Outside of my host family, the people who had the greatest impact on my Costa Rican experience were the seven lovely women I had the pleasure of exploring the country with and two amazing members of the ICDS team, Naya and Nina. The special bond created with each of them is one I will cherish forever.
My most unforgettable meals from my journey were two traditionally Costa Rican dishes, un casado and gallo pinto. A casado has white rice and beans as the staple of the meal and is accompanied by a protein, plantain, and a salad. Gallo pinto is similar, but the beans and rice are mixed. On the side, gallo pinto is often paired with eggs, a specific fried cheese, and ripe plantains.
