Saturday, August 13, 2011

Costa Rica 101

Just in case any of you decide to travel to Costa Rica. I figured it would be fun to post a guide if you will about at least what I have noticed and what I think may be beneficial for you to know!
  • Dogs are EVERYWHERE. There are more strays than homeless people.
  • You DO NOT have the right of way here. Crossing the street is a major life decision.  
  • Public transportation is the way to go.  It only costs 330 colones (about 75 cents) to take a bus to and from San Jose (15-20 minute ride).
  • If not public transportation, scooters, motorcycles, 4 wheelers, and bikes are the next best thing.
  • EVERYONE loves soccer except this one kid in my class and his family is from Korea. lol
  •  I'm almost sure u don't need a license here to drive. lol jk
  • Cops only exist in downtown San Jose.
  • Stop signs are just a suggestion, so people may or may not yield.
  • NO one knows what it means to share the sidewalk.
  •  The closest thing to American chicken would be what you order at KFC.
  • Rice is served with almost every meal.
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables are easy to find.
  •  Everybody has a hustle: from selling fruit to bootleg DVDs.
  • Yes they have a Walmart. Along with Wendy's, Pizza Hut, Burger King, and McDonald's.
  • A good hot shower is hard to come by. You have to trade temperature for water pressure, can't have both.
  • Costa Ricans will feed you 10 times the amount of food they feed themselves and still ask if you want more.
  • They are so polite that they will give you the wrong directions because it's rude to say no.
  • Machetes and weed eaters are used for yard work. I have yet to see a lawn mower.
  • Stores/shops open whenever it's convenient for the owner.
  • My host family are the nicest people here.
  • EVERYONE has A LOT to say.
It is exciting to see how things are done on the other side of the tracks. It's different but it works for the people that live here. Here are some pictures I took today in Moravia and San Jose.








Hope you enjoyed this "Behind the Scenes" look at the Costa Rican culture!
Joe

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