Tues. Jan. 9, 2024 — In the present day was my second day of sophistication and my fourth day of being in Costa Rica! Every thing could be very new and I’m liking San José to date. My favourite facets about San José are the historic websites, the climate, and the meals choices.
There are various websites to go to, together with El Teatro Nacional (The Nationwide Theater – see photograph under), which is a chic, revered constructing that hosts performs, classical live shows, dance, and different main occasions. It was in-built 1897, and architecturally displays the lavish, neoclassical fashion of the nineteenth century. On my tour, we didn’t keep for lengthy and noticed solely the foyer (see photograph of statue under). I hope to return!
Additionally, the climate has been great, since Costa Rica is positioned close to the equator and is experiencing summer season. It’s been a reduction to flee the wind, rain and chilly of Bellingham, and take in the solar in Costa Rica. The humidity isn’t too unhealthy both, as I initially thought. Temperatures and humidity might enhance in coming months, although. I’m excited to develop my tan and escape my shorts! Some locals put on shorts, but it surely’s extra frequent to see pants and nicer apparel.
As well as, I’ve been having fun with the house cooked meals from my host mother (Mamá Tica) for breakfast and dinner. Recently, she’s made refried-bean stuffed empanadas, spinach omelettes wrapped in heat tortillas, yuca, and gallo pinto – a standard Costa Rican dish of beans and rice. Mamá Tica is so candy! I can’t wait to attempt a number of the native eating places too, and doubtless keep away from the U.S. chains like KFC and McDonald’s. There’s a shocking quantity of U.S. consumerism all over the place that I wish to escape.
On a regular basis, I’ve a Spanish class from 9am-12noon on the College Veritas. This primary week is only for worldwide (research overseas) college students, and subsequent week, the native college students formally begin their semester with us. My Spanish class has solely 7 folks, and we’re squished right into a tiny room on the second flooring. The college is sort of a labyrinth with its complicated room numbers. Take this quantity for instance: “225”. In contrast to within the U.S. and different locations, “225” doesn’t imply the room is positioned on the second flooring. The primary quantity denotes the “zone”, the second quantity signifies the ground stage, and the third quantity is the precise classroom quantity. On the primary day of college, it took me a very long time to search out the classroom 229, as a result of it was in a wholly totally different space than I assumed. I went to the second flooring and noticed solely school rooms within the 100-level, and needed to ask somebody for instructions (in Spanish). Fortunately, somebody pointed me to a separate wing of the college, the place zone 2 is located. I’ll get the hold of it!
When it comes to scholar life, I sit up for becoming a member of the tropical dance courses and cooking courses! They begin subsequent week. Additionally, College Veritas is an artwork and design faculty. Sadly, I can not take extra courses because of the construction of my program, however possibly there’s a membership I partake in. I’ve made a number of buddies from totally different host universities throughout the U.S., so I’m constructing a neighborhood. I’m excited to satisfy native college students within the coming months.
As talked about earlier, one tradition shock is how troublesome it’s to navigate town. In Costa Rica, the streets usually are not labeled effectively and small indicators that say “Avenue 32” for instance, are plastered to the outside partitions of homes. Google Maps and Apple Maps usually are not very correct, both. There have been a number of occasions after I’ve turned down the incorrect road and headed within the incorrect path. Locals often give instructions utilizing landmarks and the space of how lengthy it’ll take to commute from one reference level to a different. My homestay is positioned in a neighborhood near the college, and it took me just a few days to study the route, just by memorizing the turns and reference factors, and studying to cross the road (see earlier put up for that rationalization).
I did as a lot analysis as I might concerning the transportation in Costa Rica, and I knew earlier than arriving that navigation is likely to be a battle. One can put together and analysis for a visit, however first-hand expertise is the most effective instructor. I’m making an attempt to be affected person with myself, as a result of I’m in a brand new metropolis and doing my greatest to regulate to those modifications. It’s comforting to know that I’m well-supported by my program’s workers, as effectively and different college students who’re going by way of the identical issues. I’m fortunate and grateful to be right here! Tomorrow is a brand new day!
