Food Diferences

So the differences in food are some of the more noticeable cultural differences here in Costa Rica. Here are some of the differences I've noticed:

-You can really eat beans and rice for every meal.
-Beans and rice for breakfast is mixed together and called Gallo Pinto.
-For lunch and dinner you can add meat and salad to make a complete meal.
-Frying food is the preferred method of preparation.
-Tortillas are made from corn.
-Tortillas are not always for making tacos or burritos. Sometimes they are served by themselves or used to pick up other food with.
-Don't eat the banana leaves. It's not lettuce, no matter what anyone tells you.
-Any fruit can be turned into juice.
-Despite being a very hot climate, Ticos always eat hot food.
-Hot soup is a typical food.
-New fruits: Star fruit, Passion fruit, Guanabana (Bread fruit), Guava, Platanos (Plaintains)
-New other foods: Yuca (potatoish), Snake, Iguana, Mondongo (I forget what it is)
-Plaintain chips
-Despite all of the stereotypes, Costa Ricans don't eat extremely spicy foods (very often)

That's probably a good list to start with. Enjoy learning about a different culture. Please email me if you have other questions about the culture in Costa Rica.

Cultural Differences

So its been a little while since I've added anything to this blog. Well tomorrow will mark the 9th week that I have been here in Costa Rica. So I thought I'd tell you about the differences in the culture that I've noticed. And I even have a separate section for food.

-No self-serve gas stations (well, we actually went to one today, but that was the first one I've seen in 2 months)
-Red lights and stop signs are optional
-Ticos are very polite
-Ticos are absurdly passionate about soccer
-Ticos are very relational
-But they don't eat meals together as a family (at least very often)
-You are expected to say hi (with a hug or hand shake) to everyone and to say goodbye to everyone as well (or someone you know may feel offended
-Kids don't move out on their own until they are married
-Even after getting married, young people don't move more than a few houses down or across the street from their parents
-Ticos care very much about their hygene. Young people living even in very poor neighborhoods smell like new cologne when they walk by.
-Ticos are very publicly affectionate with their spouse or with their boy or girlfriend
-When you enter a store, the sales people follow you around
-Movie theaters are 4 times cheaper and they still have more leg room
-Carrying a machete anywhere is acceptable
-Even though it rains a ton during the rainy season, Ticos avoid the rain majorly.
-Ticos don't move out of your way when your walking down the street or somewhere unless you say something.
-When you ask them to move, they often only move enough to just let you pass by.

These are just a few of the differences that I'm sure I will be able to add to later.