Mangoes in the Park…and other new things.

Mi casa es su casa, many of us have heard this before but it rings true here in Turrialba.  The families truly turn their home into our home for an entire month.  A new place comes with new traditions and new facilities as well.  But before I go on, let me share that this part of Costa Rica we are living in is very developed, so no, I am not sleeping in a hammock or living in a hut somewhere, I am living in a house with 3 bedrooms a living room, dining room, washer and kitchen, oh and a little dog! Even though many of these things are similar to what we know, there are some differences. (And the differences come with a language lesson too, you’re welcome!)  

Would you like hot
or cold water?

   Ducharse: To Shower.

The electrical and heating system for water and showers here is unique, simply different then what I know from home.  The first day my host mom showed me around the house and showed me the bathroom.  She showed me this little lever and said “agua frio, agua caliente” cold water, hot water.  Well the first night I was feeling a cooler shower would be nice, so I put the lever in the middle.  The middle is cold. Hot showers here are just a little warmer than room temperature if you are lucky, but it is okay because we are so warm and sweaty it feels good, you just take a deep breath a few times, give yourself a little pep talk and all is well. 

    La Cena: Dinner

Pan- don't worry, I have the
recipe!

Many Tico families have a large breakfast and lunch and eat a snack with coffee around 5ish.  As students that come from a culture where a large dinner is eaten they cook us a separate dinner, which I have usually eaten by myself.  In my apartment, we eat dinner together daily, so this is an adjustment, but one I can handle and would like to try their tradition of a lighter dinner too.

    Clase de Cocina: Cooking Class

I love to cook, so having cooking class is like home to me. Cooking classes in Costa Rica mean two things: a new language and new foods.    Not only did I use these new skills at our cooking class but with my second host family in Pacayitas.  This past weekend our group took a weekend trip to a rural area and I stayed with Patricia’s family.  My new recipes include: Picadillo (a chopped vegetable mixture), Tortillas, Pan dulce(similar to cinnamon rolls, but with pineapple hon 

ey) y Plantanos maduros fritos (fried plantains).

       Mangoes en el parque: Mangos in the Park

Sometimes my raincoat doesn't
work properly

It is the title of my blog, so I must share about the mangos in the park. The fruit here is incredible, and Riley and I were looking for a little snack, so we visited our new friend for some mangoes… All was well until we realized we didn’t have anyway of cutting them open.  Well… “when in costa rica” you eat your mangoes no matter what, take a bite and start peeling…(note: mangoes are really juicy).   We realize we may have looked a little crazy, but that has never stopped us before. Other “when in costa rica” moments include, cultural dance experiences where I learned I lack rythm, the bugs I may have consumed in my pan dulce and washed down with some coffee, and the distinct smell of bug spray, sweat and wet clothing.  But, a little protein, dancing, dampness  or mango juice never hurt anyone. 

I will keep embracing the ‘newness’ around me- mangoes in the park, constant rain, sweat, dampness and all! ¡Pura Vida!