Living in a very rural area of Costa Rica is a fascinating cultural experience. We have consistent bus service to the front of the finca and we can walk only a few meters and witness the local brew being sold illegally from a Pulperia's. We can also buy fresh fish, chicken, frozen pork, ice cream, sugar, coffee and most of the other staples that Costa Rican's require.

I have found that Costa Rica isn't all that it is presented to be. We have been visiting a great spot on the Caribbean side of the country. While Costa Rica is said to be a eco-enviromental example for the rest of the world. This is hardly true, where I have been living.

For example, there is no trash disposal in either of the sprawling mountainous country side neighborhoods where we live. We have a breath taking view of one of Costa Ricans Volcanos from our front porch, but every Sunday the neighborhood several meters away burns their plastic trash and the smoke normally comes directly into our Tico house. Sometimes we have to vacate it until the smoke clears. There is no trash service for over 5000 inhabitants of this community. Many of which do not have a car to transport their waste. There are no trash receptacles. Well why would there be. There is no one to pick up the trash. When I have asked several people that have lived here for most of their live's they claim the practice of burning their trash on Sunday was passed down from their parents. So its kind of like a tradition in this part of the country.

Most of the locals are said to be educated and aware of the environment are neither. English is taught in the schools here but there is not one person that actually speaks english where we live. Not even the teacher that teaches it speaks English. We even see people who graduate from English class and the only words they can say are Hello and Good Bye. Costa Rica is a fascinating blend of hypocrisy and tradition. In some areas the Gringo is somewhat disliked, while other areas Gringos seem to be accepted.

We have not found the people to be educated about their country, nor about the enviroment here. They do not not even know the names of the trees or flowers or even the name of the volocano that they can see from their front yard. If you are thinking of coming to Costa Rica, make your own decisions and culminate your own experiences.

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