LIFE AS A TICO: March 2011

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

50 years and counting.....

Today is the 50th birthday of the Peace Corps. Fifty years ago today, JFK signed the executive order 10924 that officially started the Peace Corps. Prior to signing this order, he first devised the idea of the Peace Corps at the University of Michigan a few months earlier. It was in october and he arrived in Ann Arbor during the evening. It was deep in the thick of the presidential election and JFK was fighting hard against Vice President Richard Nixon. Upon arriving, JFK was slated to retire to his room, grab a few hours of well-earned sleep, and then begin a train tour of Michigan. When his vehicle pulled up to the University throngs of students were waiting to hear their Democratic nominee speak. Many had been waiting for hours, the steps were swarming with those hopeful of catching a glimpse, and Kennedy knew he had to address the crowd. Instead of giving a quick speech in order to rally votes in his favor, Kennedy decided to ask:

"How many of you who are going to be doctors are willing to spend your days in Ghana? Technicians or engineers: how many of you are willing to work in the Foreign Service and spend your lives traveling around the world? On your willingness to do that, not merely to serve one year or two years in the service, but on your willingness to contribute part of your life to this country, I think will depend the answer whether a free society can compete. I think it can. And I think Americans are willing to contribute. But the effort must be far greater than we’ve ever made in past."

It is a great honor and privilege that I am serving in the Peace Corps during this worldwide celebration. I have read many great stories and adventures from the returned volunteers and feel like I am living those same adventures right now! It is crazy to think that I have been here almost five months; everything goes by so fast when you are enjoying every second of it. The sun never sets on the Peace Corps and every one of the 77 countries is holding some type of celebration today. Costa Rica has a celebration, but unfortunately I am unable to go due to a demanding work schedule this week. If San Jose was closer to my site, I might have decided to take a night out.

Here's to 50 years and many more....

Obama's Presidential Proclamation

:http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/02/28/presidential-proclamation-50th-anniversary-peace-corps

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.