There are no better words to describe life in Costa Rica other than Pura Vida- a phrase used as a hello, goodbye, and an exclamation by Ticos. The way of life is slow and every moment is enjoyed with company. While most people we meet are somehow related to our Tico leader, Pablo, it is not uncommon to have a complete stranger or distant friend stop by for a snack and some conversation. For the past week or so we have been staying in a small village in the rainforest, in homestay houses. Our houses are made up of 3-4 of us and a family of the community. We are immersed in the day-to-day life in Costa Rica with the opportunity to practice our Spanish-speaking skills and learn how to cook traditional foods.
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Phoebe:
In my house, we live with a 7-month-old baby, who always has a smile on her face, her mother, Kayleen, and her grandmother, Mariela. They have shared their home and way of life with kindness unmatched by anything else I have experienced in my life. They have been patient and incredibly helpful in improving my Spanish, even taking time while preparing meals to help me with pronunciation while I read my book, La Sombra del Viento, aloud. Mariela has also taught us to cook and has been incredibly kind and patient with my less-than-perfect tortillas and my fingers which have not yet become accustomed to the heat of the stove.
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Kyli:
In my house, we live with a 2-year-old, Mateo, who constantly fills the house with laughter, and a 14-year-old, Guadalupe, our Uno partner every day! When we get home and our lovely parents, Chago and Jiselle. From the moment we got there, they have done nothing but care for us and welcomed us into their home with love. More often than not, you can find me on the porch reading, playing with Mateo, or indulging in a game of cards with Guadalupe and my 2 other housemates from Global Routes. We have eaten months’ worth of mangos from the mango tree in our yard and learned lessons that will stick with me for years to come. My heart is full of the constant kindness they have shown me and this beautiful community.
