bryanjazz

It has been a while since I've posted here. There's been a whirlwind of activity, of which I will begin to share more. Right now I am vacationing with my family in Costa Rica. Actually, I leave today. LOL. Just wanted to have a "for the record" on the site. ;-)

Costa Rica has the finest coffee in the world. Well, that's what they say, and I certainly would not debate it at this point. I knew something was different when I said "yes" to coffee after dinner. Generally, I just don't drink the stuff after 2pm. It affects my sleep. But the coffee here truly is some of the best I've tasted.

What I did not know until I started investigating the country before my trip, was that it is also one of the most bio-diverse places on earth, and also one of the most eco-conscious. About 25% of the country's land is protected, largely through a national park system. It is also a reputation for being a peaceful place, enjoying many years of political stability and the absence of a military since 1948. All of this has facilitated a huge tourism industry, now the country's biggest. (Interestingly, one of the biggest industries here is an Intel chip processing plant.) Being a country of largely Spanish descendants (there are a few enclaves of indigenous peoples, and a large Jamaican population on the Caribbean coast) race has no doubt played a significant contributory role in facilitating the country's economic and political stability, as it does in the rest of the world's geo-politics.

My experience here has been wonderful. I have been staying at a lovely hotel with an excellent, friendly staff, and wonderful views of Costa Rica's Central Valley. The Valle Central is home to San Jose, the country's capital and major city. San Jose is a major urban metropolis, like many others around the world, with busy streets, cars, traffic and commerce, so it is not really the destination of most tourists, and not even highly regarded by many of its own citizens. City dweller that I am, however, I found it to be quite an interesting place, with an energy that I'd like to explore more of should I make another visit.

I also got a chance to experience some of the country's other offerings, notably a visit to a coffee plantation, Arenal (one of the most active volcanos in the Americas), and Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio (a tropical rain forest) and its nearby beach.

Overall, my short trip (8 days) to Costa Rica has been relaxing and restful. In many ways it made me think of Ghana, and has definitely increased my appreciation and desire for more international travel.