LIFE AS A TICO: More Pics (previous blog cont.)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

More Pics (previous blog cont.)

Here are some pics I forgot to add in the previous blog. I have one more from the swearing-in ceremony at the US embassy:

The Gentle Giants and Ambassador Anne Andrew

Pictures from the end-of-training-family-party, yes all one word:

Half of my host family: Rosa, Yensi, Me, Eduardo

Cooking the meat

The Grill-masters

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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.