Experience is Knowledge! The Day That Just Kept Giving

Hola! Today is May 18th 2023, our 12th day in Costa Rica! I think anyways, time is non-existence when you're having fun and really doing a lot of self reflecting. I started my morning with an omelette that was literally heaven on earth and I don't even like omelettes, thats how I knew today was going to be a good day (spoiler, it was). Haley and I made our usual route to ULatina, with a plenty of time to say our usual Buenas Dias to the neighborhood puppies.

I clearly didn't pay attention to our itinerary because I had no idea we were getting ready to receive the best history class, I've ever patriciapted in. Our lecture was presented by Silvia Valerio about the history of Costa Rica. It was a bit of everything, from the language, sports, the people, the education, the holidays and origins. It was amazing. Take a look at Figure 1 of my chaotic notes. I had a small talk with Marquette and mentioned that there's only so many times and for so long that we can place any blame on our (the US) education systems for not immersing us (me) in more global knowledge. With our age and access to Internet, people, research materials it is more than possible

Figure 1: Notes from history of Costa Rica lesson, along side a picture of me holding a Guanacaste Tree or Elephant ear (because it looks like an ear) seed.

to educate ourselves, even on the basics. This is definitely just me thinking about my experiences growing up in what I would consider a pretty good school with many career opportunities, but sometimes I think the core classes were overlooked heavily. However I take the responsibility now because the older you get I believe you are in control for the vast majority of the knowledge and research you partake in.

The learning doesn't stop when you leave the school building. We we able to experience a cooking class from the amazing Chef, Christina, we made Gallo pinto, picadillo de papa, tortillas, mango ceviche, and for dessert, cajeta. It was all so tasty and more importantly for me it was the experience of a home cooked meal of different foods and ingredients that made it feel so personal.

Figure 2: The finished product of our meal with cooking and group photo

AN THEN, we went to Museo de Cultura Popular or the Museum of Popular Culture. Learning more about the coffee plantations, and how people lived. We were able to walk through President Rafael Yglesias Castro vacation home, he's the President on the 5,000 colones bill! At the house, we participated in a small group activity to see what different household items looked like and were for. Medicinal air fresheners, figures for hope in marriage, figures for hope in money and life, there was also a chamber pot. Which I can't say I know anyone currently who still uses those or would want to but knowing the circumstances of nature and the possible danger, you can bet the chamber pot was the best option. Can't forget the homemade Prestinos and the Costa Rica Symphonic Orchestra to end the day with a bang.

This was certainly a long day, but a memorable day in the end, stay suncreened!

-Karryn N.