costa Rica. I experienced birthday parties, religious events, new foods, and my first ever Spanish lesson (more on that to come in another post, stay tuned!)!
First, I went to a nearby market with my host mother and her friend. We enjoyed a "cafecito" at the market. Every time I step foot in a market in Latin America, I am impressed and in awe by the freshness and crispness of every fruit and vegetable for sale. I love the little coffee cafes, and the smell of the spice stands ready for the next customer. I love the atmosphere and the openness, the hustle and bustle, and the array of colors that capture my eyes.
I thought I would do a little post and share some pictures of what I have been up to lately. Since my last post I have enjoyed the opportunity to explore and taste the richness of Costa Rica. I experienced birthday parties, religious events, new foods, and my first ever Spanish lesson (more on that to come in another post, stay tuned!)!
First, I went to a nearby market with my host mother and her friend. We enjoyed a "cafecito" at the market. Every time I step foot in a market in Latin America, I am impressed and in awe by the freshness and crispness of every fruit and vegetable for sale. I love the little coffee cafes, and the smell of the spice stands ready for the next customer. I love the atmosphere and the openness, the hustle and bustle, and the array of colors that capture my eyes.
After the market, we participated in a religious walk for the Virgen de Los Angeles. The Virgin of Los Angeles goes back several hundred years ago from a small, indigenous statue that represents the Virgin Mary. When a native woman found the statue, she tried to take it with her but the statue reappeared twice where she had originally found it. A couple hundred years later, the Virgin became the patron saint of Costa Rica. Now, the tradition continues with a walk beginning in San Jose and ending in Los Angeles of Cartago, followed by entering the basilica and walking down the isle on your knees. The walk that we actually participated in was a shorter version. We walked for about two hours following a shrine of the Virgin. Then, we entered the church and walked down the church aisle on our knees. It was a beautiful experience, and I was grateful for being so genuinely welcomed into such a moving and precious religious tradition.
In addition to cultural events, such as parades, festivals, and religious traditions, my host family has continued to reach out to me and help me feel integrated by inviting me to several birthday parties and outings with their friends. I've really enjoyed spending time with my host family and learning about Costa Rican culture, and soaking up as many experiences as possible. Of course, culture also includes food. I have enjoyed learning and tasting the new foods of Costa Rica. I love buying a random fruit at the store and learning how to eat it. This past weekend was Mother's Day, and we didn't have class on Friday! I decided I wanted to make a meal |
for my family, so I made pasta primavera, salad, and cheesecake. The cheesecake didn't turn out as planned (still edible, but cheesecake is tough to make with an oven that only has one temperature, as I learned.) However, I must say, the pasta and prepared salad were pretty scrumptious! Below you can see a few pictures of my recent food experiences!
Left column: Pejibaye (kinda like a squash/potato); Pejibaye again; choyote
Right column: Pupusa from the Sunday fair (tortilla filled with beans, meat, and cheese and topped with cabbage salad); the meal I made for my family!; enjoying a well deserved GIANT slice of pizza after a zumba class
Left column: Pejibaye (kinda like a squash/potato); Pejibaye again; choyote
Right column: Pupusa from the Sunday fair (tortilla filled with beans, meat, and cheese and topped with cabbage salad); the meal I made for my family!; enjoying a well deserved GIANT slice of pizza after a zumba class
As I have learned, some of the richest pieces of Costa Rican culture includes the natural beauty of the country. I had the pleasure to hike an incredibly steep walk on the side of a mountain. We saw beautiful flowers along the way, and an amazing view of the whole Central Valley/San Jose! It was refreshing, and the perfect opportunity to exercise while enjoying the beautiful sites of Costa Rica with good company. We also went swimming in a river behind another trainee's house. As you can see, Costa Rica is truly beautiful.
It's been fun enjoying new culture, new food, and new natural beauty. I'm hoping to share in my next post about our Spanish cooking class and our first lessons in the schools! Stay tuned! Until then, Pura Vida!