Random Facts about Costa Rica

Disclaimer: These facts may not be true for all of Costa Rica, but they are true according to my host town and my host family.
• The people let their dogs or cats randomly wander the streets.
• People thing that it is fun to drive as close as they can to the side of the cliff when driving up the mountains.
• There are vendors that walk or drive through the streets selling fruit or vegetables. Some cars have a sound system on top of their car’s roof which advertises what they are selling.
• Electric wires decide to fall down while you wait for the bus.
• There are a ton of TV shows in English and only have Spanish subtitiles.
• Shampoo is way more expensive.
• Kids only go to school for half a day, but only have a few weeks off throughout the year.
• Each family has a nickname. When I tell native people who I live with I have to tell them my family’s nickname because they won’t know who I’m talking about otherwise.
• People pass time hanging out on the front porch. When company comes over, this is where you visit with each other.
• The garage door opens left to right, not up and down.
• Costa Ricans eat gallo pinto (a food made of rice and black beans) EVERY morning for breakfast
• When eating meat, they use their hands to pick it up rather than using a fork and knife.
• Their idea of a salad is cabbage shredded with mayonnaise and ketchup as the dressing.
• They make fresh fruit juice, fresco, everyday for lunch and supper.
• Costa Ricans have a coffeebreak every day at 3 P.M.- its called cafecita
• For the nurses/nursing students: all IM shots are given in the butt. They don’t understand when you ask why they don’t give shots in the arm or leg.