Pura Vida en Costa Rica: La Feria en Turrialba

Why I Created This Blog

¡Hola, Bienvenidos a todos!

I am in my fourth year of school majoring in Education and Spanish. I'm from Minnesota and am about to embark on a life changing experience, immersing myself in the language, culture, and pura vida of Costa Rica!

My ultimate goal of going to Costa Rica is to become fluent in speaking Spanish. But along the way, I am going to be visiting a very close friend from high school, experiencing Costa Rican Independence Day and Christmas, traveling to three countries and living on the beach. Oh, and I am taking classes in a university in the capital city, but it goes without debate, most of my learning will be experienced when I am not in a classroom but around the friendly Ticos (name Costa Rican's call themselves) and being out on adventures.

If you're reading this, I miss you, so do your best to let me know what you're up to! And I'll do my best filling you in on my adventures :)

Monday, October 3, 2011

La Feria en Turrialba

This is one of the fun things I was able to experience before I came to the city. This is what a day at the local farmer's market is like...

This is my first pipa. It is kind of like a coconut, but much more pleasant to drink. It's really tasty and sweet, but definitely not like the sugary drinks we are accustomed to in the United States, which is one reason why I enjoy it even more. Supposedly it is really good for you. I found this from a website and it sounded reliable enough to include it here:
One cup has more electrolytes and minerals than most sports drinks, more potassium than a banana, no sugar, no salt, no fat, and has been used as replacement milk for babies whose mother’s can not nurse and has even been used as intravenous hydration fluid. WOW!

A girl riding a pony in the plaza. Normal.

For my next trick I am going to try a Mamone!! It looks hairy and spiky and somewhat like a sea creature on the outside. However, once you peel it off and take a bite, it is really soft, extremely juicy, and tastes kind of like a giant grape. It has a pit in the middle that you can bite through but is really bitter so "PTUH!" Spit it out.

Aaaand I'm peeling it....

Peeling complete!

[Strange sea creature] - [hairy, spiky outside] = Giant Grape.

Here goes....!

Really, really, really, really....good.

My friend!! This puppy was adorable. It's owner came over and complained that one of the Martens' dogs had bitten it. She claimed her dog was dying and demanded that we either A) take it to the vet or B) pay money for it, which was $30. I was really rooting for option B so I could smuggle it into my carry-on. Three hours later, they went to go pick up the dog. It had a small bite near its leg, so they took it to the vet to get it stitched up. Me = coming home without a dog.

All of this very fresh food (only showing about 1/6 of it) cost less than $10 at the farmer's market. I love this! How can I settle for a grocery store EVER AGAIN? I don't know either....