LIFE AS A TICO: Pics Finally!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Pics Finally!

Hello family and friends! I have not been updating my blog frequently, but I finally had the time to upload the some pics. Here are some from the past week:

Walk from San Gabriel (1300 M) to Tarbaca (1550 M)

Sea of Green

Coffee Plant. Harvest season is right now.

San Gabriel

Wanderer above the sea of fog

My spanish class. From left to Right: Andrew, Marie, Emilia (teacher) and Megan

Salud! Drinking Costa Rica's finest brew, Imperial!

This weekend, I will be traveling to Upala, Alajeula to visit a Peace Corps volunteer currently serving. It is about a 4 hour bus ride from San Jose (depending on the roads). Upala is about 20 KM from the Nicaraguan border. I will be basically shadowing the volunteer (Eric) for the four days I am there. I had the chance to talk to Eric on the phone and he seemed really excited that I was visiting. He has some activities planned for the weekend, and on monday, I will be sitting-in on the english classes that he teaches. In addition, I will have the opportunity to interview a few micro-entrepreneurs from the city. I am looking forward to the experience and to also see a new part of Costa Rica. I will take lots of pictures so everyone will be able to see!! I miss you all and hope all is well!

Pura Vida

Elliot

No comments:

Post a Comment

Fun Facts about Costa Rica!

1) Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos (males) or Ticas (females). Americans and Canadians are often called Gringos/ Gringas.

2) The national bird is the clay-colored robin (Turdus grayi), and the Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) is the national tree. The national flower is the guaria morada (Cattleya skinneri), an orchid. The national flag is red, white and blue.

3) Costa Rica has a population of 4.5 million and a life expectancy of almost 77 years - one of the highest in the world.

4) There are 801 miles of coastline in Costa Rica.

5) Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon.

6) There are more than 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica, and seven of them are active. Poas Volcano has the second widest crater in the world (nearly one mile in diameter), and Arenal Volcano is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.

7) Chirripo is the highest point in Costa Rica at 12,500 feet. The country's lowest point is 790 feet below sea level in the caves of Barra Honda National park.

9) Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity even though its landmass only takes up .03% of the planet's surface.

10) A soda is a small, informal restaurant that serves traditional meals like chicken, rice, beans and salad for $2- $3 a plate.

11) A pulperia is a neighborhood store that sells essential foodstuffs like canned goods, eggs, milk, bread and some produce.

12) The Tempisque River Bridge (known locally as La Puente de Amistad) that connects the mainland to the Nicoya Peninsula was a gift from Taiwan.

13) More than 25% of Costa Rica’s land is dedicated to national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges. There are more than 100 different protected areas to visit.

14) Guaro is the local alcoholic liquor of choice. The beverage is inexpensive and is made from sugar cane.